Yesterday we got a letter regarding our stop in San Diego tomorrow. It stated that we can leave the ship anytime from 7:30am onwards. However, we will not be able to re-board until after 11am. This is normal procedure except there was no mention of customs and imigrations. Nothing to fill out since we are landing in a USA port. This might be different for the guests who are Canadian. Our shipboard account as well as our internet package should continue for the next cruise. Casino money had to be cashed out since the funds are not transferrable. Not a worry for us since we don't gamble. And lastly, we might have to do the muster roll call, since our letter said it was a full passenger drill. We did this in Vancouver but are not sure it counts in this port. It's so easy these days, it's not a problem.
This last day at sea was a lazy one for us. Both of us worked on yesterday's report and photos. It was just as well since the skies were overcast and the temps were still rather cool. We had expected a bit warmer weather on the way down to San Diego, but the overcast skies took care of that. We had another reminder to secure our loose items before stepping outside, and to please bring in cushions from the verandas when we are not present. We have noticed that the future cruise consultant has been keeping later hours on this shorter trip. Even during our dinner time, she has customers. Since we are already booked over a year in advance, we don't need to add anything more.
Sales in all of the Shops drew the guests in for a last chance at bargains. We didn't bother since we may be over-weight on the luggage already. Smart friends we know leave some room for extra stuff before leaving home.
Lunch was in the Lido with a ham and cheese sandwich, a salad, and 2 slices of pizza. We think the pizza man here cooks the best pizza so far compared to other HAL ships. The crust is allowed to rise so it's not too thin. He keeps it in the oven long enough to make the bottom crust well-done. We learned that this young fellow from India will be going home tomorrow. When we asked if he was happy to leave, he answered…oh yes, very happy. Now we wonder how many more of the crew will be leaving. We do know that Stephen, the food and beverage manager will be going home to Australia with his wife tomorrow.
Dinner was the farewell meal of the day, with the kitchen staff, head waiters, and wait staff parading around both levels of the dining room. They sounded way too happy as they said goodbye to a good number of guests. We still do not know how many are staying onboard like us, but if we see a lot of unfamiliar faces tomorrow we will know the number of guests leaving was high. Anyway our meal began with a crab cake, a Caesar salad, and bowl of piping hot chicken noodle soup. So good on a cold day. Mains were one pork chop with no parsnips and one ½ order of prime rib. The parsnips were on the plate, looking like mashed potatoes, and our waiters apologized for serving it with them. If you come from the South, parsnips are part of your diet. For us Californians, it is not a staple we see often if at all. Serving the bottle of L&P made up for the surprise addition on the plate. Dessert was one coconut custard slice of cake, which we shared.
We can say now that there was no singing and dancing show on this 5 day cruise….only comedians. This evening, there was a movie, "The Boys In The Boat" in the World Stage and another flick, Planet Ocean shown in the Wajang Theater. Suitcases were starting to line the hallway when we got back to our room. The room stewards will be busy this evening getting ready for tomorrow's turn-over.
We plan on a nice day in San Diego…..and lunch out somewhere.
Bill & Mary Ann
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