Jeter02

That was one of my top contenders along with the Kimpton 

15 minutes ago, J13C85 said:

We stayed at a place called "Hotel Zoe". Walking distance to peir (we took an Uber). Walking distance to Wharf, Ghirardelli Sq,etc. Hotel was very nice but rooms were really small.

2 minutes ago, nwcruiselover said:

That sounds like a good alternative, which I will definitely consider. 

I actually just booked the Westin at SFO which was a lot cheaper and a really good rate compared to most places especially down by the pier which I learned very quickly is very expensive.

32 minutes ago, nwcruiselover said:

I haven’t booked the shuttle to the pier yet, but from what I can tell the cost is $39.95.

Ah ok. When I went to look at Uber from the airport down to the pier it was looking at about roughly $36 and change. And I know for myself I like the convenience of coming and going at my own free will and a quiet setting without a group of people. But was considering the shuttle if it was priced well. 

9 minutes ago, nwcruiselover said:

I’m planning to stay out near SFO the night before my cruise from San Francisco.  To me it seemed simpler to stay near SFO and then return to the airport in the morning and take the Princess shuttle to the ship.

Oh you're doing the shuttle. Which makes perfect sense. I have not looked or inquired yet but how much is the shuttle from Princess from the airport to the Pier?

Anyone have any hotel recommendations near Pier 27 in San Fran? Or would you stay by the SFO Airport for a one day arrival before embarkation day?

Anyone have a favorite hotel in walking distance to Pier 27?

2 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

I agree with what @CruiseRaider said a few posts earlier.  But fair warning -- The 101 freeway towards the SF Bay bridge (the direction you will be going) turns into a slow crawl starting mid-afternoon.  It used to start at about Hospital curve but now seems to start at Caesar Chavez and goes all the way to the bridge.   The good news is your Uber driver should know surface street options to get around this.  I guess this is a long way of saying, don't dawdle at the airport.  

Have opted to come in the day before as when I was checking the history of this flight It can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours late which it is today. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Making the flight arrive after 1:00 or close to 2:00 pm. 

Also looking at possibly flying in day of with a non-stop flight which arrives 11:57am hoping I should be fine on a Monday afternoon when I grab an Uber and head over. If anyone have thoughts and input on the embarkation day flight I'm all ears.

29 minutes ago, MacMadame said:

I am waiting for the first news story of someone flying into Oakland and being shocked that they aren't at SFO. 🤣

 

Our cruise doesn't start in SF but ends there. It's so nice to just have our son pick us up at the port and not have to deal with getting to an airport to get home.

Which is why I love cruising out of Fort Lauderdale.  20 minutes from the house. 

5 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

Our friends always have their ride pick them up down at the bottom of Lombard Street, pretty much right across the street from the pier.  They probably save a half an hour of their ride waiting in traffic into and out of the terminal drive through that way. 

 

Love this!!!! Thanks for the tip. 

7 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

They usually start disembarkation around 7:30 - 8:00 AM, the latter time being due to late arrivals into port. There is oftentimes a huge line up early in the morning going as far back as past the vista lounge, especially for walk off on shorter cruises.  They are filling the ships lately and those out of SF are no exception.  Unless there is a bigger delay, you should be able to be out on the curb by 8:30 at the latest. The port of SF uses facial recognition software for disembarkation, so it is pretty quick once you are on that gangway.  

I love when the port uses facial recognition does make a huge world of difference. Thank you so much for letting me know a rough estimation of when I could be out by the curb That helps.

3 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

Be advised that there have been recent incidents where protesters have shut down the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge for hours, so any travel across one of those bridges can be dicey if world events trigger any such protests.

 

Having said that, I once had a taxi driver get me from downtown SF during rush hour (around 5pm) to SFO in under 30 minutes to get to my flight with 20 minutes to spare.  He knew all the shortcuts through downtown to avoid congestion.  Gave him a big tip.

Woohoo!!!! That's amazing! I'd like to think I would be fine as I'm always at risk taker but like I said this is slightly earlier than I typically get a flight like I said he usually have done as early as 11:45. 

Does anyone know how early the ship starts doing their disembarkation? I know what it usually is in Fort Lauderdale but unsure with SFO.

15 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

Just be sure to check to see what’s going on along the Embarcadero that day.  While it’s doable, that is cutting it really close for SFO.  I would also suggest checking the SF cruise ship port schedule. If there is another cruise ship in town that day, I would definitely opt for a later flight.  
Also, you might consider looking at flights out of OAK, right across the bay bridge if you can find a decent flight home.  

Love this idea! I actually just want to look at OAK but the times are roughly what they are if I was to have left from SFO and they sadly don't have any non-stop which is usually a big preference of mine. But I truly immensely appreciate that beautiful recommendation.

41 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Yes, I look at the EZAir guidelines too when I book.  It also is on the travel summary and if you tried to book an excursion.

 

But, independently, you can do it earlier, as we’ve done also.

 

Maybe someone out there has done a Saturday recently?  This is domestic, I assume?  Is your checkin time 2 hours before?

0845? 

 

Yes domestic flight. Flying back to FLL from SFO. 

38 minutes ago, sfpd3000 said:

It's doable but you're cutting it awfully close.  Assuming you're one of the first ones off the ship at around 7:15-7:30am, the taxis will be waiting.  Additional wait time for uber/lyft.  No traffic on Saturdays that early in the morning.  Will you be checking in any luggage at the airport?  Sometimes there will be a line for that.  Then there will be a line to go through security too.

Carry on luggage only, and I have TSA PreCheck 😉

2 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Not sure of your arrival time.  Sat traffic shouldn’t be too bad.

See’s a little early to depart SFO, but haven’t done this recently.

 

Here’s the PCL flight guidelines.

 

San Francisco

Embarking Passengers
For voyages that depart from San Francisco, the latest flight arrival is 3 hours prior to ship's departure for domestic flights.

Disembarking Passengers
For voyages that arrive in San Francisco, the earliest flight departure is 5 hours after ship's arrival for domestic flights.

I know that when you book through Princess EZ air they ask when flying home that you get a flight that's 1:00 p.m. or later. But I know I personally have flown several times from LAX or Seattle to go home with a flight that's much earlier just as long as I get off by 7:30 a.m. but I don't remember if I've done one that early though I may want to say about 11:45 I've done a flight

Is a 10:45am flight out of SFO on a Saturday morning doable from a cruise from the San Francisco cruise terminal? Not sure how San Fran traffic is. 

23 minutes ago, lorraine658 said:

Hi Jester 

Me and my partner were on this cruise we followed your blog through out the cruise and i have just read the whole thing back through what wonderful memories,it brought back, so thank you.

Back on sky may 31st 2025 for Denmark and Sweden looking forward to getting back onboard her again.

I have to say if it is half a good as this cruise it will be great.

Awe. This made me smile. Yes such a fantastic cruise. How exciting for your Denmark, Sweden itinerary. Both great countries to visit. 

I"m too booked back on the Sky 2025, but for the alternative itinerary she was doing with Iceland and some different port of calls of Norway. Norway has quickly become one of my most favorite destinations in the world, holding a very special spot in my heart, that's that unforgettable summer cruise. 

The Sky is a great ship, as I was just recently on here 3 weeks ago. Great to see the same familiar crew working board. 

7 hours ago, cheezenip said:

@Jeter02 How early can you check into your mustard station (want to beat the crowds) before going back to the stateroom to watch the drill?

Pretty much as soon as you get on board you can. I always go straight to my cabin to drop my luggage off and usually I head off to the mustard station to tap in while my mustard drill is playing on my phone.

9 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

You have no idea what a relief it is NOT to have to do the safety drill on B2b cruises. We did B2B2B2B last year on Celebrity and got so we stood in the back with the crew and almost recited the drill by heart.

On Princess during the second (or third or fourth) leg of a B2B we go sit at  a nice quiet pool or bar and have a relaxing drink (just make sure to order before the drill starts).

 

The drills on princess are so easy You literally check in at your mustard station with your medallion and then you can either watch your safety drill either on your stateroom TV or on your mobile device. Other than that there are no demonstrations or speeches. It's absolutely amazing!

Just now, cheezenip said:

@Jeter02 We too will be doing a B2B and enjoy eating at the MDR on embarkation. With in-transit privileges, did you find you could enter the MDR earlier than 11:30am on your 2nd week or were they firm on the 11:30 am starting time? Also, did you have to the fire drill requirements the 2nd week?

No you don't get special privileges to enter the dining room early for lunch It is a strict 11:30 a.m. start time regardless. On the second week you do not need to redo your safety drill. 

Just now, Steelers36 said:

I was wondering because I have read some posts in the past where people indicate Apple having "a mind of its own" in terms of auto-text.  I noticed one larger post above where there were some odd word choices and it looked like auto-text and not words you would choose.  Not a big deal as I could figure it out.  Anyone on a ship taking time out to post should get some leeway as it can take a lot off personal time and effort to do this.

I appreciate the leeway. I'm going to be very honest I tend to do more voice to text and I'm just a terrible human being when it comes to double checking. When I do double check especially on a lengthy one I tend to miss things. Your understanding is very well appreciative. 

5 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

@Jeter02, do you happen to be an Apple user or PC/Android?

Pc/Android