Our vacation started at 5:00 am with the alarm clock blaring. We had packed everything the night before, so we both took turns showering, before driving to the airport.
We parked the car in the economy parking lot as Sam’s plane from Phoenix was scheduled to arrive later in the afternoon. So we left the car, with some money and some peanut butter cups, for him to drive home.
We got through security easily and headed straight for coffee and chai tea, then down to our gate A-11.
Our plane was a tiny little Horizon Air jet, which only holds 40 people and we were all packed in like sardines. Thankfully we were seated in the third row, so we were last on and first off.
We arrived at Longbeach airport two hours later. The sun was out and shining and it was a big temperature jump and we both quickly started to take off layers and got into our sandals. It was a beautiful day, our vacation had truly started.
We collected our luggage and walked over to the shuttle van area. Unlike our last trip to Longbeach, this time the van was there on time and we had no issues, other than waiting for the other passengers to show up. But for $38.00 bucks, which included the tip, it was a great cheap way to get to the port.
The shuttle took about 15 minutes to get us to the port. Upon arrival we were promptly met by porters who took our checked bags off to security for us. We then walked over to main entrance to the port.
The Norwegian Star was docked and it’s HUGE! We were met at the door by NCL representatives who checked to make sure we had our passports and check in paperwork. We then walked through a security checkpoint and then right up to the check in desk. We had no real wait. We got our room keys, had our photos taken, got our boarding card number and then headed over to the waiting area.
15 minutes later we were up again and heading to the ship, and 10 minutes later we were onboard the ship. With free champagne in hand we explored the ship for a bit. The unwashed masses all headed up to the buffet. In fact, all the crew kept directing everyone to the buffet. We ignored them and waited and hit Versailles, the fancy free restaurant. We where the third customers in the doors and got a wonderful window seat with an amazing view of the dock area. Ok it was not that great of a view, but the lunch was wonderful.
Just as we were leaving the restaurant they announced the rooms where ready. So we headed up to our room, 9086, ninth deck, with a huge balcony. There were two twin beds, which we quickly merged into a queen bed. We had everything we could need, but our luggage, which had yet to arrive.
At 3:30 they announced the muster drill. We headed down to our assigned spot with our life vests. Sorry no photos. Right after the drill they announced the cast off BBQ party on deck 12. We walked up to the front of the ship and got a great spot right at the center of bow of the ship. We watched a huge cargo ship come into the port and several smaller ships sailed by. Then just when we thought the ship would never set sail, it did.
It was at this point we had our only negative moment of the day. And it came from a fellow passenger not NCL. Just as we were having our romantic setting sail moment, Anthony was shoved out of the way by a short rude man and his ugly girl friend. Fearing criminal prosecution for double homicide, we chose to LOUDLY express our displeasure and left.
We walked to the aft of the ship and were all alone and it was 100% more romantic and special. We watched the coast guard escort us out, and watched the port of LA slip away. We then headed back to our room and napped until dinner.
Dinner was an interesting event as well. The ship is really moving now so this was our first meal with motion. We ate a light dinner and had a yummy coconut soufflé for dessert. After dinner we headed right to bed.
We too lots of photos and you can see day one HERE.