Today we have to leave Norwegian Epic after 16 days in San Juan. It turned out to be the worst debarkation I’ve ever experienced. I think it even exceeded the predictions the hotel director had given us at the Latitudes party early on.
Morning on Norwegian Epic
I usually wake up too early on debarkation day and that habit continued today. Coffee called me at the Great Outdoors and when I got there about 4 am and saw that we were already sailing into San Juan.
There was a woman having a long discussion with a dining officer about a passed out drunk guy by the Waves bar; she finally got him to call security to come take him away in a wheelchair. Someone partied too much last night!
Sister T. Joined me and at 5 am and we went to breakfast at the buffet. I had my last serving of corned beef hash and muesli. Afterwards we went to our cabin to get ready for the day and pack our last items up.
Our estimated time to get off the ship was 7:45 am for the early airport transfers. We left our cabin at 7 am to wait on deck 5 in Le Bistro’s reception area which has nice chairs and a couch.
Debarkation
Debarkation for self assist started right on time and then it stopped at 8:30 am. We got infrequent announcements and it seemed like no one knew what was going on. All we were told is that authorities had stopped the process.
We found out the next day that a passenger had passed away right after leaving the ship. I think the ship could have announced that it was a medical emergency as least so people would have some context. Me and a lot of other passengers had to rebook flights as we were weren’t going to make our booked ones.
Finally at 10:45 am the red tag (early airport transfers) gets called off. While still on the ship they quickly called two other colors which made things even more congested trying to get off and in the terminal.
In the terminal the the red tag luggage was furthest away from customs (which we had to go through for a second time). So annoying since we just went through this process the day before.
San Juan Airport
By the time we got our bags, got through customs and got to the airport it was about 11:20 or so. I will say the bus for the transfers was nice and had good room between rows. Traffic was quite congested getting out of the terminal area due to one road in and out and four ships debarking all at the same time.
The airport bus had everyone get off at the same spot for all terminals. This left the JetBlue passengers walking quite a distance with their bags to get to checkin. We had to send bags through a check before being allowed to check them in with the airline.
Once through security I bought a soda and personal pan pizza for lunch and waited for my first leg to Baltimore.
Take off was quite scenic and I wished I was able to visit the beautiful beach!
BWI Airport
My next flight was from Baltimore but I had a long layover so had dinner there at Obrycki’s. I ordered the crab roll which was delicous.
My last leg was uneventful and I landed in San Diego close to on time at 11:25 pm. What a long day especially with the 4 hour time difference! I took Lyft home and was happy to clamber in my own bed after nearly 3 weeks.
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