For others, it will be a little longer before they connect with loved ones.

Brittany Ferguson and Kendall Jenkins, both 24, got off the ship cheering and dancing. Jenkins went so far as to lay kneel down and kiss the ground.

"We won this cruise at a Houston Rockets game. Lucky us," Ferguson said, laughing.

They are among the many who boarded one of the more than 100 motor coaches that were reserved by Carnival to take them to New Orleans where many will overnight before continuing their journey home. The two are headed home to Houston.

But that's OK with the Ferguson and Jenkins because they have "land under our feet."