Posted by December 7, 2016 – Preparing for my next adventure
I am leaving on a 67 day cruise in January. The cruise will start and end in Ft. Lauderdale and take me around South America, to Antarctica, and down the Amazon. While on the cruise, I am also taking a 4 day side trip to the Galapagos Islands. This will be the longest cruise I have done. If I have no problems with a cruise of this length, I will be taking a 113 day around the world cruise in 2018.
My cruise is on Holland America and is called the Grand South America. Since I booked it early I get some nice additional amenities:
Two of my suitcases will be shipped Fedex to Ft Lauderdale and back at the end of the cruise.
My gratuities are prepaid by Holland America (a savings of $830)
$300 onboard credit (That will just cover my morning lattes)
A bottle of undrinkable sparkling wine for sail away. (I’ll give this away)
They will be picking up my bags on December 14th. Packing for a long trip is very different. After selecting my clothes for the cruise I needed to make sure I have enough to wear until I leave. Next I need to divide things between shipped bags and the bag going on the plane with me. My “medical bag” contains something for every contingency (malaria pills, sea sickness meds, cold medication, ankle brace, Cipro, Imodium, Emergen-C …) I also need to bring lots of sun tan lotion and deet-based insect repellent. The travel nurse told me that everywhere we go has mosquitos that want to make me sick. On cruisecritic.com I found some packing lists that world cruisers use. I am using these to make sure I don’t forget anything.
I got my final documents on Monday. It included a list of theme nights and Gala nights. We only have 9 Gala nights so I can bring less formal wear. There is no masquerade night so I’ve unpacked my masks. There is a Pirate night. I’ll see what I can bring for that.
I’ll be blogging every day that I have WiFi on the ship. When I leave the ship for 4 days to go to the Galapagos Islands, I may need to post those entries when I get back to the ship.
My friends Linda and Earl (who I met on the 2015 Voyage of the Vikings) will also be on the cruise.
Elsie's Travel Blog 
Looking forward to reading your latest adventure. I’ve enjoyed your others. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Have a great time! I’m looking forward to you posts. I sailed on HAL for the 5th time in July and found the lattes tasteless without an extra shot.
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I am so ready to accompany you and I don’t even have to pack! LOL
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Sounds so fun!! Can’t wait to travel with you via your blog! Very exciting.
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You are my guide! Always one step/cruise ahead. I first followed you on your V of V, and we went the next year. Now this which we will do in 2018, and I’m thinking about the Grand World in 2019, so please keep cruising and telling us all about your adventures! Thanks!
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Looking forward to another of our great adventures! Thanks for taking us along.
Enjoy our time on the Prinsendam. Any trip to SA is wonderful; yours will be sensational!
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I will be following along every step of the way! Sailing around SA is a dream of mine…just waiting for my hubby to retire. I have my fingers crossed that you will share lots of tidbits of information on planning a cruise of this length.
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Hi Elsie! I just got back from a day trip to NYC where my sister and I went to Radio City Music Hall to see the Christmas Spectacular. Lots of fun and a great show. I am so looking forward to reading your newest blog on your Grand South America cruise. How many pieces of luggage are you anticipating taking?
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I am shipping 2 bags and will check a 3rd when I fly. I need clothes for every season.
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Elsie! We’re going to be on the same cruise! I hope we can meet up!
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Hi Sue, so nice to be together with you, Connie, and Jack. Your trip was such a wonderful experience that you and Connie have the travel bug and want more. You two can convince Jack. Thought you’d be interested in what Elsie is doing…I follow her on her blog XO
Sent from my iPad
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Leapin’ Lizards, Elsie! What an incredible trip! Have a wonderful time. I plan to vicariously enjoy it through
your blog. Give Linda and Earl a big hello from me.
Have a good holiday season.
All best wishes,
Kay
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Thanks Kay. Happy Holidays to you too.
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So … 9 and 1/2 Weeks. When I first read your post, and my twisted mind contemplated the duration of your voyage, I thought of the movie with Mickey Rourke and Kim Bassinger. (Remember, I am not among the most logical people that you know.) Then I realized that this is not THAT kind of journey.
I was struck by the map included with your post, showing the names of your stops along the way, and began to worry that all of those letters would probably cause the sea level to rise to stunning new records. (Not to worry — after all, you will be on a seagoing vessel, and you have that medical bag, ready for any emergency that may arise. Just double check that you have an ample supply of inflatable placebo pills; I recommend that your doctor prescribe 67, one for each day of the trip.)
But, seriously folks … sounds like another grand adventure awaits you, Elsie. Hope you have a great experience and make many, many new terrific memories as you go.
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Looking forward to reading all about it.
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Hadn’t heard from you or seen you on CC for quite a while. I hope all is good in your life.
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Have another great trip, Elsie! Hope our paths cross again in the future. We are doing Amazon Explorer…still want to see Antarctica, so you have probably chosen a better option. Looking forward to your great blog again!
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