Safari bookmarks not syncing between iPad and MacBook Pro

Directions from Set up iCloud for Safari on all your devices - Apple Support (IN)

do not solve my non-syncing of Safari bookmarks. I have many more bookmarks on my 10th iPad 26.6.2 than my MacBook Pro 27.0.1. Is there a problem with having a NordVPN? Both have been shut off for awhile. Is there a problem with 5k+ bookmarks ?