DAllenTCY

I had the pleasure of meeting her on several occasions in San Diego. The first time, she asked me if she could ride the Amsterdam disembarkation coach to the airport and back... so that she could welcome some of her friends to the World Cruise sailing that day. Of course, I suggested that she hold a clip board for us. She laughed, and off she went. Another time it was pouring rain, and she arrived wet as could be. I offered to get her some towels, and she told me "Don't worry, it's just water". I asked why she didn't have an umbrella and she replied "Why?". My other memory is when she told me that she had taken the city bus all around town on a Day Bus Pass. The Hop on and Off was "too expensive" even with her status it would have been complimentary. She said to me that she just wanted to see the city, but on her own. David She loved her "home" on the Holland America Amsterdam and her crew.

Cafeteria style is available for lunch on sea days. David

There are 5 restaurants withing 800 feet of the terminal entrance: Hazelwoods, Carnitas, Ketch, Claim Jumper, and The Brigantine! Ruth Chris is only open for dinner. A - 11:30AM 291 B - 11:50AM 283 C - 12:10PM 271 D - 12:30PM 272 E - 12:50PM 247 F - 01:10PM 255 G - 01:30PM 261 H - 01:50PM 253 I - 02:10PM 255 J - 02:30PM 480 It will take time to board 2,868 guests tomorrow. Have your Boarding Pass and Passports in your hand when you arrive. This will help the process. Everyone must be checked in and physically present by 3:30 pm. David

December 17th.....2,917. The "Diamond Princess" will be at the adjacent pier. I do not expect that many, sometimes over booking happens just with airlines. David

There has been a huge change at the port of San Diego in the past 3 weeks. Facial recognition is now used for disembarkation......long overdue! Yesterday, everyone had exited the ship and been cleared by CBP by 9:35 am. That allows the embarking groups to begin entering at 10 am.....not 11 or 11:30 am. Groups A thru D were onboard by noon and open boarding was sometime just a bit later. Improvements have been made, those of us who work there are pleased for the changes. The only downside is that disembarkation colors and numbers are called earlier than you expect. David

You cannot sail through the Panama Canal with what you mention....nor trans Atlantic....and I'm certain there are cruises where a passport (and possibly a visa) are required. David

A "Real ID" is not acceptable for any cruise....closed loop or not. Either bring a Passport, Birth Certificate, Enhanced DL from the states of Washington, Vermont, New York, Minnesota, or Michigan. An Enhanced DL will say "ENHANCED" on the face of it and have the US flag instead of some other icon such as a star. Other than a passport, a Birth Certificate by a government agency is acceptable for a closed loop trip. Other options which satisfy citizenship are available, but they are not commonplace. Cruising to the Hawaiian Islands? Your ship will require proof of citizenship which is not a "Real ID" That is the most frequent misconception regarding cruises from the West Coast. David

For me, it is the ambiance...and I always book the first night just to indulge myself....no dressing up. The "free wine" is just an enticement....I'm going to upgrade in March to a nicer red ....although the Santa Helena Merlot has been ok and complimentary. I usually order the lamb chops, since my wife is vegan and I can't have such at home. Steakhouses near my home charge upwards of $75-95 for the same as I can appreciate on Carnival. David

Your best bet is parking near the airport on the corner of Laurel and Kettner streets. Aladdin (619) 696-7275 and Laurel Parking (619) 233-0412 ...across the streets at that intersection Wally Park (619) 295-2832 is just a block away from there. Also, San Diego Airport Parking is located on Pacific Hwy. (679) 291-1234. They all do a great job and can give you pricing information. They all provide free shuttles to the pier and back. David

I was onboard the QE2 about 40 years ago from NYC to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and back. Somebody noticed that I was a dentist, and introduced me to the ship's one. I was very impressed with the set up...just as nice as I had in my office. They provided full service to crew members and could handle any dental emergency. Those days have long past.....just like skeet shooting.....confetti streamers.....and table side Caesar's Salad and pasta preparations for every table at dinner. David

Your best bet is parking near the airport on the corner of Laurel and Kettner streets. Aladdin (619) 696-7275 and Laurel Parking (619) 233-0412 ...across the streets at that intersection Wally Park (619) 295-2832 is just a block away from there. Also, San Diego Airport Parking is located on Pacific Hwy. (679) 291-1234. They all do a great job and can give you pricing information. They all provide free shuttles to the pier and back. David

Group A 11:30 am David

The earliest Boarding Time for the Koningsdam is 11:30 am in December. David P.S. Embarkation will go much smoother if you have your Boarding Pass printed. Yes, you can have it on your phone but it is much more difficult for staff to read. Also, have your Passport available at the first counter.

There are escalators at B. Street and Broadway Pier; however, the one at Broadway is only used for disembarking guests. David

In San Diego for Holland America, Disney, and Princess: All luggage is collected, moved into the terminal and scanned, then loaded into rolling bins according to deck number. The only time a "Priority" tag might make a difference is when that cart is unloaded onboard down your hallway. David

I'll sympathize with the painting annoyance. Every port day (4 of them), on my last 8 night cruise there were painters outside my room. Painting above, below, and on my balcony. From early morning until late in the afternoon. The only thing worse was the marijuana smoking on the cabin beside me.....and that was stinking up my veranda from 5 pm until dinnertime. It's the luck of the draw or the roll of the dice. The odds of that happening on my next cruise are slim. David P.S. This was not a Holland America cruise. You can maybe guess which it was.

There is and always has been a sign. Because of crowding, it is not visible at times. David

Tickets (sometimes blue, red, or whatever that day) are handed out at the end of the lines in San Diego. This is to prevent line cutting. All you had to do was fall in according to your arrival time posted on your Boarding Pass. Get a ticket, and proceed in an orderly fashion. Don't arrive early, as there is no advantage to do so. David

Why would you deem it necessary to test your father on the cruise with a home test? Did he have symptoms before you embarked? Certainly you must have suspected that he was ill. Do you really expect the ship to provide anti-Covid medications for your dad? As to your other mention: Do you think that everyone observed their Boarding time slots? A - 11:30AM 287 B - 11:50AM 269 C - 12:10PM 251 D - 12:30PM 265 E - 12:50PM 265 F - 01:10PM 259 G - 01:30PM 273 H - 01:50PM 252 I - 02:10PM 251 J - 02:30PM 185 I do not. Most arrive early and suffer the consequences because Holland America prioritizes past guests....the same as hotels and airlines do.....because they deserve it. Three days into your 14 night cruise, and you are already complaining? David

Embarkation goes very quickly with a printed Boarding Pass because your HAL status is very clearly shown to ground staff.....and the number of people in your group as well all at one glance. You can show a Boarding Pass on your cell phone; however, it is difficult to see more than one QR code, your sail date, and your stars! That slows the process at the entry gate. If you do not have a time slot, it will have to be looked up....another delay for you and others. Security procedures have been enhanced for the holidays. Dropping off luggage prior to your time is often not possible due to California law which requires that longshore workers take a 30 minute lunch now before their 5th hour of work. It used to be 6th hour. They start at 7 am, so think about it. They do take 2 shifts, but all are not back at the job until nearly 12:30 pm. David

Thanks for sharing such a great trip for us to read about.... and dream about....someday. Tomorrow in San Diego we will finally have facial recognition scanning for disembarkation. They have set up numerous stands in lieu of podiums for CBP staff.....although CBP will be monitoring. You just missed this milestone by a few days. David

I am familiar with some sailings that do allow for you to downline (join the ship elsewhere along the specific voyage) if a US passport holder. For example, a couple today could join the Zuiderdam in Puerto Vallarta while she sails from San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale. The ship will stop in a distant foreign port (ABC islands or South America). David

It is an option; however, we met about 3 weeks ago and had a nice lunch at 1:30 pm. The Royal Princess was in port that day. "Now Hiring" signs are posted at many, many establishments. If you are not in a rush to cross the street, the portions are large....enough to share. And you'll have a great look to see how the lines are progressing at the terminal. The outside dining area has about 100 seats, and I was not pressured to order anything. Claim Jumper is just one of many options. David

Here are some options for you....places to sit, eat, drink, and relax adjacent to the pier. Hazelwoods and Claim Jumper are across the street. Carnitas is between Broadway Pier and B. St. Pier. Portside Pier (Brigantine, Ketch, Portside Coffee, Miguel's, and Topside Terrace) are just a short walk north along the embarcadero. https://hazelwoodsonthebay.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/hazelwoods-take-out-menu-2021.pdf https://www.claimjumper.com/menus/ https://carnitassnackshack.com/pig-out/embarcadero/daily-menu/ https://www.brigantine.com/locations/portside-pier/ https://ketchgrillandtaps.com/ https://miguels-cocina.com/brunch/ David