This short cruise was an easy commute to the San Francisco pier from our suburban home, and even better at its discounted price.

Embarkation is complicated because the pier is located on the Embarcadero where there is no parking, very limited passenger and luggage dropoff at the curb or double parked in the street. the luggage handlers are very aggressive, demanding a tip to take bags, unlike Florida or San Diego where the workers suggest a tip. My San Francisco Longshoreman friend said it is more of a ripoff because the workers are paid full union scale and the tip increases their income to about $500/day each. Checking in was rapid, sooner than the specified "no earlier than noon". There are many seats where one can wait inside, but registration clerks were rapid if each passenger had passport, ticket data, and the form you signed on entry saying that you had not been sick over the past few days. The walk to the ship is long, and there are no escalators. The elevator is small hence long lines were there. Arrival on the ship requires the usual photo, but no one escorts passengers to cabins, but we got directions easily. We got a lunch in the buffet, which was crowded as it always was at breakfast and lunch.

The cabin was adequate and clean, although there were ceiling marks from some prior leak. Air conditioning, flat screen TV, refrigerator all worked normally, there were no bathroom issues. Read more