Transatlantic Crossing 2010

October 27, 2010

Log of travel to London, catching Celebrity cruise ship for a transatlantic crossing with ports of call in France, Spain, and the Azores Islands, arriving in Miami, Fl.  (October 31-Nov 13)

Left home around 8:00am, Wed 10/27, to meet friends Bill & Judy Hesser at their home, leaving our PT Cruiser there and then taking their van to Chicago, meeting the rest of our group at a Quality Inn park and Fly arrangement. All there on time for our shuttle to O’Hare International, flying to Philadelphia with connections to Heathrow international in London England.  Other couples Foxes, Rasmussen, and Kellermans, and sisters LeAnn & Gay.

Arriving at O’Hare all together, well ahead of our two hour departure, some difficulty finding the right check in terminal, but finally got boarding pass with US Air.  Arriving at counter, advised an earlier flight available To Philly, so opted for at their insistence, soon learning wind delays causing serious back up on arrivals and departures. Suddenly our new flight is four hours delayed; original flight had come and gone, with our luggage checked through to England.  Well, new flight now arrived but told the crew had exhausted their flight time and could not continue for another eight hours of rest.  This would mean we would miss our connecting flight to Heathrow.  Immediately went to US Air costumer service. No flight available.  Now what!!  Well, finally found a flight with American Air for all twelve of us, but not leaving till tomorrow am.  After some challenging discussions, US air agreed to put us up for the night and booked the flight for the am. Good thing we had some "cushion" in catching our Cruise ship, but we will lose a tour day in London.

Caught our new American Air flight direct to Heathrow with no Problem.  Long flight, leaving Chicago at 9:am and arriving in Heathrow at 12am as they are 6 hours ahead of us.  Tired, but got our shuttle to a Comfort Inn in London.  Not without problem, Foxes and Kellermans had room problems, and had to move to a hotel across the street.  Turning out to be the trip from Hell for them.

After a brief nights rest with serious "Jet lag", all decided to tour London by using the "Hop on/off" tour bus system with our London Pass.  Weather in our favor, spirits are looking up. Riding the tour bus most of the day, got a pretty awesome tour of London sights, ending the day with a beautiful boat ride on the "Thames River" .  Continued sightseeing London on Sat., October 30, using a Travel Card for local bus service. Saw all of the major highlights in London including the Tower of London, the Eye, Big Ben, St. Pauls Cathedral, Churchill War Room, Westminster Abby and more.  What a great experience. London is Awesome!!  Tomorrow, early departure for our cruise ship departing from South Hampton.

Sunday, October 31, shuttle prompt to our cruise ship with a flawless welcoming on board.  Some delay in getting our luggage to our assigned cabin, but that was expected, so a welcoming lunch passed our time.  Cruise ship "incredible".  Brand new, first commissioned if May, this being the "maiden transatlantic voyage". Evening settled in after a lovely dinner, departing port for night sail to Le Havre, France.

November 1rst, arrived in Le Havre with a day trip booked to Paris.  Bus tour coach trip to Paris with three hours of free time.  Tour guide highlighted most of Paris for us, dropping us at the "Eiffel Tower" for our free time. Was a great snap shot of Paris.

November 2nd, departed Le Havre for next port in Cherbourg, France.  Another tour planned, this more the country side of Normandy.  Beautiful landscape country, lots of history.

November 3rd, departed Cherbourg for a full day/ night at sea, arriving Thurs, Nov 4 in Vigo, Spain.  Booked a tour to a Winery and purchased a couple of bottles.  Weather is great and scenery incredible.

November 5th, a full day night at sea, arriving in the Azores Islands on sat the 6th.  Once again we booked a full day tour.  Volcanic formed islands with "rain forest" beauty.  Weather and temps have been great.  Tomorrow we begin our "Transatlantic Crossing.  Six days at sea, so lots of reading and relaxing.  Entertainment on board is endless, with evening including singers, comics, and even Circus Extraordinaire.

The transatlantic crossing was nice but long.  Choppy seas all the way, 12-15 foot waves with winds 25 knots.  Weather nice partly sunny in the 70’s.

Saturday, November 13, arrived in Miami around 3:30am, ahead of our scheduled 7:00am.  Got up to view the landscape, beautiful city lights and tall buildings.  The city was alive being a Saturday night, people still going at that time of morning.

 Disembark the ship around 9:30am with a prearranged tour of Miami and South Beach area, all twelve of us together.  Problem was the tour guide vehicle was a bit small, comfortable for 10 but not twelve.  We were very “tight”.  Toured the intercostal area, then dropped us at South Beach area for a couple of hours.  Had a late lunch.  Caught the tour bus at 1:30pm for our trip to the airport.  Flight scheduled for United Airlines 5:50pm to O’Hare.  Smooth on time flight to O’Hare, all staying overnight for a fresh start drive home in the am.  Arrived home Sunday by Noon.  Great trip, but always nice to be home!