World Cruise Day 163/163 - Back in the US, Back in the US, Back in the USA!

Cruise day: 163/163

Ports days: 91
Sea days: 72
Countries: 28
Continents: 5
Ports: 63

The road home started this morning.  We got up around 7AM and took showers.  We packed the last few items into our carry-on bags and walked out of stateroom 5090 the last time.  We went up to the World Cafe for our final breakfast on the cruise.

In typical fashion, while we were getting our food, the incredible waitstaff delivered our sodas and glasses of ice without us asking

Our send-off was a little emotional.  I know it sounds hokey, but we seriously felt like family, especially as the last World Cruisers on the ship.  All the officers were there to see us off - hugs went all around.  Someone commented that in 75 cruises, they never saw the need to talk to the General Manager.  To each their own, but the General Managers, and all the officers for that matter, that we had on this cruise were simply wonderful people that we got to know on a personal level.  Your loss.

You know you've eaten too much when the kitchen crew all comes to say farewell

As a final World Cruise farewell, they didn't even let us handle our luggage.  They took our carry-on bags and retrieved our larger bags and took them to the bus for us.  Wow.  Way to make us feel special.

Then...we got to the airport.  Wow. Let me say that I never want to fly through CPH - Copenhagen Airport again.  We arrived and couldn't find the Delta terminal.  That's because there wasn't one.  After about 20 minutes, they finally switched terminals over to Delta and started checking people in.  But...before you got checked in, they did a little security interview and checked your passport. (#1).  Then, the agent at the counter checked your passport again. (#2).  Then we had to go through an extremely invasive security check that makes the TSA look like a trip to the beach.  Of course, they check your passport. (#3) After you walk through a rather extensive duty-free shop, you get to Passport Control where they check your passport. (#4).  We opted to spend some time in the lounge.  The World Cruise included business-class air, so that meant access to the lounge.

CPH is also a "silent" airport.  What that means is that they don't announce any flight departures.  That puts all the responsibility on the passenger to scan the monitors for delays, gate changes, and such.  Our outbound flight was delayed by 30 minutes but was scheduled to arrive ten minutes ahead of schedule.  We figured the pilot was going to fly it like he stole it.  A little less than an hour before departure, we headed for the gate.  But we couldn't get to the gate.  Nobody could.  The entire passenger compliment had to line up in a single line in the middle of the terminal.  Not to get on the plane - to get into the gate.  Finally, about 20 minutes before they were going to start boarding, they finally let people in so they could sit at the gate.  But before you were allowed into the gate...another passport check. (#5)  And, we weren't allowed into the gate area - we had to pass through a turnstile where there was...another passport check 20 feet from the last passport check. (#6)  The gate area was so crowded and loud that nobody could hear the boarding announcements.  We finally were allowed to board.  *whew*

We were on a 767 that was really showing its age - the business class seats did recline flat, but weren't terribly comfortable - still, there was a lot more legroom than coach so that was nice

Meals were certainly better - braised short ribs

Chocolate mousse cake

Ice cream with toffee crumbles

We got two meals on the long flight - an open-faced cheeseburger

Salmon salad

We arrived essentially on time at JFK in New York, cleared Customs quickly, grabbed our bags, rechecked them, and then went through TSA.  That's something else I don't understand - why can't they set it up so passengers that have already been security scanned don't have to get scanned again.  It all went well and we got to our gate about ten minutes before boarding.

The flight to Orlando went well and we were in first class, so that was nice.  We actually landed early - a bonus.  We grabbed our bags and went outside to meet our driver.

A little more than an hour later and we were home sweet home at Kolb Kastle.  It was a 19-hour travel day from ship to home, but in the grand scheme, went smoothly.

I will write one more blog tomorrow summarizing things and adding a few thoughts and observations.  For now, we're pretty whipped, so we'll sleep in our own bed in a few minutes for the first time in five-and-a-half months.