US Grant Hotel – this is the Oceania pre-cruise hotel. The U.S. Grant Hotel is a historic hotel in downtown San Diego, California. It operates under a franchise of Marriott International as part of their Luxury Collection brand. One of the oldest hotels in San Diego, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is 11 stories high and has 270 guest rooms in addition to meeting rooms and multiple ballrooms.
Amazon Delivery – we had an Amazon delivery made to the hotel. It included a number of items that we expect to use over the four-month cruise and some items that we hope that we will not need but it was best to have available. It looks like a lot of items, but I was able to pick up boxes from the concierge and consolidate the haul (2nd picture).
Oceania transported us in a bus to the cruise terminal. It took 2 hours and 30 minutes to get checked in and on the ship. Fortunately, we sat next to a couple from Orange County, California which helped the time pass quickly. Below is a photo of the passengers waiting to check in. The wait was so long that one woman fainted. Jackie asked if I was going help. I said and lose my place in line? This is now every man for himself territory….laughing. I am kidding the security staff handled it.
Oceania placed a magnet on the cabin door for the World Cruise. I will post cabin photos in a few days as it was a mess the first day with luggage all over the place.
The dinner menu for our first dinner on board.
Jackie had cauliflower fritters as an appetizer, Waldorf Salad, Potato Waffle as her main course and Mango sticky rice as her dessert. I had chilled shrimp, clam chowder and roasted strip loin. Almost forgot the killer bread that Oceania serves at dinner.
After spending six hours unpacking and still not finished, we had dinner and called it a night.
17 thoughts on “Day 1 March 7 – San Diego, California”
This is so exciting!! I will definitely be following along! So glad I met you while on the SA ~ Antarctica cruise. Sage and memorial travels!! Bon Vogaye! 🎉🍾
Thank you for the encouragement!!! I really need it with this blog thing. We have enjoyed following your latest cruise adventure…….Lane and Jackie
The itinerary that you’ve filled in so far looks great! I can’t wait to see some of the places that I haven’t traveled to yet through your pictures and info.
We had to laugh when we saw the cruise map on our bed and realized how many new places we will get to visit on this trip. I thought that I had been to some of these ports, but now realize I will pick up a bunch of new stops along the way.
This sounds super exciting. Can’t wait to see all of your adventures.
Thank you Mary!!! This afternoon we attended a presentation that had me thinking of Houston. It was about the Project Azorian with the US Navy hunting and trying to recover a Russian submarine in the early 70’s
Have a wonderful time! We’ll look forward to reading about all your adventures!
Hey!!!! How are you guys doing? Thank you for following along on the blog. Doing interim was easier than this….laughing
Blessed are you. Lord our God, for you have created a wide and wonderful world in which we can travel. We ask Your blessing upon Lane and Jackie as they are about to leave on a trip. May You, Holy Guide of Travelers, be their ever near companion, spreading the road before them with beauty and adventure. May the blessing of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit be upon you throughout this trip; may it shield you from all harm and bring you home again in safety. Amen Edward Hays
Good Luck, be safe, and enjoy your adventure.
Thank you Joycelyn. We hope that you are able to follow the blog and also get this reply.
Have an amazing trip! Definitely looking forward to being on this trip through your posts and pictures. Bon Voyage!
Thank you for following our trip. If you have any suggestions or things you would like to see us post more on, please let me know.
The start of what promises to be an extraordinary trip filled with memories. Soak it all in and many thanks for bringing us along in your adventure.
The first few days have been great except the time zone changes is killing me. I am waking up at 4am (we are 5 hours behind down the bayou right now).
Love the blog already, only one day in, excited to follow along and hear about your journey. Hope y’all have an awesome time on this epic trip!
Thank you for following our journey. If you have any suggestions or ideas, send those to me.