We got the packing done and got all our stuff out in plenty
of time. It’s always a little nervous making to have to put the luggage out the
night before, but we did ok.
Saturday Feb 18
So, debarking under quarantine. For one thing, you’re the
last passengers off the ship. We were up early to watch our ship come in, and
they brought us breakfast as ordered. Then it was sitting in our cabin waiting
to be alerted that it was time to go. It took longer than usual for the ship to
get cleared, so the first passengers were almost a half hour late. It was
interesting watching people getting off the ship – the first group are called
“self-assists”, meaning they keep their luggage with them and get it off the
ship themselves. There was a large variety of sizes and numbers of suitcases –
from a few people with a small roll aboard and a backpack, to one couple who
each had what looked like a wagon loaded with several suitcases. We continued
sitting in our cabin watching them offload suitcases and garbage, and load up
with new supplies. We even saw them come through and clean our verandah!
Eventually they came and knocked on our door and escorted us down to the big
auditorium, where we sat and waited with about 35-40 other people – I guess
they figured its ok for us to be in close proximity since we all either had
covid or had been sharing space with someone who did. They called off all the
room numbers of people who were supposed to be there, and then started calling
names since some people didn’t recognize their room numbers, which I think
would be hard since you say it all the time. Then a nice immigration man came
and took pictures of our passports, and eventually they took us off the ship. We
were going down the stairs past deck 2 where most people got off and the folks
working there tried to get us to use their door but we knew better, and once
they found out we were C+ they didn’t want us anyway. They scan your room card
as you get off, and Dave’s made the alarm sound. We went off a small gangway
off of A deck, and all our luggage was waiting for us in a small huddle, which
is a plus since normally you’re in a cavernous building searching for your
luggage group. The security officer didn’t want to let us out the special gate
but was finally persuaded (maybe the threatened that we would breathe on him)
and eventually our Uber came. We got to the hertz car rental at the airport and
got our car, then spent forever waiting in the exit line. As we exited the
building, there was a sign that said “GPS Sync Zone left lane” and sure enough
when we got out there was a land of people waiting for their GPSs to get a
signal so they could figure out where they were going. We had an uneventful
ride to Pasadena and got checked into our hotel. Dave went out briefly to get a
new fitbit and some meds and more test kits, and then again to get some dinner.
I stayed in the hotel room.
And that closes out our trip.
