South America

The next cruise for me is a 34 day jaunt to South America. Starting in Ft. Lauderdale, then to St. Maarten (where I can pick up some cheap "beverages" for the voyage), Aruba, through the Panama Canal and then to Guyaquil, Ecuador and Callao, Peru. We are still awaiting air tickets from the cruise line, which has me slightly anxious. But somehow, it will come through. A number of small details have to wait for the air tix - rental car to get to our airport, rental car in FLL, and car rental for the return home.

Why all the car rentals? Well, it's often cheaper than a shuttle to the airport, plus you aren't on someone else's schedule. And when you have a ton of luggage (which you do for long voyages), there's no problem on room. I get an SUV or mini-van, and get everything stowed with room to spare.

While in FLL, it's time to buy the heavy things. Rather than carry them on the flight, it's easier to purchase in Florida - and it doesn't count towards your airline weight limit. Things like mouthwash, deodorant, contact solution and saline - it's amazing how much liquids weigh. Especially when you're packing a month's worth.

The other anxiety is if we'll get our prefered airlines. We get complimentary upgrades on Northwest and Continental due to our heavy travelling - and we requested flights on those airlines. With luck, we're not on Delta in coach, which has limited legroom, but lots of flights into FLL. We shall see.