Live from the Bliss March 12-26, 2023: Letters Home to Dad

[NikiPinkston]

I've found the bloody Marys to be pretty good, too!

[Uff da]

On 3/9/2023 at 12:53 AM, Christina231955 said:

That was the info I was looking for. Thank you so much.

I was on the Jewel last month and the temperature in Azura (one of the 2 main dining rooms) was quite chilly. You should pack for that being a possibility. 

[YVRteacher]

Not packed yet.

Had to watch 90 Day Fiancé so I could feel good about my life choices.

[Christina231955]

4 hours ago, Uff da said:

I was on the Jewel last month and the temperature in Azura (one of the 2 main dining rooms) was quite chilly. You should pack for that being a possibility. 

Thank you. Will do.

[YVRteacher]

It’s go time!

Not pictured=the raincoat I made for my suitcase so it doesn’t get soaked from the airport parking lot to the terminal.

[Christina231955]

The adventure begins🥳🍾🎉

[bluesea777]

18 hours ago, NikiPinkston said:

I've found the bloody Marys to be pretty good, too!

 

Ever tried Bloody Caesars? They are made with Clamato as we prefer these to Marys.

 

 

[mlgb]

There is a little bit of sun now here near the LA/LB ports!  

[YVRteacher]

Excellent!

[YVRteacher]

Today is the first full day of travel for Spring Break here.

There were many news stories warning people to arrive early and be prepared for long line ups.

Here is my timeline from parking lot to boarding gate:

1:40 parked

1:43 on Canada Line

2:08 through security and US customs

2:11 at gate

 

I could have taken a detour for tacos but I’m too excited to eat.

[mlgb]

Love the train to YVR! So easy.

[YVRteacher]

Well, the plane has landed and it is broken.  
There is a flight delay.

Let the worrying commence…

[mkcurran]

2 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Well, the plane has landed and it is broken.  
There is a flight delay.

Let the worrying commence…

Oh, no!

[JoeTec]

13 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Well, the plane has landed and it is broken.  
There is a flight delay.

Let the worrying commence…

Did you make it?   

[YVRteacher]

I made it! 

Our plane was Frozen.  Literally.

The mechanical issue was with a wing.  The plane had one working wing and one not working wing and apparently it needed two working wings.

There was a family of Loud Talkers behind me.  It was at the point where the mom exclaimed, “Jasper, no picking!” that I whipped out my face mask and put my hood up to maximize germ barriers.

 

I could have watched Grumpy Old Men but I am living that movie and needed something more in line with a Spring Break vacation so I guilty pleasured the heck out of Blended with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler.

All I wanted was Pringles but the menu was asparagus salad which is nothing like Pringles.  Who wants asparagus on a plane???  The ravioli was so-so and I gave the lemon mousse to the man sitting next to me.

  He didn’t order any food because he was meeting friends for dinner in LA but he said he was hungry so he ate my bread, my pretzels and the lemon thing.  His idea of not hungry and my idea of not hungry are not the same.  I saw Italian sparkling wine on the menu and thought that would be something I might like.  It was very sparkly.  I asked for some cranberry juice to tone down the bubbles but they didn’t have any.  At one point some bubbles went up my nose and I tipped some of the Prosecco out of glass and onto my shirt, hoodie and pants.  Now I smell like a bachelorette party gone wrong.

 

This was the most beautiful flight I’ve ever experienced.  

Here is the Fraser River which is essential to British Columbia’s economy.

We soared above the clouds and it was magic!  I felt like we were rising up and over Dr. Seuss’ truffula trees.

Then the sun was slow to set and the layers of colours were gorgeous.  My photos aren’t great because Westjet doesn’t have washy washy people for the windows like NCL does.

Deplaning was quick and I was outside in the hotel shuttle line up within minutes of the plane arriving at the gate.  I am staying at Hilton LAX because I had enough points from my credit card for a free night.  Probably this was a nice hotel at one point but the room is worn and tired now.  On a scale of sandpaper to delicate puffs of cotton the sheets are closer to the former.  

I contemplated tucking some hotel towels into my luggage so I would have dry towels when needed in light of the once a day cleaning on NCL but my parents didn’t raise a daughter who steals hotel towels.  The Crabtree and Evelyn shampoo, conditioner and soap were fair game though!

[NikiPinkston]

18 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

 

Ever tried Bloody Caesars? They are made with Clamato as we prefer these to Marys.

 

 

I'll definitely have to try one. Thank you for the tip!

Edited March 12, 2023 by NikiPinkston

[disneylover89]

I am along for the ride and looking forward to another of your great reviews!  I will miss your dad though, he always cracks me up. 

[YVRteacher]

Here is my dad’s reply to this morning’s email. What I post here I’m also emailing him.  I won’t share all his replies (just to respect his privacy)  but today’s is so on point for him!

 

Good morning!

 

 I really enjoyed reading your email with the account of your flight - I'm pretty sure I would not have liked the experience.

You took some pretty good photos too.

[YVRteacher]

If you book the NCL shuttle from LAX to the port, be prepared for an unfriendly greeting, lots of shouting from the NCL ground transport reps (contracted through SMS) and a lot of waiting.  We were informed they didn’t order enough buses despite having a list of each passenger who booked the transfer so are trying to get more buses.  The bus picks up passengers at 8 terminals and only a certain number of people are designated to board at each terminal.  17 people just got on a shuttle and the rest of us are standing here waiting.  We have just been told there might be another bus within the hour but it won’t take the 30+ people waiting.

Last year when I arrived at 10:00 there were 3 large coaches and the process was seamless.

[LloydJr]

Uber is your friend.

[YVRteacher]

Nope.

[Von & John]

Wishing you an amazing cruise & vacation!

Living through your live - just under 6 weeks to go for our cruise. 

Cheers & Von Boyage

[YVRteacher]

Embarkation

Here is the procedure for today.  I’ve cruised out of this port three times and all three have been the same in terms of process.  In my opinion it was very well organized and not chaotic.  All shoreside staff that I encountered were friendly and positive.  Apparently there was a medical incident involving a fall as passengers were disembarking the previous cruise so the boarding process was a little delayed.  It must have happened right before our bus arrived because so saw the fire truck zooming toward the ship.  If you’re going to fall, way better to do so at the end of your cruise rather than the beginning.

 

If you have luggage there is a line to drop it off.  This is a line outside.

Then there is a white security tent.  This is a waiting tent.    Some people are inside where it is dry and some people are getting rained on outside.  

A security representative announced that the terminal is over capacity and they have stopped security from allowing more passengers.  The same security person who made the announcement went inside to get a chair for an elderly lady in our line up. which was kind of her!

 

There is a group of 6 people in line behind me and they all just shared the same tube of chapstick.  Ew ew ew.

Timeline:

11:00am get in security line

11:51 security check

 11:53 reach the main terminal

11:53 Get in Latitudes priority line

12:04 on the Bliss!

Not too bad considering the sheer number of passengers boarding today.

 

Tips:

-go to the bathroom before you arrive at the terminal

-bring sustenance

-have patience 

-dress in layers 

-have more patience

-wear comfy shoes.  This cement is hard.

-everyone goes into the same security line.  Security does not care if you are gold, platinum, Haven or poop golden eggs.  They just want to see your passport and X-ray your bags.

 

Once on board I went to the Cruise Next desk to book the behind the scenes tour, dinner with the officers and sail and sustain mixology.  I don’t really enjoy wine and didn’t book Wines Around the World.  The people at the Cruise Next desk were kind and efficient.

After that I went to Guest Services to get my anti seasick pills.  I am the kind of person who gets seasick even when the ship is docked so these are essential.  I take one tablet every 12 hours.  The person I spoke with gave me two packages.  I had asked for enough for 7 days.  She told me they aren’t allowed to give more out. I told her that wasn’t correct and she gave me 7 packages.

Six and Jersey Boys were reservable 26 days before the cruise so I had those booked and went to the Social to book the comedy shows.  Again, the process was efficient and quick.  There were 5 kiosks.  Paint classes can also be booked here.  I’ve done the one they are offering so didn’t sign up.

Across the hall from the Social is Teppanyaki and this is where to make dining reservations.  Here’s how that conversation went:

Me - May I please book Ocean Blue for Saturday March 18?

NCL person: Yes, that will be Wednesday at 6:45pm

Me-blink blink

 

When I was checking in at the terminal I asked the shoreside staff member how many people were on the Bliss this week.  She said it was approximately 4700.  I’m waiting to get this number confirmed but I have a feeling the next two weeks will involve patience and line ups.  I have never been on a cruise with this many passengers before so it will be a different experience.  

 

For lunch today I went to Taste.  I hadn’t read the Freestyle Daily so didn’t yet know that carry on luggage drop off was in Q so I still had my suitcase and that didn’t seem compatible with the Garden Cafe.  There weren’t a lot of vegetarian options so I had a basic garden salad and the crustless quiche and I enjoyed both of them.  

I was hungry!!

Did I have dessert?  Not here.  I am a fan of the Welcome Aboard cakes so dropped off luggage and hiked up the stairs to deck 16.  My effort was worth it!  This cake was amazing.  

The next one on deck is different.

The sun came out at 1:30 and so did the people in the Observation Lounge with bare feet on the chairs.

 

I’ve cruised solo 3 times before and have always enjoyed it but this time I feel very “alone in a crowd.” If you’re on board please say hi!  

 

As I walked around deck 17 to get some sunshine I noticed that at 2:30pm the line up to get into the first security waiting tent was over a block long.

 

Every 30 minutes there has been an announcement to say that cabins aren’t ready.  

 

More after the Muster Drill…

 

[drumming cruisers]

Interesting, I have read on other posts about San Pedro if you're in Haven you can go to the front of the security line and bypass the tent. 

Love your reviews.

 

Will be on Bliss in a couple of weeks.

[smillerholmes]

7 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

 

-go to the bathroom before you arrive at the terminal

-bring sustenance

-have patience 

-dress in layers 

-have more patience

-wear comfy shoes.  This cement is hard.

-everyone goes into the same security line.  Security does not care if you are gold, platinum, Haven or poop golden eggs.  They just want to see your passport and X-ray your bags.

Let the record show if I "poop *golden* eggs" I am going to expect some sort of specialized treatment.

But I digress, sounds like LA is a mess right now for the last few embarkations.

 

Glad to see you kept your sense of humor.