Some of these blanks include emergency contact people, home addresses and phone numbers, passport numbers... you will need one since the ship travels to Canada.There are also chances online to book excursions. Excursions are activities you will want to do when the ship arrives at the various ports. More excursions latter in this entry.
Don't miss the view
Getting to the ship in San Francisco is pretty exciting. As you travel across the Oakland Bay Bridge, you will see your ship stand out on the skyline of the city. It is a white 17 story whale docked along the pier. It is decked out in its flags and is a beautiful piece of anticipation. You are going to get on that ship and go to Alaska. How fun?Getting On the Ship - Embarkation
Traveling along the Embarcadero, drivers should pull to the bay side lanes. As they approach the docking area a set of police officers is directing traffic into the passenger drop off area. As you are dropped off luggage is stacked on the curb and a dockworker, stevedore, will load your bags up and get them on the ship for you. A 20 dollar tip is in order for this service. The passengers will head to the lines where travel documents are examined and you provide your credit card and the cruise line will provide you with the cruise card. It will have all the information needed for you to get into your cabin and will be your source of payment while you are on the ship. All tips, ship store purchases, spa treatments, wine and drinks, casino card and excursions will be entered on this card's account as the trip progresses. You may request a running total at anytime at the pursers desk. Replacement cards can be made but it is a good idea to bring a lanyard to keep the cruise card handy. We always hang our lanyards with the cruise card on them in the same place as we go into the cabin. Lock you wallets in the safe. Each room has a safe to store your valuables. As you board the ship, an electronic photo is taken so that your card can be matched with your face as you leave the ship or enter the ship.
San Francisco has a great parking set for the ships. Just 3 blocks away is the parking garage. The driver (if you come this way) can drive the car up to the vallet parking and walk the 3 blocks back to join the people waiting in line to get on the ship. Usually, the lines go rather quickly and there is not much of a delay... maybe 10 to 20 minutes to get processed and headed for the ship. The big deal here is to get the bags out and into the fray before you go to park. Parking can be paid for with a credit card at the end of the trip.
Stay Away from the First Ship Food
Plan on eating in Livermore or somewhere before you get to the ship. The first afternoon buffet on the is ship is usually the worst. The entire ship thinks that it has to go eat the minute they arrive on the ship. The worst food, the biggest crowds for eating this food will occur at this time. I always suspect that the crew that dose not get to go ashore is not happy about cooking up for the afternoon buffet.
Part of processing your entry on the ship will include a map of the ship. Usually only one map is provided for each family. It will be the only time that you will see these maps. It might be a good idea to request two of these maps as finding places on the ship at first is difficult even with one of these maps.
As you enter the ship, there are people assigned to point you to your cabin. Elevators can be pretty full here too. Some of the passenger elevators are disabled so that the ship can use the power to bring up all of the luggage. Ideally your luggage will meet you at the same time you arrive at your room. If not, it will not be long before you get all the pieces. Your room steward (the person who will keep you cabin tidy) will meet you and make sure that you have a plastic protector on top of your bed.
On the Ship Yeah!
As a tip from my daughter... we always wipe down all surfaces with haniwipes. This includes all countertops and TV remotes and all bathroom surfaces. So since starting a cruise with an issue. It has got to help.. right?Sue, my wife always packs a rolled up waffle foam back support and a yoga mat for the mattress. Some of the mattresses on these beds are not particularly comfortable. Carrying your own helps this out. When she meets the room steward she shows the person the waffle support and asks if it could be used on her side of the bed. We usually tip ahead here as a exta 20 or a prepaid phone card will do wonders for their attitude.
It is important to make the muster meeting. This occurs very soon as you get on the ship. You find the life perserver, do not put it on and arrive at the muster station. This is the place you meet if the ship gets in trouble. Do not use the whistle as these are not sanitized between cruises. Yeah, I know you knew that. If you do not go they will know and pester you about a make up session.
Coming out the muster station meeting, everyone tries to use the elevators to get back to their cabins. This is a mistake, as luggage is still coming up from the storage area and few elevators work. The stairs are tough and steep but will yeild you a more pleasant condition than waiting for the elevator in this case.
Eat Before you Arrive
Plan on eating at your first dinning room meal. You will meet your dinner mates and will get to meet your waiter and his assistant. This meal is usually pretty good. The first night show is short but will give you a chance to see the cruise director an listen to the rundown on the cruise's entertainment menus.
While it is important to get your stuff stored away, it is hard not to be a part of the sail a way. Dress warmly and head out on the top deck to watch as the ship pulls out into the Bay and watch as everyone cheers as it passes Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge. Sailing under the bridge in this size of ship is something to behold. Coming home will be much less memorable as it is usually dark and foggy and very early in the morning.
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