Hi friends,
This is a description of the cruise we took last December. Sorry I haven't been
able to share it before now!
The ship docked at San Diego, California at 7:55 am. We watched her dock from our hotel room just across the road. We got in the night before and stayed there
because it would be very convenient for us. Ben left me with all the luggage in the big check-in hall and went to park the car in a guarded car-park he had scouted out last time we were in town. Then he walked to where I was waiting and
had filled out all documents. We proceeded through the routine together after that. In another post I'll tell you a little more about that
experience.
It's fun to finally climb the gangplank. As you come near, down a long entranceway that gradually rises there are people who check your boarding information again and then photographers eager to take your photograph so that you will want to buy it later. At last you reach those magical steps and as you make that long
awninged climb you realize that at last you're free. From now on you will need
to do nothing but relax and partake in whatever places, foods or activities attract you.
As usual, all guests are greeted at the head of the gang-plank in a scarlet and
mirrored lobby by a cluster of officers and stewards in their winter uniforms.
They won't change to tropical whites until some days pass. Every face is alight with welcoming smiles, and we are happy to be aboard. We were tired after going through all security procedures. The port authority and the line itself are
very careful. We had watched the ship dock at six and come to our hotel fairly
late the night before after steady driving for four days.
Ben and I always sail with Holland America line. Their lovely ships are much alike, though some are a little larger and others somewhat smaller. Some have a few more amenities, or finer art. I prefer the older ships. The decor varies from ship to ship. We like H.A. ships because they have a sharp bow profile and deep blue hull, and an all white super-structure, in classic style. They have teak decks, and chairs like the ones in the movie "Titanic". We have become accustomed to them and the people who man them. H.A. ships only carry about 900 - 1300 passengers, which is small by cruise ship standards. The officers are Hollanders, dining room, Lido deck and kitchen staff are Indonesian as are some room stewards.
As usual we immediately went to the Lido deck for a liesurely lunch which we chose from a delicious, artfully arranged and bountiful buffet. The staff there are charming, efficient Indonesians. We felt very much at home, and almost as though we had never left the ship from our last trip. The Lido restaurant is bright and cheerful. There are plenty of tables by huge windows and we enjoy sitting
on the ocean side, watching the sea and anticipating the sailaway.
When the ship undocked at 8 pm and maneuvered to enter the open ocean it was exciting. We went right up to the top deck above the prow to enjoy it. It is fun
to see people waving from the pier and people on the ship responding, and throwing streamers of all kinds of colours which arch out from the ship toward the dock. We stayed a long time on deck to watch all the action as we left the tall city and watched varying dramatic vistas as the ship manoeuvered along and finally entered open ocean by 8:46 p.m. We were stearing west south westerly courses
on the North Pacific Ocean heading for Hawaii.
There is always sailaway party with a live band, wine, and snacks. We stayed for awhile. We had unpacked before the mandatory life-boat drill at 4:15, and hadlooked around before dinner. The first night dress is always casual in the dining room so we didn't need to fuss. After a walk on deck in the fresh air we went to bed and to sleep.
We had used our card key to enter our stateroom and stepped over a high threshold meant to keep water out, into a hallway with mirrored closets before which you
dress, on one side; and the bathroom entry and a stretch of blank wall where I
suppose the next cabin has its vanity, on the other. The bathroom is a step up.
Must be sure to remember that at night! It contains a tub with shower and shower-curtain, vanity mirror with medicine cabinet shelves in the corner, well stocked with toiletries, a sink in the counter-top, kleenex and special toilet paper that will not plug the plumbing. If the plumbing gets plugged it's quite a job to unplug, and affects a number of people's rooms. It is a brightly lit little
room with a black and white, small tiled floor. The toilet has tremendous suction, so there is a warning sign not to be sitting when you flush!
Continued in part 2A.
I already described our trip down by car in a previous short series. This is the continuation, on the ship.
