Preparing

So, now that the cruise bookings are complete and paid for, its time to prepare. First of all, the one-way flight to Ft. Lauderdale needed to be booked and paid for, and we wanted to spend a few days on the Gulf coast of Florida before we sailed. So, a car rental, and hotel needed to be reserved. Also, from experience, we are flying in winter, and winter flying is very unpredictable. As a nervous flyer already, its really best to fly in early- just in case. We spent too much time and money to miss the sail-away on January 22 without us onboard.  Bruce likes to look for shark teeth on Manasota Key, so we are going to stay in an old style Florida Inn that we rented for 2 weeks a few years ago. We had a great, relaxing time there. Hopefully the Red Tide will be gone by then. We did find many shark teeth to bring home. It is a little different trying to train your brain to look for black teeth mixed in with the white shells. I wanted to pick up the shells….

Our travel agent has been our new BFF for the last few months. With questions answered and small glitches solved, we are so glad we chose this route. Holland America requires that before we even board, we need to have an Indian and Sri Lanka visa in hand. Since we are not doing any overland tours, we can apply for an e-visa, which is only valid for the time you are there. Much cheaper, and it is all done on-line…..no sending off your passports. We did the Indian one the other day….what a challenge! It took almost all day for the both of us. Filling out the forms were time consuming, but bearable. We just had tons of trouble scanning our passports to the required dimensions for Indian acceptance. But in the end success! And it only took 24 hrs for approval.  Sri Lanka was much easier, and faster.

Now for packing.....Fed-ex comes on the 11th of January and 4 bags need to be packed, labeled and ready to go to Ft. Lauderdale. We will spend most of the cruise south of the equator, so summer clothes are in order. As we head into Northern Europe in May, spring clothes and layering will be a must. Packing enough everyday supplies times 5, all the electronics, cameras, formal wear, paperwork, medications is a little daunting, but, we think we have everything. I really don't want to spend time in ports looking for supplies. We only have a total of 7 bags, but I have heard from previous world cruisers that some people have so many bags that they book the room across the hall....just to use as a closet. We have free laundry and plan to use it often. 
Now we have to notify credit card companies-banks, take care of mail, house sitters, filing for a tax extension, pay some bills in advance, stop garbage service, cable, internet....etc. You really don't know how much it entails until you have to stop everything, or put it on hold. Whew! Now its time to pack for Florida and 5 nights on the gulf coast....should be a piece of cake.....