The lesson for today is...

The lesson for today is...either book your airlines through Royal Caribbean (which we did this time) or arrive a day early. We arose at 3:15 am to catch a flight to Ft. Lauderdale with a connection in Charlotte. That part went fine. However, because of an ice storm in Ohio and Pennsylvania, the connecting flight was two hours late leaving Pittsburgh. We still had time to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale a little after 2 pm and they began to board the plane. Then the problems occurred.

The crew smelled something they didn't like and they ended the boarding process. Soon, the flight was cancelled. We immediately got in line for the US Airways customer service. Within an hour, after calls to Royal Caribbean and talking to the US Airways rep, we had a reservation at the Embassy Suites in Charlotte for the night and were booked on a flight to St. Maarten first thing Sunday morning.

So, here we are in the Embassy Suites in Charlotte.

 

 

We'll get up early tomorrow and catch the direct flight to St. Maarten. Royal Caribben is paying for two nights at the Simpson Bay Resort until the Independence of the Seas arrives on Tuesday and we can join the cruise.

 

We normally arrive a day early because of this possibility, but chose this time to fly the same day, with the knowledge that Royal Caribbean would get us to the next port if necessary. This is a first for us and we must give full credit to Royal Caribbean and US Airways for coming through for us big time.

 

Check in tomorrow for news from St. Maarten!!