San Diego Ready or Not!

 I apologize for such late entries.  For any of you that follow this you must think we fell off the edge of the world or caught COVID and quarantined!! None of the above, but I got wrapped up in just experiencing our first vacation in almost two years and couldn’t quite get in the swing of it to write.  So, we did make it to 50 years , we didn’t catch COVID and Happy New Year!  Tessie picked us up the day before our cruise left port and we flew South West to San Diego.  It was a packed flight, not one empty seat.  But we had our KN 95 masks and followed all the safety protocols.  We got to the airport in SD and were able to catch a taxi or such to our hotel.  The hotel provides this service but now with COVID they discontinued.  We had nice rooms and had a while before we could get in them so they stored our luggage and we walked across the street to the harbor and marina where we enjoyed walking and watching the goings on of a wharf.  We found a nice outdoor restaurant for lunch and felt pretty safe with no folks too close. By the time we got to our rooms we decided to rest a bit and then later go back over for a lite dinner.  The next day Dan brought us up some coffee and eggs from the breakfast line. We got our passports, vaccine cards and boarding passes ready while tagging our bags for the ship. We made sure our tip money was easy to access too. Surprisingly the hotel would take us to the port which was strange when they didn’t do airport shuttles but our boarding time was 3 so we got there early. The luggage folks gathered our bags and the cruise greeters let us in early. It was seamless getting onboard. No keys were given but they said they would be in our rooms. So up we headed on the ramp and that excitement of being onboard seemed to magically appear. The group of greeters from the ships crew was large and boisterous shouting out hello, we’ve missed you, we’re so happy you’re here!! And I shouted the same and took their photos which made them even more happy!!

I’ll post photos of our first day. We skipped lunch and just toured the ship. Then Dan and I realized we had been on the Zuiderdam for the Voyage of the Vikings!!! Duh!  
We unpacked in our lovely room and we’re told the muster would be done very quickly and in small groups!! Voila!! We couldn’t ask for anything better. After the muster I made dinner arrangements for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve in the main dining room. I requested a window seat for the four of us and shared that it was our 50th anniversary. 


Back in our room we discovered a most gorgeous bouquet from Aaron and Tess for our anniversary along with a generous gift or room credit AND WIFI for Dan for the entire trip!!! Did we ever feel
spoiled!!


So our first night we had dinner in the Lido as they cancelled our sail away due to wind and rain. It was a little disappointing but we just were happy to be on the ship which looked too top. We found out we were the first set of guests to be on the ship for 18 months!! All the crew was fabulous, helpful and talkative. They had been on the ship since August out in the harbor around San Diego. The captain wouldn’t let any of them off as he didn’t want them getting sick so I’m sure seeing us was somewhat joyous! All us old folks!!  


Masked up for our flight!


Chuck and Betsy sacked out on the plane!



Coming into San Diego with our ship to the left in the background.


At the marina harbor across from our hotel having some lunch 


This was at night in the harbor. Sailboats decorated for the holidays. I bet the Christmas parade on the water was beautiful!


If you enlarge this photo you might see my whipped jeans!!! Chuck hates them so we both decided to get a pair at goodwill and wear them when we embarked!! He had to laugh about it and actually we didn’t look to bad!! Ha ha

When we embarked we noticed HAL had COVID screenings available! They never made mention of it. We wondered why this was happening but maybe some folks were traveling too far to be able to get them done in 48 hours before we sailed. 


Here we are getting in line to check in. Everyone was masked as was expected and really folks were good about it on and off the ship. 


There goes Dan and Betsy is ready to follow behind. Notice her wrapped jeans too!  



We are on the ramp heading up to board. It’s a cool cloudy day and puffer coats were needed. 


Here’s our welcoming crew so happy to be with us!



And a few more!


Here’s our home for 10 days:)


Everything was spotless and those flowers were gorgeous!


Could you stay here for 10 days!!



Thank you sweet daughter and son in law. I enjoyed them every day and trimmed the stems and gave them fresh water ❤️



Since they no longer have Captains welcomes they give you two free Mariner Cocktails.  


Our ship was only at 60% capacity so no worries about crowding or finding a seat! 
This is the back deck pool. 


You must always be masked unless you are eating or DRINKING!! Ha ha


Getting ready to set sail. 


The inside pool with the retractable roof. We always love this area and spent lots of time here laying cards, reading, or sleeping!