Aboard the Norwegian Jewel (Saturday, 21st January to Sunday, 5th February 2006). Sailing from Miami: Itinerary: Week 1: Western Caribbean; Week 2: Eastern Caribbean
CONNECTION:
Our flight from Manchester, England was via Chicago on American Airlines. Boeing 767 on time from Manchester. Arrival at Chicago (ORD) Terminal 5 on time. The flight, in coach class, was reasonably comfortable but the TV in our section of the plane was not working. Meals were OK just. Cabin crew took a couple of hours of (siesta, perhaps?) during the flight, reappearing some 90 minutes before touchdown to serve a snack. Long walk to immigration at Terminal 5. Very long line of people waiting to be processed by US immigration. We were surprised to encounter an officer who was (very unusual, this) polite and reasonable. Though having fingerprints and photograph taken makes you feel no better than an arrested criminal. Baggage was on the carousel just behind immigration awaiting our collection. Re-checked the baggage through to Miami. Caught airport train service to Terminal 3 for connecting flight for Miami which was due to leave some 2 hours after landing. Encountered further very long queues to go through security. This entailed having to remove shoes, which is fine on a security level, but less than helpful was the fact no chairs are provided nearby for the elderly to replace their footwear. Had to prove age qualification for alcohol at a Terminal 3 bar. Faintly ridiculous as a half-blind man would know immediately that we are well over qualification age limit. To rub salt in the wound, 3 medium-sized beers, 1 modest-size glass of red wine cost $27. . . yes, thats right. . . 27 USD. Yikes.