There’s a very specific kind of limbo that exists at the end of a holiday — that weird, grey-zone which stretches out between checking out of paradise and actually boarding your flight home.
Nothing quite captures this special purgatory like waiting to debark (fancy word for “get off”) a cruise ship. You’re packed, suitably ready for the off, and running solely on the fumes of the last buffet breakfast and bittersweet memories of ice cold zero alcohol Rose Wine.
Waiting for your coloured luggage tags to be called are you free to leave? Of course not. You must wait. Like a tanned prisoner in a floating hotel. There are patrolling smiling guards to check you are not trying to sneak off with an earlier colour!
Then your off, luggage hall awaits, and your anticipation that your case will be waiting for you🙏
Yes, its there. In my current scenario not to the airport however, but a day hotel to wait for my later flight home. Next hurdle, having to locate the secure luggage trucks that will transport my case to the airport leaving me free to board the bus for the hotel, and a walk around Port Louis to pass some time. The hotel is very nice, and has danish pastries, coffee and juice on offer, but I would rather have an earlier flight and be on my way!
Time comes to get back on the coach, to go to the airport for my flight. Already checked in online so baggage drop only. The waiting begins again for our flight to board. This time only another couple of hours (as long as there is no delay!)
On board - just a 12.5 hour flight to go…
