22 PORTS, 13 COUNTRIES, 17,818 MILES

Having traveled the world since 1978, one might immediately jump to the conclusion that my ‘bucket list’ had been emptied.  Think again.  For no apparent reason the Falkland Islands, Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia, Ushuaia and Cape Horn proved continually illusive.  That is, until February 2, 2019. 

Photo: Public Domain

My latest adventure began on January 31^st with an Alaska Airlines flight to Los Angeles International Airport.  It was a beautiful afternoon for flying and without delays my arrival into LAX was 7:20pm.

Photo: Public Domain

Once luggage was retrieved I placed a call to the Comfort Inn Cockatoo Hotel, my home for one night.  I had been instructed by the hotel to make my way to the center island and stand under the red HOTEL AND PARKING LOT SHUTTLE sign.  I noted the time was 8:00pm as I took my position under the sign. 

The property is located a distance of 3-4 miles from the airport but the shuttle van arrived in less than one minute.  The staff was very accommodating, allowing me to leave my large checked bag at the registration desk.   I was assigned room #222 and was settled in by 8:20pm.  The room was sizeable with a king bed and the rate included free wi-fi and airport shuttle service.  Breakfast service begins at 6:30am and I found it to be substantial, consisting of Belgium waffles, scrambled eggs, link and patty sausage, juices, muffins, fruit, toast, cold cereal, yogurt and coffee.

Comfort Inn Cockatoo Hotel LAX.      Photo: Public Domain

The following day my flight from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale was a non-stop Alaska Airlines flight scheduled for 10:40am.  To take advantage of the free shuttle service back to the airport I had to exit the hotel, turn right and walk about ½ block.  The hotel was very accommodating, allowing me to take a luggage carrier to the shuttle stop.

You will see a SHUTTLE sign on the left-hand side of the street.  This is a central pickup point for four hotels located within two blocks.  My van left at 7:30am and arrived at the terminal within 15 minutes. Luggage was checked in, TSA was cleared and I was sitting at the departure gate - the time was 8:10am. 

This flight was also on time and touchdown in Fort Lauderdale was 6:40pm.  After collecting my luggage, I walked outside, turned right and followed the BLUE signs for the HOTEL and PARKING SHUTTLE.   

The complimentary shuttle for the Days Inn Fort Lauderdale Airport Cruise Port was white with a maroon colored swish on the side and WELCOME on the front. 

Check-in was quick and easy.  I was inside room #119 by 7:30pm.  The rooms were definitely dated and small but it did have two double beds and a coffee maker, along with free wi-fi and complimentary continental breakfast the following morning beginning at 7:30am. 

2 double beds

Beakfast area

Breakfast area

Breakfast proved to be anything but good.  I did find hot cereal along with two types of cold cereal - frosted flakes and corn flakes.  They did not have yogurt, eggs or much of anything else.  There were a few muffins along with white and dark bread for toast.  Coffee and juice were also available.

It was finally time to head to the port and board the Royal Princess for my much anticipated adventure.  The vans to the cruise terminal charge $10 per person and you will need to make a reservation with the front desk as soon as you check-in.  My shuttle departure was scheduled for 11am.

I boarded the Royal Princess at 12:02pm.  The 49-night South American Adventure would stop at 22 ports, visit 13 countries and log an astonishing 17,818 nautical miles before disembarkation on March 23^rd at the Port ofLos Angeles World Cruise Center in San Pedro. 

Photo: Public Domain