SUPERMAN JOE

The handsome, smiling guy is Joe, our great driver who brought us to Ft. Lauderdale the day before the cruise. You’d think that having sent six boxes ahead, we’d only have carry-ons—NOT! Even I am getting a little concerned about where it’s all going to go in the cabin! John says we’ll be sleeping on top of the boxes or in a chair in a lounge.

Back to Joe. Joe is a great guy, a skilled driver (even John relaxes when Joe is at the wheel), dependable, and a special, caring person. He started driving for a friend at IRCC 16 years ago as a favor and is in much demand. In fact, due to his busy schedule, we’re staying at The Hampton Inn in Ft. Lauderdale the day we return from the cruise, so Joe will be available to take us home! His day was only half over when he drove us to Ft. Lauderdale yesterday. He’d already driven from Melbourne to the cruise port at Ft. Lauderdale to pick up return cruisers at 9:30 AM, then drove them home to IRCC, picked us up, and headed back to Ft. Lauderdale. When he dropped us off, he headed back to the Orlando Airport (about 3 ½ -4 hours) to pick up another IRCC son visiting his family. Then to the Sanford airport just before midnight for another pick-up, and then to Melbourne. Joe says he usually gets home about midnight (or later), has a bowl of cereal, and goes to bed. He starts it all the next day, sometimes with pickups as early as 4 AM. It’s not just trips to cruise ports and airports; he takes friends to doctor appointments and surgeries (anyone who rides with Joe quickly becomes a friend). He drives “snowbirds” back and forth and has even driven a moving van to help someone relocate. Again, a very special guy. We don’t know how he keeps up the pace. Of course, it’s a business, but more than that, Joe cares about the people he drives and sincerely wants to help them.

This morning at 11:00 AM, a shuttle Van will take us to Zuiderdam for Noon boarding time. We’ll be sure to wear masks (although not sure it helps) since we think it was in the van we caught Covid before our cruise last Christmas on the Zuiderdam. Five-day quarantine wasn’t bad for us, room service and in-room movies, but I would prefer not to do that again. Fortunately, we enjoy each other’s company, and it didn’t take much to entertain us!

See you Aboard!