Day 15—Disembarkation, Going Home, and Some Final Thoughts
I guess all these posts wouldn’t be complete without a post of my final hours on the ship and the trip home from my 14-day cruise (officially, disembarkation day doesn’t count, so even though it is “Day 15” it is still a 14-day cruise).
Dinner on the last night was (guess I’ve said this enough times) wonderful. The three single ladies, Evie, Dorothy, and Alice decided to go into Ensenada, so I didn’t have dinner with them, but both Jim and Cheryl were there (thank goodness I finally remembered her name—I knew it when we were in the dining room, but everytime I was writing up the day’s activities, it would just slip my mind—guess those brain cells are getting old like the rest of me). Couldn’t decide whether to have the prime rib or the pork with orange glaze and Gede recommended the pork so that’s what I ordered—it was a great choice. His recommendations were always good.
We were reminded that this was the last night and that the next day we would have to go home and become reacquainted with our microwaves. The dining room staff were all wonderful the entire time—it wasn’t just the service, but the genuine friendliness and, yes the joking around they did with our table. Gede, Made, and Teo made dinners enjoyable times during the entire cruise and I hope to see them all again someday. Since I wouldn’t see them again, I hugged them all good-bye; I’m going to miss them.
After dinner, I changed into the clothes I’d be wearing while travelling the next day so I could put my suitcases out in the hallway as instructed. Then I went up to the Sea View bar and looked out at the city lights of Ensenada. Stayed out there till almost midnight (way passed my bedtime) and watched as we pulled out of Ensenada and the city lights fell away. This was my last night, and even though it was a little chilly out, I didn’t want to miss seeing us pull away from land for the last time and watching the lights fade away.
Set my alarm for 5:00 am so I could get ready and be up top for the last sunrise and watch us pull into San Diego, and fell asleep to the rocking of the ship.
Was up, showered, dressed and carryon bags were packed and ready by 5:30 am, then headed up to the Lido deck, coffee, and sitting out on the Sea View deck. To my surprise, we were already docked in San Diego. It was still dark out, but you could see the USS Midway Museum ship parked next to us. Quietly sipped my coffee and then watched as a Celebrity cruise ship arrived and docked on the other side of us. A few minutes later, Holland America’s Oosterdam came in and docked on the other side of the Celebrity ship.
Neal, a crewmember at the Sea View, brought me another cup of coffee (like he usually does every morning) and we talked for a while. His contract is over in another few days and he’ll be going back to the Philippines for a few months, then will start a new contract, possibly on another Holland America ship. I’m going to miss talking with him and having him bring me coffee in the morning.
Saw a few of the friends I’ve made on the ship—Inge, Stephanie, Janet, Miss Emily (who is in her 90s), a Polish man who had his family with him and with him I exchanged hellos every time we saw each other, and a lot of other people. We all said goodbye and wished each other a safe trip home.
Holland America issues you a color and number for disembarkation and the color and number are based upon your travel plans with those trying to catch a plane early given early disembarkation and those who are driving or who live in San Diego staying on the ship longer. Since I had an 11:50 flight back, my color and number were called at 8:30 (we had been cleared by customs by a little after 7:30). I hugged Neal goodbye and left the ship.
Then it was through passport control, then finding my color group, Blue, and my luggage that had been unloaded with all the other luggage from the previous night. Both were there and I had to lug all the bags through customs. Yes, I could have gotten a porter, but there were so many elderly folks who needed the help, that I decided I could lug my own bags (luckily, then strapped together and were on wheels—still, two large suitcases and two carry-ons make for a heavy load.
After getting through customs, went to the shuttle bus line (I had prepaid to take the HAL transfer to the airport), turned over the luggage and got on the bus to San Diego airport. As we pulled away, I said a silent good-bye to the Zaandam and to her wonderful crew.
All I can say about the San Diego airport was it was a madhouse! I think all the passengers from all three cruise ships that had docked that morning were all at the airport catching planes. I think the cruise ships recommend not catching a flight before noon not because it takes long to disembark or go through passport control or customs, or even to get to the airport since it is practically next door to the docks (I was off the ship and to the airport in less than an hour) but because the lines are incredibly long at the airport. It took over two hours just to check luggage, then to get through security! My flight to Las Vegas was delayed, so I didn’t actually leave San Diego till 12:30. By the time I actually got home I was really tired and my arms ached from dragging all the luggage. (After such a long day, maybe I need a cruise to relax!)
I guess it was a good thing I was so busy yesterday since it didn’t give me much time to think. It’s been one year exactly since my husband died. It’s been a year from hell (pardon my language), but I guess I survived it. After getting home, my son and I decided to go tomorrow to the cemetery—I know that my husband would understand why I wasn’t there.
My son had the house clean when I got home, and the dogs were fine and excited to see me. And even though I had a good time, it was really good to be home. Thanks to my son for being there for me and for taking care of everything not just in the past 2 weeks, but for the past year. Thanks for taking care of your Mom—I know that your Dad would have been proud of you.
I was tired and in bed by 8:30. Despite how tired I was, I had trouble falling asleep and woke up several times. I guess I missed the rocking of the ship lulling me to sleep every night.
This morning I had to make my own coffee, Neal wasn’t here to get me my second cup and when I went back into my bedroom, no one had made my bed. I guess it’s time to get back to reality.
There are some final thoughts I want to share.
This year was been the worst I’ve ever had to endure. Some folks might question why I would go off on a cruise, especially by myself, but it really was the best thing I could have done. Not necessarily because it was a very nice vacation, but because I learned something along the way.
I learned that life does go on, and I learned that I can truly enjoy myself and not just survive or go through the motions. I also learned that I’ll be able to let go now—not completely, I don’t think you ever really completely let go of someone you love when they are gone. Later today, I’ll go out to the cemetery and say a final good-bye. I love my husband and I will always love him, but I can let him go now because I know that a piece of him will always be in my heart.
Perhaps someday, there will be someone else; I’m not ready now, but at least I know that someday I will be ready. I know that I’ll still have some difficult moments, but I also know that those moments will pass. I’m finally ready to face the future, whatever that may bring.
To my family, especially to my parents, thank you for being there for me whenever I needed you. To my old friends, thanks for being so supportive, and for just being my friends. To my new friends, both passengers and crew of the Zaandam, I hope to see you all again. To each and every one of you, I wish you all the best as we look forward to the future together.
