The day has arrived.
✅ Bags are packed.
✅ Most important Passport and Phone
✅ Medallion device
✅ Instructions for the dog, like feeding and walking and all the special little treats.
✅ Money! One credit card and cashola.
Of course I'm going to forget things, but I'll tell you later.
My daughter drops us off at LAX airport and we take the transfer to San Pedro Pier. The Princess reps are at their little kiosk and tell us to just wait until a bus shows up as they say they is no more room on the truck. There is no order or lines, so we are just a little concerned. We only have to wait for about 30 minutes or so and they call us to go board the motor coach. Our driver is full of jokes and keeps us entertained all the way down. He's working hard for his tips!
When we get off, we give our big suitcases to the porter, so all we have to do is take our carryons to board. I meet up with my sister and friends to say "Hi" and hugs, and then get to march over to the "Platinum and Elite" status area to board early. We are still 5 cruises away from elite status, so we have to wait patiently for all the Elites to board first. Lucky them.
Once on board we are told our rooms aren't ready yet, so we decide to head up to the "Sanctuary" to reserve some days. Remember last time on the Mexican Riviera we got up there too late and nothing was available? Except the Cabanas, which we gladly took, but trying to go budget this time, and there weren't any Cabanas that I saw on this ship. You get a number like at the Ice Cream Store, and wait your turn. As we were waiting, my husbands spots the couple in front of us and says, "I went to high school with him". My husband has one of those weird "Facial recognition" things and after 25 years of not ever seeing him, walks over to him to say, "Hi Mark, I went to high school and grade school with you". We actually hung out with them during the cruise, had dinner with them and even excursions. Anything can happen on a cruise. I reserved 3 half days which were afternoons to just hang out for 6 people. I would of done the Panama Canal Crossing day but they were charging $60.00 for the day, versus $20 for the half day, and I was pretty sure I wasn't going to hang out there the whole day.
Back to our room and meet our steward. I LOVE the Plaza deck. It's very quiet because you are behind the wall, close to the International Cafe, you can go up 1 floor to the theatre and 1 floor down to the gangway. Plus you get to walk by all the Art when you are going to the Piazza or IC.
Up to pool deck for Sail Away Party and meeting up with friends and family.
Roll call:
• Sister and friend
• 2nd sister and husband
• One more couple of friends
• One more solo traveler
• And now new friends from high school we met in Sanctuary.
After Sailaway drinks we meet up for dinner .
Dining room for dinner and we have no problem getting in. Then off to the production show which is the comedian. Usually the comedians are awesome. This one was definitely not the best and people were falling asleep and leaving. Needless to say we didn't go the second night, and from what I heard, not too many people did either.
Off to bed so we can have Sea day tomorrow.
