End of the 2016 World Grand Voyage on ms Amsterdam

Finally, we are docked in Port Everglades, 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

after cruising around the world in 4 months.

Even though it is for 2 months voyage for us 

by joining it from Hong Kong,

We are all ending here where the cruise started.

We have had so many wonderful and exotic

ports and countries visited,

so many new friends we made and

kept up with old ones

as well as ever smiley nice crew...on board.

Needless to mention about 

how we have been spoilt by great service.

It all came to an end, sadly...

It was about 8 am when

we were ready to disembark after

early breakfast.

We were waiting for the announcement

for our turn to walk down the ship.

We were standing by the balcony 

and looking over busy people on the pier

unloading our luggages

and loading products for it's next itinerary.

It is a busy port with other cruises

from the Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

We checked into a hotel on the beach

after disembarkation process which

I would describe as smooth as...

Quick and efficient immigrations

and finding our luggages

before getting into a taxi.

The view from our hotel window is quite impressive.

We are going to get on board another cruise ship

tomorrow morning.

It is Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean which

is nearly 4 times bigger tonnage 

and about 5 times more passenger capacity

than the ms Amsterdam that we have been on.

It's capacity is for more than 

6200 passengers

plus 2200 crew!

It is the biggest cruise ship ever!

Well, it was 

until that record was broken just one month ago

by another new mega ship from Royal Caribbean.

Harmony of the seas (227000 Ton) is 

about 2 mitres longer 

than the Allure of the Seas( 225000 Ton). 

Friends on board strongly recommended us to this

Italian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

and have made an on-line booking for us tonight.

It is called 'Anthony's Runway 84'.

It's interior decor is also

just like inside of an airplane.

They served us complimentary 

huge salad and mussel dish

when we ordered main dishes.

We were so surprised how packed it was!

Bothe inside and out!

It must be quite well settled and

popular venue for locals.

Veal dish

Spaghetti with meat ball.

We were so looking forward to having

totally new experience on Royal Caribbean cruise

tomorrow even if it was just for one week.

One last week on board before return to Ft. Lauderdale

 Funchal, Portugal was our very last port of call

as we were sailing away to Atlantic sea.

We have 7 days at sea before the ship

returns to Fort Lauderdale where she started

about 4 months ago.

Passengers already start talking about

packing and organising farewell get together 

lunches and dinners and so on...

After few months of being spoilt

by not doing any domestic works,

no one really wants to get off the ship

and go home where reality resides.

One week at sea also can be boring

even if there are numerous daily activities are on.

In the meantime, there has been

a couple of special events nicely done 

so that passengers can remember for long.

One of them was lavish

Grand Buffet lunch.

Fruits

Bread and pretzel

Asparagus wrapped in roasted beef

Flowers made of beet roots and carrots

A bird cage made out of a pumpkin

Ice carving art work and a tower of king shrimps 

Leaning tower of Pisa is a dessert today.

Chef George has been very popular among passengers

as he always put big smile on his face.

Caviar is very generous today, too.

A turkey made out of vegetables

Chocolate fountain with fruit kebabs

Assorted cakes and sweets

Another fountain with white chocolate

Lobster tails galore!

Lamb cutlets

Our dear old friend Tina is manager of 

Pinnacle Grill restaurant on board.

I am sure that no one leaves hungry

after this big lunch.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The other one was our last Gala night

under the theme of Mask.

Having a great time

Holland America dancers and singers are 

also joining the big party

One last party we will never forget

and friendships

 that can last life time.

There are so many cruise liners offer

great services and excellent products

but

the one that makes it really different 

has be

'people'.

Fellow passengers and crew

who became close friends over the years

of cruising together...

It is sad time to depart now but

we will meet again soon

on a next cruise!

Funchal, Madeira, our last port of call

There was one sea day in between 

our last port Cadiz, Spain and

Portuguese port of Funchal, Madeira

where we docked early this morning.

Sunrise from our balcony was beautiful.

View of Funchal from the ship

It is about half an hour walk 

from the ship to town centre.

And there were complimentary 

shuttle buses running every 30 minutes as well.

We knew there is a local market near

cable car station to the top of mountain.

Fish monger with big knife in the market.

Madeira is famous for it's dessert wine and cake 

as well as abundant of beautiful flowers.

Popular port for cruise liners

before or after Atlantic cross

as this port would be the first stop

from America to Europe.

A narrow alley with full of local seafood restaurants.

Love the perfume of Freesia

Authentic and delicious

Portuguese Tarts and Cafe Latte,

we always have these 

whenever we are in this port.

I found this lovely garden set near the casino

as I walked up to a hillside.

Sometimes, it is nice to be lost

to find something new in foreign country.

Casino?

Pass.

I don't gamble...^^

Ronaldo was born here.

World's one of the biggest sports star.

There will be 7 sea days 

after this port

before

we reach our final destination,

Fort Lauderdale where

this Grand World Voyage

comes to an end.