Day 9 - A Surprising Moment at Sea

Cruises are usually a blend of sunshine, calm seas, and easy days — but every now and then, something unexpected reminds you that ships are busy, working environments behind the scenes.

Yesterday, we stepped out onto our balcony and immediately noticed something unusual on the pier below. Three fire engines were lined up beside the ship, lights flashing but no sirens. A few minutes later, crew members began lowering oil‑catching booms into the water, forming a bright white barrier around a section of the pier. It was clear something had happened.

Before long, a large winch truck arrived and lowered its crane toward the water. Slowly, carefully, it lifted a piece of equipment — a forklift — up from below the surface. Watching it rise dripping from the harbour was surreal. You don’t expect to see heavy machinery being fished out of the ocean on a sunny sea day.

We still haven’t heard how the forklift operator is doing. The drop didn’t look far, but even a short fall can cause serious injury. Everyone onboard seems to be hoping for good news.

Moments like this remind you that while cruising feels effortless, there’s a whole world of operations happening just out of sight. And sometimes, those operations take an unexpected turn.

I'm sure the owners of the suitcases are getting free laundry. Let's hope there were no electronics in those cases.

I took this picture from our balcony

And while all this was happening the Ovation of the Seas 168,666 Gross Tons left the Port. Star Princess is 177,800 Gross Tons.

 

Day 8 - Los Angeles - Back‑to‑Back Day: Turning One Cruise Into Two

Today marked an interesting transition on the Star Princess. About 700 of us who boarded in Vancouver are continuing all the way to Fort Lauderdale, while the rest disembarked and a fresh wave of excited new passengers came aboard. Princess sells this itinerary as a 23‑day cruise, but you can also book it as 7 days + 16 days. It turned out to be cheaper to book the two segments separately — so that’s exactly what I did.

The bonus? When you sail back‑to‑back, Princess counts them as two cruises, which means two sets of loyalty perks. As an Elite guest, that includes two bar setups. I’m not drinking alcohol at the moment — watching both my weight and my sugar — so I asked them to swap the pop and spirits for bottled water. A small change, but a helpful one.

A Much Easier Back‑to‑Back Process

Princess invited all back‑to‑back guests to a short seminar. Things have changed, and honestly, the improvements are remarkable.

In the past, we had to gather at a venue at 9:00 AM, walk off the ship to scan our cards, then sit in a holding area until every passenger had disembarked. If the Coast Guard ran a drill, or if U.S. Customs or the Health Department decided to do an inspection, the wait could stretch on and on. Eventually, we’d reboard with new cruise cards and start again.

This time? None of that.

Thanks to Medallion technology, everything rolled over automatically. Our same medallions stayed active, our cruise status continued seamlessly, and we didn’t even have to muster again. (Apparently, if you’re at sea for more than 25 days, you do have to repeat the muster — but we’re just under that threshold.)

If we wanted to go ashore today, Princess provided “Guest in Transit” passes to show security. But with the temperature soaring to 38°C / 100°F, we decided to stay onboard. It turned out to be a lovely choice — the ship was quiet, peaceful, and perfect for wandering.

Sail Away, Round Two

We sailed at 4 PM. In Vancouver, they didn't have a sail‑away party because the ship departed in the middle of the night. I always enjoy those moments — the music, the energy, the sense of shared adventure — so we stopped by today just to listen to the band and watch all the new passengers buzzing with excitement.

There’s something special about seeing people at the very start of their cruise. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it reminded me how lucky we are to be continuing on for the long voyage ahead.

  We had an aft table for breakfast at the American Diner and this was the view from our table!

View from the Port/Forward of the ship at Pier 46

Starboard side from our balcony,  They loaded provisions all day!

An NFL game in the dome.  Chose a regular chair or lounger with padding, it's air conditioned. 
 Note the indoor/outdoor pool!

Day 7 - A Smooth Sea Day and a Fascinating Look Behind the Scenes

Leaving San Francisco

Sometimes you forget the ship is even moving, and the sunshine has followed us as we head further south. It’s amazing how quickly the weather shifts once you’re out of the northern latitudes — suddenly everything feels brighter, warmer, and wonderfully relaxed.

Sea days have their own charm. There’s no rush, no schedule you have to keep, just a gentle rhythm of activities to dip into as you please. This morning, Cole, our Cruise Director, hosted an information session about working at sea. It was surprisingly detailed — and clearly popular, because the room was standing‑room only. I was lucky enough to snag a chair.

Cole explained how the hiring process works for Princess. Everything goes through a third‑party agency, and if you’re not a U.S. citizen, you need four separate U.S. visas before you can even begin. After that comes the Marine Medical/Seafarers Medical fitness certificate. It’s quite the journey just to get onboard as crew, and hearing the steps laid out gave me a whole new appreciation for the people who make these voyages run so smoothly. Cole spoke about how the crew is treated, their accomodation and all the rules for them. He works four months on and two months off. He's a New Zealand citizen isn't required to pay taxes to the US or New Zealand. He has a girlfriend in South Africa where he spends his vacation.

Between sessions, I’ve been enjoying one of my favourite features on this ship: the smart elevators. They’re a small thing, but they make such a difference. You tap the floor you want on a display, it assigns you an elevator, and once you step inside there are no buttons at all — just open and close. The elevator simply takes you where you’re meant to go. Efficient, quiet, and best of all, no more kids pressing every button “just for fun.”

You choose your floor.  You always know what deck the gangway is on!

I was on floor 8, asked for floor 11 and it takes you there with NO stops!

Tomorrow we dock in Los Angeles. There are over 700 passengers, like us who are staying on for the next cruise. I'll explain the "turnaround" in tomorrow's blog.

Day 6 - San Francisco Day 2

I just learned that the Star Princess is the largest ship ever to dock at Pier 27. Hard to believe, considering she didn’t use that pier on the way to Alaska — but she certainly made her presence known this time.

There’s something special about having an overnight in port during a cruise. Last night felt relaxed in a way sea days never quite do. No rushing back for sail away, no watching the clock. We enjoyed a lovely dinner onboard and then headed to an outstanding show with Ivan Pecel, a juggler and comedian who had the whole theatre laughing. A perfect evening without a hint of hurry.

This morning started simply with a quick breakfast before Don and I decided we needed a few sundries. Target was the mission. We walked over to catch the 14 bus, and the driver couldn’t have been kinder. He was just starting his route, and we were the only passengers. We asked how to pay — credit card, cash, what’s the fare? He smiled and said, “You’re visitors. Here’s a two‑hour pass.” A small gesture, but it made our morning.

We later discovered that the pass also worked on the trolley running down the Embarcadero, right past Pier 27. So on the way back, instead of retracing our steps, we hopped on the trolley and rode home in comfort, watching the waterfront roll by. I got off at pier 27. Don continued on to Pier 39 as he wanted Clam Chowder for lunch! Cec, Kathy and I went to the American Diner and had a relaxing buffet lunch.

A simple outing, but full of those little moments that make travel feel generous.

The Ferry Building

The other side of Embarcadero showing the statue an the Ferry Building at Pier #1

You catch the #14 bus right by the Ferry Building and it took us right to Target!

Richard's horse "B the King" had a great race.  I should have placed a bet before I left!

Day 5 - San Francisco Day 1

Oakland Bay Bridge picture taken from our balcony

Pier 39 was fun.  We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and saw the magic show!

Only 2 Sea Lions - every other time we've visited these floats were full of them!

A blimp and Alcatraz

I'd love to know what this Costco sign says!

Waymo cars everywhere!

Love the architecture

Marin County

Golden Gate Bridge. It was cold and windy going over in an open air Hop On Hop Off bus, but lots of fun!

We slipped under the Golden Gate Bridge at 5:30 this morning, though I wasn’t up to see it. I’ve sailed beneath that beautiful span before, and we’ll sail out again tomorrow night, so I didn’t feel the need to greet it in the dark.

Because we stopped in Victoria, everyone had to clear U.S. Immigration here in San Francisco. It was a smooth, straightforward process — the usual questions about how long we’re staying and whether we’re carrying drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, fruit, or meat. The officer was pleasant, and before long we were on our way to meet the Big Bus for our tour.

The drive through San Francisco was wonderful. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge again, this time wrapped in fog, with wind whipping across the open deck and the kind of cold that makes you laugh because you didn’t dress for it. Even so, there’s something magical about that bridge disappearing into mist.

By the time we returned to Pier 39, the city had transformed. The fog had lifted, the wind had calmed, and the sun was shining across the waterfront. San Francisco does that — it shifts moods quickly, offering a little drama and then a warm smile.

A memorable day, from foggy bridge crossings to sunny piers.

Day 4: A Glorious Day at Sea

Sea days have their own rhythm, and today was one of those wonderfully full ones where you could wander from deck to deck and never run out of things to do. Before noon alone, the schedule looked like a small festival.

Carpet Bowls rolled into Line Dance Class, while Arts & Crafts offered a peaceful Origami session for anyone wanting a quieter start. Zumba brought the energy back up, and Iris Photography: Your Eyes, Your Art drew a curious crowd — it’s amazing what they can capture in a single close-up of an eye.

The enrichment lectures were especially good today: a naturalist speaking on West Coast wildlife, followed by a talk titled All You Really Need for a Good Night’s Sleep. (I suspect half the ship attended that one.) Then came the fast-paced fun — Officers & Guests 60‑Second Frenzy, wine tasting, bingo, and even a jewellery auction. And that’s just the morning.

The afternoon carried on with more bingo, Deal or No Deal, and a whole lineup of game shows. They’re always lively, always packed, and always good for a laugh.

Tonight’s entertainment is a double feature. First up is magician David Gatti — I usually look performers up ahead of time, and his website gives a good sense of the style he brings. After that, a Candlelight Concert with Kelly McDonwell. It’s a common name, so I’m not entirely sure which Kelly she is, but I have a feeling she may be the soprano. I’ll find out soon enough when the lights dim and the music begins.

Tomorrow we reach San Francisco, and it will be a big day for the whole ship. Everyone — guests and crew alike — must go through U.S. Immigration. It begins at 8:00 AM, and they expect the process to run until at least mid‑afternoon. We’ve got Hop On Hop Off bus tickets, so our little group will gather at the meeting point and head out together at 8:30 AM. It should be a long day, but a memorable one.

For now, the ocean is calm, the ship is humming, and there’s that familiar feeling of being exactly where you’re meant to be — somewhere between here and the next adventure.

Day 3 Why We Keep Coming Back to Cruising

There’s a reason we cruise again and again: the experience is simply richer. When we travel by plane or take a road trip, we often end up in a hotel or motel, flipping through TV channels and calling it a night. It’s comfortable, yes — but not exactly memorable.

On a cruise, the days feel fuller. There’s always something happening just steps away: music, lectures, games, shows, and that wonderful buzz of people enjoying themselves. Entertainment isn’t an add‑on — it’s part of the heartbeat of the ship, and it’s one of the things we love most.

This week we joined the Global Trivia, hosted by the Future Cruise team. Out of 46 questions, we scored 41 — and the winning team had 43. Not bad at all. If you’ve sailed with Princess before, you’d recognize many of the clues, which made it even more fun. It’s that blend of familiarity and discovery that keeps us coming back.

Cruising gives us destinations, experiences, and entertainment all woven together. It’s travel that feels alive — and that’s why we choose it.

Here are some pictures of the first couple of days of entertainment:

The aerielists were wonderful

Sand Artist at work

A very delightful Latin production. 
Many more singers and dancers but I was enjoying it so much I didn't take more pictures.

Andrew Kennedy put on two shows, the family show the first night and the XX rated at PG 18 at 10:30 PM both very good

This concert was incredible!  A fabulous guitarist/vocalist

We've been told there will be many concerts in this gorgeous venue