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First Timer - a little nervous
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by sojourner: [QB] Sorry I didn't see this post before but I want to chime in with my two (or twenty-two) cents. First, I agree, whatever you do, don't try to catch a train to the cruise on the same day, as others have said. Second, I agree, take the SW Chief, not the Sunset Ltd, if you can. The Sunset Ltd can be excruciatingly late; the SW Chief is generally far more reliable, and the red rocks around Gallop NM that you see from the train are simply spectacular--like Sedona without the condos. Third, most of the hotels in San Diego have free shuttle service, so you can get off at the main San Diego stop (to which there are lots more Pacific Surfliner trains)--it's right downtown and a nice old station--and the hotel shuttle will likely pick you up (for free, that you will want to give a little tip, of course)--just check with your hotel in advance to make sure they ahve one. Fourth, I would actually splurge and take the SW Chief to San Diego to arrive not the day before but TWO days before your departure. San Diego is really lovely, lots to see and do (don't miss the boat to Coronado Island, and Balboa Park--no need for the zoo if you don't want, but the old part of the park is simply lovely; Old Town is very nice too), and the hotel shuttle will take you up to Balboa Park too (and you can take that cool trolley to Old Town). So getting more time in San Diego will be great, and just in case there is some problem with the train, you will be very relaxed about making sure you don't miss your cruise. I always leave a BIG cushion like that when I'm taking the train to something that I have to get to at a time certain, like a cruise. Fifth, don't worry if you miss your connection to the Pacific Surfliner in LA; you can just take the next one. If you take the SW Chief, your arrival into LAX is in the morning, so even if the SW Chief is late, you'll have plenty of time to get down to San Diego. As noted, there are lots more Surfliners to the regular San Diego stop, so if you go to that one, you should have no trouble. I don't know if all the cruise ships in San Diego leave from the same spot, but the cruise port I saw was by Downtown, not Old Town. The closest hotel was a Holiday Inn but that was rather overpriced; however, not so very far away was the Best Western Bayside Inn (be careful, there are more than one BW in SD), and that was fairly reasonable. The address was 555 W Ash. BTW, Mr Norman, I took Holland America on my only cruise, to Alaska, and the food was simply delicious--and I am kind of a foodie, as you may have noticed! It was far superior to any wedding banquet food I've ever had, though it did vary, with the best food on the first night, last night, formal night, and special staff appreciation night (or whatever it was called). What's more, we never did this, but if you wanted to spend just $20 extra a person you could eat food that was even more gourmet in a certain fancy restaurant on board. OTOH I've heard some cruise lines don't have nearly as good. So I think it depends on the cruise line and the cruise. [/QB][/QUOTE]
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