We couldn’t rely on those normal telltale signs that our cruise had come to an end, such as the thrusters spinning our ship into place at its berth, to act as our alarm this morning. Instead we set alarms on both phones and my iPad to make sure we didn’t miss our final Sabatini’s breakfast.
We were there when the restaurant opened at 6:30am, using the front elevators to go directly from our cabin (M437, now that we’re off the ship) to Deck 5 (easy peasy at that time), taking all our luggage with us. We always appreciate the calm that pervades Sabatini’s breakfasts but never more so than on disembarkation day. Pure bliss. It was hard to say goodbye to the Indian mafia (their term), Raj, Royal, Francis and Tony and Philippino waiter Roderick. As G told them, regardless of how good any future cruise dining experience is, it will never top this one.
I had one goal for today and that was to avoid any time in a disembarkation lounge (for us, Concerto Dining Room) so we didn’t have a repeat of last year’s germfest. From Sabatini’s, we took a front elevator up to Deck 6 about 8:00am and easily walked off the ship with our luggage. I had apparently already forgotten our St. Thomas immigration lines and didn’t realize until we walked right through the terminal that we didn’t need to do immigration procedures today at all.
We had reserved Galveston Express seats for the transfer to Houston Hobby. I absolutely love that airport. It almost makes up for the 45 mile ride from the cruise port to the airport (which is still easier than going to Bush). However, those winds that hammered Galveston overnight were still at it, and with a 60° temperature it was pretty bitey waiting nearly a hour for our pickup. It made me sorry I had decided not to take a headband or beanie on our cruise, because I would have opened a suitcase right there in the parking lot to get it if I had.
We had just arrived at Hobby when McGee texted me. He was also flying out today and was just packing up for his trip. Did I want any team gear? I already had a team cross country T-shirt I’d brought on our cruise, but asked if he had any beanies. Of course he did. He even sent a pic of two to offer me a choice. Bring on the forecasted wind in California!
I wasn’t checking luggage, but we had to wait until four hours prior to G’s flight to check his (well, actually, his and mine), so we found a charging tower outside security and settled in. Once through security, his gate was located in one direction and mine the other so we said our goodbyes. I’ll be home Saturday night; he won’t have to bach it too long.
I walked a short distance into my terminal when I came across a string trio playing classical music and stayed until they finished their concert. Very unexpected! Very nice!
A USO was located right next to my gate, and I settled in there until my boarding time, more than an hour after G’s flight had left. ABC (always be charging)…I had a three hour layover in Las Vegas tonight and needed to have enough juice left to order a Lyft when I arrived in California. I needn’t have worried. My first aircraft had plug ins (and free WiFi!). Southwest, like Princess, has had its share of cutbacks lately, but, also like Princess, there is still a lot to love.
I sent this text to McGee, who was at that moment sitting in a Centurion Lounge at his airport.
USO in Houston Hobby airport
Basic but decent
Sure wish I was a service academy senior with free Amex card and Centurion Lounge access instead of 27-year Army spouse 😂
G and I were both extremely fortunate that we didn’t face any of the major flight delays that have been popping up across the country. It was also nice, while in the USO, to overhear a Southwest pilot reassure someone there that these winds weren’t going to be an issue. Not that I was worried…but it was nice all the same. They were gusty! In fact, about the time the Regal Princess docked last night, a cargo ship hit a pier in Galveston and that’s now a whole thing, with an oil spill in the harbor that has it partially closed to ship traffic until it is cleaned up. The first Regal Princess cruise out of Galveston this season is impacted. Sound familiar? Guess we were fortunate to safely get into port at all!
I started fading a little during the layover in Las Vegas. I hadn’t been in that airport since 1982, and all I remembered about it were the slot machines. That hasn’t changed a bit but I really don’t think anything else has either. That airport needs a major refurb. I had to walk from a gate at the far end of B terminal to one at the far end of C terminal, but I had plenty of time and it felt good to stretch my legs after so much sitting today. I had planned to have dinner there but, as always, was encouraged at the USO in Houston to leave with enough of a stash to last the rest of the day. Even junk food is filling if you eat enough of it, I guess.😳
At 11pm, I am happily ensconced in my hotel room. McGee and his team are in a different (read: nicer) hotel nearby (this team does not suffer). His parents are arriving tomorrow afternoon, and McGuy tomorrow evening. I haven’t seen both of my guys at the same time since the night before we left for our June cruise. You can see why I was so intent on staying well!
The next three weeks include a weekend at the NCAA Regionals and a weekend at Nationals (where a normally priced $100 hotel room goes for $500 due to the race. This IS just college level cross country, right?). Praying he has no injuries. Then, the weekend after that we’re off on another cruise or two. Busy for the best reasons.
Check back early next year to see if I get inspired to blog again. No promises (though I loved your emailed protestations! Thank you so much for caring enough to let me know). I will take December off and then consider perhaps picking back up again in January. Those cruises are a bit more interesting. Meanwhile, I’ll work on my tap dancing.
Life is good. :-)
