Take a number - 3800 arriving for check-in
Yokohama Cruise Terminal
Well, here we go. Part 2 of the celebrating 70s adventure. This had been the challenge in the planning and preparation - to try and find a ship that was leaving #Tokyo around the time of our #Inspring Vacation end date. @Mac found the perfect connection in this repositioning cruise of the #Royal Princess that cruises up the east coast of #Japan, makes a trans Pacific crossing and ducks in and out of ports from #Alaska to #Vancouver. And obviously, with disembarkation so close to #Whistler we will get to spend a couple of weeks with @M&I.
So long #Tokyo - let's head to the ship
Thanks goodness @Mac had been quietly persistent with the dry run of the elevator run last night. Saturday is definitely not a quiet day in the subway and on suburban trains - it would have been traumatic without that reconnaissance.
Stuffed everything in the bags, checked out comfortably by 8 am and made our way through the throngs to present ourselves at the ticket office of the #JR line.
Of course, we encountered #Madam Officious here - the first one in our 20 days - but she was only doing her job and luckily we did have the cash to cover it.
The problem dates "way back." It all started when our replacement credit cards were delivered over 12 months ago and we dutifully signed them. Turns out, we signed each other's card. @Mac's card has my signature on it and of course, my card has his signature. Now, we travelled all last year - and were not called on the mismatch once. What usually happens is that @Mac hands over the card and then I sign the docket - so card and signature match. Been no worries.
Until yesterday. The combined fare on that morning was the equivalent of $9.80 AUD. And full praise to #Madam Officious - she picked it ... I signed, but she would tell I wasn't "Mr Wayne" and with much waving of the hand and many "No, no, no" she proceeded to shred the tickets in front of us - was sort of like a little dramatic performance.
Went to Plan B - and were thankful that she issued the tickets - for cash - to the obvious big-time scammers - at one point we were expecting the "ninja" police to jump out from behind the screens.
We were too embarrassed to get specific instructions to the #JR line so followed our instincts. Um, fail. Turns out we weren't looking for the "purple line" that was shown on @Mac's well-worn subway map - when in fact we need the "orange line." First time the tickets and the maps haven't lined up but we did find it thanks to the helpful attendant who hadn't yet received the memo about the scammers on the loose.
So two hours and thirteen minutes later at 10:13 am we were on the right platform and ready for the train to take us to #Yokohama. So far we had travelled just 2 kms since we left the room.
We couldn't believe our eyes when 3 minutes later the train pulled to a stop. We looked at each other at exactly the same moment and in unison mouthed "Oh $h!t." It was jam packed and I had no idea how we were going to fit in amongst the strollers, suitcases, backpacks and boxes, not to mention PEOPLE that were already on board.
As a small gap opened as some passengers left the train, @Mac just barrelled through and somehow got all our bits and bobs on. As a seat became available, I took it and somehow the train continued to fill at each of its next two stops. At the 20-minute mark we disgorged with hundreds of others and found ourselves in a queue with the strollers for the lift. Patience.
It was the halfway mark and we decided it was time for breakfast and took the first restaurant we could find and patted ourselves on the back - the hard part was over.
Next challenge was to get a taxi. Google Maps advised we could walk to the port in 2 hours and 13 minutes - and I was thanking every deity known that @Mac hadn't thought this was a possibility and good sense prevailed!
Joined a queue of about a hundred to get a cab and then whizzed at 100 kph in a 60 kph zone across the bridge to join the stalled traffic jam to access the harbour. Seems that 3 800 passengers had been given that same noon boarding time and every taxi in #Yokohama was waiting to drop off their passengers.
Have to admit we have never experienced anything like these queues to board a ship. The saving grace was that despite the ominous cloud cover that blanketed the sky, it didn't rain. Most people were polite and patient in the queue (only one lady knocked me out of the way 3 times with her orange bag) and eventually we were peeled off into a "priority" queue.
Staff were offering water and calming words - but it really was a warehouse processing station and we snaked through endless lines to finally board at 1.30 pm. We'd only travelled 34 kms from our hotel in @Tokyo but I can tell you we were glad that 8 till 1:30 challenge was behind us.
We were rewarded for our patience and persistence though. Have the most amazing digs for this 23-day cruise. A suite, right at the front of the ship - huge sitting room and separate bedroom, bathroom with full sized bath and a balcony big enough to host a party.
So excited to unpack everything and rediscover what was in the hidden nooks and crannies of our luggage. Cupboards, coat hangers and drawers to spare. Comfortable bed, chairs and couches, outdoor setting an sun chairs and @Allan to look after us. The magnetic hooks are on the walls - we have our medallions and all the details we need in the APP on our phones. Only one negative - according to @Mac - the toilet seat is cold! But he did say he could send me in first to warm it up.
Got our priorities right and soon found food and drink and tapped into the ease of ordering with the -#Medallion. Pretty cool actually - got interactive maps that show your location on the ship and can plot a route for you to your destination (very handy for me), includes the daily schedule, has ordering capacity to get deliveries to any location on-board, built-in chat features for your nominated "ship mates", opens your staterooms and means that staff members address you by name as you place an order.
@Allan is looking after us and has made sure everything is on hand. We easily found a late lunch snack and set up our wi-fi connection. Headed for the upper decks for the Sail Away party - a little funny actually because despite being scheduled to leave at 5 pm - we were delayed in Port and it was closer to 7.30 before we were under way. Certainly didn't temper the mood of the party and not sure anyone noticed we were still docked!
Got a little surprise at dinner because we have a priority dining area as part of our "Reserve Collection" booking - very posh - no lining up for us - straight to the table and tonight a little twosome by the window. Everything perfect- food, wine and service. And the second surprise at dinner was the wait staff gathering around to sing "Happy Birthday" for me and top it off with a special little cake dessert.
We skipped the show - a comedian tonight - and opted instead for the sanctuary of our home for the next 23 days. Welcome aboard the "Royal Princess."
Weather: 24 degrees and cloud cover - thank goodness, no rain
Steps: 8930 - we are adding taking "up flights" of stairs for a few flights, rather than the lift, to our on board routine
KEEP CALM THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age. Lucille Ball
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