11-10 Home to Los Angeles

 

This post is based primarily on Don's notes, occasionally supplemented with MT's notes from our cruise in November-December 2023. When information from other sources is added—for further explanation to readers or to satisfy our own curiosity—that is set off in a text box (as this one).
Most of the photos that accompany this post are from Don’s camera (with a caption indicating the time it was taken); those from MT’s iPhone are indicated by “MT” placed at the beginning of the photo caption. Photos from any other source (such as the public domain Wikimedia Commons), occasionally used for clarification, indicate that source in the caption.

The Viking Daily newsletter showed today's weather forecast as "Partly Cloudy 78° F" and "Sunrise: 6:20 AM."

At 4:45 am, we were picked up by the airport shuttle for a 30-minute trip to KCI airport.

Delta Flight 1006 departed KCI at 6:35 am for Los Angeles.

MT Friday, November 10, ‎2023, 7‏‎:08 AM - KCI Airport: view, from MT's window, of Delta Planes on tarmac.

We landed at Los Angeles at 8:15 am and deplaned at 8:35.

After claiming our bags, we met Viking representatives in the Baggage Claim area and waited (for the pier to open) until 9:35.

Then they led us out to the Ground Transport area to wait for the bus, from around 10:00 to 11:15 (the bus was delayed by a traffic accident).

We arrived at the Viking Star at 12:00 noon and checked in around 12:30. We received our key cards for our stateroom, although we would have to wait until later to enter the room.

Saturday, November 11, ‎2023, ‏‎6:24 AM - Viking Star: Don's stateroom key card.

Saturday, November 11, ‎2023, ‏‎6:24 AM - Viking Star: other side of Don's stateroom key card, with photo of Viking Star (or another identical ship in the Viking fleet).

From our previous Viking ocean cruises  on this and other identical ships, we knew that the Pool Grill on Deck 7 opened at 11:30 am, so we immediately headed there for our favorite quick lunch of Seared Ahi Tuna, with sides of onion marmalade, the salad bar, and  red wine.

We met a young couple, Bob and Jeanine, who were at the next table. When they learned that Don was a veteran, Bob presented him with a challenge coin that said "Thank You for Your Service" on one side and "Proud of You Veterans" on the other.

A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion, bearing a military organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by the organization’s members. Traditionally, they might be given to prove membership in the organization. Historically, challenge coins were presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievement by a member of the unit. They could also be exchanged in recognition of visits to an organization.

Friday, November 10, ‎2023, ‏‎4:33 PM - Viking Star: challenge coin.

4:33 PM - Viking Star: other side of challenge coin.

The coin came in a plastic case and a hand-written that said "FB Group: Service Stones" (we would later learn that FB stood for Friends of Bill, and the Viking Daily newsletter would say when and where the group would meet during the cruise. The note also said the following:

"Bill was one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. He had an infectious smile which he shared freely. Bill never  served in the military, but he had a deep appreciation for those who had. The Military Appreciation Challenge Coin, which you are holding, was purchased by Bill before his passing." It also had a URL for a web site with the obituary for William Glover.

Don was grateful for this gesture, although he did not attend any of the group meetings.

At 1 pm, the ship's loud speakers announced that we could enter our stateroom.

However, we first went to the Chef's Table desk on Deck 1 and made additional special dining reservations, one for Manfredi's Italian Restaurant (6 pm today) and two for Chef's Table.

Then, we went to our stateroom to unpack our suitcases, which had been delivered to the room.

In the stateroom, we found the bottle of sparking wine that came with the Penthouse Veranda room. However, we were surprised to find a cheesecake that apparently came because, when making our cruise reservation, Viking had asked if we were celebrating any special events, and MT had told them this cruise was in celebration of our 50th anniversary (although the anniversary would not be until the next year).

MT 2:24 PM - Viking Star: sparking wine and cake.

MT 2:37 PM - Viking Star: view, from our balcony, of bridge in Los Angeles harbor.

MT 2:56 PM - Viking Star: Don and MT with sparking wine.

4:34 PM - Viking Star: MT with sparking wine and cake.

5:14 PM - Viking Star: Don's baggage tag for stateroom 5014 (Deck 5 on port side aft).

From 5:00 to 5:30, we went for a walk on the track around Deck 2.

5:25 PM - Viking Star: view, from track on Deck 2, of bridge in Los Angeles harbor; the Viking Daily said sunset would be at 4:52 pm (mild telephoto 41 mm).

As we were heading for Manfredi's at 6:00, the ship was preparing to set sail for our first stop at Hilo, Hawaii (2165 nautical miles  in 5 days at sea).

At 6 pm, we arrived at Manfredi's Italian Restaurant on Deck 1.

6:09 PM - Viking Star: Manfredi's dinner menu; a note at the bottom of the menu said: "Should you have any food allergies, please let your waiter know and we will be happy to assist." (We were careful to do that at all meals, due to Don's ginger allergy).

We both had caprese for Antipasti (appetizers). For the Primi Piatti (first course), we shared the Pasta del Giorno (pasta of the day, which was seafood) from the Specialita dello Chef (chef's special) part of the menu. For the Secondi Piatti (second/main course), Don had Parmegiana di Pollo (Chicken Parmesan) so large he couldn't finish it), and MT chose to select Pescato del Giorno (fish of the day) from the chef's special part of the menu. We both had red wine.

At 7 pm, Don went to the The Restaurant (Deck 2) to request menus for ordering dinners, starting the next day. On previous cruises, we had done this because of Don's ginger allergy.

Then we ordered room service breakfast for Saturday morning.

We checked the Viking Daily newsletter for Saturday, which had arrived while we were at dinner, for things to do onboard the next day.