Tuesday January 13, 2015 At Sea

Gerri got up at 4 AM to finish packing.  I got up at 5:30.  We didn’t make coffee, planning to get it at the airport.

Our flight was set to board at 8:10.  John got us to the airport at about 6:45 and it was the fastest curb service we have ever had.  The porter with the wheelchair was there and we were in the boarding area by seven.  Gerri bought coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Burger King.

At about 7:30 there was an announcement that due to fog in San Francisco our flight was rescheduled for 10:30.  About a half hour later the flight was cancelled.  We were directed to the counter and they arranged a flight for us from the B gates at 11:35 arriving in San Francisco at 1:30.  Gerri called Princess and we were assured that we would be in time to catch the shuttle to the ship.

We were anxious about the timing because the ship was scheduled to sail at 4 PM.  When we got to San Francisco we contacted the Princess greeters and learned that the ship had been delayed by the same fog by 3 hours.  There were two bus loads of us leaving the airport at about 2:30.

After about a 45 minute ride we were delivered to Pier 27.  The line to board was around the block.  It did start moving pretty quickly and we were soon safely on board and checked into our cabin.  Nice that we are Platinum as we by passed the new cruisers and got on board without further delay. 

Port of San Francisco Clock Tower

This is probably a good time to mention some things we did differently for this cruise.  One: we flew to the port the same day as the embarkation for the cruise.  In the past we have always arrived in the port city at least a day before the cruise starts.  We will make sure to do that on future cruises.  It will cut down the worry about delays or missed connections.   Two: We booked an inside cabin.  The jury is still out on this choice.  We did find that our MiFi wasn’t working.  That may be because we are on the interior of the ship.  We will see if it works in Hawaii and try going on deck with the MiFi.  Three:  We chose anytime dinning.  In the past we have always ate at a late seating at an assigned table.  We will have to see how this works out.

Coit Tower

Bay Bridge

San Francisco Skyline

At 5:30 we went to the Skywalker Lounge for hors d’ ordeves. They had vegetable and dips and guacamole with corn chips.  This was the daily reception for Elite, Platinum passengers and those booked into suites.  We are platinum customers under the Princess loyalty program.

By this time it was dark and the Captain had announced that the ship would sail at 9 PM.  We then went to the Capri dining room.  We were seated at a table with 8 other people.  For the first half hour the ambient noise was too loud and I couldn't hear most of the conversation.

Dinner was good, as expected on a cruise.  I had prime rib as an entrée and it was the best I remember on a cruise.  Gerri had Crayfish Ettoufee.  By the time dinner was about half through the noise level had dropped and I could hear conversation.  We had light chocolate soufflés for dessert.  We left the dining room at about 9:20, the ship was still at the dock.

Having got up at 4 AM, Gerri was in bed and asleep by 9:45.

I called it a night at 11.