Full Circle - With a Bump or Two

An excellent vacation! Go Lorries van picked us up at the cruise terminal promptly, almost no waiting. No traffic delays on the 280; airport arrival flawless, bag checked at curb. I am in great mood. Then TSA refuses my on-board-ship-printed boarding pass because my whole first name isn't on it. Back to  Check-in counter. Can't print changed boarding pass because I've already checked in. Can't reissue ticket because I've already started flight by checking baggage at curb. Supervisor suggests issuing baggage claim receipt because that they can change name on and boarding pass will work fine at gate. Tess at Delta counter will get a huge thank you from me!

Pass TSA no problem, though tagged for body check. Barbara's flight leaves from gate across from mine, so we sit and chat. My flight is called. BOOM! My seat has been given away because they have no record on computer of me checking in. Gate crew is flustered because I have printed boarding pass in hand. Very apologetic. I never have a chance to explain previous TSA issue; Delta gate staff presumes computer glitch and are distressed to have to recall person now in my seat. I say I am alone and time-flexible; I just need to get to Jacksonville tonight. Danny T, Delta area supervisor, takes me in hand. I am re-routed through Atlanta, on Barbara's flight, and upgraded to first class!! He thanks me for being an understanding Delta client. I smile and keep quiet. And hope my suitcase (en route to Detroit) will be in Jax. 

Lesson learned - always verify full name on boarding pass!

A pleasant surprise - the seat belt closes without any problem!! I didn't gain as much weight as I feared while on the cruise!

Suitcase waiting for me in Jax. Letreze and Bill pick me up and off to 4606 we go! Ahh, my own bed!!!!

Reflections on cruise:

Barbara is a marvelous cabin mate as she recognizes and appreciates the value of silence. Each of us can disappear into a book with no problem, only occasionally sharing a quote or observation.

While not a Cunard liner, the Grand Princess is no hole-in-the-water either. Her staff and crew are attentive and personable. Seigfred, our cabin steward, was charming and experienced and helped make our cruise delightful. The food was fabulous. We mostly ate in Horizons, buffet as our differing tastes were accommodated there.

The five tours we took while on this vacation were each staffed by experienced and knowledgeable folks who took care to listen to their clients and respond. Example: the bus driver on our tour in Juneau did not know the name of the mountain range when I asked, but when we returned to the bus from the salmon hatchery tour, he did and shared the information, commenting that he, too, learned something new - the Coastal Range was the Russian-agreed-upon dividing line when they and the USA decided what was theirs and what was ours! In San Francisco, Barbara and I heartily recommend Tower Tours and the Red & White Fleet's tour of San Francisco Bay. Based on our recent experience, any Princess-organized tour is amazing as the company relies on local talent to deliver the tours.

Aside: if you ever have the opportunity to travel with naturalist Gloeta Massie, do not hesitate to do so! (I've attached a YouTube video of her whale presentation that was uploaded by a fellow passenger.)

Barbara and I are already planning new adventures. I'll keep you posted on my own - which begins tomorrow when I drive to Charlotte to meet my brother and we begin our Western States Trek.