Harbour Boat tour

Woke up this morning and André checks Facebook and first thing he sees is Jill and John asking if our cruise is still on.  No clue what they are talking about, the time difference has us behind on the news.  It turns out there has been a terrible earthquake in Japan, and tsunami warnings for the west coast of the US.  First thing I think of is should we be heading inland, we turn on the news and it is supposed to arrive in 45 minutes.  If you watch the news it sounds like we are in big trouble, but the hotel has not issued any warnings, the news is asking us not to go near the beaches. 

We have a tour booked at 9:00 am of the harbour by speedboat, looks like that is cancelled since the “wave” is supposed to hit at 8:40.  We decide to head out, go and get some breakfast, on our way we decide to stop by the tour place first to find out our options for rescheduling, I had tried calling from the hotel but could not get an answer.  We get to the marina and they say that the tour is on, but they will delay in for ½ hour. 

The marina has a small restaurant that serves breakfast at the back so off we go for breakfast and to wait out the tsunami wave.  I know this is nothing to be made fun of, and there are many many people suffering through this, but to have watched TV this morning and heard the American views on what was going to happen in California was so over reacted that it became a joke to us and everyone else that was there at the time. 

So having survived the tsunami off we go, we are the only ones on the tour, which was fantastic.  André started driving one boat with the 2 boys, and Joey drove ours, and the guide of course led the way.  It was quite foggy this morning, so not the best views, but it was a fun way to see the city harbour.  We went by what he called the “bait” shed, this had pretty much been taken over by seals and pelicans, fun to see, I love seeing the seals in the water.  There are some beautiful sailboats in the marina and in the harbour.  Lots of military boats, aircraft are going around as San Diego is the largest Navy base in the US and one of the 3 navy seals training locations. 

We also got to see our cruise ship coming in to port, because of the tsunami warnings they had decided to stay at sea rather than in port, we saw it at about 10:30, it was supposed to be in at 6:30, I imagine there were a few passengers panicking over their flights. 

We were between a destroyer and the cruise ship at one point, pretty impressive.  We were also followed by the police for a while. I guess they didn't want us getting too close to the ships.  Kyle got to switch up with André part way through as driver, I'm sure he loved that.  Again I am reminded that Kyle is not the fastest driver ever, seems like I got stuck behind him at Disney on a driving ride too.  The boats went about 30mph, when you hit the waves it was pretty bumpy.  The tour guide mentioned to us the bigger the ship the worse the driver, the kids loved this joke.  Joey and Kyle both managed to stall the boats, but Joey impressed me when she got it going again before we were taken out by the destroyer!  A great was to spend the morning.

After our tour we went back to the hotel for noon check out.  Check in for the ship was 12:30 – 2:30 so we were going to leave the luggage at the dock, and some would then return the rental van and then walk back.  We arrive at the dock and are shocked by all the people.  I thought it might be busy because of the late arrival, but this was crazy!!  There were still people getting off the ship, and the line to get on was I'm sure over a mile long. 

We decided this was not a good plan to wait now, so we phone the rental company for the van and find out we have until 4:00 to return the van so we are out of there with our luggage to do something else besides wait in line.  We decide to go over to Coronado Island over the bridge to see the beach and put our feet in the water. 

It is much colder here today than yesterday, but Joey and the boys put their feet in. I pass as yesterday was good enough for me.  We spend a little time just driving around, and walking on the beach, then head off again to the pier. 

André and Kyle return the van. Joey Liam and I wait at the pier with our luggage.  It takes them about 30 minutes to get back to the pier from dropping off the van.  By now the line has disappeared!  We basically walk right on to drop off our luggage.  We do need to wait a bit once we get in the building to go through all the process of check in, but it is nothing compared to others.  The couple right in front of us had been in line for 3 hours, we didn't wait 3 minutes, I am so glad we took off and came back later in the day. 

Our cabins are ready when we get on board, but our luggage has not arrived.  We surprise Joey and the boys as we have upgraded to a balcony room right across from them, instead of right beside them on the inside.  We don't realize how great this will actually turn out to be until later in the trip.  Our luggage still hasn't arrived when it is time for dinner, so we are starting off the cruise quite casual. 

We have chosen your time dining, which I think we will really enjoy. You can go whenever you like between 5:45 and 8:30.  I really think this new option for Carnival is excellent, some choose to select a set early or late dining, but they also offer this now.  We will not have the same table or waiter every night, but we can request one if we want.  Dinner is very good, portions are not huge, but you can get as many as you like. 

We are up on deck at about 8:00 PM when we sail away, very impressive seeing the San Diego skyline at night sailing out, I think this was probably better than in the day.  André and I go to the first show which gives a little introduction of some of the acts that will be on during the week. We'll have to try to get in to see the comedy acts, both comedians were quite funny.  Off to be early tonight, our first of 2 sea days to start the cruise is tomorrow.  No idea what time Kyle gets home, his activities are scheduled way past my bedtime, I will be asleep. Glad he's not sharing with us this cruise!