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December 3-10, Epic (in length) Review

Swells1

By Swells1,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Swells1

Swells1

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Friday was our last day at sea, and I woke up feeling sick. All I wanted to do was sleep. When Collin got out of bed, I stretched out across the bed, so I'd be swaying from side to side instead of head to foot. After a few hours, I was okay. Even Collin, who never gets any kind of motion sickness, was feeling it that morning.

I missed breakfast, but that's okay. I had made reservations for Teppanyaki for lunch way back on embarkation day. We went to get the girls, but Linda didn't want to go. We arrived before the restaurant opened, so we sat in the lobby for about 15 minutes. In addition to the three of us, two couples joined us. We were the only table. I've been to these type of restaurants before, but this was different. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I was sitting closer to the chef than usual. Maybe because it was in the daytime. Maybe because I was sitting with mostly strangers. Whatever the reason, I was very aware that the chef was there for my entertainment, and I felt very awkward. The service was good, though and the food wasn't bad. I've had better.

After lunch, we found Linda in the casino. The three of us did a little last-minute shopping while Collin went to the casino. I wanted to buy a scrap book kit. They are sold in the photo gallery, by the way. Linda wanted to buy another carton of cigarettes, but they were sold out of her brand. We looked at purses and Linda admitted that the bag she bought yesterday was already torn. My mom was about to say "I told you so" when I interrupted her. "It's a good knock-off. No one will know unless you tell them." You could practically see the frown move from Linda's face to mom's. Children.

We roamed the ship for a while and I went back to the casino to find Collin. He was out of money and watched me play for a while. I did okay in the casino. I had $200 at the beginning (including mom's $100) and left with $174. We went back to the cabin to start packing. It's a good thing I got an early start, because I was moving slow. I left some luggage tags on their door since I knew neither of them would think to go get any.

He wanted to go watch "Rocky" at Spice H2O. Once again, not a movie I really care for. But spending time with Collin is always nice. We weren't there long when it was time for dinner.

Dinner was at La Cuchina again. It didn't seem very busy, but they seated us right up front near the hostess stand. Not the best seat in the house. The service was very good, and the food was fine. I think we were all a little sick of each other at this point, so the conversation was quiet. After dinner we returned to the cabin to finish packing and I went to sleep early.

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Swells1

Swells1

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We got up early and had our final breakfast at Taste. Service wasn't great. You can definitely tell when it's turn-around day. When we arrived, Linda was freaking out. She couldn't find her birth certificate. I was trying to calm her down (They aren't going to keep you hostage.) My mom wanted to make sure we all knew that SHE knew exactly where hers was. (Who wants a cookie?) To turn the tables a little bit, I asked them if they had their customs forms handy. I knew they wouldn't have even filled them out. My mom had a fit. No one had told her anything about forms and, no, they WERE NOT in the cabin. Someone must have STOLEN them. I told her that since she knew where her birth certificate was, she needed to go to customer service and get them both forms while we helped Linda search. it was only funny for a minute as I had to fill out both of their forms. (How can you not remember where you've JUST been? You were JUST there!)

We went to wait for our group to be called in the atrium. Collin and Linda went to smoke. When they returned, Linda had found her BC. It was in her old purse. We eventually disembarked and found our luggage. I found the shuttle/ taxi area and started waiting. I had reserved our car with Dollar. We waited. Every other car rental agency had come and gone a few times. We waited. We called them but didn't get any answer. We waited. The area had gone from packed with people to fairly empty to packed with people again because people boarding that day were arriving. Finally, after a few hours, I lost patience. I told Collin we were getting into the next rental car shuttle we saw. When he started to argue, I told him I hadn't used my credit card to guarantee the reservation. Enterprise pulled up next. In the time it took for the driver to get to us, I checked their availability. They were good. I was going to finish making the reservation right there, but I was being hurried to the van.

At the agency, Mom and Collin went in to get the car and I stayed with Linda and the luggage. After a minute it dawned on me that they would need me. Neither of them would have known any flight information. I went in and reminded Collin that we were flying out of Sanford Airport tomorrow at 6pm, so we would return the car at 4pm. Satisfied that they could handle the information, I went back outside to wait with Linda. They emerged a few minutes later and we went to find our car. I don't remember who asked what time our flight was again. I responded it was at 6pm.

Collin said, "That sucks, because we have to return the car before 11am"

(***?!? Are you KIDDING me?!?)

They tried to blame me for not staying at the counter with them. I patiently explained to them that they were fully competent adults who should be able to rent a car without step-by-step direction. Mom called and got an extension until 1pm. Which meant we would still have to wait at the airport for five hours. Oh well, I tried.

So, we still had hours before it was time to check into the hotel. We considered checking out the space center, but Mom and Linda didn't want to pay the admission price. I found a few other things on my phone, but there was something wrong with every suggestion. Linda was cold and wanted to stop at Wal-Mart to buy something warm. Well, that'll kill some time. Collin had lost his sunglasses and asked me to get him a pair and some sparkling water. I found what I needed and then found Linda. She said my mom had disappeared. Once again, Linda couldn't find exactly what she wanted and took forever. We finally paid and found mom in the car with Collin. It was only a few hours before check-in time, so we decided to try to check in. We figured if we couldn't check in, we could hang out at the beach. Our rooms were ready. Eureka!

We got settled in and went to the beach. I was the only one who had actually seen it before. We spent a good amount of time here, and everyone was in a good mood.

Collin was hungry and wanted to research some local seafood places. We went back to the hotel and found the business center. I did our online check in and printed our boarding passes. Once again, the three of us got TSA Pre-Check. This time, I splurged and spent the $6 per person for Priority boarding. Collin found a restaurant he was interested in but was worried the other two wouldn't want to pay the prices. To be honest, I didn't want to pay the prices, either. I looked at the menu and the only item I would have eaten was chicken tenders. Now, I'm not cheap, but I refuse to spend well over $100 for a meal and eat chicken tenders. Nope. Not gonna happen. So, I found a place that met all of his criteria that also included something I would eat. As we were getting ready, we complained non-stop that he couldn't go where he wanted because of those two. I told him no fewer than four times that the restaurant choice had nothing to do with them and everything to do with his wife. Remember, his awfully wedded wife? (Yes, he said "awfully" instead of "lawfully". He'll never live it down.)

The restaurant, Florida's Seafood, I think, was just a few blocks down the street. Collin ordered some kind of Seafood feast. This would be one of the few times I took a food picture. We needed a bigger table. He was happy. I was happy. We were all happy until the server brought out lemon sorbet. Linda gagged.

We went back to the hotel and went to bed.

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Swells1

Swells1

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We woke up early the next morning and started to pack. Again. Collin called the front desk and got a late check out. Mom called Enterprise and asked for an extension. She was able to get until 2pm.

We went to Denny's for breakfast. There isn't a Denny's on my side of town, and I've only actually eaten there once. Mom had eaten there and was WAY too excited about it. The service was super slow and the food was okay. While we were there we searched for things to do to kill time close to the airport. We decided to drop off the car, find a place to store our luggage and get a taxi to the nearby bowling alley.

Breakfast was over and it was time to get going. Mom reminded us every 5 minutes that we had to fill the gas tank. We arrived at the airport and couldn't find a place to store our luggage, but we were allowed to check luggage four hours before our scheduled departure time. We did and then mom decided she didn't want to go bowling after all. Okay, so we're stuck here for the next four hours. Yippee. For some reason, everyone started heading for security. I tried telling them it was too early, but why would they start listening to me now? There was only one security line and it was short. The TSA agent gave us a laminated Pre-Check card instead of sending us through a different line. Linda kept shouting us to take off our shoes. This time, I didn't feel guilty about telling her she was on her own there. We got through security and waited for her. For some reason, the agent had to search her bag. (I'm not worried about it this time, she should know how to pack at this point.) He didn't find anything and sent her on her way. She was furious. I think she might have some unresolved personal issues there, because she was unreasonably upset. "I don't like it when men look through my things!"

We found a bookstore and spent too much money on a magazine and a paperback. The whole while, my mom was telling us how rude it was to read in front of other people. (Sucks to be you right now.) We were at the airport for 200 years. When our plane arrived, and was ready to be boarded, the ticket agents started calling mobility accessible people first. My mom was livid. "Why did I pay for Priority boarding when they get to go first?!"

(Where do I start? There are just so many things wrong with that. Here's one- You didn't pay for Priority boarding. I did.)

We were called and I got them settled and seated ourselves. I put in my headphones and picked up my book. I didn't actually have music playing, I just wanted to be left alone. Didn't work. We were in the front row again, facing the flight attendants. Collin and the FAs decided to talk about the cruise we had just been on. Every thirty seconds, he tapped me on the shoulder and asked a question. I gave up and put my book down until they started beverage service.

We arrived in Chattanooga and they went to pick up the rental car. That left Linda and me to grab the luggage while we waited with all the carry-on. That left me to grab the luggage, because Linda was afraid of the carousel. We started home, and mom was complaining of a headache. I guess we didn't respond with enough sympathy, because a few minutes later, she made Linda turn off her cell phone. "The light is like a dagger"

Collin dropped Linda and me at our car that we had left at his hotel and took mom to the airport to drop her rental. We dropped Linda at our hotel and went home. I've never been so happy to see my dumpy apartment in my whole life. It was just so...calm.

So, there you go. That was my vacation. In spite of everything, I had a good time. I got to spend a week away from work with my best friend in the world. The weather was perfect and I got to visit places I've never seen before. I grew up very poor and I never let myself forget just how lucky I am to be able to do something like take a cruise. It wasn't long ago that I was jealous of people who could afford to eat every night or have luxuries like electricity and running water.

And, as a side benefit, all three of them thought THEY were the one to feel my pain. Every now and then, one of them would catch my eye and give me a sympathetic look or tell me they don't know how I put up with those two. (You don't know the half of it.)

The flights on Allegiant were pleasant and without incident.

The Doubletree was a little old but still nice and the staff was amazing.

I didn't have any problems boarding at Port Canaveral.

I thought the Epic was a beautiful ship. I wasn't thrilled about having to reserve dinner and shows, but I understood. Collin and I are reserved on her again in 2018 to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.

My mom and I are scheduled on the Pearl this December just the two of us, so I can give her the undived attention my little snowflake deserves.

I'm going to try to post some photos now. Wish me luck!!!

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Spinelli1107

Spinelli1107

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We found this on the counter in our cabin. (I know you can see our last name, but I don't think it's a mystery...)

ry%3D400

 

From the Puppy?!? I love it!! How cute!!

Awesome review! thoroughly enjoyed reading along and getting to know the characters! I'll be on her in just 68 days. Can't wait :-)

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riddle

riddle

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All I can say...you are a fabulous storyteller. I do hope some of this was exaggerated for the fun of the reader. If not, you have my sympathies.

 

On another note, you sound like a wonderful wife, daughter and friend. You did not deserve what was dished out to you all week.

 

I wish you all the enjoyment in your future cruises, whether they be with your DH, your DM or a friend.

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