I hyperventilate, perspire profusely and lose all semblance of reason while driving to my destination. We've never traveled further than thirty miles the morning of a cruise and that's far enough.
The Port of San Francisco opened a new facility in September. We were the twelfth group to sail out of Pier 27. This made it slightly more difficult as I had to adjust my Google maps from old Pier 35. The facility is very nice, large and easy to navigate. It is built well off and angled from the street so traffic flows much better.
I know people are anxious to board early and get their vacation started. There are two choices. Go early, around 9:45 and expect to sit, stand and sit again (in and out of the weather) or show up around 1 or so and walk right on. Now this is just a generalization and don't come looking for me if you have a terrible experience with the crowd.
I know I'm sort of going backward here but this way I can cover two things at once. Unless you are sailing a brand new ship or one directly out of dry dock (and that can be a whole different set of issues) you are going to wait for an entire ship of people to leave your future home.
These are approximate as it seems passengers have their own way of telling time, but usually this works out fine. You vacate your stateroom by 8 a.m. when disembarkation begins. The ship is usually empty by 10:30. Once the ship is cleared boarding begins. This cruise, because of all the get here early warnings, we were processed and on board before noon.
The one thing common to all travel by cruise ship regardless of line, destination or duration is the mandatory Muster Drill. The experience varies slightly by cruise line but the essence is the same...do not panic in an emergency. Princess has very civilized Muster Drills. There's been some recent scuttlebutt (I normally wouldn't use scuttlebutt but it sounds so nautical) about leaving the life vests in the cabin, we were told to bring ours, which is much more entertaining as you can watch people struggle trying them on and laugh when they blow the attached whistle that's been god knows where.
Finding your Muster Station is easy between maps on the cabin door, letters on the life vests, written instructions on the daily schedule (The Princess Patter) and staff every fourteen feet giving you directions. Our drill was in the large aft Vista Lounge at 3:30. It lasts about fifteen minutes.
As I said, prior to boarding I am a prime candidate for the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, VERY Nervous. I just don't know how people travel the morning of their cruise. So I'm sitting next to and talking with two very nice ladies before the drill begins. They were neighbors and friends who were celebrating a future marriage. I heard a great story of reunited high school sweethearts and thought I should reciprocate with some meaningful conversation and information of my own. I plowed into our morning getting to the ship adventure, culminating with "I don't know how anyone can travel distances the morning of the cruise they must really be nuts."
"We flew in from Atlanta this morning," my new friend said.
I know to keep my fingernails out of my mouth I can't say the same for my feet.
Our first full day, Sunday was a day at sea. Frankly I can't remember what we did. I know most of the activity revolved around reading and eating.
The day went quickly and soon we were safely tucked in bed. Yesterday I mentioned we had an aft cabin and the soothing wake sounds. It was rather like listening to a waterfall which on one hand was mesmerizing but also caused me to pee every hour or so. Monday morning we sailed in to Ensenada, Mexico.
This was our third visit to the Mexican port. We've never done much exploring and get out early to a favorite shop, Bazar Casa Ramierez.
We have always enjoyed our Ensenada port stop. One of these days we may take a tour to La Bufadora. Having already seen Halona in Hawaii we could cross another blow hole off our bucket list.
I really need a haircut and Wanda tells me my latest crown is in; some men get crowns on their heads, I get mine in my mouth, so I need to go in tomorrow morning. I also have an early morning doc appointment Thursday. I hope to have this cruise trip blogged out over the next two days.
Thanks for going on the journey with me...and by me, I mean us.
The one thing common to all travel by cruise ship regardless of line, destination or duration is the mandatory Muster Drill. The experience varies slightly by cruise line but the essence is the same...do not panic in an emergency. Princess has very civilized Muster Drills. There's been some recent scuttlebutt (I normally wouldn't use scuttlebutt but it sounds so nautical) about leaving the life vests in the cabin, we were told to bring ours, which is much more entertaining as you can watch people struggle trying them on and laugh when they blow the attached whistle that's been god knows where.
Finding your Muster Station is easy between maps on the cabin door, letters on the life vests, written instructions on the daily schedule (The Princess Patter) and staff every fourteen feet giving you directions. Our drill was in the large aft Vista Lounge at 3:30. It lasts about fifteen minutes.
As I said, prior to boarding I am a prime candidate for the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, VERY Nervous. I just don't know how people travel the morning of their cruise. So I'm sitting next to and talking with two very nice ladies before the drill begins. They were neighbors and friends who were celebrating a future marriage. I heard a great story of reunited high school sweethearts and thought I should reciprocate with some meaningful conversation and information of my own. I plowed into our morning getting to the ship adventure, culminating with "I don't know how anyone can travel distances the morning of the cruise they must really be nuts."
"We flew in from Atlanta this morning," my new friend said.
I know to keep my fingernails out of my mouth I can't say the same for my feet.
Our first full day, Sunday was a day at sea. Frankly I can't remember what we did. I know most of the activity revolved around reading and eating.
The day went quickly and soon we were safely tucked in bed. Yesterday I mentioned we had an aft cabin and the soothing wake sounds. It was rather like listening to a waterfall which on one hand was mesmerizing but also caused me to pee every hour or so. Monday morning we sailed in to Ensenada, Mexico.
This was our third visit to the Mexican port. We've never done much exploring and get out early to a favorite shop, Bazar Casa Ramierez.
Wanda and I call this guy the Viagra Man because if you look at his shorts....well you get the idea.
Just down the road from Viagra Man.
We have always enjoyed our Ensenada port stop. One of these days we may take a tour to La Bufadora. Having already seen Halona in Hawaii we could cross another blow hole off our bucket list.
I really need a haircut and Wanda tells me my latest crown is in; some men get crowns on their heads, I get mine in my mouth, so I need to go in tomorrow morning. I also have an early morning doc appointment Thursday. I hope to have this cruise trip blogged out over the next two days.
Thanks for going on the journey with me...and by me, I mean us.
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