mahdnc

On the advice of @Fly and Sail, we decided a couple of days ago to do the self assisted walk off. It was soooooo easy. We went down to the main dining room at 6:30 am for breakfast. We were seated promptly although it was the first time we’ve been seated at one of the high back chairs (I called them “pharaoh chairs”). After returning to our room from breakfast, I saw Silver Nova cruise past us to her berth. It was a two cruise ship day today and that didn’t include whatever ships may have docked at nearby Long Beach. At 7:30 am, there was an announcement that the ship had been cleared by immigration and that the self assisted walkoff passengers could leave the ship at Deck 4 on the port side. We had just left our cabin when that announcement was made. As we were leaving our cabin, @julieawill’s husband, Terrell, opened up his cabin door to say goodbye to us which was nice. We had no problem finding an elevator with enough room to take us and our luggage from the Deck 8 aft elevators. After walking past the Rendezvous Lounge, we saw two separate gangways off of Deck 4 to use. There was absolutely no line. Zero. Many of the other cruises where we’ve done the self walkoff (Ft Lauderdale, Sydney came to mind), it seemed like a quarter of the ship was doing the self assisted walk off. There were several crew stationed by the gangways to make sure that people didn’t trip on the transition to the gangway One of them took my wife’s luggage and walked with us to towards the terminal escalator/elevator. CD Rich was standing on the other side of the gangway to tell passengers they could use the escalator or the elevators (while pointing out their locations). We chose elevators. There was a security person who was managing the elevator by holding the door open until the elevator was reasonably full. We were in the cruise terminal elevator at 7:38 am with no hassles so far. Nice. All the security personnel throughout the path of disembarkation were extremely friendly as they bid us a safe travel home—complete with a smile. It’s like they were hired from nearby Disneyland because most of the time when we disembark, the security people have a look on their face that says, “don’t make me have to deal you”. Or maybe we were getting the smile treatment because the day was young and their patience had not been worn out yet by the crowd of passengers yet to come behind us. We walked around the huge baggage claim area. It seemed quite spacious and well laid out. Again maybe it just looked that way beside there were no passengers yet. The bags were still being distributed as we walked by at 7:42 am. The baggage claim area nearest the customs and immigration area has luggage set out. The customs and immigration station had six open desks at the time we arrived and there was no line. The officer didn’t need to see our passports as he held a small camera to our face so the computer could identify us through facial recognition. If you need buses and other ground transportation, you turned right when you left the terminal. We told the security person who was at the exit that we wanted to go to the Iowa battleship museum—we were instructed to make a left turn and follow the well marked walkway. At 7:49 am, we found a place near the battleship museum for me to wait with the bags while Marcia walked to the Enterprise Car Rental location which was 10 minutes away (the car is rented under her name because she gets a good discount). The counter doesn’t open until 9 am on Saturday (and it closes at noon). Meanwhile I’ve got a nice view of Summit and our balcony.

Good morning from San Pedro. We just docked about 30 minutes ago. We had a nice view of the USS Iowa on the way in. We are docked right behind her.

Happy Derby Day everyone and….

Here is the "ART" in the vestibule entrance on Deck 11 near the Sky Lounge. I still like the Chihuly aboard Constellation better!

You’re welcome, Charles. I’m sorry that your cabin steward’s performance seemed to be wanting. David and Marcia

Our waiter, Sumantra, was wonderful. He has been with Celebrity for 20 years. He says he prefers working in the main dining room and has turned down offers to work in the specialty restaurants.

I had the New York Cheese Cake for dessert:

Cream of Wild Forest Mushroom Soup Organic Roasted Red Beets: Chilled Shrimp Cocktail: Aged Prime Rib of Beef:

Our final dinner has prime rib on the menu.

There was a stretch of cruises a few years ago when we cruised as a family of 4, where we regularly visited the doctor's office. I used to joke that we would be interested in buying a medical package if that were ever available. I had to self administer a shot of Dupixent for my asthma, but I did not have any alcohol swabs left, so I made a trip down to Deck 1 get some. The waiting rooms were empty which is a great sign and the nurse at the front desk gave me some wipes.

We have received certs for crossing the Atlantic a couple years ago and for a New Year's sailing. Kelly gave his eighth and final Beyond the Podium presentation this morning. It was titled "The Sputnik Years". At the conclusion of his presentation, someone in the audience asked him when his next cruises are. He said that his next cruise was in August--he didn't mention which ship, but he did say it was a Reykjavik to Boston sailing. He lives in Boston (where the highest concentration of professional astronomers work) and he is pleased with the idea of the cruise terminating at his home town. He also said that we was going to be on an Equinox trans-Atlantic this year. So it sounds like you will see him on your Eclipse sailing this August because the Iceland to Boston itinerary sounds pretty unique. I didn't attend it, but one of Kelly's presentations was devoted to auroras which I am sure will draw some interest on your northerly sailing. After having attended 5 of his presentations, I can tell you he is smart and an excellent communicator. Perhaps comparing him to the late Carl Sagan may be a stretch, but Kelly's combination of skills lay in that direction. I was entertained by the number of astronomy themed neckties that he wore.

I thought the Revolution updates to the ship's interior (except for the cabins) look nice. The dining room does look better and I like the casino's color scheme.

One of the designated smoking areas on the port side of Deck 4:

Today's aft view. Like yesterday, its a bit chilly outside but no strong winds.