Starting Another Circumnavigation Around this Amazing World

Day 1, 2024 Grand World Voyage

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024; Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Remember what it was like returning to college or school in the fall? I never knew for sure who would return, so I was excited to see old friends. At the same time, there would be new people to get to know, and I never knew which of them would develop into lifetime friends, as well.

Today brought back those memories, as I reunited with good friends I hadn’t seen in months, re-introduced myself to many I’ve known from previous cruises (but likely had forgotten their names) and met first-time world cruisers. I recognized in them the same overwhelmed expression I had on my first grand cruise.

My sisters and I left the ship early this the morning (we were on the preceding holiday cruise) to see our nephews off and do some shopping. While we were gone the cabin stewards moved our luggage to our new staterooms, the ship emptied out to the zero-status required by U.S. immigration, and crowds of newly arriving passengers lined up for check-in. We relished flashing our in-transit cards, which let us skip all but the security scan line.

It was immediately obvious that Holland America is back on its game for grand cruises. Captain Frank, Hotel Manager Henk and Cruise Director Kimberly were in the terminal, enthusiastically greeting guests and posing for photos. On the gangway we received commemorative grand voyage lapel pins. And every officer and crew member along the way welcomed us back home.

We caught up with our travel agent Bridgett, whom we had missed seeing at the agency’s big pre-cruise party and dinner last night in Fort Lauderdale.  The surprise guest at Cruise Specialists’ dinner was Holland America’s president, Gus Antorcha. His announcement that Brazilian officials would be on board to process visas brought a huge sense of relief. Hundreds of visas were caught in a backlog caused by a new visa requirement for Americans, Canadians and Australians that goes into effect the day before we arrive in Brazil.

I was tempted to take advantage of the fact that my luggage was all in my stateroom by noon and jump into finding a place for everything. But instead, I wandered the ship greeting friends among the guests and crew members. Unpacking always can wait.

Barbara and Richard, two friends I cruised with for nine weeks last summer, joined Eloise, Elaine and me for an early dinner, and we headed off for the World Stage and a preview of our 128-day journey.

Any concern I had about a lack of enthusiasm for this trip, immediately disappeared. Kimberly’s natural enthusiasm was matched by the multimedia show she narrated that reviewed the highlights of every one of the 50-ish ports we are scheduled to visit as we circle the globe. She also introduced the entertainment staff who will lead the dozens of activities on board the ship.

Of course, we all are aware that our itinerary may change more (Israel was dropped in the fall), as water levels in the Amazon could fall to historic lows, tensions between China and Taiwan could erupt, and our planned transit through the Red Sea and Suez Canal could be threatened by missiles. But this is a ship full of seasoned travelers who know that changes are inevitable. Many of us learned that lesson when our 2020 Grand World Voyage ended abruptly in Perth, Australia, due to the pandemic.

As I said then, “we’ll go where we go,” and we know that Holland America is working behind the scenes with plans B through Z. We’ll take it a day at a time, or perhaps for a week or so.

Our first three days are sea days as we travel toward Trinidad and Tobago – perfect for unpacking, getting into the routine of the ship and exploring all the options for filling our days and evenings. And enjoying with my sisters the expanded verandah between our cabins.