Our Caribbean cruise from Barbados

So, now the day of departure has come. After breakfast, we first went to the authorities in the Atellier on Deck 4 with our passports and immigration forms. There was already a long line, but it went very quickly. After that, we went back to the cabin. Since we had booked a day cabin, we had to pack our hand luggage completely so that it could later be taken to the other cabin by housekeeping.

We had also booked an excursion called 'Beach transfer for departing guests' for today. From the meeting point, we first went to the port terminal, where we picked up our luggage and went to the check-in counters. Everything went very quickly here as well. After that, we gathered again for our excursion. After a while of waiting, we were taken to our bus, which then took us to the beach. The TUI employee informed us that we should return with the same bus and driver. The transfer to the beach didn't take long. We were unloaded in front of the entrance and were given a time when we would be taken back.

At the entrance, we were shown where to get our welcome drink and where the sun loungers were located. Each guest had a sun lounger and two people shared an umbrella. We first changed clothes and then went into the sea to cool down. There are also some bars where you can buy drinks and food, as well as some souvenir stands. There were also some vendors on the beach. It was funny to watch the Americans. There was also a ship from Holland America Line in the harbor. One woman even ran after one of the vendors to buy something from his 'kitsch'. There were also various water sports providers at the water's edge. The beach was also very crowded. But it was a fantastic beach with white sand and clear, turquoise water.

We had to be back at the exit at 12:15. However, there was a different bus with a different driver. For some, this was a huge problem and there were discussions before they finally got onboard.

After we were back on the ship, we first went to the reception to pick up the boarding pass for our day cabin. My husband asked if we had to hand in the other boarding passes here. No, they said we could keep them. It would have been good to have a notice that we still needed them to get off the ship. The cabin was also on Deck 9, but on the starboard side. Our hand luggage was already on the cabin. It worked perfectly.

After that, we went to have lunch at the Osteria before returning to the cabin to get ready for the return flight. Meanwhile, my husband asked me where we would be sitting on the plane, as the other couple is also flying back on the same aircraft. So, I took out the boarding passes and got a shock. This can't be happening. We had specifically reserved seats and now one was supposed to sit in row 30 and the other in row 25. My husband tried unsuccessfully to resolve it on board. They only said that we had to resolve it at the airport. Great. The mood was then in the basement.

We met the other couple in the TUI bar for a farewell drink at 5 PM. At 6 PM, we started to disembark. Unfortunately, it didn't work because we needed the boarding passes that my husband had put somewhere since he was told that we could keep them. So, they wouldn't let us off the ship. I was getting nervous again. After some searching, he found them and we were allowed to disembark.

There was already a long line in front of the buses. When it started, it spread relatively quickly. The buses were very comfortable this time. There was a lot of legroom, so we could even easily place our trolley in front of us.

When we arrived at the airport, we went through passport control and then through security. Our flight was listed on the board, but there was no departure gate yet. So, we sat down nearby and waited. Apparently, we were the last departure for the day. Eventually, someone came and told us to go to the gate. There was still no information on the board. It took us to the other end of the terminal. There was already a considerable line.

When boarding finally started after a long wait, it went surprisingly quickly. On the plane, my husband immediately approached the cabin crew about our seats. They couldn't do anything about it at first. They told us to sit in our respective seats and try to switch on our own. Great, and we even paid extra fees to reserve the seats.

After a while, a woman came, then left, and then a man came who had the seat. I asked him if he would be willing to switch seats with my husband. After showing him where he would be sitting, he agreed. He was also separated from his wife and would be sitting a bit closer to her. Well, at least that worked. Our acquaintances were sitting right in front of us. We found out that some people had issues with their seat reservations, and there was a lively seat swapping going on. The cabin crew didn't like it anymore and told everyone to sit in their assigned seats. It got a bit louder in the plane for a moment. Then, finally, we took off towards home.

When we reached our cruising altitude, there was a dinner. It didn't taste as good this time. Maybe we were spoiled by the very delicious food on board. There was also an onboard sale before the lights were dimmed for the night. It wasn't easy to sleep. After a few hours, everything just hurt.

In the morning, we had breakfast before landing in Munich on time around noon. After disembarking, we said goodbye to our acquaintances, who had to continue by car from there. For us, the search for the departure gate for our connecting flight to Hamburg began again. After what felt like an eternity, we found the bus gate. We went to the other terminal again. Luckily, we didn't have to go any further there. However, the gate on the boarding pass was no longer correct, it had changed by then.

On the plane to Hamburg, everyone was sitting mixed up again. I sat between two ladies whose husbands were also sitting elsewhere. There was a drink and a chocolate bar on the flight. The time passed quickly because we had a good conversation. We landed in Hamburg on time at 3:30 PM.

After getting off the plane, we went to the baggage claim and were curious to see if and how our luggage would arrive. Luckily, our suitcases came out relatively early and were both intact. We then went up to the parking lot where my brother was already waiting to pick us up. Well, we were only about 40 minutes away from home now.

Next, there will be a short summary/conclusion of the trip.