Thursday, January 19
We docked in San Pedro, where many passengers were disembarking, having selected only the route from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles. At this port, ALL passengers must go through customs again. We were in a long line with passengers trying to get on their tour bus for their excursion, alongside long lines of folks with suitcases trying to get home.
It's just perplexing that we can go to Columbia, Costa Rica and Mexico carrying only our driver's license and Princess Medallion, but stopping in our own country, we go through such a huge hassle. At least the port authority, knowing a huge passenger ship is arriving, could have more orderly procedures in place, and more staff available.
The lines were insane and confusing. It took us 50 minutes just to get through the line so that we could take a walk in the port area. It was a disorganized mess! Folks who did not choose to leave the ship still had to meet in big muster groups to be escorted downstairs to go through customs again. I felt sorry for the passengers who did not speak English very well....they were like lost puppies.
The city itself was very quiet. We saw very few people other than fellow passengers. We walked alongside the periphery of the city to the post office to mail a couple of cards, then checked out the area around the USS Battleship Iowa. We had toured battleships before, so did not choose to tour this one. The Maritime Museum opened at noon, but it was only 10:30.
Alongside the walk were statues and tributes to the military, maritime trades and San Pedro fishermen.
As we walked along this enormous port area, with container ships being loaded, tug boats, tour boats, etc., we never saw a single bird of any type -- not even a seagull.
What we found disappointing was that the banners with photographs advertising everything to do and see in the area of this quaint town, were displayed near the battle ship area, off of the beaten path. Where we left the ship, it was like a fortress. We were shooed away by an angry man in a booth not to walk toward the battle ship (although there clearly was a walkway, which is how we returned to our ship), but instead to go through a massive parking lot, with nothing to greet us or direct us where to go.
The earliest we were allowed to reboard the ship was 11:00, when the incoming thousand plus new passengers were checking in. We were directed to a waiting area with hundreds of new passengers seated in chairs, sipping orange juice and coffee.
Although we asked several times if we were in the right place (the woman was ADAMANT that we needed to stay there), it turned out that we were not, and other continuing passengers like us had already boarded. Fortunately, we were allowed to join the first "elite" group of new passengers, and sped quickly through.
Everyone must be on board by 2:30 PM. We didn't want to risk being left in San Pedro, so we didn't want to wander too far away from the ship to see the sites.
For the next three days, we are required to wear masks onboard. Then everyone will be required to take COVID tests. After those results, the decision will be made whether everyone must continue wearing masks.
After we watch the sail away and gleefully wave goodbye to this port, we are looking forward to, after four days at sea, disembarking upon the beautiful shores of Honolulu on Tuesday, January 24!
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