Breakfast at the hotel ends at 10:30 so we need to get moving.
Once again the breakfast doesn't disappoint. Very impressed with this hotel Salles Pere IV.
We start repacking and we both commented that our bags are less than they have ever been. We each have one medium bag that is just under 50lbs, and one roller carryon. This is for 3.5 months. Last year we had 3 bags plus the roller bags but we had one bag just for cold weather clothes.
We do plan to buy one suitcase in Florida to take back with us to replace the one that got damaged last year and then can be filled with all the "extras" we buy in the next few months.
Someone on the Facebook cruise page warned us all that there was a breast cancer women's marathon happening. Numerous roads would be closed.
We did try to request an Uber (rate was set for 16 E to the port) but after waiting for our driver fir Iver 15 minutes, he was delayed with numerous rerouted, we cancelled it.
A taxi stand is right next to the hotel so we get in one of them. Thankfully where we were staying the marathon didn't really affect our ride. We were at the port within 15 minutes and the cost was 21.20 E (note this price reflects a 4.50 service fee to go to/from port or airport).
Time of arrival is 1130.
We dropped our bags with a porter and tipped him, although they did have a pretty efficient bag drop queue.
We then proceed to security and they had numerous screeners and no queue.
Once thru we go upstairs and enter the platinum elite queue that had no one in it. We did not have our medallions mailed to us so we had to pick it up at the pier. The agent asked for our passports, turned around and retrieved a box and handed it to us. Done!
Then right to the gangway.
We were on at 11:45. Wow so very fast.
The ship looks amazing! I have to say I have missed sailing on these Royal class ships. So much more room. Numerous venues for dining, drinking, eating.
The cabins are ready so we drop our bags. Even our mini bar setup is here. A large bouquet of flowers greets us courtesy of Neil and Monika Best of Best Dreamy Vacations. Later we also receive a cheese/cracker tray, a bottle of wine and a Stanley zthe Bear.
I am very impressed with the service we received from them and if you are looking for a cruise vacation or even land holiday reach out to them. Tell them Vickie Sent you.
we sit in Good Spirits in the Atrium and chat with Jkm and Janice. So hapoy to be on with them. Such a lovely couple. Many know Jim from the Princess Cruise Lovers Page, and he also does private tours in Halifax.
We start running into familiar faces in the crew but also many guests we know too. One reason we love Princess. So many of the crew are family now.
After unpacking, we have to iron many pieces of clothes. The laundry on our floor was busy but by the time I finished ironing three of the four washers were available.
We also put in a laundry bag for wash - an elite perk. I will advise how long it takes. Note we also will do wash ourselves as some items we don't risk in the ship's laundry/dryer.
We dress for dinner and head to elite lounge which is in the Vista Lounge. Perfect venue for it. Jim and Janice join us as we stay until our dinner reservation at 7.
We have a reservation in Santorini dining room for a private table for two. The queues to get in the dining room were divided into those with and those without reservations. It did move quickly.
I had the potato soup and then the cod. Both were very good.
We skipped dessert and went instead to Princess Live for Musical Bingo, then followed by StrikeOut. Margaret and Jim joined us.
Had a lot of fun. But we are tired. Tomorrow is Toulon France.
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