August 28, 2024

Aug 23 - Arrival in New York

We pass under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge about 5:30. There is a lot of traffic in the harbor. Container ships, ferry boats, pleasure craft and tug boats. It is too early for Helicopters. Probably prohibited from flying this early in the morning.

Soon we pass by the Statue of Liberty and slip into our dock in Brooklyn.

Our last meal is in the Kings Court. Busy. But still easy to find a table.

Back at our cabin we find the cabin steward has already started on our cabin despite the "do not disturb" tag in the key slot.  He has a very busy day and wants to get a head start.

Our carry ons are packed and we make a final check of the cabin before heading to the gangway at 8:15. It is confirmed that "red 1" luggage is ready and we proceed to the luggage hall.  No long snaking lines like on many ships, just the usual long walk.

Luggage is quickly found, and within 20 or 30 minutes we are off to our bus transfer to the airport. Directed the wrong way twice by Intercruise employees we finally board our bus, one of the twenty or thirty busses picking up passengsrs for transport throughout the city.

The trip to the airport is uneventful. Nice view of the Brooklyn bridge. Traffic is no worse than Orlando.

Once at the airport it takes about an hour to check our bags and get thru the TSA precheck line. With hours until departure we look for a place for some food and decide on the Lion Sports Grill, a burger place. 

Our waiter was delightful, and the kid's chicken strips the tastiest food I have had in a month.  We stretched it as much as we could. It just occured to me that this was airport food. It was so sad that it is better than Cunard.

Still 2 hours until lift off.

This terminal at LaGuardia is very nice. Recently rebuilt, it is spacious with comfortable seating, all with AC and USB power outlets.

Delta and Cunard has really screwed up our flight plans for this trip. It took many attempts and phone calls from the travel agent too get it booked properly, and then yesterday when I checked our flight, I found our reservations for economy plus had been cancelled. Fortunately there were still a few seats available and I could upgrade. Hillary can fight with Delta over the refund. Today we were charged for bags that should have been free.

We pulled away from the gate, and the captain announces we are being held for at least 30 minutes because of Florida weather.

It turns out to be only 20. The New York skyline is shrouded with smog and haze. Soon we reach cruising altitude in scattered light clouds.

We have a window and a center seat instead the 2 seat configuration we originally booked. Seated next to me are two dogs and their owner. So far well behaved. Definitely a first for me. Not service dogs but some breed of spaniel I think. They look like they are drugged.

Our flight is smooth as the pilot manuvers around the storms. We eventually approach Orlando from the south.

An easy exit from the plane and we head to baggage claim for our luggage. We wait and wait. Luggage for many passengers but not us. Delta sent it to a different carousel and no one knew it.

Finally back home I turn the water and water heater back on. Laundry can wait until tomorrow.

Two weeks  we are headed to Greenland. Not on Cunard.