Day 142 of 148 - CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN (issues ?)

 Date: 5/26/2024  Day 142  Sea Day: CRUISING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Description: The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about 85,133,000 km2 (32,870,000 sq mi). It covers approximately 17% of Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the Age of Discovery, it was known for separating the Old World of Africa, Europe, and Asia from the New World of the Americas.

Afternoon Update: We rolled our clocks back another hour overnight.  We are now only two hours ahead of New York and six hours from our home in Alaska.  This is the first of 4 sea days to our last port-of-call Hamilton, Bermuda.  We have begun packing our bags.  

We learned a couple of weeks ago that we have chosen the wrong day to disembark the ship.   And now it's to late to change our travel plans from the 1st to the 2nd.  That same flight on June 2nd is booked up in first class.  

The ship is arriving in New York on June 1st.  However, June 2nd is the official disembarkation day.  Months ago when we were told of the change in itinerary, changing our arrival in the USA from May 17th Miami to June 1st New York.   I was told that disembarking on June 1st should not be a problem from the ship concierge.  Not true at all.  

We have now been told that we will receive no assistance getting our luggage off the ship.   Apparently the dock worker's union does not permit any ship personnel giving guests help beyond the ship gangway.   We have 4 - 50lb bags that is scheduled to be shipped home via Luggage Forward service.  In addition to these we have our carry on luggage and 2 up to 50lb checked bags for our flight home.   Today we were told that we need to carry all this through customs in New York before hopefully handing our 4 - 50lb bags to Luggage Forward on our exit from customs.  We are still waiting to see if this is possible.  I really hope so.  It's going to be hard enough with getting all our luggage off the ship and through customs.   It would be a real hardship if we had to fly home with all of it at extra expense.  Joe and Pat have offered to help us with our luggage, mostly Joe.  Hopefully we can find a couple of others to help as well.  

On a brighter note, the ship gave all of us their famous Sunday Brunch.  We have a few of these now on this world cruise and this one was the best.  I took a short video to give you a  look at this awesome spread.  

Click Here --> Regent Seven Seas Mariner Sunday Brunch video