Debarkation was a dream. So smooth. We all (crew included) were worried and expecting the worst, but hoping for the best. And the best is what we got. Went off exactly as scheduled. The first walk off passengers left at 6:30 and we went on from there. We didn’t have to rush so much, we had reserved the car for 9am, so we had plenty of time. We had breakfast in Luminae, said goodbye to all our great waitstaff, then gathered our backpacks and hit the gangway a little before 8. What the heck, we’re ready – we’ll hopefully not be charged extra for the car.
We exited in the Suites/Global Entry line, which as per usual was probably slower than the normal lines, but again- we aren’t in any rush! Outside we had to walk forever to get to the taxi line, but once there – there was no line and we were in the car and out of the port in no time. 10 minutes later we are at the rental car center and heading in to get our car. Seamless. Except for the couple (on our cruise, and even in a suite because we’ve seen them in Michaels and Luminae) who are virtually running into the car rental center. We’re just walking over to the building, fast, yes, because that’s how we walk, but not crazy rushing. This woman is bound an determined to get there first. Fine, we don’t care. But as we get into the building, she hesitates to look at the directional signs, and we just walk toward the Budget rental counter. She’s behind us now as we make our way along the Disneyesque rope line, but suddenly, she just ducks under the rope line to end up at the front of the line – directly in front of us. I’ve just had enough, so I look at her and say “really?” And she looks and says, “Oh, I was going to let you go in front of us.” Yeah, right. I swear……people!
Sigh.
Now at the rental counter, the agent says she doesn’t have our compact car, but can upgrade us for $10/day. No. We don’t want a bigger car and we aren’t paying $10/day, so she goes outside to find a car. 10 minutes later (yeah, she was gone a long time), she comes back and says she doesn’t have a compact, but she is upgrading us for free. Well, thanks, that’s very nice. Finally we get to the car, and upgrade, it may be, but it hasn’t been washed, there are all sorts of odd marks on it (looks like tape or something? We took pictures to cover ourselves) and it smells suspiciously like smoke. Great upgrade. But, at least we’re on the road, and its way earlier than we had even dreamed.
We make it to Ft. Myers for shopping by 10:30, then get gas (because the gas wasn’t full either!!!) and arrive on Sanibel a little after noon to check into our totally cool unit in Mariner’s Pointe. This is the first time we’ve been on the Bay side of the island, and this little unit is fantastic. It’s a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, all nicely updated with a fantastic lanai that overlooks the bay and the causeway bridge. It’s absolutely perfect. We settle in (the only negative is that is on the 3rd floor and hauling those suitcases up those stairs is a workout!), organize and relax a bit before hitting The Jac (new owners, remodeled!!!) for happy hour (still great apps for $6 and cheap(er) wine and beer) and then lanai sitting and relaxing for the rest of the night.
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