Princess' Deal with San Francisco

[txflyer]

Those of you who want updated piers in San Francisco might write your favorite cruise line and ask them to get the Passenger Services Act overturned so that sailing from San Francisco is more lucrative for them...it is that antiquated law that makes it difficult for cruise business to develop here. Then you might ask them to put more ships in San Francisco so that building a new cruise terminal is cost effective and cost responsible. I'm in agreement with the City - one cruise ship in town every 10 days is hardly incentive to create a whole new terminal, especially when San Francisco has other issues to financially deal with. According to articles in the San Francisco papers, it's the law that makes it difficult for the cruise lines to home port here, not the terminal facilities.

 

In the meantime kudos to Princess and San Francisco for taking this step. As the Bay Area population is rightly environmentally conscious, pollution from ships entering the bay is a hot issue - this should help make the industry more palatable.

 

The SF facilities are just fine for us. Having sailed out of 5 different US ports, San Francisco is the easiest and cheapest for transit from the airport to the pier, using BART and Muni. Add to that the simple beauty of sailing out of the City by the Bay and it makes a terrific start for a cruise. Lets be realistic with our expectations; the terminal may not be all that glamorous, but its only there to facilitate getting checked in and on the ship.

We visit the City several times a year and are looking forward to May when 8 of us will be embarking on our 2nd cruise from SF. The locals have a beautiful city and Im glad Princess is working with them to keep it that way. ..>>jack

[bdjam]

Problem is SF has to argue about it for years whereas LA just does it. Given the earthquake damage (Northridge in LA area and Loma Prieta in SF area) the LA area got there infastructure fixed before SF even though Loma Prieta happened before Northridge.

Um...seems to me the money from the state government was channeled more quickly to Southern California for their repairs. It wasn't just San Francisco that was left out of the Loma Prieta fixes - other areas were damaged as well...it's more like where the support for the people in Sacramento came from (which, granted, wasn't San Francisco).

[JohnQ]

Yes, unless its foggy when you leave and dark when you get back in!!! Couldn't see it either time very well. But is sure was nice sunrise and early morning views a bit later!!! We need more ships in SF!!!

[aaerobear]

Take it from someone who works at the pier, we would all love a new terminal, but it ain't gonna happen for a long long time. I agree that it is just a means to get you on the ship and on your way. Cut us a little slack, what really do you want in a terminal other than efficient check-in and boarding? I think we do that pretty good here. (now patting self on back and returning to reality)

 

Ed

[MaryPoppinz]

I think, given what you have to deal with, you do a great job. Pier 35 has a certain charm, but it is just inadequate.

 

And the stevedors in San Francisco are the best ever. :)