Late yesterday afternoon, a very apologetic young woman from Shore Excursions called to explain that I didn’t have a transfer to the airport in Lisbon, even though one had been booked.; Obviously, I was confused. I had booked the transfer and actually pre-paid long before the cruise.
Ok, not exactly long, but more than 3 weeks ago.
Anyway, apparently I am the only person who has booked the group transfer. Obviously the contractor on the Lisbon end doesn’t want to run the transfer for one passenger (at less than half the price of a “personal” transfer. I didn’t see anything in the description that said “minimum of X number of passengers for the fair to be valid” or any other disclaimer. Now, I know where we are docking. I know how to take the Metro. I also know that we dock about 0700 and my flight is scheduled to leave at 1220. I might complain, and certainly will ask for a refund. Realistically, I am going to have to spring for a taxi. I do want to get back and am not willing to risk missing the flight.
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This is my final day at sea but for one. The ship’s dude who took over my favorite table in the upstairs lounge in order to sell cruises is finally starting to do a decent business. Several of the lovely people I have met will also be on the return voyage next fall. The fact that it docks (at least for the moment) in Miami is an advantage that I hope I don’t lose. It is so much easier to get a flight home from there.
I have as much laundry done as I am going to do. I just need to sort through everything and see what, if anything, doesn’t need to make the trip back to the US. I have my transport to the airport organized – the ship will reimburse me my prepaid transfer and their agent will ensure that I get a cab to the airport. After thinking about it – I am electing not to do either a train or the Metro. Just trying to keep my exposure to crowds down to the minimum. It is also why I am back to wearing either an M-95 or double masking on ship. I just don’t need the hassle of getting infected, popping positive, bringing home a dread disease, or landing in the hospital. Frankly, if I have made it through the last two years without picking up COVID, I don’t want to do it now. I’ll keep my masks right along with my grey hair – thank you very much.
The crew talent show is tonight and I will actually stay up to watch it. There are several crew members who I think are more talented than the actual performing staff – but what do I know?
I finished Flower Bot and stitched a few more coffee beans along with finally fixing the area in the Long Dog. I am moving on to the camels, excuse me – dromedaries – and the final cats. And yes, there are two humped camels in Egypt. Imported – not initially native.
My final file has finished downloading and I can switch from phone to computer and get this off to you before my last 50 minutes of lousy connection expire….
