I had written two whole pages on the ship about the last few days but alas I lost them while sending..so I shall try and recreate the last days on board
We docked in Los Angeles at 8am and all guests were asked to leave the ship between 9am and 10:30am to clear customs and immigration. We got off at 9am and Stu went over to Enterprise Rental to rent a car with our friends and neighbors the Baldwins so all of our luggage could be dropped off at home ( we didn’t have to pay the luggage fees on United so it was well worth the 3 hour round trip and $36 per couple)
I stayed on board with my good book which I was trying to finish and ran into Frank Del Rio. We spent about an hour together walking the ship and talking about the good and the bad and he told me some interesting stories that happened while the ship was being built. Stu was back at 3 pm in time for a nap and at 5pm our good friends and clients boarded to see the ship and have dinner. We went to Polo and I had my first and last 1lb.5 whole lobster. It was delicious and I loved waiting until our last night in Polo to have it..(kind of a treat for myself). We walked out to the port with our friends at about 10pm to say goodbye and then up to bed. The next day I stayed on board and there were about 500 travel agents on board for lunch, many of whom I knew so I was kept busy renewing old friendships for an hour or so.
We left at 4pm for our last port San Francisco and our last dinner in Red Ginger..Stu had the lamb and he said it was outstanding, I had several appetizers and each one was delicious. That night we went to the farewell show and I thought it was excellent..all of Oceanias entertainers including Leslie Jon did an act and it was fun seeing all of our old friends.
Coming in under the Golden Gate Bridge is so exciting..but so very cold..I was out on our balcony as we went under and almost froze!!
We docked early at 3:30 PM and lots of people got off just to walk around..
Our daughter Shari came on board with her husband David and two boys, Spencer and Tyler about 5PM and we walked the ship so the boys could see it (they are both at UC Berkeley and were interested in Marina) until 6:30pm when we had a party for 24 all of our clients in Toscana so they could meet their agent Shari..
A wonderful evening with lots of laughter and wine and then we said our goodbyes..it was sad as many of the people working on Marina will be staying on Marina and our next trip is August 14 Alaska, on Regatta. The Alaska trip is a really good deal so if anyone would like to join us just send an email and we will give you the particulars.
All in all it was a fabulous trip with the bonus of being with so many of our clients being on board. We met old friends and made new ones..
Until later
Regards,
Jancruz1
