Early wake up this morning Royal Princess already docked at Pier 2 Port Everglades and its 7am. Time for last shower final pack of remaining personal belongings, check nothing is left behind, clear the safe deposit box and vacate our stateroom by 8am for cabin stewards to prepare for the next lot of passengers.

Good fun lugging your airline cabin bag and other carry bags round with you but everyone else is doing the same. Last time for breakfast in the Horizon Court where we say goodbye to the waiters there and thanking Aurel (Food & Beverage Supervisor of Concerto Dining / Horizon Buffet areas) for looking after us plus making sure my dietary requirements were met by the staff. Aurel was most appreciated and surprised of the tip Richard gave him.

Went to the pool area to do our survey review on staff that took the extra mile to help us. Checked our final Royal Princess account and completed our Customs/Immigration form, said our final goodbyes to staff we missed, waited in the Symphony Dining Room at 10.05am for our disembarking “Navy 6” to be called to show our cruise card for the last time at the gangway.

Joined everyone else to claim our cases and two of the rubber wheels on our new Antler cases had been damaged (Princess said it was minor and too small a claim) the Baggage Handlers on-board just throw the luggage around. Hope the rubber on the wheels last till we get home.

Customs was quick but getting a shuttle to the Embassy Suites turned into a nightmare, they weren’t where they were last time (29^th March) when we docked at Port Everglades. Had a fight with taxi drivers trying to take our luggage (traffic is bedlam banked up), first shuttle took us to Pier 21 the other side of the port. Finally after an hour of finding a shuttle, a shuttle driver understood what we wanted and found the Embassy Suites shuttle for us and finally we reached the hotel. Met a lovely couple from Melbourne Tony and Deidre who were also going on the Panama Canal Cruise, they are staying in South Beach Miami before the cruise.

Next was the problem of sorting the three separate bookings and getting one suite for the four nights and Cynthia was great we are all sorted but just need to wait for the suite to be cleaned. We are at the back of the hotel on the 10^th floor suite 1029. Booked our luggage in the Secured Baggage Room then sat near the pool till it was too hot then found a lounge in Reception till suite was ready.

Was great to put our feet up and relax in our suite. Richard was unwell so I left him in peace and ventured outside took some photos then checked the shopping area across the road but settled on Harbourside Publix behind Embassy Suites. Bought our evening dinner and we retired for the night.