A Serendipitous Stress Free Day (06/07/09)

Amazing is the best word to describe the Princess experience so far.  It took only minutes this morning to “preboard the ship” at the hotel.  Reps scanned our passports, passed out our boarding passes and transported our luggage. They drove us on motor coaches to downtown Seattle and the cruise piers.

We had to stand in a couple of queues to actually board the ship but they moved quickly and we made our way through the maze of halls and corridors to our mini-suite complete with queen bed, full bath, sitting room, refrigerator and best of all, a balcony with four lounge chairs and a table where we can relax and watch the world float by.

 

On another note, we met a friendly couple from Houston and their two teen kids at the airport. We hit it off immediately.  Déjà vu or whatever you might call it, they stayed at the same hotel and also were anticipating their upcoming cruise on the same ship.  We kept running into them everywhere we went, so suggested they try Salty’s restaurant for dinner last night.  They joined us on the van and we dined. Then we learned their room accommodations had been upgraded like ours – theirs from a mini- suite to a full suite.  What makes it so serendipity is that their “old” mini-suite is the same room we now occupy.  Furthermore, David whipped out his camera and asked if he could take their picture for our blog.  They replied, “Sure as long as we can ask someone to take a group shot of us all.”   Shari pulled a camera from her purse – and yes, it’s the exact same make and model as ours.  We’re sure we’ll have more fun times with them before the cruise is over.  In fact, of the 75-100 land cruises available, we are booked on the same one Tuesday afternoon. Both families made the reservations months ago.

Because it took the crew several hours after boarding to deliver everyone’s bags to their staterooms, Princess invited us to join fellow passengers in a Scavenger Hunt.  Every time we visited a specific lounge or shop or service for a preview, they stamped a card, which later became a ticket to a drawing.

Just before the ship set sail, they encouraged us to head one of the sundecks for embarkation where they drew passenger names for 11 prizes.  Susan won a $25 gift certificate to any port gift shop.  With today’s economic conditions, that just might be enough to buy a sweatshirt!

Later at dinner, our table mate was George and his two children from Orlando.  Conversation was somewhat awkward to begin with, but he finally warmed and the talk flowed.  Turns out -- (another coincidence?) he is a retired police officer.  But wait, there's more.  He went to the Phoenix Police Academy (the same academy David attended in 1974) but graduated just nine months earlier  They both had the same drill instructor and both agreed he was a jerk to put it nicely.  We had a few laughs.

And that's not all, George, like David, has a second career as a motor coach driver!  What a scream.  We finished dinner, he ran off to do his thing and we ours.