Author: Edward Thorpe
The long step at sea
We spent most of this morning waiting but it provided opportunity to chat with other travellers who were also waiting. While waiting for the porter to retrieve our large bags then waiting for our 11:45 bus to arrive at 12:30. All things worked out well and there was no wait at all to check-in and board the Star Princess. By 1:30 we were munching on our traditional boarding day lunch, cheese burgers, and by 3:00 PM all baggage had arrived, been emptied and we were sitting quietly on a hallway floor during the muster drill.
The first four or five days of this cruise are spent crossing a large part of the Pacific Ocean, which, contrary to its name, is not so peaceful. This time, each of the first three nights were progressively more bouncy, making us happy we again chose accommodation in the less affected midship area. Now, as we approach Hawaii, the weather and sea condition is improving minute by minute. I wouldn’t be surprised if the pools were open today, during the heavy weather they turn into wave pools and unsafe to use.
Thus far we have met a number of people with whom we have previously shared this trip. There are also many for whom this is a first experience and others who are experienced travellers. It is easy to meet people on the ship. We share tables with different passengers for each meal and conversation is generally good. We also meet folks in the lounges where the entertainment this time is quite enjoyable. Elua is a duo that perform Hawaiian theme music and drive the Hawaiian cultural experience by their music, teaching lei making, ukulele, and hula. The Gemstones Quartet has been performing very danceable music in the Wheelhouse Bar.
There are, as expected, numerous children, mostly well behaved. Yesterday, with some help, they made a number of gingerbread houses. They are on display in the Atrium along with other Christmas decorations and there are decorated Christmas trees everywhere.
We are just arriving at Honolulu so I will post without photos and load them later.
The second step
Today was a big step, about 4,000 km and predicted to be nearly six hours. Our departure was scheduled for 0945 Eastern time with a 1237 Pacific time arrival (1537 Eastern time). According to the airline we departed at 1022 Eastern and arrived at 1353 Pacific (1653 Eastern). The details are more fun.
Having avoided the morning traffic rush by staying at the Airport we were still up at 6 AM. That made for an easy shuttle ride to the terminal and a quick trip through check-in, airport security and US border services, leaving time for a leisurely coffee and breakfast.
We boarded the airplane as scheduled just as a reasonably heavy blast of snow hit the airport. The airline employees continued to call for passengers to voluntarily gate check luggage taking care to remind us that the plane was full and there might not be sufficient overhead room for all of our carry-on baggage.
Interestingly, the reason for the initial delay at the gate was that the ground crew was having some difficulty stowing luggage, meanwhile, inside there was still some space available overhead. Although the airline lists departure as 1022 the plane actually pushed back from the gate at 1040. Then from 1110 to 1125 we were at the anti-icing station and it was actually 1144 when the wheels left the ground. The flight was otherwise uneventful and we met our Princess Cruises representative around 1430 and arrived at the Long Beach Hilton by 1525.
LAX traffic protocols have changed. No longer do multitudes of cabs and hotel shuttles plug the road in front of the passenger terminals. Instead there is a fleet of green busses shuttling passengers and luggage to a transfer point where the taxis form long queues and vie with ride sharing vehicles for customers. The worst part of this system is that it creates an extra luggage handling step, on and off the shuttle and it is not particularly easy to throw a 20 kg (45 lb) on and off the shuttle bus. Otherwise it seems to reduce traffic on arrivals. Later we shall see what happens on the return.
During our search for a dinner venue, which we found, we came across the “Waters Edge Winery” right in downtown Long Beach. A short chat with one of their staff was intriguing and we decided to return after having dinner. Gail enjoyed her glass of sauvignon blanc while I tasted five of their offerings and all were very nice. Apparently, they are a group of franchised “mom and pop” micro winery operations. Yet another interesting concept.