Getting on the Sapphire Princess – January 31, 2009

I am not sure I can adequately describe our first time meeting Ally, Rich, Nancy and Rick. We found them down in the lobby and Nancy quickly ushered us all over to the shuttle. Thankfully she had made a reservation for us the day before and so we could all go over together. Within the first few minutes we heard about their adventures the night before which consisted of Ally biting into glass when she took a bite of the hotel’s complementary cookie and the whole group getting pulled over for speeding on the way back from picking up Ally and Rich at the airport. They were all so animated and gregarious; I knew we were in for great, amusing week.

Once we got to the sapphire, Karen was stunned by the sheer size of the ship. It is pretty impressive to see this huge vessel, our home for the next week.

We stayed with the group as we moved through the check in process, and then went over to a waiting area for our group to be called. Nancy and Rick were giving a lower number then the rest of us. When they were called they had us come with them so that we could stay together as a group. We made our way through the building, stopping to get the obligatory pictures taken and then onto the ship.

The first thing you do when boarding the ship is get your “mug shot” taken for security. As you enter the ship they take your room key card and digitally embed your picture so that they have a visual reference of you when you get back on the ship in the different ports. It is reassuring to know that Princess takes security that seriously.

After we got through security we went to the Emerald deck, down to cabin 107 and entered our cabin. It was so funny how the little things can make such a big difference. Our cabin was on the odd side of the ship or starboard side. On the Alaskan cruise we were on the port side, so basically the room was the exact opposite and I will be honest, I never got used to it the entire week. Once we got to our room we decided to take some pictures of it. One question I kept getting over and over again after the last cruise was how small are the rooms? So I took lots of pictures to show the room.

Here are the beds and nightstands. The desk/vanity/TV area. The desk area showing the hall with me standing in it looking at the pictures I just took.The closet. The cupboard with shelves – there is lots of storage space. The bathroom – which is admittedly pretty small. The sink/counter with some nice shelves for stuff. To get a really good idea of how small the shower is, I thought I would demonstrate by standing in it. And here I am in the shower with my foot on the toilet. After we checked out the room we went to go explore the ship before the muster drill.

LA/San Pedro - January 30-31, 2009

We left Detroit at 5:40 pm and flew to Phoenix where we had a short layover. While we were in Phoenix I got a phone call. As soon as we booked the cruise I checked out the roll call on Cruise Critic to “get to know” some of the people taking the cruise with us before we left. At one point Ally asked if anyone was interested in taking a sail boat, whale watching tour in Mazatlan. Karen and I decided that is sounded like fun and joined Ally, Rich, Nancy and Rick on the tour. Prior to leaving we all emailed to start to get to know each other. Nancy had offered to pick us up from LAX. Anyone who knows me at all, knows I like to be in control of things, especially things as important as getting myself to where I need to be. So many of my friends were very surprised to hear that I had agreed to let someone I did not know pick me up from the airport. Well, as we were sitting in the phoenix airport Nancy called and told me she had misjudged the time and now could not pick us up. Now normally something like this would totally freak me out… But thanks to another trait of my, obsessive planning for every possible scenario, I had a back up plan of a shuttle that you did not need reservations for at the airport that would take us to the hotel. Karen was so surprised I was not freaking out.

Our flight from Phoenix left at 8:08 pm and we were just an hour away from LA. Flying into Los Angeles in the dark was an interesting experience. I have flown into big cities before, New York and London, but I was blown away by the size of the LA area, the lights from the city when on and on and on. It was like there was no end. I was really surprised about it. After another smooth landing we were here!! We got off the plane, collected our luggage and found the shuttle.

I had to commemorate my arrival.
Here are Karen and I outside the airport.
Originally we were going to stay in a hotel near the airport, but after talking to Nancy I decided to try my luck at priceline to get a room close to the pier in San Pedro. I was able to get a super deal on priceline and a room at the San Pedro Double tree was cheaper then one right by the hotel and it was much nicer. So we got into the shuttle and took about a 20 minute ride to the hotel.

We checked into the hotel with no problem and went up to our room.

Here is the room. The nice “sweet dreams” pillow. The other side of the room. The view of the marina in the dark. By the time we got into our room it was getting late – it was probably only midnight California time, but since we were still on Eastern time, it was 3 am. So we went to sleep.

Karen woke up much earlier then I did and took some pictures of the sun rising over the marina.
Look at all those boats. I’ll take that one. Or any of these. We decided not to eat breakfast at the hotel, but to walk up to town to find a place to eat. We were recommended a place called Rex. It was really good and a great value.Look at the size of Karen’s pancake! After we left Rex we ran into the convenience store across the street to pick a couple things up. Well Karen grabbed a few things, I chatted on the phone. I needed to get my fix in before I was phoneless for a week.

Here are some palm trees we walked past on our way to town. Here I am standing by the palm tree. Look at all these lush, green plants – such a site for a Michiganders eyes in January.

Here is our hotel.
A fun little fountain. Here I am on a bench, still on the phone – big surprise. :) After our walk into town we went back to our room to gather our things and meet up with Ally, Rich, Nancy and Rick to take the shuttle to the ship.

Mexico Riviera Cruise - the beginning

So how did I end up on a cruise to Mexico a mere 4 months after the Alaska cruise?
I am still not sure I have an answer for that. When I returned from the Alaskan cruise I was totally and completely bitten by the cruise bug. I was ready to go work on a cruise ship and even send in a resume to Princess within a few weeks of returning. As the weeks went by the more I began to question whither my desires were based just on the emotional response from the Alaskan cruise or something I really wanted to pursue.

I also spent a lot of time looking at different cruises on Princess’ site and daydreaming about going on another one. Then I found a 7 day, Mexican Riviera cruise from January 31 – February 7, 2009 for ridiculously cheap, like $400. I kept an eye on that cruise as well as airfare out to Los Angeles. Tickets from Detroit and Chicago kept going down in price to around $200, so I decided I could totally afford it and began looking for someone to go. Shannon was, of course, the first person I asked. She could not go since she had to be in a wedding in CA in March and could not swing two trips out there with in a few months of each other. So then I pretty much asked everyone I knew if they wanted to go. After thinking about it for a few weeks, my friend Karen, who I had meet through the bike tour I worked on in 2007-2008, decided she wanted to go. After we got through the holidays I asked for the time off from work and five weeks before the cruise we booked the cruise and got great airfare from Detroit to LAX.

I am not why, but in the weeks between the time we booked and when we sailed away, I became increasingly more nervous about this trip. I was concerned about setting expectations for this trip based on the amazing time I had in Alaska. I knew there was no comparison between the two; they were two completely different types of trips, but with Alaska so fresh I did not want to set myself up to be disappointed. I had been on one other cruise, back in 2001 Shannon and I went on a 3 day Carnival cruise, and I hated it. In all fairness, I was sick, not sea sick, but just hours into the 24 drive down to Florida I started to crash and by the time we boarded the ship I was full fledge sick (when I got home I went to the Dr and had bronchitis, a sinus infection and a secondary infection in my lungs.) So while a part of me knows that tainted my impression of that trip, I still was batting .500 – hated one cruise, totally loved the other. I was nervous about not having enough time to fully plan for this trip, about traveling with someone I had not traveled before, not knowing where some crew members were, and nervous that this would show that I was so wrong about my desire to work on a cruise ship. In the few days before we left I was a complete wreak. I even resorted to mass email updates to friends which is something I have not had to do for years and years. It was all quite distressing.

The ship set sail on Saturday, January 31st, out of San Pedro pier in the Los Angeles area. I was excited about this since I had not been to California before and could add another state to my list – number 37. We decided to fly out Friday afternoon to play it safe instead of going the morning the ship sailed. Karen, who lives in the Toronto area, decided to drive to my house first and then we would drive down to Detroit together. Since it was winter and weather can be a factor, Karen wanted to give herself plenty of time, so she drove over on Wednesday. That also gave her time to run some errands in the states and take advantage of the cheaper prices/exchange rate. Thankfully the weather was nice (for January) and Karen had no issues on the drive over. She arrived Wednesday afternoon, while I was at work and made herself at home. I had to work on Thursday as well. While I was working Karen decided to start documenting the trip by taking pictures of the cold snowy weather we were leaving.

Outside my front window

My deck and backyard

Karen's car - look at the snow!! After work on Thursday I ran a few errands and then came home to pack. Due to my lack of planning and state of totally and complete basketcase, packing was more of an issue then it normally is, and I ended up throwing a bunch of extra stuff in. Sometime late that night I went to bed.

We left Grand Rapids mid-morning for our flight that left at 5:40 pm. Detroit is only about 2 – 2 ½ hours away, but we wanted to give ourselves extra time so that we could stop at the outlet mall on the way down. Again the weather turned out to be fine and we were soon at the outlet mall. I did not get anything, but made Karen try on a bunch of stuff and she bought several tops.

One thing we were not able to find at the outlet mall was a wrap for Karen. So we had to make a second side trip in Brighton to find a store. We found a Marshall’s ran in and got a wrap and continued on our way. But by this time we were behind schedule. I was beginning to get a little nervous because I did not want to miss our plan. It is one thing to cut it close in Grand Rapids, but Detroit is a whole other matter.

In my planning for this trip I found an off site location to park for the time we were gone. This lot was significantly cheaper then the airport’s lots. The lot, Park N Go was located a short drive from the airport and offered a shuttle. Thankfully we found a spot close to the entrance and quickly began gathering all our things. The shuttle was there with a couple minutes and we striped off our winter clothes to keep in the car while we were gone, grabbed our luggage and were on our way.

Thankfully once when we got to the airport the lines at the ticket counter was short and we checked in before the cut off time. We then proceeded through security and to our gate, just as they began boarding the plane. I was very relieved when we were finally on the plane. I really did not like cutting it that close.

Once we left the gate and began taxiing towards the run way the pilot announced the plane needed to be deiced and we had to wait our turn. I have been on countless flights, and this was the first time I had ever experienced a deicing. So I took some pictures.

Here are some small planes being deiced The airport. Our plane being deiced. Another view. Once the deicing was completed we headed out to the runway for a smooth take off. Just after take off we witnessed a beautiful sunset. We were then on our way to sunny California and a crazy adventure.

Saturday, September 20 - The End

I woke up Saturday morning so sad, this was our last day on the ship and I did not want this amazing week to end. We slept in a bit, but got up in time to make to the last TV Trivia challenge. I got there early and found a seat. JJ walked in and said – Hey I am surprised to see you up so early. We chatted a bit about the night before and then he went up to set up for the game. Shannon came in and we joined another couple to form a team. Again we did not know many of them, but it was fun. Afterward we chatted with JJ and then decided to stay for the regular trivia game.

We did much better on the trivia game then the TV tunes one – we actually knew some of the questions. One thing that happened during the trivia game was that Zoe, the crew member who was running the game all of a sudden looked really ill and quickly walked out of the room – Meg another crew member in the room picked up where Zoe left off and finished the game.

There are also the big Princess product sale that they do everyone week. Normally these sales have a few good deals and then the rest is just them trying to push products. Well since this was the last Alaskan cruise of the season, and the last one before dry dock, they were really trying to get rid of everything. I got the cutest black polo shirt for $5 – which I totally love! I also got a cute blue purse. It was lots of fun.

After shopping, Shan and I went to get lunch and then back to the room for a nap. I was so tired by this point, it had been a long week and I had not gotten much sleep the night before. I felt much better after a rest and then it was time to start packing – it was so sad, I could not believe our week was almost over and that we soon had to go home. As we were packing we took some pictures of the room.

Here is the number of our room and our names Here is the closet and shelves, Shannon is already packed at this point and I am working on it. This is the power cord – there is only one plug in the whole cabin so we were advised to bring a power cord – as you can see, it got a lot of use! This is the bathroom – it was pretty small – the shower was really small – I flooded the floor almost every time I shaved my legs. This is the desk/vanity/tv area. And here are the beds – the room is small, but it was fine for the small amount of time we spent in there. Over the course of the week Shannon and I had gotten our pictures taken a ton by the ships photographers. In fact, one of the times I pretty much, in avertedly flashed the whole atrium when the photographer had me lay on the floor in my blue dress. You could see right down my dress. While it was pretty funny at the time, I did not find it very funny that every time I walked by the walls where the pictures were displayed that picture was out front –it was so embarrassing. I would put it in the back or middle of the pile of pictures, but someone would always put it back on top…. Anyway, Shannon and I had a stack, a really big stack of pictures that we had taken over the week and we needed to decide which one or ones we were going to buy. We decided to take the whole stack of pictures into the wheelhouse bar and to start eliminating which one we did not want to buy. Not long after we sat down, this cute old couple sat down with us, one on each side of us to help us with the process. They were not at interfering or overbearing, but would make sweet little comments like, that is not your best picture, or we agree with this one. In the end they were really helpful in our decision on what pictures to buy and it ended up being one of the most endearing moments of the cruise.

Shannon and I each purchased two pictures, one the same and one different, this is the one just I bought – this was taken on Tuesday night – And this is the one we both bought – from the second formal night. Around 6 pm the ship docked in Victoria, CA and Shannon and I went up on deck to watch.

Here is the welcome building. There were all these people there to welcome us, dressed up in Victorian clothes – ringing a bell – it was kind of strange. Too bad we did not get any pictures of them. Victoria was the one port we did not plan an excursion for; we just planned on wondering around the city.

We got off the ship and had to take our pictures in front of the welcome to Canada sign.
Here is Shannon And me. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about going through Canadian customs, the last time I had entered Canada was in August with one of the cyclists who had some issues at the boarder, while I did not have any issues, I was with this cyclist and flagged while we dealt with the issue. Not knowing if they had put anything in my record, I was slightly apprehensive about crossing for the first time. Thankfully they just waved us through and there were no issues.

We then jumped on a bus to take us downtown. After about 10 minutes the bus dropped us off downtown by the Empress Hotel. The Empress Hotel is a famous hotel in Vancouver – we could have had Tea or taken a tour of it, but decided not to, we just took some pictures. This is the legislator building – very pretty. I found this sculpture in town. I have to admit I was not overly impressed with Victoria, I know we were there on a Saturday evening, from 6:00 – 11:00 but there was really not much open. A few souvenir ships and some restaurants, but that was it. I wanted to find a Tim Horton’s and take a picture in honor of all the bike tour folks from Canada, since I was only in CA with them for a short time, but I could not find one. I saw several Starbucks, which makes sense since they started on the west coast and Tim Horton’s on the east, but at the time I was surprised and disappointed.

There were some funny things that happened in Victoria.

Most notably - there were many pedicabs around trying to solicit everyone’s business. Shan and I were not interested in taking a ride and passed up the many offers. At one point Shannon really had to go to the bathroom. We were standing out on the sidewalk trying to figure out where the closest bathroom was located, since so many of the stores were closed. There was a visitor’s center a couple blocks away, and we thought that might be the closest one. Well, while we were talking a pedicab driver saw us looking around and asked us what we were looking for – we said we were looking for a bathroom and he was like I know where one is, let me take you there. We declined and said we would just head over to the visitor center. The driver was very insistent and told us he knew of a place much closer and to jump in. We reluctantly got in, but since Shannon really had to go, we thought if it was quicker we would do it. So the driver starts going down the main street, then turns down this side street and keeps going and going. Shan and I keep looking at each other, like where are going? We could have been to the visitor’s center by now. The driver finally pulls up in front of a restaurant and says, my friend works here I will clear it so you can use the bathroom. So Shannon and I nervously went in and used the bathroom. We were a little concerned the pedicab driver was going to be waiting for us outside, so we hung around in the restaurant for a while before going back out, thankfully he was gone and we walked back to the main street.

We did find this map painted on a wall. And then there was this street performer – Darth Vader playing the violin – hmm…. not sure about that, but thought my nephew would like it. After wondering around for a bit we were ready to go back to the ship. We took the shuttle bus back and when we got back on the ship it was like we walked into a totally different place. Evidently the workers started getting the ship ready for dry dock a day early. We kind of felt like we were walking into a construction zone – the railings were all covered in paper, the floors covered in plastic, all the boutiques were completely empty or in the process of being emptied, even the cousins of the lounge chairs were being thrown away over the side of the ship (into a dumpster). Excuse us for wanting to finish our cruise. We did not talk any pictures of it, but we should have since I do not think it is something I will see again.

Shan and I went up to the food court and grabbed some dinner and then decided to go watch the finals of the Princess Pop Star. It was okay, I think at this point we were both just so tired and sad, our absolutely amazing week was coming to an end and there was nothing we could do about it. The ship was very quiet that night, so we went to bed at a decent time.

For those of you who have never been on a cruise before, you have to put your luggage out the night before so that it can be taken off the ship for you, so there is always some creative packing that last night and planning ahead. So the when we got up the next morning, we had our limited supplies and got ready. Because my flight was at 11:20 am we had a pretty early disembarkation. We were to go to the wheelhouse bar and wait until we were told to go. When we got there, all the furniture had been push into a corner and all piled up, again getting ready for dry dock. We did not have to wait too long and then we got off the ship for the last time. It was so sad walking off the Star Princess- this ship that had been our home for a week, but felt like a life time, this place that had been this oasis and fairy tail and fantasy for our time on it. I still cannot verbalize how at home, at peace, how I was completely me on that ship. I just loved it.

From the ship we had to go through customs and then get our luggage. I had to do some quick rearranging of some of my luggage so I could fly, and then we got on the shuttle bus. As we drove to the airport the women sitting behind us was reading Harry Potter to her kids. Shannon and I talked about the week and about her plans for the day. Due the hurricane her plans had to be all changed and she had an extra day in Seattle. Her plan was to go to Mt. St. Helen. I wanted to stay with her and be there for another day, but I knew it was not feasible.

Shannon came into the airport with me, she had to go get her rental car, and we both weighed our luggage. As we were standing there I started to cry. I did not want to go home. I wanted to stay, even though I knew the ship was being torn apart and would not sail for another 3 weeks, that the crew we got to know were leaving, that all the friends we made over the week were going home, I did not care, I wanted to go back to the Star and continue the dream of the week I had just had. I did not want to return to reality. But I had to. With a big hug and many tears Shannon and I said goodbye and I went to check in for my flight.

My trip home was not ideal, but since I was using frequent flyer miles I could not be too picky. I flew from Seattle to Portland, Portland to Chicago and then Chicago to Grand Rapids. It was going to be a long day of traveling. My flight to Portland was on this little puddle jumper – here are some pictures of it.
The quick flight to Portland was fine, but the airport was really busy. I was hungry, and went to this little sports bar in the airport to eat. It was packed, there were no tables open and a line of people. I ended up sitting with some random guy who was next in line so that I would not take up a whole table by myself. I tried to be friendly, but he just went on and on about how crappy his day was going with how busy the airport was. It ended up being fine since I was too sad to be too friendly. I then got on the plane to Chicago and spent that leg sleeping, reading and crying. Then we landed at O’hare – I am one of these people who actually likes the O’hare airport, in fact it is one of my favorite airports. Yes it is big, but so are many other airports. I know my way around it, have had very few problems with it and it is clean and things are open. At O’hare I made some phone calls, talk to Shannon about her day and then hopped on the quick flight home. My Mom was recovering from surgery and could not drive so Jessica my intern came and picked me up. Poor Jess, she got a non-stop earful the whole way home. I went on and on and on about what an amazing week I had. Next stop was my mom’s which is where my car was and I again I told my Mom about the amazing trip. By this point it was after midnight and I needed to be at work in the morning. So I finished my journey with the drive home and walked into my house. I was home.

Leaving for this trip I had no expectations, I was warn out, tired and ready to be done with the bike tour that had occupied the previous 18 months of my life. Physically, mentally and emotionally I was just done. The only thing I had cared about when leaving for the trip was that I could go some place where no one could find me. This trip ended up being a once in a life time journey that has changed my life forever.