San Fransisco

 The cool thing about San Fransisco is the ship berths right at Fishermans Wharf, so it is within walking distance. When the ship comes in everyone wants to get a photo of "The Golden Gate Bridge" so be on the lookout. These are the photos from my balcony. Not the best photos because it was cloudy and we weren't even sure that was the Golden Gate Bridge we were going under. 

One thing I always say is book your excursions early because they sell out and the price goes up. And guess what? The one  I wanted was sold out. But that doesn't stop me from finding an alternative plan to do this. So I book through Trip Advisor online. 

But here is where things go a little awry. It would have been about a 10 minute walk to our pick up point, but one wrong turn and you are walking up extreme hills getting the worst or best workout of your life. When I put the directions in Waze it gave 2 addresses. I accidentally put the #1 pick up as part of the address which had us turning left instead of right. Up the hills past Lombard street, (Lombard Street is an east–west street in San Francisco, California, that is famous for a steep, one-block section with eight hairpin turns and a huge tourist photo op, not my photo) 

and after about 15 -20 minutes realized....we are going the wrong way. I looked at the address again and realized what I did wrong. When I saw husby panting and resting I knew I needed to slow down just a bit. Luckily the right path back was down hill and we still made it in time for the pick up point as we left extra early just in case something like this could happen. 

First stop is the Photo Op and the "The Golden Gate Bridge" where every tourist is trying to take a selfie in front of this iconic bridge.....including us.

 

Then off to Muir Woods.  It's about a 30 minute bus ride to Muir woods through windy roads and foggy skies. We have about an hour and a half to hike (or stroll) through Muir Woods. 

 Husby calls this my skater look. I always flip my cap backwards when I'm out of the sun. 

It's a super cool mystical green earthy forest and a fun, easy walk.  We meet one of the forest rangers along our walk so get a free walking tour back down to the main meeting point. 

Then off to Sausalito for a short hour stop. It's more of a beachy town, so just popped into a bar for a drink and chips w/guac before we browse some of the local stores. It was kind of a gloomy day and not much going on so didn't really take any photos. 

When we get back on the ship the photographers are set up to take formal photos. But we decided to do a casual photo without the awkward poses. We said just take a casual photo and this is what we got. 

Good night San Fransisco. Photos from the top deck. 

California Coastal 7 day Cruise

 This is my first time doing the California Coastal, which is kind of funny because I live in the L.A. area and have done just about every other cruise there is. Here is the itinerary below. 

When : Nov. 4th 2023 ( even though the screenshot says Oct.) 

Who : My husband, and Best friend from High School and her husband. To my surprise a couple co-workers were also on this cruise.

Where: To California and Ensenada.

Room: Balcony Obstructed E535

This is an easy cruise because I live in L.A. So we drive to the port, park the car, walk over to the pier and we are on. My best friend from high school is on this cruise, (First time on Princess) and we are reconnecting after many years. I had so much fun with her and we just picked up where we left off. She and her husband are easy traveling partners so we are hoping for many more. 

I like to get the ship's crest for my Medallion, but because I already have the Discovery I decide to do my horoscope sign. 

Heres a view from Obstructed Balcony E535. Not too bad. If there is an emergency I know where the tender is! 

Me and Bff Audrey with our Sail away drinks and photo op. 

We explore the ship, reserve the sanctuary which always fills up, unpack, go to sailaway party for drinks and later go to the MDR for dinner. If you want the Vegetarian menu you have to request it. They change it every night. They also have a couple Vegetarian options on the Main menu but now we get our exclusive one. Yay. 

After dinner it is the Comedian and my friends are casino junkies, ( I didn't know) so they hit the casinos. I'll tell you later all the freebies they get. 

Tomorrow is Sea day up to San Francisco so Zumba for me, Gym and I try out the Pilates class before I veg out and relax in afternoon. Gotta work off all the calories I may be eating or drinking. 

Fort Lauderdale Disembarkation

 It's hard to say Goodbye. 

After 15 days it's time to say goodbye. I loved this cruise and would definitely do it again. 
Next time I will go the opposite way from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles. This route will have 1 or 2 Caribbean Island ports and the eastern side of Costa Rica. Plus I could buy my flavored tequila in Puerto Vallarta and not have to worry about packing it for the flight home. 

 

We decided to do a post shore excursion because our flight was leaving late. We had a bus tour around the beach and went up  Las Olas Blvd. to the Waterways of Millionaire Row and saw some amazing mansions and humongous yachts. We chose the : 

Debark Tour: Intracoastal Waterway By Boat & Las Olas Blvd With Fort Lauderdale Airport Transfer :

Set your sights on Fort Lauderdale's finest boulevards, beaches and waterways. From the pier, it's a scenic drive around "Venice of America," named for its intricate canal system. As you tour the city, your informative guide will share its history and point out its most memorable landmarks. Stop and browse the hip shops at Las Olas Boulevard, and then proceed to the boarding location for the "Carrie B" paddle-boat. Enjoy a glorious sightseeing cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway and Port Everglades. View the many elaborate mansions and celebrity homes along Millionaires Row, as well as the massive yachts docked outside Fort Lauderdale's luxury hotels. This fun vessel features both open and enclosed decks and a snack bar. Upon completion of your water tour, rejoin your transportation and return to the ship. Upon completion of your water tour, rejoin your transportation and head to the airport.

After gazing, dreaming and stalking the rich and famous we head over to the airport. 

Always expect the unexpected as the runways were flooded a few days before so one of the reasons our non-stop flight turned into a stop over in Houston for a fuel up. We were also delayed for a couple hours due to the lightening storm. There has to be a certain amount of seconds ( I think it was 9, but it could have been 30) gap between the strikes in order for us to take off. We decided to do a last minute upgrade to first class and  I guess that was a pretty good decision being that we were stuck on the runway for 2 hours. 

Overall it was a wonderful cruise and on my list for a do again cruise. 

And just a few more Bird shots before you go.

 Coming back to the port you will need to walk through the atrium again. Just watching all the birds and monkeys is so much fun, I think  that I could actually spend the whole day here.