I may have finally found out the issue. I had HAL's Premium Wifi Package.
I had bought a cheap knock - C USB to SD Card adapter, and it seemed to work, but slowly. After getting home, I learned that the only things actually had on the iCloud were the images I took with the ipad itself. None of them on my ipad or apple cloud came from the camera.
My first order was for an apple brand C-Usb to SD card adapter.
We have so much medicine these days, no room for a laptop. This latest trip, it seemed we used most of our own stuff, and a lot from the ship's doctor too, a first for us. My ipad will fit in the front pocket of my carry-on wheelie.