Day 11 Port Canaveral

I am writing this on Day 12, at around 08.15hrs. I have had a good sleep with the usual weird dreams and “comfort wake-ups.

“We we just can’t quite shake off that pesky cool reminder that it’s still late January. Technical problems contributed to yet further delay as our arrival at Port Canaveral was revised yet again to 14.00hrs, and again, all shore excursions cancelled, with one partially reinstated.

The time consuming procedures of U.S Immigration, once quite efficient, particularly on cruises, seem to have become “part of the territory” of North American travel from abroad. The shuttle to the Space Centre still ran, but with reduced time at the Centre. This turned out to be a most worthwhile trip, which looking back, I now wish I had taken. Instead, I took the free shuttle to a somewhat tacky Cocoa Beach, but with a tired American charm which I did enjoy, as well as a rare stroll across the beach towards the sea. Peter ( from our table) tagged along. Normally, I would have welcomed the company, but today, I had looked forward to one of those of “suck it and see” wanderings. I shall do that today in Fort Lauderdale instead, taking the free shuttle bus to a nearby mall. The posh Lumix camera I bought in Tenerife during the QM2 World Voyage of 2018, after several “tumbles” is, prematurely less reliable and needs a thorough service. (It’s too new to throw away.) Already, the camera shop as well as other outlets can “see me coming!”

Although bright yesterday, a northerly breeze pegged the temperatures at a disappointing 17 degrees, even less with a notable wind chill factor. Passengers on the Space Centre trip were also taken by surprise, I am led to believe.

The Navigational Channel tells me this morning that it’s a more respectable 20 degrees already (09.28hrs). Old friends, Nona and Roger (QE2, 1990, 2000), surprised me in the cruise terminal yesterday, making a “guest appearance from way-back in the day.” I was, and am still delighted.

I joined former table companion Jo and her new found friend, Janet as well as Adrian for an Alternative Dining Coriander experience on Deck 9. This was the stuff of the highest-end dining extravagance…complimentary to very frequent Cunard customers. I have been invited to switch to their table for the evening meals. Much as I would rather like to, I have no real reason to move, and I am reluctant to possibly offend those on my existing table who all are friendly and good company.Oh! the dilemmas of this temporary elevated life style!

Below, a few pictures taken yesterday.

1 and 2 View from my stateroom, Port Canaveral.