1/3–The Star Princess

The morning drags by, as we waste time until it is late enough to go to the cruise pier.  Finally, we wheel ourselves out of the room around 10:15 and Uber our way into the city.  Our Uber driver is great, very friendly and talkative. We get into town in no time, but then sit in long lines of traffic to get into the pier area, just as we figured.  We’re early anyway, so there’s no rush. We still end up standing in line (outside, with no cover, but fortunately in the sun) for about 20 minutes before we are allowed inside and through security.

Check in is a breeze – we waltz right through, then head to the “priority” boarding area lounge – just a section of the lounge marked “priority” in which virtually 75% of all the passengers are sitting.  Really? This is all priority?  Not a big deal, again, its early and we don’t really care at this point.  Then the wait begins. We wait. And wait, and wait.  No one (not even the port folks) knows what is going on. It’s just an interminable delay with no communication.  We were told we’d board around 12:00.  But it’s pushing past 12:30 and still we wait.  Ed and I start to migrate over toward the door. Just to stand a little closer – and away from the hoi polloi that is now “priority”. 

The Elite people (black cards – highest level – we’ll be there after this cruise) start to complain. The guy at the door just shrugs and apologizes.  Nothing he can do. Finally, close to 1:00, they call the Elite and Suite passengers.  We decide we’re almost Elite, so we follow along (shame!), figuring we’ll just say we are with somebody if anyone questions us.  No one does though, and we’re finally aboard – and – unlike Celebrity – into our cabin immediately!

Best cabin on the ship!  The very last Emerald deck mini-suite, at the back of the ship with the huge balcony that is almost aft.  Love it! We’ve had this type cabin 3 times now and it absolutely the best.

 

We drop our junk and head out to lunch, then wander around the ship a bit getting our bearings.  First drink up on deck at the bar …

… then we move forward a bit for…..football!!! On the big MUTS (Movies Under The Stars) screen over the pool.  How awesome is this?

And we’ll have the Steelers game tonight too – all decked out in our coats, long johns and blankets because it is going to be cold sailing out of San Fran, but heck, who cares?  Then tomorrow we’ll have both games as well – outside, in the sun.  This will be great!

Later, after the muster drill, we go up on deck to snap a pix of the Coit Tower at dusk and the sunset over the water –

 

then start our normal ship day routine (gym, dinner – this time in the buffet – horrors! – since we want to watch the football game) and off to bed for our next two days at sea!