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We finish packing and fly all night, arriving in Fort Lauderdale

Itinerary, Menus, When & Where and Entertainers

TAKING THE REDEYE TO FORT LAUDERDALE

While we shipped seven bags and a box on 15 Dec 23 using luggage forward, we still left for the airport with five checked bags. We hate to have everything in our advance shipment as you don’t know what will be missing until the ship has left. Some things can’t be replaced during the cruise regardless of cost, as many items we use aren’t available outside the USA.

Regardless of how many checklists you make, you always seem to find a few things that you can’t live without – (but you really could), but we aren’t known for packing light, and we aren’t ready to start now.

Our bags are packed, and we’re ready to go!

We have been using the same airport driver, Stan with San Diego Transporters, for 15 years. While more expensive than other options, the reliability and quality are worth the premium.

Traveling on New Year’s Eve is never crowded, and we enjoyed smaller crowds throughout the trip. On our final leg from Atlanta to San Diego, the Delta 757 probably had 30 people onboard.

Our final flight to FLL was almost empty

Our Avis rental car was ready on arrival, and we arrived at the Residence Inn in Plantation around 11 AM. We enjoy staying in Plantation near the large mall and Target for last-minute shopping. While you are about 10 minutes further away than the closer hotels, the prices are lower, and you don’t have the throngs of people crowding and looking for taxis and transfers at the same time.

I can’t say enough about our new Tach Luggage. For the first time we were able to move our bags from the carousel to the curb and from the parking lot to our hotel room without using any luggage carts or porters.

GRAND WORLD VOYAGE PACKAGES

Every cruise has a variety of packages available for purchase in advance, ranging from beverages, wine, laundry, internet and more. A Grand World Voyage has similar packages but with much more extensive offerings. For example the signature beverage package is usually around $50 a day, but on the GWV you can get one for $16.95 a day. Download the printout HERE

Interactive Cruise Map

Itinerary, Menus, When & Where and Entertainers

Cruise Reference Items

13 Comments

Debra Campbell on January 2, 2024 at 1:13 pm

Curious to know what you can’t get outside the United States.

I enjoy your posts very much. Thank you.
Reply
- The Inside Cabin on January 2, 2024 at 1:24 pm
  
  While you can get most things outside the USA eventually- the case is how difficult is it to track down. For example my scanner and printer. To replace those my first chance would probably be Honolulu then Tokyo then Hong Kong etc. Then it’s a case of how much time do you want to spend trying to find stores etc. So it’s not so much you couldn’t get something it’s how much of a pain it would be.
  
  If my airline loses a bag. I know right away and have a whole day in FLL to find stuff.
  
  Our first port after FLL to easily get stuff would be Puerto Vallarta (Walmart near ship) then Honolulu
  Reply
Wendy Tippett on January 2, 2024 at 1:27 pm

Great tips! Many thanks and ENJOY every minute..
Reply
Nancy Garofalo on January 2, 2024 at 1:36 pm

Enjoy your cruise ! I will be following along every step of the way 🤓
Reply
- The Inside Cabin on January 2, 2024 at 11:18 pm
  
  Thanks for following! It’s gonna be GREAT!
  Reply
Tim bowman on January 2, 2024 at 1:38 pm

That’s a lot of luggage! We’re leaving for Antartica in 2 days with our customary rolling suitcase and backpack which is what we used for the recently completed Grand South America. I’m looking forward to your reports.
Reply
- The Inside Cabin on January 2, 2024 at 11:19 pm
  
  Thanks Tim – I’m not sure I could master your packing technique for a long weekend! You guys are very efficient.
  
  Looking forward to your Antarctica Blog
  Reply
Lynne Killgore on January 2, 2024 at 1:47 pm

Lookbfirward to your review of TACH Luggage. We have been using Briggs & Riley and Eagle Creek for 10+ yrs and warranty is great but thise look really easy to manuver
Reply
- The Inside Cabin on January 2, 2024 at 11:22 pm
  
  We used to use Briggs and Riley and while the warranty was great – we didn’t think the weight penalty was worth it. This is our first trip with the Tach bags and at first i thought it was a gimmick, but I was amazed that Judy and me were able to move all our bags unassisted. Plus they are light and inexpensive – about $300 for the set of three.
  Reply
Lorraine Rice on January 3, 2024 at 8:02 am

Bon Voyage! All aboard day.

Enjoy GWV 2024. I am an 8X HA GWVoyager. Now, cannot continue because of age and health issues with my husband.

I would like to be included in your blog. A neighbor advised me. I heard that Henk Mensick will be cruise director on this voyage. A really nice guy.

Fantastic itinerary. Be safe, healthy and have fun.
Reply
- The Inside Cabin on January 4, 2024 at 3:18 pm
  
  Henk is the Hotel General Manager, not the cruise director. He has never been a cruise director but was promoted through other positions in the Hotel Department like Food and Beverage.
  Reply
Bobi Salzman on January 7, 2024 at 5:33 pm

Someone finally came up with a fantastic idea when designing that luggage. What a great way to pull three pieces of luggage! Hopefully they will wear well and withstand the rigors of the airlines. Since I can’t be on this cruise, I will be following your blog along with several others. Hopefully it will allay my depression about not being there. Have a wonderful time and thanks for all your wonderful Zoom calls getting everyone prepared for this voyage.
Reply
- The Inside Cabin on January 8, 2024 at 4:54 am
  
  I was pleasantly surprised at how well the tach luggage is working – it seems to hold up well so far – they have been on three airline trips – those are always the toughtest
  Reply