Poutine, Lobster and Grits-Semireport updated twice 02/26/2015 TR Complete. - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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A further update about Saturday. The seas got so bad that 1) they brokeout the airline sickness bags, 2) The dining room was 1/2 empty (our table for 8 had three of us present and 3) They cancelled the evening's musical as being too dangerous for the performers-they substituted a comedian and magician.
This morning the seas are much calmer as we head towards Fort Lauderdale to disembark in the morning. (They hope to put the musical on tonight)
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Oh, that sounds horrible! You were probably the only guest roaming about and feeling fine, right?
There were not many others
Day has even gotten better. Warmed up and people are actually sun bathing, swimming in the pools , enjoying the "Movies under the stars"
The sad news is I just finished packing...so off the ship in the morning and Southwest airline Fort Lauderdale to Chicago to LA to Sacramento. A motel for the night and drive home on Election day. So adieu for now
Yea, the wind and weather were awful on Saturday! I was straight I-95 about 4 or so hours from Charleston in NC at my mother's house for the weekend. I believe we only made it up to about 54 for a high that day. Was not able to get in my walk at the park because I could barely stand upright the wind was so bad. Sunday was much nicer.
It seems I've had your whole cruise to catch up on. I'm glad that except for a few things, like the trolley accident, and the horrible rough seas around SC that you have had a terrific time.
The full TR starts (finally for the delay)
The report will NOT have a lot of pictures of the ship itself as those can been seen in the prior cruise reports I have made on Princess cruises .The ships, except the Coral Princess (Panama Canal Cruise) are basically identical.Those prior reports are: http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/globetrotting-general-trip-reports/278996-sea-see-grand-trip-hawaii-tr-complete-4-1-2014-a.html http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/globetrotting-general-trip-reports/268908-coast-coast-sea-panama-canal-cruise-feb-2013-tr-complete-3-14-13-a.html http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/globetrotting-general-trip-reports/236053-bays-burros-beaches-butterflies-botanical-gardens-pre-trip-report.html http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/globetrotting-general-trip-reports/249726-instant-pirate-just-add-rum-tr-completed-2-15-12-a.html
Monday10/20
I left home about 10 am and drove to Sacramento, arriving about noon.I had lunch at the Black Bear Diner, next to my motel.Lunch was a Patty melt, minestrone and a diet coke $12.20 including tax and tip.I then checked in to the Fairfield by Marriot $134.76 including taxes.
Took and afternoon nap and then returned to Black Bear Diner for a dinner of salad, Pork Cutlet, spiced apple slices, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables and a diet coke $18.00 including tip.
Tuesday 10/21
Got up bright and early (4am) as I had a 6:00 am flight.Decent continental breakfast was available, but I deferred to just coffee and made my way to Sacramento airport(about 10 minutes away).Parked my car in economy parking $9.00 day (price has risen since my trip to $10) and caught the shuttle bus to the terminal.Having booked first class, there was no line.Checked my bags and headed upstairs to security. Had TSA pre-check on my boarding pass, so it was a breeze.Put the contents of my pockets in a tray, placed my carryon on the belt,and then walked through the detector-shoes and belt on :smile:.Nice to sit in the ‘leather seat’ section
Breakfast onboard was coffee, juice, eggs, potatoes, sausage, and a basket of Danish from which to choose.I even had a rum and diet coke.The flight to Chicago was just under 4 hours.Arrived on time.Trusty carryon in tow, I headed to my next flight.I had just over an hour between planes.It was a long march down the terminal to reach a shuttle bus to go between terminals.It seems flight #2 was at a satellite terminal for ‘small’ airliners. Arrival was at terminal 1, next flight was terminal 5.There was a small shuttle but (about the size of the parking shuttle in Sacramento) that ran every 15 minutesas there was not a ‘hard’ connection between the two terminals. Down out stairs onto the tarmac, then onto the shuttle bus.When I got off the shuttle bus (again on the tarmac and up the stairs to the building) to the terminal.Of course, my flight was as at the far end from where we entered the building.I needed every bit of my time between planes! They were starting to board as I arrived.Luckilly I used the bathroom immediately after getting off the first plan, as I would not have had time here, nor the ability.
The plane was a small Embraer operated by Express jet.One row of single seats on the left, the aisle, and the right side of the plane was column of two wide seats.The one flight attendant did her announcements and safety demonstration at the head of the aisle, no microphone.She then announced that once airborne she would make one pass down the aisle with beverages, and that if you needed to use the single bathroom, to do it before she got to you as she would not be able to back up for you.The airliner was definitely showing it’s age. Half of the seat pockets were barely hanging on the back of the seat in front of you. Thank goodness the flight was short.
I arrived at the gigantic Quebec airport.Six (COUNT THEM 1,2,3,4,5,6) Gates.That is why most airlines fly to Montreal and you then transport to Quebec, about an hour away.We were greeted by customs/immigration as we exited the plane.Their biggest concern was Ebola.Everyone filled out an Ebola information questionnaire before exiting the plane.All six terminals funneled into the one luggage carousel.We then headed toward the exit where we were again asked about Ebola.Just outside the terminal building (the building has one food stand and small concession) I was greeted by the Princess cruise representative who escorted me to a mini bus.The only passenger on the bus, we drove the short 20 minute drive into the city.The small bus was necessary as my hotel, the historic Fairmont LeFrontenac, is in the old part of the city. We had to enter that part of the city through holes in the old wall surrounding it.
We entered the hotel through a side entrance.Started to wait for my luggage, but the bellman informed me that he would unload it from the shuttle and I would next see it in my room.I went to the front and was immediately assisted.They had enough front desk help to wait on you immediately.
Went up to my room.
Room
Bath
Closet-had light that automatically went on when the door was opened!
After quickly using the restroom, I had just returned to the living area and there was a knock at my door.The bellman was there with my luggage, and refused a tip (it was included in the room price.)
Went down to the bar for a meet and greet. About 15 cruisers were there. Rum and coke was $20!
I decided to eat dinner there, despite the ‘upscale’ price. I had the evening special of braised short rib meet in a cheese sauce with noodles and as mall salad,.. $25 canadian + tip.It was really yummy.
Looking out the window I could see my ship.Princess turns around in Quebec City.All disembarking ships spend a night there, so the ship can be your hotel.All embarking ships also spend a night there so you have another night in Quebec Cit.
I retired for the night, after a LONG day of travel.
Wednesday 10/22
I am an early riser. So I was up at about 6am.There was a starbucks connected to the hotel, so I went down and got a bagel $5 and a mocha $5.I then decided to walk around the city in the early morning hours..no shops other than some restaurants were open yet.
I meandered back to the hotel and took some outside photos of this grand dame.
After a bathroom break, I wandered the hotel.There a lot of exhibits on the history of Quebec in the bottom floor hallways. the focus was not better.
I then returned to walk the streets of Quebec City.First stop was a store where I bought ($50 Canadian) a hat that looks like a WWI pilots helmet but was line the rabbit fur.The hard part of my walking tour was that it was under 40 degrees Fahrenheitwith about a 20 mph wind!
I then returned to stroll many more streets
There was an underground farmers market, with decoration on the street level
Hotel in the distance
The ship in the daylight
I returned to the hotel, got myluggage and awaited the shuttle to the ship.
They went in small groups, as they had to exit the city walls to get down to the ship. On arrival we were met with two ˝ hour lines.First was the normal health questionnaire, with Ebola added.You then actually talked to a medical staff person.Next was security. It was run by the port authorities, and not the cruise line.It took almost another hour. There had been a shooting at Parliament in Ottowa, so security throughout Canada was SUPER tight.Once I cleared security, checking into Princess took about 5 minutes (being a frequent cruiser!)
Like all Princess cruises, when you board your room is ready. So up to my room with my carryon. Unpacked it, put toiletries in bathroom, insulin in refrigerator, and my steward brought me a sharps container. Steward was Gervasio from Mexico.
Got my coffee card, and soda card total for both $62 including 15% gratuity.
Went up to the buffet and had a small ham and cheese sandwich, and a fruit tart.
Took a little nap, and then had a rum and coke in Crooners.Due to Canadian rules: while in the Canadian ports only one bar on the ship could open. (When at sea/on the Saint Laurence River –ice the ship was in motion –all bars opened.
I had first seating, assigned dining.Our table consisted of one couple and 6 single people.
Dinner was spring rolls, cream of mushroom soup, Prime rib with a rosemary rub, grilled tomatoes, a baked potato and ‘sugar free’ mango cheese cake.
There was a local folkloric show in the theater, but to be honest, the live broadcast of the SF Giants World series game was more important.They had sections of the Vista lounge separated with the competing teams colors.Lots of trash talk went back and forth.
After the game, I went to my room and crashed.!
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Thank goodness it's calmer today.
doesn't sound pretty.
for the delay)
.The flight to Chicago was just under 4 hours.Arrived on time.Trusty carryon in tow, I headed to my next flight.I had just over an hour between planes.It was a long march down the terminal to reach a shuttle bus to go between terminals.It seems flight #2 was at a satellite terminal for ‘small’ airliners. Arrival was at terminal 1, next flight was terminal 5.There was a small shuttle but (about the size of the parking shuttle in Sacramento) that ran every 15 minutesas there was not a ‘hard’ connection between the two terminals
. Down out stairs onto the tarmac, then onto the shuttle bus.When I got off the shuttle bus (again on the tarmac and up the stairs to the building) to the terminal.Of course, my flight was as at the far end from where we entered the building.I needed every bit of my time between planes! 
(COUNT THEM 1,2,3,4,5,6) Gates.That is why most airlines fly to Montreal and you then transport to Quebec, about an hour away.We were greeted by customs/immigration as we exited the plane.Their biggest concern was Ebola.Everyone filled out an Ebola information questionnaire before exiting the plane.All six terminals funneled into the one luggage carousel.We then headed toward the exit where we were again asked about Ebola.Just outside the terminal building (the building has one food stand and small concession) I was greeted by the Princess cruise representative who escorted me to a mini bus.The only passenger on the bus, we drove the short 20 minute drive into the city.The small bus was necessary as my hotel, the historic Fairmont LeFrontenac, is in the old part of the city. We had to enter that part of the city through holes in the old wall surrounding it.
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