Patricia April 20th, 2007

I see some people wanted an outline of the podcast — no problem. I’m typing a small ‘transcript’ as I listen again just for you. If you want any more information about anything I list off here, just ask in comments and I’ll answer in comments for all to read, deal?

Departing:

• We are leaving from the Port of Los Angeles, NOT LONG BEACH. The ports are actually rather close to each other and cruise ships leave from both. You are heading to World Cruise Center at San Pedro (even though it is called the Port of Los Angeles).
• We hope you are staying with us at the Doubletree the night before. If you are getting from LAX to the hotel, use Super Shuttle to get to the hotel. (Note, this is a great hotel if you are ever leaving from the port for other cruises).
  • Please note, you will book your time on the shuttle to the pier when you arrive (so if you want to sleep a little late please do so). Michael and I are leaving for the pier early with a full bus of stuff. You will talk to the bell staff to reserve your spot on the bus. We suggest you look to try to arrive at the pier between 1 and 3pm. (also note, the guys are driving and helping with your bags are working for tips, $1 to $2 a bag is a reasonable tip)
  • If you going to be in the hotel prior to 7pm on the 28th, please meet me in the lobby for a fun dinner.
• Keep your photo ID and documents with you and not in your checked bags.
• When you get to the terminal, find yourself a porter. You MUST check anything larger than your carry-on. Be SURE you have you luggage tags on the bags by then — if you need more, the porter will help you. (suggested tip is $1 or $2 per bag)
• Once at the terminal, you’ll check=in in a very airport style area.
• If you are FLYING in the day of, if you have transfers from Royal Caribbean, a representative will meet you at bag claim. Have the tags on your bags before leaving home, but you must claim your own bags off the belt.
• On all flights, remember TSA’s 3-1-1 program. No more than 3 oz of a liquid, all of them in a single quart sized bag. This does not include your medicines.
• Checking in online will expediate the checking in process, you will need to be able to print something out and sign it, if you can’t print it, there are special instructions on the site for you. Check-in is also where you will present your ID — SO HAVE IT WITH YOU.
• You onboard account. You will be asked for a charge card, just like checking into a hotel.
• At check-in you will be given a couple of things, a room key and a pass for WHEN you board. You may have a small wait.
• Once your number is called, you will go through a metal dectector. You will not have to take your shoes off, but you will empty your pockets.
• Now photo time: First photo is the “Welcome Aboard” photo. There is always a line, don’t bump the line, even if you don’t want the photo taken — it is only poliete.
• Next photo is a security photo, you will look into a box and they will scan your room key. This is how the line will know you are on or off the ship.

You are onboard, now what?

• If you have kids, you will be stopped to have the kids get a muster station wrist band. This is required, so the kids from the kid’s program can be taken directly to the muster stations in case of emergency.
• If you are onboard prior to 1pm, your stateroom will not be available. The staff is still cleaning and they don’t want you tripping over bed linens in the hallway, if possible.
• Thus, this is a good time to go to the welcome aboard buffet in Windjammer (this is the only place to get food before dinner the first night). Windjammer is in the forward section of the ship, which makes for outstanding views.
• Outside the buffet are staff members are selling two programs (one of which is a requirement for Michael). There is the soda card. This gets you unlimited sodas and juices in all the bars on the ship. You can only get this on the first day of the cruise and you will get a nice insulated mug for it too. If you drink more than 2 sodas a day, you are ahead of the game. The other program is a wine bottle pre-purchase program. You can pay in advance for about 5 bottles of wine and save 20%.
• Once done here, go get a bite to eat on your “surfboard” of a plate and enjoy a pre-departure snack/meal — or as I like to call it “Warm Up.”
• For the Sea Sock person: At some point between 2 and 6pm, you will want to wander to Conference Room 3 or in the Showboat Lounge to check-in. This is where you will get your goody bag, important information, and meet me.
  • MUSTER DRILL and how it affects registration and the ship:
    • NOTE: all services on the ship will stop at 4pm for the Muster Drill — including registration.
    • We will be getting our life jackets and meeting our friends at the muster station.
    • Royal Caribbean’s muster stations are outside, so dress appropiately. You may be outside up to 20 minutes to 30 minutes.
    • Don’t wear your life jacket TO you muster station for safety on the stairs. You must take the stairs (unless you have arranged for help prior)
    • You will be required to put on the lifejacket at your station and the crew will help you if needed.
    • The sooner they account for everyone, the sooner the drill is over.
    • We will back at registration after the muster drill.
• Dinnertime. We will be sitting near each other, we don’t know where or who our waitstaff will be. But we have been requested not to change tables if possible, though if there is a need to move, we can work it out — but if at all possible, let’s not move around nightly.
• After dinner, we have ‘Sea Knitting’ for those who don’t want to enjoy the shows. I’ve designated the spot to meet up with other knitters should you wish.

(You can read the schedule too — so I won’t re-type them — comment with questions)

• San Francisco: If you get up early you can watch us going under the Golden Gate.
• If you going on Marin Fiber Arts tour, please be prompt! We will be boarding the bus at 9am.
• When we get to Victoria, we will again be leaving the ship quickly and together, please be prompt.
• At both stops, I will give out my cell phone number in case you need me.

Last night of the cruise:

• Dinner is at 6pm and RIGHT after dinner we will be wandering up to the Viking Crown Lounge for a cocktail party AND door prizes. (not in the podcast, but of interest, there is a 1 in 2 chance you will win a door prize.) However, you must be present to win. Don’t miss this fun.
• This is also the night you need to pack as we will leaving the ship in the morning.
  • There will be instructions on the procedure from us and the cruise line the night before.

And the all important hairdryer question: There are hairdryers in all the cabins and hotels.

So, what other questions do you have?

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