We didn’t have a horribly early start to disembarkation day. Sabatini’s was open from 6:30 to 8:30am, and we were out of our cabin and at breakfast around 7:30am. Knowing it was going to be a long, food-less day, we both had omelets and a fruit plates and cappuccinos and mimosas..oh my. There was no holding back today.
It was so convenient to simply roll our carryons from Sabatini’s down to Club Fusion. We got there by 9am and our group was called exactly on time, at 9:15am. We walked off the Sapphire right there on Deck 7, went down one escalator in the terminal, boarded a bus and were pulling away at 9:29am. Unbelievable. Still, navigating out of that confusing parking garage area, and making our way to the airport took awhile, and it was 10:20am when we arrived at YVR. We managed to avoid the rain drops, entered the terminal, claimed our luggage…
…and waited. That was really our only hitch of the day. Our flight wasn’t until 3pm, and the earlier flights were already full. We couldn’t check out bags until noon, so we settled in for a wait. At least we had seats (but no charging outlets).
Global Entry got us a shorter security line, but we still had to remove shoes and liquids. We were able to bypass Passport Control altogether, and did a facial scan at a Global Entry kiosk. That’s all it took, we were greeted by name by the US immigration officer and, due to Global Entry, never even had to show our passports. We were back in the US before we boarded the plane in Vancouver.
Luckily, we live near a major airport and didn’t have a connection, as so many of our fellow cruisers who were on the plane with us did. Because that Paxlovid is tough on the tummy, and I was ready to be home. Michelle picked us up and we walked in the door by 8pm. As far as travel days go, that was an easy one. In fact, the entire cruise was as pain free as possible. We loved it.
Still, I have cancelled the Sapphire Antarctica cruises we had booked, just before their final payment dates. It’s a combination of things: that’s not exactly Antarctica as I want to do it, but the larger reason is the unknowns surrounding my mom. We may end up jumping on board at the last minute. It’s just too uncertain right now to be that far from home. G is booked on some Regal Princess cruises in the Caribbean, and I can join him, or not, as family things and McGee’s Cross Country schedule allows.
Our Sapphire Princess experience was so positive that I would cruise anywhere, anytime on that ship…if no other issues existed. Seeing Awesome Ambrish again, having the incredible dinner waiters Chandra and Paresh, Judith and Sonu at the juice bar (which I loved), party band Gravity, waiter Hadley at Alfredo’s…so many people had such a significant positive impact on our cruise. Love Princess crews! They really are the best.
Still, my future cruising plans are on hold, but could resume at any time. But it is certainly nice to take a break after a positive experience, with good memories at the forefront. Thanks for following along! Keep cruising, keep blogging, because I love following your travels too.
Until next time…stay well and happy.
