'tis better to arrive than to travel hopefully

Diva and TSH decided to pre-ship most of the luggage for their 69 day cruise, using the FedEx service. This was despite the problems with sending luggage in advance in early 2022, when all of TSH's clothes were in a case that took twelve days to catch up with the ship.

It makes the journey much easier if you send as much as possible in advance but it does add some interesting issues. Firstly, if you send a lot of clothes two weeks before you leave, it reduces the clothes you have to wear at home. Then there is provision for the journey itself, with two nights in different hotels on the way to the Silver Moon. Including a gala dinner in Florida.

TSH and Diva had to deal with the very important issue of spreading clothes between all of the cases so that in the event that one (or two) were delayed there would still be clothes available for both of them. TSH took photographs of the contents of each case and the associated FedEx documentation. This might be considered more than a bit nerdy but was not as big a job as Diva thought (please don’t tell her). 

TSH had one or two issues of concern regarding the FedEx service, so he sent an email to Silversea for clarification. A very welcome and helpful phone response from the Vice President of Global Guest Relations followed.

TSH kept a close eye on the progress of the bags in case emergency action was required. Before leaving the UK at Stansted airport the bags did a tour of Britain to get the hang of travelling – Newcastle upon Tyne and Derby were amongst the places visited. The suitcases entered the USA at Memphis on Christmas Day, just after the monster winter storm hit.

After seeing how many items were still needed as hold luggage, Diva decided that a larger case was required. So on Christmas Eve, TSH and Diva bought themselves a new suitcase.

All of the cases arrived in Fort Lauderdale on the 27th December despite one of the bags deciding to stay on at Memphis for twelve hours after the others had be shipped onwards. All have been signed for by the ship's agent. 

TSH and Diva are much relieved. 

The bag is here!!

 TSH’s bag has arrived at the ship – in Venice. So he thinks it is Christmas, having forgotten what he packed 4 weeks ago. Diva is preparing to give up half the walk-in wardrobe.  

The Captain of the Silver Moon has announced that several guests have tested positive for Covid and are in quarantine, either on or off the ship. None are seriously ill. He suggests that guests should wear masks when not eating or drinking (not much of the time, then). TSH and Diva are already being cautious, as usual.

One half-sleep to go

 Taxi pick-up at 3 am tomorrow. TSH still has no news of his luggage, which has been marked 'in transit' from Germany for a week by Fedex. So it is not the best possible start to a Grand Voyage. Diva's bag and the one with shoes and toiletries are already at the port of Piraeus. 

PCR tests done this morning but no results yet.