Bongo
To me it just sounds like you had a thoroughly professional crew on the flight who followed their safety procedures to the letter. After all, if you were to find out that the flight had been conducted over water without all the required systems for ETOPS, then you'd think differently.
Same if the captain had decided to go tech and leave you in a fleapit hotel for 48 hours whilst bits and bolters got flown in.
Going up the coast was presumably the best option for all concerned, people get home faster and the aircraft operated within its regulations if some system or device was unserviceable that is needed for a long transocean flight. It really isn't about money, it's about the best thing for all concerned and completely safe practice.
As for the sinking, that could be something as simple as a noise abatement procedure. It might feel like a sinking feeling but it isn't.
