California Cruise - Day 1 - Santa Barbara

Day 1, our first full day, was spent mostly at Santa Barbara (home of Psych). This was also Easter Sunday so many of the winery's were closed, as were many of the shops. Fortunately, most of the shops and things near the beach were open.

Fun Easter display in the atrium. Most other decorations were simply pastel colored streamers. Nothing like going overboard in decorations.

This was also our first experience at tendering. Since the city does not have a harbor deep enough for the ship, passengers are ferried to and from the ship via tenders. in our case, they use several of the lifeboats. At first we were nervous, having been told that Princess policy was not to tender wheelchair passengers, then to be told they would if the seas were not rough. We hoped for the later and found the whole experience to be fine. There is also a comfort to know the ship crew practices with the tenders and knows what they are doing.

The ship is huge, even from the shore.

The beach was nearly deserted but it was early and a holiday.

They even had beach bunnies!

Along the beach is a pier with assorted shops and restaurants, including Moby Dick's, where Dorie took DeeAnn several years ago when Dorie lived in Santa Barbara.

City scenes of Santa Barbara. Lots of nice palm trees. We always know we are in California when we see palm trees.


Santa Barbara as seen from the ship and tender.

The ship, as seen from the tender.

And the day ends too quickly.