Angie and Mark’s Wedding (Guide)
Hello everyone, and thank you so much for joining us the celebrate our upcoming marriage on the Discovery Princess cruise from October 5-12.
This page is meant to include everything we can think of that you might want to know to plan your week. This is an evolving page with important information. It is based on the ship’s schedule, which can change as we get closer to sailing.
Our cell phone should be on during most of the cruise, both in port and on the ship:
Mark 213-364-9453
Angie 310-961-0961
Those who booked through Melaura are in Group TQH, and all of us are cross referenced (including kids, etc) with the code AG5.
If you haven’t yet done so, please download the “Princess Cruises” app for your Apple or Andorid phone from the app store. There are things, such as restaurant reservations, you can only do on the app. It is very useful during your journey.
PRINCESS’ FAQs:
Preparing for your Cruise
https://www.princess.com/en-us/faq/pre-cruise
Your Onboard Experience
https://www.princess.com/en-us/faq/onboard-experience
Packing for Your Trip
https://www.princess.com/en-us/blog/cruise-tips/tips-on-what-to-pack-for-a-cruise
What Not to Do
https://www.princess.com/en-us/blog/cruise-tips/cruise-mistakes-to-avoid
Our Ship, The Discovery Princess (lot of info, including dining option, deck maps, venues, entertainment, spa, and kids programs)
https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/ships/xp-discovery-princess
Our Voyage Booking Page with general information
https://www.princess.com/cruise-search/details/?voyageCode=X441
Pro Tips:
If you have a Passport, bring it. If not, there are provisions to use a birth certificate and an ID. It is in the Preparing for Your Cruise FAQ.
There are very limited outlets, and most things won’t plug in in the bathroom (except razors). Hard dryers are provided. No lit flames of any kind of any reason, and no recreational drugs (including marijuana). You can bring one bottle of wine per person. If you aren’t sure what to bring, Google is a great resource. There is no limit on weight or number of bags, but they can take some time to get to your room, so I bring a carryon with my valuables and clothing for the first dinner.
Watch your cell phone use, it can be confusing, and EXPENSIVE if not properly. I can help. The best bet is to put your cell phone in airplane mode at sail away and when the ship is at sea (or in Mexico if you don’t have coverage there). You can keep wifi on. Some carriers allow you to use wifi calling without a charge, some don’t. It may help to call your carrier and ask specifically about calling from Mexico (for Ensenada) and using wi-fi calling at sea. Cell phone calls without wi-fi calling are VERY expensive, as is data. Check your plan.
Many of our guests are experienced cruisers and have been on this ship before, so if this is new to you, don’t hesitate to ask for guidance or help!
Gifts
Most of the time people say this and they don't mean it, but we do. We have everything we need, and the thing that is by far of the greatest value to us you have already given it to us. It makes us so happy that you've chosen to spend the week, not to mention the money, to join us. That is all the gift that we could possibly want. Don't buy us anything. Besides, we just replaced the toaster.
Do you get seasick?
This used to be a major thing for Mark, and he used the patch for years. Emily Lesher (with my undying gratitude) introduced us to this crazy electronic bracelet, and it changed our lives. Carsick, seasick, motion sick in any way,? Not with this Anti-Nausia Wristband! It’s well worth the cost and you’ll use it in the future. Other options include medication and a seasick patch. Just reach out to Mark to discuss if you are concerned.
Our Group Itinerary
Add our iCal Wedding Calendar to your Phone:
If the button above doesn’t function on your device, this is the direct link. As odd as it may sound, the easiest way to add it is to copy it and email it to yourself, then click on the link in the email. Android users can follow these instructions to add this to a Google Calendar (be aware that iCal Calendars can take several days to update to a Google Calendar).
webcal://p37-caldav.icloud.com/published/2/NzE1Nzk4MDA3MTU3OTgwMNhMD8o97aH_ga-rB68gWTmnfZ-jCtuCiK0Z5yAfh8WgsfLB2lEtv34UdEGI1zklTW5muOfq4D5FRZBxeb6QpfI
We hope to see a great deal of all of you, and are sharing our current itinerary to help you plan your experience.
We’ve CAPITALIZED what we consider to be key parts of our group wedding experience that we hope everyone will attend. We’ve also added lots of other events we plan on being at, we hope to spend as much of that time with all of you as your schedule and desires permit.
The dinner after the ceremony is adults only for our wedding guests, but your kids and guests are welcome and encouraged to join us for everything else!
Speaking of kids, many of you will be bringing kids, and we are happy to have them. There is more info on their programs in the Discovery Princess link above.
Some of our schedule will very much be “by ear”, and we welcome company then as well. We are staying on the ship for a second week for just ourselves, so don’t feel like you are intruding while you are cruising with us - we want to spend as much time with all of you as possible!
While we will be in the Juno (main) dining room most nights, we still suggest that you consider making your own specialty dining reservations (they can book up in advance, so consider doing so on the app now). The upgrade cost is usually well worth the value, and I’m happy to make suggestions based on your preferences.
Our assigned Dining Room is the Juno Dining Room, which is on Deck Five, and right off the Piazza.
Throughout our journey, we’ve found it’s great to have a regular spot to hang out at. Somewhere to meet before dinner, grab a drink, or a place to find our group in the afternoon. The Good Spirits Bar, on Deck 5, in the Piazza, is an ideal location at the center of the ship and right by the Juno Dining Room.
SATURDAY, October 5
(Departing from The Port of Los Angeles)
You are going to the Los Angeles World Cruise Center to board the ship.
100 Swinford St, San Pedro, CA 90731
When you arrive, you can always call or text us.
Parking at the pier is about $15/day if you want to leave your car. Princess will provide information on how and when to board, but rest assured that once you arrive you’ll be directed to where you need to go. Expect some lines, the check in process usually takes 30-40 mins in total, but sometimes more.
There are no limits on luggage, so bring what you like. You can check your bags and they will be left by your room by around dinner time. I still hold on to real valuables, but be prepared that your room may not be fully ready for you when you board (it’s a lot of work for them to get everything ready for us).
Most people head to the buffet for lunch, and it’s the worst time of the entire cruise to be there. You can get great pizza and hamburgers by the Pools on Deck 16.
The first big event of any cruise is “Sail Away”. As the ship leaves the dock and heads out to sea, it’s a great time to celebrate (they will have dancers and other entertainment.
We hope you will join us on Deck 16 (where the pools are), by “Slice”, which is the outside Pizza station. This is usually around 3pm. (If the weather is bad, then the meeting at Good Spirits will be out fallback option).
WE PLAN TO GATHER ALL OF US FOR DINNER IN THE JUNO/MAIN DINING ROOM AT 5:30pm.
SUNDAY, October 6 - THE BIG DAY!
(Catalina 8am-6pm)
Wedding Events 5pm-10pm
Angie will be spending the day privately with her daughter.
Mark will be heading out to Catalina and invites you to join him for an Aerial Adventure. (These things are really fun!) There are limited spots, so check out the details and sign up now! (Oct 6 at 11am)
COME TO THE SANCTUARY (on deck 18 - you need to use the elevators at the FRONT of the ship to get there) FROM 5:45pm-6:45pm. (This is an updated time and location.) THIS IS OUR CEREMONY. Please arrive on time, and wear something nice. This is for invited guests, and their kids are also welcome.
There will be a break in the planned events from 6:45pm until dinner (see below).
(If you have kids, you can use this time to take them to the buffet, and drop them at the kid’s centers on Deck 17 in the back of the ship before you join us for dinner.)
THE CATCH RESTAURANT (on deck 5). We’ve made reservations for our adult invited guests. Come hungry! Dinner is on us. The restaurant has a limited capacity for a group of our size, so half of us will be seated at 7:3pm, and the other half at 8pm.
Dance the Night Away with us at whatever venue is (hopefully) offering music and dancing, time and location TBD.
MONDAY, October 7
(at Sea)
Dinner in the Juno/Main Dining Room at 5:30pm. This is one of the two “Formal Nights” on the ships and a great reason to dress up. While not everyone respects the dress code, we thinks it’s more fun if we all get at least a little bit dressed up!
Evening gown, cocktail dress or elegant pant suit for women.
Tuxedo, dark suit or dinner jacket and slacks for men.
TUESDAY, October 8
(San Francisco 8am - 10pm)
For your reference, we will likely be docking at Pier 27 in San Francisco.
Getting your own tickets to Alcatraz is far less expensive than purchasing through the ship, and it’s a very short walk away. We are taking the Alcatraz Day Tour on Oct 8 at 11am and invite you to join us:
City Experiences Alcatraz Day Tour
With a late night in port, we thought it would be fun to have dinner in SF. We’ve found a great Moroccan restaurant and made reservations for us at 6pm. We are working on it.
At 10:30pm there is a “BACK TO THE 80’S PARTY” in The Piazza. Dress 80’s if you like, but we hope you’ll come either way if you’re still up.
WEDNESDAY, October 9
(at Sea)
Join us for Lunch in the dining room (available on sea days only) at noon.
DINNER IN THE JUNO/MAIN DINING ROOM at 5:30pm. This is the second “Formal Night” and we hope you will all be there to join us for dinner.
“Spotlight Bar” Production show at 9:30pm.
THURSDAY, October 10
(San Diego 8am - 10pm)
There isn’t much to do in this port, so for us we will likely stay on board and enjoy the quieter ship, OR, we just discovered the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier (Museum) is right next door to our ship, so that’s another option.
(This is the only night we won’t be available for dinner.)
How can we not do the “Marriage Match” game in the Vista Lounge that evening?
FRIDAY, October 11
(Ensenada 8am - 5pm)
Join us as well stroll the streets of Ensenada. We will meet at Good Spirits at 11am so we can all leave together. If you’d like to join us, plan on walking a few miles throughout the morning.
Drinks and lunch at Papas and Beer in Ensenada at 1:00pm.
OUR LAST DINNER SHOULD BE TOGETHER, JOIN US IN THE JUNO/MAIN DINING ROOM at 5:30pm.
We can wrap the week with a Tribute to Elton John in the Princess Theatre at 9:30pm.
SATURDAY, October 12
(Back to Los Angeles)
The ship docks in the morning - thank you so much for joining us!