A long embarkation Jan 26 2013

FINALLY SHIP BOARDING DAY SATURDAY JANUARY 26, 2013

After a good night sleep, a quick check of the internet for emails etc I walk a short distance to a Denny's for breakfast – after that it's back to the hotel to finish packing, reserve a time for the shuttle – I get a 12 noon time slot, check out of the room and await the ride to the port – the entrance to the cruise port is actually almost across the street but with 8 ships in port we are scheduled at the furthest away – Princess has three ships in Port today – besides the Grand, both the Emerald and Caribbean Princess are here – we were at one time scheduled for Berth 2 – the preferred one as it is right at the entrance to the Port – then changed to Berth 21 and finally at Berth 29 – while Princess will likely say the Port caused the changes I don't by it – as it was only their three ships that changed berths.

After a brief wait for the shuttle I am off – we stop at two other berths before reaching Berth 29 – this is where things start to go astray – first off the Porters won't accept your bags unless you give them their tip first which they proudly yell at everyone dropping off their bags.

By now it is almost 1PM and the lineup to get into the terminal stretches forever and isn't moving much at all – according to many in line this is very unusual for Port Everglades which is used to handling many ships in port at one time – it is the largest cruise ship port in the world.

We finally start to snake our way towards the terminal but not before tempers start to flare including one where an aggressive woman was determined to enter/re-enter the terminal by blowing over an elderly Princess rep trying to keep queue jumpers in place.

It was around this time that someone in line mentioned that their had been a bomb scare at the port earlier and they closed the port for about two hours. This was never confirmed – even Princess employees knew or wouldn't say if such an incident occurred.

Finally inside the terminal and in line for the security and luggage screen – this went fairly well but only 3 of the 5 scanners where in place.

Then in line for our cruise cards – this went smoothly and by 3PM I was on board the ship – proceeded to my cabin – dropped my bags, cameras etc and headed to the buffet for lunch.

By now it it been announced that muster drill was pushed back to 4:30PM and we should sail around 5 PM – WRONG!

While muster drill did take place on time we didn't sail until 6:30 PM but at last I am underway.

In talking to some on-board who were on the previous cruise some of the blame can be put squarely on the shoulders of the Department of Homeland Security WHO ASSIGNED ONLY TWO AGENTS TO CLEAR A SHIP WITH 2600 OR SO PEOPLE ON BOARD. Also apparently the local authorities wanted to do a thorough inspection as the ship is leaving the east coast and moving to a new home port in San Francisco.

As the Captain explained with all the extra luggage and supplies needed to be loaded that delayed our sail-away – it won't affect our arrival in St Thomas.

Next: Two days at sea.