We left Virginia Beach about 5:30 AM headed to Norfolk International Airport.  At about 7:45AM we got on Southwest air plane to Fort Lauderdale Florida.  We were schedule to arrival at 11:15, but because of air traffic at Fort Lauderdale, we did not get to Fort Lauderdale until a little before 2:00 PM.

The airport was packed with people.  They were sitting, standing and lying in every location, the end of college break.  We picked up our 6 suit cases and caught a cab to the MSC Opera at the port.  About 10 minutes and $20.00 lighter, we were checking our bags at the pier.  We began meeting several individuals whom we have stay in contact since the cruise.  The last several pictures in the slide show below, pictures John Swann drinking beer thru a straw while the crew held him up in the air.  I and on occasion, Carmen would join me and have breakfast with John and Jan Swann and Harry and Elaine Welter.

As you will see in the pictures, the MSC Opera is a very beautiful ship.  Of all of the cruises we have been on this is the most beautiful ship and had the best entertainment.  There were two small problems on this ship, the ship was as Italian vessel, beautiful, but small bathrooms and try to stay away from the Italian waiters.  Most folks would said, all you have to do is put soap on the walls of the shower, step into shower, turn on water, spin.  Most of the Italian waiters reminded me of old southern Spanish waiters who knows what you should eat and drink, but not what you want to eat and drink.  I believe the waiters in La Caravella Restaurant were more Italian and in the L'Approdo Restaurant were more 3rd nation waiters.  We usually ate in the L'Approdo Restaurant and had an outstanding waiter from Indonesia.  After getting onboard and listening to their six languages message several, several times; we headed out to sea and San Juan. We arrived in San Juan on the 4th of April, after traveling 917 nautical miles.  We got there about 8 PM and left San Juan by 1:30 AM, not a real good port stop, too little too late!!!  But, we had a fantastic time on board the ship. I could even play bingo!  They call each number in six languages. 

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