California

Toronto AM – Los Angeles PM

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Edward Thorpe

Don’t forget to visit the web page to see any photos. The photo above is the first view of mountains as we approached California.

We went to sleep with a wake up call set for 5 AM and the iPhone alarm set for 4:50 AM. Neither was necessary. We awoke almost simultaneously at 4:40 AM. Shower, coffee, repack and off to find the airport shuttle. Terminal 1 was busy when we arrived at about 6 AM. Of course the checkin for USA flights was at the opposite end of the terminal where the shuttle discharged us. For those of you unfamiliar, all shuttles discharge passengers in the sub basement and take the trip to the departures level in a freight elevator large enough to handle a small car. However, it makes for a very short trip between terminals.

The check-in kiosks seem to have improved so we didn’t need to fight with it to get our luggage tags. The luggage drop-off machines were a different story and needed an Air Canada employee to intervene. Perhaps the airport folks need to take lessons from FedEx.

We are always grateful for Nexus. The line to security for the non-Nexus folks seemed to have no end. There were 10 people in the Nexus line and we didn’t have to take out our bag of liquids or take off our shoes.

When we did the actual Nexus check-in we were both directed to passport control rather than the “hi – goodbye” line but that added only about two minutes to the trip. With all formalities completed, we found a breakfast venue that actually served to the table rather than having to order through a faceless tablet device. The prices were typical of airports—way too high.

Boarding was simple enough but there was really no way to get a good photo of the first Dreamliner in which we have been able to travel. When the time came for us to push back from the gate we were informed that security and Border Protection services were running slowly and 50 passengers were being held captive by the delays so wait we would. Push back was delayed only about 15 minutes but its seemed much longer. Once the cabin crew managed to herd errant passengers to their seats away we went.

The Dreamliner is a BIG plane with between 240 and 350 seats. I think ours was a 350 seat version with nine seats across the economy class cabin. Using two doors did seem to help with boarding. In flight, the airplane is noticeably quieter than others and the cabin air seems fresher but nose and leg room is no better. This flight carried quite a large number of children some of whom were barely noticeable while others were quite noticeable. Who knew that some kids can cry for 5 hours. The music in the earbuds helped. The flight itself was smooth except for a couple of bumps as we passed over the mountains.

It took a while for our luggage to fall off the carousel. I had been convinced to gate check a third suitcase (at no cost) and it was, of course, late coming off the belt. Our Princess Cruises representative met us, waited patiently for the luggage and waited even more patiently for the hotel shuttle to arrive at the curb.

It is only a 10 minute ride to the LAX Marriott and although check-in time is normally 3 PM they found a room just after our noon arrival. That’s 3 PM in Ontario isn’t it? After check-in came lunch at a little restaurant operated by a Korean family. Good food, good price.

We managed to wait until after 5 PM to go for dinner, that’s 8 PM at home and we rarely eat dinner at 8 PM. When we arrived in the Marriott Hotel lobby the Princess Cruises representatives were there so we stopped by to get our morning instructions. That delayed dinner by 10 minutes. The plan now is to try to stay awake for a while and avoid the 4 AM automatic wake up.

Today’s photos are in the right sidebar.

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Posted on October 3, 2018 by Edward Thorpe

Since Los Angeles the Emerald Princess has visited San Diego and Santa Barbara. We really had no particular interest in going ashore so we remained aboard. Today, Sunday, we arrive in San Francisco at noon and remain here until 11 PM Monday evening. There are a couple of things we may do while in port this time. As we approach the entrance to the harbour the Golden Gate bridge comes into view through the light mist so we may get a good view as we pass beneath.

The entertainment on this trip has not enthused. We enjoyed a comedian who did some shows early in the cruise but the other acts we had either seen before or were if insufficient interest to fight for a seat. For some reason on this cruise every venue seems packed. Even 30 minutes before a show seats are at a premium. We try to find a room with a dance floor and music. Thus far a duo featuring two women playing electronic violins has been of greatest interest. Most of the time they are located in the Piazza where the floor is ceramic but when they are in a room with a wood floor dancing is more enjoyable. The other groups seem more popular to others so while they fight the crowded floor we have enjoyed uncrowded floors with the Sun Shine Duo as they call themselves.

We entered San Francisco harbour sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge on a pleasant, sunny morning just before 11 AM. Many passengers out on the upper decks to see how close the ship is to the bridge. I’m not sure if some are actually anticipating a collision but there is lots of clearance. We can see a US Naval aircraft carrier pass under the bridge some distance ahead of us. I expect there will be more since this is the start of Navy Fleet Week.

As we arrived at our pier there were two other cruise chips at their berths. Our berth was between the Holland America Volendam and the Grand Princess. The turn into the berth left no room for error as the ship appeared to pivot on the end of the pier as the bow swung into the slip. Today, Monday, Volendam and the Grand are gone and we have been joined by the Explorer of the Seas. Gone also is the sunny day seemingly promised by the beautiful sun rise. The morning has become grey, overcast and chilly but seems gradually to be improving. Indeed, the weather did improve and we got to wander around ashore.

On Sunday evening we began our dinner at a table with four other passengers and ordered a bottle of wine. Shortly thereafter our waiter returned with the news that our ship card had been “locked” and could not be used for purchases. After a little discussion we determined that this was a job for the Customer Service (formerly Purser) department. Apparently there had been a “computer glitch” which to me translates into “some idiot likely pressed the wrong button.” In our case there was no longer a record of a credit card to which on board purchases should be charged. After a trip up to our room, two stairs at a time, to retrieve said credit card for the Customer Service representative, all became right with the world once again. We returned to the dining room to resume our dinner only to find our table companions had very kindly waited for us to return. Our companions at this dinner were all from the Vancouver area as has been the case at many dinner tables. It seems that mare than two-thirds of the passengers are Canadian and most of them from within easy driving distance of the Vancouver cruise terminal.

Monday the ship remained in San Francisco. We did go ashore and walked along the Embarcadero having visited Pier 39 on Sunday and, believe it or not, purchased a couple of Christmas gifts. The area offers many touristy things to do and places to eat but what is most striking is the “grunginess” of the whole area. There are workers collecting debris but the combination of food spills, discarded chewing gum, bird droppings and other debris gives the area an uncared for appearance. In contrast, Circular Quay in Sydney, river bank walkways in Brisbane, numerous high traffic areas in Baltic countries give a cared for appearance.

From San Francisco we sail north for two days and arrive in Vancouver on the morning of October 3. Here are a few photos.

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Vancouver to Los Angeles

Posted on September 27, 2018 by Ted Thorpe

Our Monday boarding of the Emerald Princess involved more “hurry up and wait” than expected. Perhaps that’s because we followed the cruise line instructions to arrive at 12:30 for boarding. We usually arrive about 11:00 which often puts us near the front of the line. We were able to drop our luggage at the entrance to the terminal where the checked bags disappeared with a porter almost instantly. Gail and Jeff (Jennifer) sat with the carry-ons and waited for Dave and I to park his van. We made it to the parking garage easily but how to take advantage of prepaid parking remained a mystery. Dave was finally able to find an attendant and the riddle was solved. The next mystery was how to get back to where we had left Gail & Jeff. We guessed the wrong floor when we found an elevator. Asking for directions (sorry guys, I admit it) helped a little. Once reunited the four of us continued with the boarding process. The lines of passengers progressed slowly but continuously through the terminal, each stage bringing us closer to the ship.

It was a pleasant day, a little cool but bright. After finding our staterooms it was time to find something to eat. Easily done on a cruiseship. The remainder of the afternoon was consumed exploring the ship and, after luggage was delivered, unpacking.

We met Ivan, our first waiter, at dinner and he got us laughing immediately. When Gail ordered a caesar salad his questions was “would you like dead fish,” referring to the anchovies used atop a traditional version of the salad. Gail is not a “dead fish” person but Dave is. That was on Monday. Today, Wednesday, we encountered Ivan as our breakfast waiter and he was equally entertaining.

Our second dinner on the first formal evening was a visit to the Crown Grill steak house. The cover charge was a gift from our CAA travel consultant Laurie. We all enjoyed it and ate more than we should have. Gail and I were able to resist dessert, Jeff & Dave succumbed. We may find ourselves here again.

The first morning on board was beautiful. It was so sunny and warm that, after doing several laps around the deck, Gail and I spent much of the morning relaxing on the lounge chairs on the balcony. It was sun tan weather off the coast of Washington state. Our second morning was much different. We are off the California coast approaching San Francisco and the ship’s fog horn has been sounding since very early this morning. It is definitely not sun tan weather today.

And now for some pictures. Vancouver is one of the more picturesque cruise ship ports.

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Here we go again

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Edward Thorpe

My last post on April 15 marked the end of our lengthy South Pacific trip. At that time we had no plans to travel again. Well, that has changed, now three trips are on the horizon.

The first will begin on September 20 when we depart to Kelowna to meet friends Jeff (Jennifer) and Dave. After a few days in Kelowna, hopefully forest fires will have abated, the four of us will drive to Vancouver and board the Emerald Princess for a cruise along the Pacific Coast. We will visit Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Francisco before returning to Vancouver. After another visit in Kelowna we will return home for a few weeks.

For our second tour we will fly to Los Angeles in mid December to begin another Christmas and New Years cruise to Hawaii and back. We have done this itinerary several times before but this will be the first time we have done it on the Emerald Princess with which we should be familiar from the California cruise.

The third trip planned will begin late in February with a road trip to Las Vegas. With a little luck, the weather will cooperate and allow us avoid the end of winter on the highway. Once in Las Vegas we will participate in the Vegas Open dance competition after which we may do a little touring with the others from our dance studio before our return drive. We have no definite itinerary beyond the competition.

It is now just a week before we depart so it is time to activate the journal. As usual, at least a post summary will be delivered by email. If you use a news reader add this link ( journals.ve3hpl.net/feed/ ) to your news reader. Should you encounter anyone else wishing to receive they can subscribe using the form at the bottom right of the website main page at this link ( journals.ve3hpl.net ).

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