Cartagena

Around 6:30am today, January 18^th, the Pacific Princess entered Cartagena Bay between the two forts of San Fernando and San Jose with their bastions and hewn rock walls.  We traversed the narrow Bocachica Channel until reaching our berth in the Cartagena Port.  On the left were white colored high rise apartment buildings in the newer part of the city.  Just northwest of our pier was the Old Walled City which we had previously visited.  This Old City was very important to the Spanish Empire during the 16^th through the 18^th Century.  Outside of this old area lies another Cartagena which is new and modern.

Today we decided to do a little nature viewing and of course find some good Columbian coffee.

After a fun time watching all the animals we reboarded the Pacific Princess to cool off.  The temperature hit 86 degrees under perfectly clear skies.  The humidity was very high and returning to the ship was great…especially the air conditioning.

Later in the afternoon, Brett Siborne, Cruise Director held a 2011 Pacific Princess World Cruise Reunion.  He said there were about 50 returning world cruise passengers.

We departed shortly after 1:00pm and headed out to the open waters of the Caribbean Sea.  Tomorrow at around 5:45am we will approach the Panama Canal.  The ship should be entering the first of the locks of the Panama Canal sometime around 7:30am.

Aruba

We arrived in Oranjestad, Aruba’s largest port and the island’s capital on January 16, 2012.  The weather was a balmy 86 degrees with a few passing clouds.  During the afternoon we did get a few passing showers which cleared quickly.

On this trip we elected to not go to some of the beautiful legendary beaches, but instead take a walk into town.  We looked through several of the shops and the only changes we saw were major price increases.  The colorful buildings here in Oranjestad are always good to see.

We departed Aruba at 6:00pm en route to Cartegena, Columbia

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Embarkation and Sailaway

This World Cruise began early on Friday, January 13, 2012.  Our friends Leslie and John drove us from Pompano Beach, Florida to Terminal 2 at the Port Everglades. 

What a surprise to see an empty check-in terminal!  We sailed through the administrative processes and within minutes we were onboard the Pacific Princess.  By 3:30pm we headed to The Club Restaurant for the General Emergency Drill.  There we were pleased to see our friend Sandy Gunder (Captain’s Circle Host/Future Cruise Consultant) as the Officer-in-Charge of the drill.  Sandy was on the 2011 World Cruise with us.  Shortly after the drill it was up to the open decks for the Champagne Sailaway Celebration.  We ran into many friends from last year.  It was really good to see them all.  Our luggage wasn’t delivered until almost 8:00pm just prior to dinner.  Our great Stateroom Steward, Gabby, went below decks and located our luggage.  We can’t thank him enough.  So the stateroom was in total disarray when we headed off to the evening meal.  But, the day didn’t end badly  It was capped off in style with a wonderful dinner in the Club Restaurant headed by the Executive chef,  Antonio Cortese and the Maitre d’Hotel, Carlos Da Rosa. 

Day 2—Sea Day

On the second day of the cruise, January 14^th, the Pacific Princess navigated along the northern coast of Cuba through the old Bahama Channel.  The water in this area is extremely shallow.  Today was spent getting our stateroom organized for the next 118 days onboard. Finding little places to put all the necessities we brought is always fun and, of course, trying to remember where you put things is an adventure in itself.

The Captain came on the public address system during the day to inform us of a change to the itinerary.  We were originally scheduled to visit Santa Marta, Columbia on January 17^th.  But due to incidents of drug related violence in Santa Marta and the city being paralyzed for days by dozens of gangs, Princess has elected to bypass this stop.  Instead, we will be going to Cartagena, Columbia on January 18^th, and will have a shorter period of time ashore.    

Day 3—Sea Day

The Pacific Princess is maintaining a steady south easterly course across the Caribbean Sea en route to Aruba.  Early this morning we passed between Haiti and Jamaica.  Today is one of many brunches which are held between 10:30am to 1:30pm on Sundays when we are at sea.  And, tonight is the first of 9 formal nights to be held during the world cruise.  The ship is holding The Captain’s Gala Cocktail Party.  Captain John Foster will be addressing the passengers at two events, time depending on whether you are 1^st or 2^nd Sitting for dinner.  On this cruise we elected to do 2^nd Sitting.  The main reasons for this choice were due to returning to the ship last year from tours and being rushed to make 1^st Sitting and we always missed sailaway from many of the ports. 

Today, Curt got a belated Birthday surprise from the ship (balloons, a card, and birthday cake)!!

Tomorrow Is The Day

It's been a long time in preparation for this upcoming World Cruise.  In fact it's been 567 days since we booked this cruise and now tomorrow at 4:00pm we will be sailing away from Fort Lauderdale.

After breakfast tomorrow, our friends, Leslie and John will be taking us to the cruise terminal for check-in and boarding.  We are really looking forward to seeing friends from last year's world cruise and seeing many returning crew members.  Of course there is the unpacking, arranging the stateroom, muster drill, and all the other administrative things we will need to do to get settled in and begin the cruise.  The ship should have a grand sail-away celebration on the top open desks as we slowly pass through the channel and head out into the Atlantic.  First stop after sail-away will be Aruba.

Bon Voyage to all our other passengers!!!
 

 

Warm Day

Today was a beautiful day in Pompano Beach, Florida.  The temperature hit 78 degrees Fahrenheit or 25.5 degrees Celsius.  Clear skies and really nice!!!!

Here are a couple of photos of the Wyndham Palm-Aire where we are spending the week prior to embarkation.  This is such a nice location and we always enjoy staying here.  Tonight there was a brilliant sunset viewing from our balcony on the 9th floor!!

Sunset over Pampano Beach

Wyndham Palm-Aire

Arrived In Florida

Yesterday afternoon we arrive in Pompano Beach, Florida.  The flight down from Virginia was good and we arrived almost 20 minutes early.  Will be here until embarkation morning.

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Night Out At The Rink

Last night it was very cold here in Virginia with temperatures well below freezing.  But, we did venture out to watch our grandson, Lance compete in some inline skating.  He is also on the ice skating team at his high school .  The event was full of action and loads of excitement.

Lance in pregame meeting

 Going For The Goal

 Face-off

 Maria (our daughter-in-law and Lance's Mom) and Cindy Watching The Game

Curt Jr. Providing Advise To The Team

Tomorrow morning we fly to Miami and then drive on to Pompano Beach for a week's stay.  Looking forward to the warmer weather.  We will be doing some final shopping for cruise essentials.  Our friends, Leslie and John will be staying at the time share with us for the week.  This has become an annual event.  Last World Cruise they were nice enough to pick us up at the airport and take us to the cruise terminal. Wish they were joining for the voyage!

Time to get repacked and excited......off to Florida!