Day 8 – Sunday, May 30

Back in the States

Rise and Shine

We were instructed to leave our fully packed luggage outside of our cabins at 12:00 midnight so the crew could take them away to be unloaded off the ship. We could reclaim our luggage the next morning when we departed. We were given colored luggage tags and when our color was called, that was our queue to leave the ship. We picked up our belongings in customs, after we went through both a security check and citizenship clearance. Sherri had a slight problem at customs. I think she tried to smuggle a little Mexican back into the states so she could use him to stand on top of her vending table and model her shirts at events. When we stepped back on US soil and waited on our bus to take us back to the Orlando airport.

While waiting on the bus to depart, Reggie (Kansas City), came aboard and told Carl (Columbus, OH) that he did not pass the customs inspection and that he was asked to get off the bus and wait for an inspector to come and interrogate him. Well, Reggie being Reggie, was playing a practical joke on Carl. Carl, being the good sport that he is, patiently waited outside the bus for about 10 minutes waiting on customs! Everyone on the bus was looking out the window wondering when he would realize that Reggie was pulling his chain, so Reggie finally went back out there and told him the truth.

Reality Bites!

The bus departed and we all sadly waived goodbye to our luxurious party ship. None of us wanted to leave but we knew we had families and jobs to come back home to. As we rode through Florida, we immediately came to the realization that we were back in the states. David Cross (Atlanta) made it abundantly clear. David grabbed the bus PA system and announced “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now back in the United States. If you look to your left at the lake, you will see brown water and a tire floating. Welcome Home!”

Final Farewell

We arrived at the airport and said our goodbyes. We had just experienced the party of a lifetime and were already wondering when our next cruise would take place. Everyone had flights taking off at different times, and some who had later flights, hung out, ate and shopped. Those who had early flights made it home before the later flights even left Florida. When we walked into our homes, reality hit us in the face, no more room service, no more housekeeping, no more eating 24/7 and no one to cook our food and serve us. Well, with the exception of Joi (J&J Skate Production) and maybe a few others. Her hubby had food waiting on her.

Not ready to cook, I chewed on Twizzlers for the rest of the evening.

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