Tuesday September 30th ~We'd chosen an excursion that left the dock at 9:45am which meant we had to be off the ship at least by 9:30am. I'd put out an order for room service breakfast to save time getting ready. I'm one of those people that has to eat within about 30 minutes of getting up or I get a headache and generally feel awful. Well, that's fine at home but on the ship it means get up, get a shower, get dressed, get "my face on", dry my hair~it can't be done in 30 minutes. So the only way I've figured to make these early departures work is "Room Service." Bob, had a cup of the coffee I'd ordered and then went up to the Windjammer to the breakfast buffet. So I had time to do what I needed to do by myself.
My friend Judy from high school who lives in San Diego (but had to work this particular day) said "If you went to the Zoo last time, take the SEAL this time." So that's what we did. The SEAL is a boat and it's a bus. They have these things in San Francisco and also in Seattle. Perhaps other places too but those are the ones I know about for sure.
We got a narrated tour thru San Diego before splashing down into the waters of San Diego Bay. We cruised past Navy ships, tugboats and fishing vessels. We saw hundreds of seals, birds and other marine life. We also passed by the area where the Navy trains dolphins for maneuvers. We could see the dolphins jumping in their large sea pens. The day was sunny and warm, the view of San Diego from the water was breath taking~it was a beautiful day.
looking out across the harbor at the San Diego skyline
The following pictures were taken as we passed a huge bait/fuel dock. They all hang out here waiting for a handout.
When we were through with our harbor cruise, the SEAL crawled up the boat ramp and became a street vehicle again. The Captain & the First Mate (the gal doing the narration) went down underneath the thing and pulled out the seaweed that had collected on the wheels as they were folded under the craft.
We had sort of planned on visiting the Midway Museum which was just across from where our ship was docked but it was so hot by the time we got back to the ship, neither one of us felt like walking over there so we just got back on board and got some lunch and then relaxed by the pool the rest of the afternoon. We would have only have had a couple hours at the museum~not enough time for sure. 
The Midway Museum
Cruisers soaking up the sun
San Diego Skyline
We got back in time to take in the Men's Sexy Leg Contest at poolside. This competition was a big hit with the crowd. (No, Bob didn't participate)
I took this picture of the ship's bow while we were still at dockside in San Diego.
Even on an 88* plus day folks will gather here
the brave ones were climbing "The Wall"
these guys were shooting some hoops
this couple were playing ping pong.
From the ship we could see planes landing & taking off at the San Diego Airport. They say one lands or takes off every 90 seconds~after watching I believe it !!
When it was time to leave San Diego, we were at the railing as we pulled out of the harbor. Again we had San Diego Harbor Police and the Pilot boat guiding us out to sea. And a warm breeze blowing our hair.
We left the Midway behind
A Navy helicopter coming in
The Pilot jumped back onto his little boat after we got out far enough.
6:35pm the sun is setting off San Diego, CA
At 7pm the ship's Captain Rick Sullivan held a "Welcome Aboard" reception where he told us about the ship and introduced all the people in charge of the different areas of the ship. These big ships have a crew of around 400-500 people ( or more)working all thru out the ship. There are many department heads supervising them.
There is so much to do on these ships, if you did everything on the schedule you would never sleep. There are activities such as dancing into the wee hours of the morning.
But not for two old people....no way!
(Note: if you click on they pictures they become almost full screen)
Wednesday ~ Catalina Island
