With all the discussion about luxury cruising and who wears what when, I was thrilled to see the following video celebrating the 100th anniversary of the camp where my son spends a good part of his summer: Keewaydin. My daughter now goes to the sister camp close by: Songadeewin.
The best part of the camp is that kids get to be kids. The boys live in tents, use handmade wood canoes, kayak, hike and just have lots of fun.
Venice or Vermont...a tough (but excellent) choice!
Showing posts with label iamboatman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iamboatman. Show all posts
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Yacht Report's 100th Edition: Iamboatman's Thoughts About the Future of Superyachts Are Published
Yesterday I received an email from a truly innovated, environmentally responsible, yacht designer in France congratulating me on my new article in The Yacht Report's 100th edition.
I was, to be honest, caught off guard as I did not recall writing a new article and, as it is a United Kingdom publication, its U.S. distribution is generally about 2 weeks later than Europe's.
Today I went on line to one of my favorite websites, The Yacht Report's http://www.synfo.com/ and downloaded the lastest edition. And there it was: A full page of my thoughts on the future of superyachts...something I had written in response to an email request some months ago, put into a very nice article.
I consider it quite an honor for what I believe to be the most relevant, highest quality, yachting publication to so prominently include me in its 100th edition. So Martin, Tork and all the rest of the TYR group I want to say, "Thank You."
If you are interested in reading my thoughts...and you wouldn't be reading this far if you weren't, would you?...here you go:
Friday, October 3, 2008
Goldring Travel's 2008 Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit: Travelogue Part II
Still being blessed with wonderful weather we arrived in Fethiye, Turkey; a small yachting and tourist town near some very interesting historical and beach sites. Having traveled in the area fairly extensively in the past (including chartering a gulet - a Turkish wooded sailing yacht- for a private Blue Water Cruise a few years ago...but that is another topic) we used the day to relax, stroll around the town, permit my wife to start getting back into speaking Turkish, and later to meet up with my brother-in-law and his family who coincidentally were visiting Fethiye on holidays from Scotland. After picking up some local wines (sort of a challenge in Turkey) we enjoyed a very good typical Turkish lunch of various kebabs and yogurt with some local wines at a local restaurant. This was, of course, followed by a well deserved restful soak in the "secret" forward hot tub.
The captain, Geir-Arne, my good friend, invited my group to the bridge for the sail away from Fethiye and, with my good "supervision" of course, he did a great job missing the dock and setting us out to the open ocean; charming everyone as always "aboard yourrrrrrr Seeeeaboooorrrn Spirit"! It was then off to get ready for a wonderful dinner at the Captain's Table for dinner. With the Captain charming everyone I sat back and enjoyed the always wonderful tasting menu. I must say that the quality and small touches that come out of Chef Jochem's galley are worthy of special note.
It was then on to Kusadasi, Turkey yesterday. It was, without question, one of the nicest days I have have ever spent while on holidays. We awoke to a cool, but very sunny, morning for our tour of Ephesus and our cooking class. We arrived at Ephesus with some crowds, but nothing like those seen in the summer months. More importantly, without the heat you were actually able to stroll in comfort rather than feel sort of stressed by the heat to complete your journey back in time down the Roman streets. Our guide was charming and, having been there twice before, I sort of allowed my mind to wonder; knowing my guests were being well cared for. It was then off to the small village of Sirince (pronounced Sur-in-gee) which was filled with wonderful old streets lined with traditional shops and, fortunate for us, many wine shops as grapes are grown in the village. (I picked up a "local" bottle of wine - no label - and hopefully it will be the same wine I tasted in the shop!). Other than the wine shops it was a wonderful step back in time. (It reminded me a bit of Sintra, Portugal).
The highlight, however, was our next stop: our cooking class. A wonderful older woman, with a bright smile, and most definitely "cooking with love" had us gather in her small restaurant's kitchen (and with Seabourn limiting this tour to 16 people it was perfect) where she prepared six different dishes with remarkable speed and then added them to a fantastic buffet which we all enjoyed in her garden; my lunch accompanied by the traditional raki drink. A treat...hopefully...was my Turkish coffee where my grounds were read and I was told of the riches and joy which are soon to come to me as the fruit of my previous hard labor. With Seabourn providing each of us with a Turkish cookbook, we may not be able to repeat the the atmosphere when we get home, but we can sure give making some of the dishes a try.
After the obligatory carpet shop ending to our tour, we then headed into the bazaar and met up with a jeweler we had purchased some things from in one of our past visits. Having dodged that bullet and being able to leave with no new purchases, it was time for a quick rest and then off to the Exclusively Seabourn Experience in Ephesus. We arrived by bus to a beautifully lit Roman city with candle lit tables with small tastings and local wines being poured. Out of pure luck we sat at the table which was right in front of the Library directly viewing the chamber musicians who played a lovely variety of classical pieces in this truly romantic and inspiring at the same time setting. Then it was back to the ship for a wonderful Seabourn Welcome Home greeting. Then it was a fantastic Seabourn Grill buffet and the Rock the Boat show out on deck.
Tomorrow is our last day...but it is the Galley Market Lunch and then our Food and Wine Tasting!
The captain, Geir-Arne, my good friend, invited my group to the bridge for the sail away from Fethiye and, with my good "supervision" of course, he did a great job missing the dock and setting us out to the open ocean; charming everyone as always "aboard yourrrrrrr Seeeeaboooorrrn Spirit"! It was then off to get ready for a wonderful dinner at the Captain's Table for dinner. With the Captain charming everyone I sat back and enjoyed the always wonderful tasting menu. I must say that the quality and small touches that come out of Chef Jochem's galley are worthy of special note.
It was then on to Kusadasi, Turkey yesterday. It was, without question, one of the nicest days I have have ever spent while on holidays. We awoke to a cool, but very sunny, morning for our tour of Ephesus and our cooking class. We arrived at Ephesus with some crowds, but nothing like those seen in the summer months. More importantly, without the heat you were actually able to stroll in comfort rather than feel sort of stressed by the heat to complete your journey back in time down the Roman streets. Our guide was charming and, having been there twice before, I sort of allowed my mind to wonder; knowing my guests were being well cared for. It was then off to the small village of Sirince (pronounced Sur-in-gee) which was filled with wonderful old streets lined with traditional shops and, fortunate for us, many wine shops as grapes are grown in the village. (I picked up a "local" bottle of wine - no label - and hopefully it will be the same wine I tasted in the shop!). Other than the wine shops it was a wonderful step back in time. (It reminded me a bit of Sintra, Portugal).
The highlight, however, was our next stop: our cooking class. A wonderful older woman, with a bright smile, and most definitely "cooking with love" had us gather in her small restaurant's kitchen (and with Seabourn limiting this tour to 16 people it was perfect) where she prepared six different dishes with remarkable speed and then added them to a fantastic buffet which we all enjoyed in her garden; my lunch accompanied by the traditional raki drink. A treat...hopefully...was my Turkish coffee where my grounds were read and I was told of the riches and joy which are soon to come to me as the fruit of my previous hard labor. With Seabourn providing each of us with a Turkish cookbook, we may not be able to repeat the the atmosphere when we get home, but we can sure give making some of the dishes a try.
After the obligatory carpet shop ending to our tour, we then headed into the bazaar and met up with a jeweler we had purchased some things from in one of our past visits. Having dodged that bullet and being able to leave with no new purchases, it was time for a quick rest and then off to the Exclusively Seabourn Experience in Ephesus. We arrived by bus to a beautifully lit Roman city with candle lit tables with small tastings and local wines being poured. Out of pure luck we sat at the table which was right in front of the Library directly viewing the chamber musicians who played a lovely variety of classical pieces in this truly romantic and inspiring at the same time setting. Then it was back to the ship for a wonderful Seabourn Welcome Home greeting. Then it was a fantastic Seabourn Grill buffet and the Rock the Boat show out on deck.
Tomorrow is our last day...but it is the Galley Market Lunch and then our Food and Wine Tasting!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
AIG Travel Guard - Concerns Being Addressed
I know many of you purchase travel insurance and that Travel Guard has been a major provider in the industry. Over the past few days AIG has been in the news due to its liquidity problems...apparently as a result of its dabbling in investments and businesses other than its core insurance businesses.
While I do not claim the information below, which was just sent to me by AIG Travel Guard, is either accurate or not, I wanted to pass it along:
September 16, 2008
As you know, our parent company (AIG, Inc.) is facing challenges related to the extraordinary developments in the financial markets in the past few days. AIG, Inc. is actively developing alternatives to improve liquidity to weather this difficult time for financial markets.
AIG Travel Guard's policies are underwritten by American Home Assurance Company and National Union Fire Insurance Company. Both are member companies of AIG Commercial Insurance (AIGCI), whose substantial capital position is independent of its parent.
AIGCI companies, which include the Lexington Insurance Company, National Union and American Home Assurance Company, remain well-capitalized with statutory surplus of $26.7 billion and invested assets exceeding $70 billion.
Even if the parent company files for bankruptcy, AIGCI's capital position will remain intact and available to underwrite policies.
Here are a few more facts we think are important for you to know:
* AIGCI companies, which include the Lexington Insurance Company, National Union and American Home Assurance Company, remain well-capitalized with statutory surplus of $26.7 billion and invested assets exceeding $70 billion.
* AIGCI's capital is protected by regulators, ensuring that policyholders' interests are paramount.
* AIG Commercial Insurance continues to exhibit strong financial performance with 2008 second quarter operating income of nearly $1 billion, net written premiums of $5.99 billion and a profitable combined ratio of 93.7%.
* According David Neustadt, the deputy superintendent for public information for the New York state insurance department, "If you have a policy with AIG insurance company, they are financially strong and solvent. They have the capability to pay on any claims, and our job is to insure that they continue to have the ability to pay."
AIG Travel Guard will continue to communicate developments to you as they occur. We want to assure you that despite the current uncertainties, AIG Travel Guard will continue to exceed your expectation with comprehensive protection and unparalleled customer service.
I will keep you posted.
While I do not claim the information below, which was just sent to me by AIG Travel Guard, is either accurate or not, I wanted to pass it along:
September 16, 2008
As you know, our parent company (AIG, Inc.) is facing challenges related to the extraordinary developments in the financial markets in the past few days. AIG, Inc. is actively developing alternatives to improve liquidity to weather this difficult time for financial markets.
AIG Travel Guard's policies are underwritten by American Home Assurance Company and National Union Fire Insurance Company. Both are member companies of AIG Commercial Insurance (AIGCI), whose substantial capital position is independent of its parent.
AIGCI companies, which include the Lexington Insurance Company, National Union and American Home Assurance Company, remain well-capitalized with statutory surplus of $26.7 billion and invested assets exceeding $70 billion.
Even if the parent company files for bankruptcy, AIGCI's capital position will remain intact and available to underwrite policies.
Here are a few more facts we think are important for you to know:
* AIGCI companies, which include the Lexington Insurance Company, National Union and American Home Assurance Company, remain well-capitalized with statutory surplus of $26.7 billion and invested assets exceeding $70 billion.
* AIGCI's capital is protected by regulators, ensuring that policyholders' interests are paramount.
* AIG Commercial Insurance continues to exhibit strong financial performance with 2008 second quarter operating income of nearly $1 billion, net written premiums of $5.99 billion and a profitable combined ratio of 93.7%.
* According David Neustadt, the deputy superintendent for public information for the New York state insurance department, "If you have a policy with AIG insurance company, they are financially strong and solvent. They have the capability to pay on any claims, and our job is to insure that they continue to have the ability to pay."
AIG Travel Guard will continue to communicate developments to you as they occur. We want to assure you that despite the current uncertainties, AIG Travel Guard will continue to exceed your expectation with comprehensive protection and unparalleled customer service.
I will keep you posted.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Regent Seven Seas Announces Major Upgrades to Two Ships
Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that the refurbishments it has been contemplating will commence in December 2008 with the dry-dock of Seven Seas Voyager, followed by Seven Seas Mariner in January 2009. (The Seven Seas Navigator will not have any of the upgrades until the first half of 2010 and details of those upgrades will be announced later.)
In addition to the scheduled technical work (like fixing the Voyager's bottom damages and vibration issues and the Mariner's pod being replaced), the press release announces that "almost every area of the ships will be refurbished", with public rooms being substantially redesigned with new furniture, using "sumptuous materials" such as leathers, suede, and mahogany, along with warm color schemes and rich fabrics offset by marble and granite accents. In other words, the Voyager and Mariner will be transformed from rather bland and blue spaces to more appropriate upscale and elegant ones. For me this is very good news, indeed!
The highlights of the refurbishment program for Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner include:
1. The creation of a new alternative dining concept and venue - a steakhouse named Prime Seven -that will replace the current "Asian-fusion" Latitudes restaurants.
2. The redesign of lounges and public rooms to create more spacious areas for relaxation
3. The creation of elegant new lounge and dining areas around the Pool Grill
4. New carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, light fixtures, and drapes in most public areas and guest suite accommodations
5. More casual dining options with the addition of pizza ovens and ice-cream bars
6. The creation of an extended coffee and snack bar area on Seven Seas Voyager, similar to the very popular Coffee Connection on Seven Seas Mariner
I think each and every one of the announced changes are improvements that were necessary and are very positive.
BUT - and isn't there always - if you look carefully at the announcement, don't expect $20 million dollars to be thrown at the interiors of each ship. There are some VERY expensive technical repairs and upgrades that are going to be eating up a good portion of the improvement funds.
Also, if you look at what is being done in an overall feel of the ship, there is much more in the way of soft goods rather than physical changes in the ships that is going to be happening. That is probably the most efficient use of an improvement budget and I look forward to seeing what will be happening in the next few months as far as the release of any details.
I hope, but have no information that it will be happening, that part of the renovation of the public spaces will create changes in the main dining rooms, the Compass Rose, to improve seating (to eliminate waits for tables), improve service (with better flow and distribution of work) and menu (with higher quality food and menu items.)
With the focus by many on new ships and Regent's plans for a new ship either on hold or delayed, this signals to me an improvement in its offered product that is very welcome.
I will keep you posted.
In addition to the scheduled technical work (like fixing the Voyager's bottom damages and vibration issues and the Mariner's pod being replaced), the press release announces that "almost every area of the ships will be refurbished", with public rooms being substantially redesigned with new furniture, using "sumptuous materials" such as leathers, suede, and mahogany, along with warm color schemes and rich fabrics offset by marble and granite accents. In other words, the Voyager and Mariner will be transformed from rather bland and blue spaces to more appropriate upscale and elegant ones. For me this is very good news, indeed!
The highlights of the refurbishment program for Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner include:
1. The creation of a new alternative dining concept and venue - a steakhouse named Prime Seven -that will replace the current "Asian-fusion" Latitudes restaurants.
2. The redesign of lounges and public rooms to create more spacious areas for relaxation
3. The creation of elegant new lounge and dining areas around the Pool Grill
4. New carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, light fixtures, and drapes in most public areas and guest suite accommodations
5. More casual dining options with the addition of pizza ovens and ice-cream bars
6. The creation of an extended coffee and snack bar area on Seven Seas Voyager, similar to the very popular Coffee Connection on Seven Seas Mariner
I think each and every one of the announced changes are improvements that were necessary and are very positive.
BUT - and isn't there always - if you look carefully at the announcement, don't expect $20 million dollars to be thrown at the interiors of each ship. There are some VERY expensive technical repairs and upgrades that are going to be eating up a good portion of the improvement funds.
Also, if you look at what is being done in an overall feel of the ship, there is much more in the way of soft goods rather than physical changes in the ships that is going to be happening. That is probably the most efficient use of an improvement budget and I look forward to seeing what will be happening in the next few months as far as the release of any details.
I hope, but have no information that it will be happening, that part of the renovation of the public spaces will create changes in the main dining rooms, the Compass Rose, to improve seating (to eliminate waits for tables), improve service (with better flow and distribution of work) and menu (with higher quality food and menu items.)
With the focus by many on new ships and Regent's plans for a new ship either on hold or delayed, this signals to me an improvement in its offered product that is very welcome.
I will keep you posted.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Seabourn Odyssey - A Compilation of My Posts = A Wealth of Information!
Over the three months I have had this blog a lot of information about the Seabourn Odyssey has been provided. I figure not many of you will scroll down, leaf through the pages of various articles and such, so I thought I would make it easier.
Here are the posts:
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/09/seabourn-odyssey-top-officers-and-staff.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/09/seabourn-upgrades-on-way.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/08/seabourn-captain-buer-interview-on-john.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/08/seabourn-staff-receive-unique-training.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-odyssey-suite-details.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-odyssey-details.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-odyssey-is-not-silversea-ship.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-world-cruise-update.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-announces-godparents-for.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/06/seabourn-double-keel-laying.html
Enjoy!
Here are the posts:
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/09/seabourn-odyssey-top-officers-and-staff.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/09/seabourn-upgrades-on-way.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/08/seabourn-captain-buer-interview-on-john.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/08/seabourn-staff-receive-unique-training.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-odyssey-suite-details.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-odyssey-details.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-odyssey-is-not-silversea-ship.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-world-cruise-update.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/07/seabourn-announces-godparents-for.html
http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2008/06/seabourn-double-keel-laying.html
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
How Private Is Your Cabin? A New U.S. Court of Appeals Decision
So you board the ship for your cruise, unpack your personal belongings, place your valuable items in the safe and then begin loading up on souvenirs and other purchases as you travel along. You know security screens your bags (presumably for guns, knives and, at least on some cruise lines, liquor) and that your steward(ess) comes into clean. But aside from those accepted intrusions are you entitled to keep your cabin "private".
On September 4, 2008, the United States Court of Appeals (the court immediately below the United States Supreme Court) for the Third Circuit ruled you are entitled to that privacy...sort of. A preface: in U.S. v. Whitted (http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/063271p.pdf ) the Court found that suprisingly there really aren't many cases involving a person's rights to privacy on cruise ships and, more specifically, private cabins. But we now have "The Case".
Now, before you all start shouting, "I have my Fourth Amendment rights to privacy and unlawful searches! You must have a search warrant to enter my cabin!", let me just say: "Wrong!". The laws of the United States are such that a person has far greater rights to privacy "inside" the country than at its borders. [How do I get from you are on a ship and I am at the U.S. border: Say, as here, the ship cruises from St. Maarten to St. Thomas. St. Thomas is a U.S. territory and, as such, the ship is at the U.S. border.]
At its borders "routine" searches can be done by U.S. government agents without even a suspicion of wrongdoing (ex. Customs...or Department of Homeland Security...inspecting your bags at the cruise terminal or airport) or "non-routine" searches upon "reasonable suspicion". This is a far lower standard than the infamous "probable cause" standards you have heard of that is necessary for a judge to issue a search warrant. I will explain...just follow me.
The courts have, however, found that you are entitled to a significantly higher expectation of privacy in your cabin - where you sleep...akin to your home away from home- than you are in the public areas of the ship or even an automobile, essentially because they are living quarters where you asleep rather than areas primarily for socialization or transportation. Thus, you have a legitimately high expectation of privacy from those other than to whom you give consent to enter (like your stewardess). This makes any search of your cabin by a U.S. government agent "non-routine".
After all of that, what is necessary to reach the "reasonable suspicion" standard? Not much. All that is necessary is there be a "particularized and objective basis" for that suspicion. In Whitted the man was a legitimate cruise passenger and did absolutely nothing wrong while onboard the ship. In fact, when the drug-sniffing dog walked down the ship's hallway he didn't even react when passing Whitted's cabin door! There were not even any reports of him hanging around known drug-dealers (like many of you have seen near the docks in Jamaica).
But he fit a profile of a drug dealer: (1) He purchased a cruise ticket only shortly before the cruise...in cash; (2) He was previously convicted of drug possession on more than one occasion; (3) He was traveling on a ship that cruised to known drug source countries (and for all of you that didn't know it St. Maaten is a hotbed for such things...as any yachtie...so don't think Jamaica is the only place!); and, (4) Agents in San Juan noted Whitted's behavior seemed suspicious and entered the info into the TECS (Treasury Enforcement Communications System), a computer database.
So with this "reasonable suspicion" the agents and ship's security entered Whitted's cabin, took all of his luggage out from under his bed, pressed all the air out of the closed bags...and then let the dog sniff around. That is when the dog reacted...to a fake can of shaving cream. Then the cruise line made it's x-ray machine available and, low and behold, small pebbles were seen inside the shaving cream can. It then was field tested positive for heroin.
So they caught the "bad guy", but it should be fair warning to everyone that just acting a bit strange may just be enough to create "reasonable suspicion" to have the U.S. government search your cabin while on a cruise when entering U.S. waters.
Also, remember this relates to what the U.S. government can do; not what the cruise lines can do. The cruise lines operate under different rules based upon the terms of your cruise contract, the laws of its flag state and The Law of the Seas. In other words, you probably have even less expectations and rights to privacy than those discussed above. (Remember that broken lamp that was miraculously fixed when you were ashore? Who gave permission for the crew to enter your cabin and take down the headliner?)
For most of us, it really will never make a difference and we probably don't really care. But imagine if you come back from your wonderful tour and find all your luggage out and the all the drawers open. You most definitely would feel your privacy was improperly violated...But was it?
On September 4, 2008, the United States Court of Appeals (the court immediately below the United States Supreme Court) for the Third Circuit ruled you are entitled to that privacy...sort of. A preface: in U.S. v. Whitted (http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/063271p.pdf ) the Court found that suprisingly there really aren't many cases involving a person's rights to privacy on cruise ships and, more specifically, private cabins. But we now have "The Case".
Now, before you all start shouting, "I have my Fourth Amendment rights to privacy and unlawful searches! You must have a search warrant to enter my cabin!", let me just say: "Wrong!". The laws of the United States are such that a person has far greater rights to privacy "inside" the country than at its borders. [How do I get from you are on a ship and I am at the U.S. border: Say, as here, the ship cruises from St. Maarten to St. Thomas. St. Thomas is a U.S. territory and, as such, the ship is at the U.S. border.]
At its borders "routine" searches can be done by U.S. government agents without even a suspicion of wrongdoing (ex. Customs...or Department of Homeland Security...inspecting your bags at the cruise terminal or airport) or "non-routine" searches upon "reasonable suspicion". This is a far lower standard than the infamous "probable cause" standards you have heard of that is necessary for a judge to issue a search warrant. I will explain...just follow me.
The courts have, however, found that you are entitled to a significantly higher expectation of privacy in your cabin - where you sleep...akin to your home away from home- than you are in the public areas of the ship or even an automobile, essentially because they are living quarters where you asleep rather than areas primarily for socialization or transportation. Thus, you have a legitimately high expectation of privacy from those other than to whom you give consent to enter (like your stewardess). This makes any search of your cabin by a U.S. government agent "non-routine".
After all of that, what is necessary to reach the "reasonable suspicion" standard? Not much. All that is necessary is there be a "particularized and objective basis" for that suspicion. In Whitted the man was a legitimate cruise passenger and did absolutely nothing wrong while onboard the ship. In fact, when the drug-sniffing dog walked down the ship's hallway he didn't even react when passing Whitted's cabin door! There were not even any reports of him hanging around known drug-dealers (like many of you have seen near the docks in Jamaica).
But he fit a profile of a drug dealer: (1) He purchased a cruise ticket only shortly before the cruise...in cash; (2) He was previously convicted of drug possession on more than one occasion; (3) He was traveling on a ship that cruised to known drug source countries (and for all of you that didn't know it St. Maaten is a hotbed for such things...as any yachtie...so don't think Jamaica is the only place!); and, (4) Agents in San Juan noted Whitted's behavior seemed suspicious and entered the info into the TECS (Treasury Enforcement Communications System), a computer database.
So with this "reasonable suspicion" the agents and ship's security entered Whitted's cabin, took all of his luggage out from under his bed, pressed all the air out of the closed bags...and then let the dog sniff around. That is when the dog reacted...to a fake can of shaving cream. Then the cruise line made it's x-ray machine available and, low and behold, small pebbles were seen inside the shaving cream can. It then was field tested positive for heroin.
So they caught the "bad guy", but it should be fair warning to everyone that just acting a bit strange may just be enough to create "reasonable suspicion" to have the U.S. government search your cabin while on a cruise when entering U.S. waters.
Also, remember this relates to what the U.S. government can do; not what the cruise lines can do. The cruise lines operate under different rules based upon the terms of your cruise contract, the laws of its flag state and The Law of the Seas. In other words, you probably have even less expectations and rights to privacy than those discussed above. (Remember that broken lamp that was miraculously fixed when you were ashore? Who gave permission for the crew to enter your cabin and take down the headliner?)
For most of us, it really will never make a difference and we probably don't really care. But imagine if you come back from your wonderful tour and find all your luggage out and the all the drawers open. You most definitely would feel your privacy was improperly violated...But was it?
Monday, September 8, 2008
2009 Thanksgiving Weekend Caribbean Cruise on Seabourn - Great Pricing!
I know we are all just starting to get out of "summer" mode, but football has started and Thanksgiving will soon be upon us.
As you think about the joys of family...and whether the weekend be filled with rain or snow... consider spending the 2009 weekend on a Seabourn cruise. Enjoy Thanksgiving, hop a a short flight and then be pampered.
I am putting together a group to enjoy a five (5) day cruise on the Seabourn Spirit (fresh out of a two week dry dock - so there will be some brand new improvements and changes to see!) on November 27, 2009 conveniently sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale and ending in St. Thomas, with port calls in Grand Turk and Jost Van Dyke, B.V.I. for a Marina Day and two relaxing days at sea in between.
The best part is that I can offer this to you for under $2,000 per person including all taxes, fees and fuel supplements! (Of course, with it being a Goldring Travel group, you can expect a few little extras as well.)
Some of you may remember the fun we had on the short three night cruises around New York. Those are gone forever, but this is the next best thing...and it will be warm, the views outstanding and a Marina Day in the British Virgin Islands sounds so much better than taking a swim in the Hudson River!
So if you have every thought you could not afford to try Seabourn, or didn't want to make an investment in a Seabourn cruise in Europe or Asia without knowing what Seabourn is all about...or if you just want to spoil yourself for a few days...this is an outstanding opportunity!
And let's not forget it is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to enjoy the luxury of Seabourn.
As you think about the joys of family...and whether the weekend be filled with rain or snow... consider spending the 2009 weekend on a Seabourn cruise. Enjoy Thanksgiving, hop a a short flight and then be pampered.
I am putting together a group to enjoy a five (5) day cruise on the Seabourn Spirit (fresh out of a two week dry dock - so there will be some brand new improvements and changes to see!) on November 27, 2009 conveniently sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale and ending in St. Thomas, with port calls in Grand Turk and Jost Van Dyke, B.V.I. for a Marina Day and two relaxing days at sea in between.
The best part is that I can offer this to you for under $2,000 per person including all taxes, fees and fuel supplements! (Of course, with it being a Goldring Travel group, you can expect a few little extras as well.)
Some of you may remember the fun we had on the short three night cruises around New York. Those are gone forever, but this is the next best thing...and it will be warm, the views outstanding and a Marina Day in the British Virgin Islands sounds so much better than taking a swim in the Hudson River!
So if you have every thought you could not afford to try Seabourn, or didn't want to make an investment in a Seabourn cruise in Europe or Asia without knowing what Seabourn is all about...or if you just want to spoil yourself for a few days...this is an outstanding opportunity!
And let's not forget it is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to enjoy the luxury of Seabourn.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Why Do Changes Always Bring Out Those People That Complain? (The Seabourn Experience)
It always fascinates me how anytime a cruise line makes a change it is perceived as an attack on the value of their cruise(s) to be. Whether it is an improvement, the elimination of an underutilized item or an actual cost-cutting measure (as if finding ways to keep prices down is a bad thing!), there are those that absolutely find it not only a horrible, but a sign of more things to come...raising the threat of the loss of loyal passengers.
Seabourn just spent many millions of dollars revamping the Sky Bars and Verandas on all three of the triplets (with structural and furniture changes) , improved the bedding, changed out the carpets, installed LCD TVs, announced the change out of all of the deck furniture and replacement of the tableware...with more improvements to be announced. Oh, yes, Seabourn is shortly going to be christening the first of three new ships which are being outfitted with two story, indoor/outdoor spas, cabanas, state of the art fitness equipment, more dining venues, etc.
Despite all of that, today I read on Cruise Critic how some perceive the elimination of the underutilized Seabourn Experiences (with many seeming to ignore that the most popular ones are being retained!) as cause for concern that the quality of the wines and liquors freely poured may soon be downgraded. Where the heck did that come from?
Celebrity eliminated its "gourmet bites" (waiters passing through the various public spaces in the evenings with after dinner snacks) because it found the vast majority of the food was being returned to the kitchen uneaten. Does that mean that Celebrity is going to reduce items on the buffet? Hardly.
Regent is eliminating its Circles of Interest program (a highly overpriced and underutilized program of supposedly more in depth learning and experiences over the course of a cruise). Does that mean it is eliminating some of its more unique ports? No way.
Norwegian Cruise Lines donation of its old mattresses...I can only imagine what could spin out of that!
Seabourn has announced, in advance of the maiden voyage of the Seabourn Odyssey, that it is making changes which will create overall improvement in the quality of the Seabourn product through establishing consistency through all it ships, installing upgrades to the existing fleet to assure same, and changing/eliminating various items whose time has come and gone.
Will some of the changes disappoint a few of their loyal guests? Of course. But just as I much preferred the blue ticket wallets of old, while others loved the Tumi ticket jackets in a presentation box, others like the newest ticket wallet, which I truly do not like! I can't wait to hear the same people claiming that the next version of ticket wallet will be an ominous omen. Yes, there will be concern over ticket wallets!
I guess some people just have to say what a terrible thing it all might be and how it just might shake their loyalty over the elimination of items which are, in relation to the cost of their cruises, hard to find affecting their bottom line among the tours, spa treatments and reserve wine selections they make. I do not count any person's money, but I do try to keep the value of the items complained of in perspective. For example, might I just say, if the complainers can find a cruise line that offers a complimentary tour like Seabourn has been providing (or even as it will still provide), cruise that line (and save the $200). Oh! That right. It doesn't exist. Or, if that complainer can find a cruise line with a more generous frequent guest program than Seabourn, providing a free 7 day cruise after 140 days, put your money there. Oh! That right, again. It doesn't exist. Or if that complainer can find a cruise line that has a more generous definition of which liquor is included, start drinking there (if the $200 extra on your cruise bill actually makes a difference).
And, as I mentioned in my post about the Mutiny on the Carnival Miracle, one must think about all the reasons you choose to cruise a particular line and a particular ship. You can complain about little tweaks made by a cruise line that are not going to change and you can even threaten to take your business elsewhere (thereby increasing the effect of that issue upon only yourself), but alas you will be ruining that which you came to enjoy: Your Cruise.
Seabourn just spent many millions of dollars revamping the Sky Bars and Verandas on all three of the triplets (with structural and furniture changes) , improved the bedding, changed out the carpets, installed LCD TVs, announced the change out of all of the deck furniture and replacement of the tableware...with more improvements to be announced. Oh, yes, Seabourn is shortly going to be christening the first of three new ships which are being outfitted with two story, indoor/outdoor spas, cabanas, state of the art fitness equipment, more dining venues, etc.
Despite all of that, today I read on Cruise Critic how some perceive the elimination of the underutilized Seabourn Experiences (with many seeming to ignore that the most popular ones are being retained!) as cause for concern that the quality of the wines and liquors freely poured may soon be downgraded. Where the heck did that come from?
Celebrity eliminated its "gourmet bites" (waiters passing through the various public spaces in the evenings with after dinner snacks) because it found the vast majority of the food was being returned to the kitchen uneaten. Does that mean that Celebrity is going to reduce items on the buffet? Hardly.
Regent is eliminating its Circles of Interest program (a highly overpriced and underutilized program of supposedly more in depth learning and experiences over the course of a cruise). Does that mean it is eliminating some of its more unique ports? No way.
Norwegian Cruise Lines donation of its old mattresses...I can only imagine what could spin out of that!
Seabourn has announced, in advance of the maiden voyage of the Seabourn Odyssey, that it is making changes which will create overall improvement in the quality of the Seabourn product through establishing consistency through all it ships, installing upgrades to the existing fleet to assure same, and changing/eliminating various items whose time has come and gone.
Will some of the changes disappoint a few of their loyal guests? Of course. But just as I much preferred the blue ticket wallets of old, while others loved the Tumi ticket jackets in a presentation box, others like the newest ticket wallet, which I truly do not like! I can't wait to hear the same people claiming that the next version of ticket wallet will be an ominous omen. Yes, there will be concern over ticket wallets!
I guess some people just have to say what a terrible thing it all might be and how it just might shake their loyalty over the elimination of items which are, in relation to the cost of their cruises, hard to find affecting their bottom line among the tours, spa treatments and reserve wine selections they make. I do not count any person's money, but I do try to keep the value of the items complained of in perspective. For example, might I just say, if the complainers can find a cruise line that offers a complimentary tour like Seabourn has been providing (or even as it will still provide), cruise that line (and save the $200). Oh! That right. It doesn't exist. Or, if that complainer can find a cruise line with a more generous frequent guest program than Seabourn, providing a free 7 day cruise after 140 days, put your money there. Oh! That right, again. It doesn't exist. Or if that complainer can find a cruise line that has a more generous definition of which liquor is included, start drinking there (if the $200 extra on your cruise bill actually makes a difference).
And, as I mentioned in my post about the Mutiny on the Carnival Miracle, one must think about all the reasons you choose to cruise a particular line and a particular ship. You can complain about little tweaks made by a cruise line that are not going to change and you can even threaten to take your business elsewhere (thereby increasing the effect of that issue upon only yourself), but alas you will be ruining that which you came to enjoy: Your Cruise.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Seabourn Odyssey Top Officers and Staff Announced!
Here is another bit of news which you probably cannot find elsewhere...yet. Seabourn has selected its top officers and staff.
All of them have a tremendous amount of experience and will please many of you to see they have been recognized.
Captain - Karl Buer
Hotel Manager - Guenter Steinbrunner
Chief Purser - Andrew Thompson
Restaurant Manager - Karl Eckl
Executive Chef - Graeme Cockburn
Public Room Manager - Oliver Ellinger
Provision Master - Willem Knijn
Executive Housekeeper - Michelle Roberts
Cruise Director - Barry Hopkins
Tour Manager - Carol Frey
Cruise Sales Specialist - Jennifer Kok
Personnel Training Manager - Johan Poelmans
I would like to extend my congratulations to each of them and look forward to greeting them onboard prior to the Maiden Voyage on June 24, 2009.
(Personally I will try to get in good with Graeme Cockburn and Willem Knijn rather than Johan Poelmans! I do have my priorities.)
All of them have a tremendous amount of experience and will please many of you to see they have been recognized.
Captain - Karl Buer
Hotel Manager - Guenter Steinbrunner
Chief Purser - Andrew Thompson
Restaurant Manager - Karl Eckl
Executive Chef - Graeme Cockburn
Public Room Manager - Oliver Ellinger
Provision Master - Willem Knijn
Executive Housekeeper - Michelle Roberts
Cruise Director - Barry Hopkins
Tour Manager - Carol Frey
Cruise Sales Specialist - Jennifer Kok
Personnel Training Manager - Johan Poelmans
I would like to extend my congratulations to each of them and look forward to greeting them onboard prior to the Maiden Voyage on June 24, 2009.
(Personally I will try to get in good with Graeme Cockburn and Willem Knijn rather than Johan Poelmans! I do have my priorities.)
Seabourn Upgrades On The Way
Yesterday was some somewhat disappointing news (at least for some) regarding the discontinuation of most of the complimentary Seabourn Experiences. I told you it was really not a cost-cutting measure, but rather an evolution of Seabourn's upscaling its overall experience for its guests. Sooooooooooo......
I can now let you know of a couple of very nice upgrades across the entire fleet:
Deck Furniture - Yes, its true! Gone shortly will be the plastic lounge chairs. In their place will be extremely nice, comfortable and very upscale lounges...and they will be very cool. I can't disclose more now, but I know it will be hard to find a complaint about them. I, personally, think they will well and truly change the look of the deck on the triplets and richen the experience. Trust me on this: When you see the you will know that there were many less costly options available...and Seabourn went for the best.
Tableware - New tableware is coming and there will be three different styles; one focused for each unique dining venue on the Odyssey. It is amazing how a change in tableware - which is surprisingly expensive - can alter the look of not only the restaurant, but the presentation of the food. In my superyacht business I can tell you that just the size, shape, color, trim (if any), if there is a discernible rim, weight, balance, durability, etc., etc. of each piece takes hours of discussion. Each piece receives different opinions from the chefs (presentation), the servers (workability) and head of the restaurant (overall look). It is not an easy task.
Now, let's compare: How many are happier with the new deck furniture and spiffying up of the tableware vs. how many are disappointed with the elimination of the mostly underutilized Seabourn Experiences? Thought so.
(And for those are are still disappointed...and didn't book your cruise with me to ease same...there are are more good things to come!)
How to Handle...And Not Handle...A Hurricane
With hurricane season well and truly upon us (Thanks to Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Ike and...) there are a few things which need to be mentioned; highlighted by the USA Today report about the Mutiny on the Carnival Miracle.
First, any passenger traveling to the Caribbean between August and October must (that is "must") understand that ship happens during hurricane season. If you have saved up for your one and only trip to St. Thomas or you have finally decided to "now or never" swim with the stingrays in Grand Cayman this is not the season to book your cruise to do it. Fly to the destination and do a land-based holiday. You may get wet, but you only have to deal with problems if the hurricane is going to be over the top of you...rather than blocking the ship's path back to port.
Second, be flexible. Even if your itinerary isn't what it was supposed to be remember that First and Foremost, you wanted to be on a cruise. You spent how much time selecting the ship, which cabin, avoiding which airports, etc.? You think (or post) endlessly about your favorite waiters, the "secrets" of enjoying the ship more, how the entertainers are going to be, whether there will be new towel animals and have pre-booked the spas and specialty dining areas. Even if you don't get to go to a port, you have the ship...and that is THE major destination for most Caribbean cruises.
Third, hope and pray the cruise line handles it well. Here I can give you too great recent examples...one Excellent and one, apparently, terrible.
A. Excellent - During my recent cruise on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas we dodged Fay, but had to deal with Gustav. As a result our 4 port cruise (Labadee, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel) became only 2 ports (St. Thomas and St. Maarten). Captain Johnny gave a very detailed explanation over the ship's PA system (which was great for those that could not understand his very enthusiastic and upbeat Norwegian accent!). BUT RCCL DID MORE: The Cruise Director and Captain broadcast a detailed explanation over the television system using charts, weather tracking information, travel distances, etc. leaving absolutely no question in any reasonable mind that every option was taken into account (even, "Well we could have sneaked into Labadee and then changed course, but you would have been met with a cold, rainy and windy beach along with rough seas, so we opted for a sea day with sunny skies and smooth seas")...and then they explained it again; confirming the difference in port charges would be added to everyone's onboard account. Yes, there was disappointment for many with less ports and more sea days...and being in St. Thomas again (though there were happy shoppers) and being in St. Maarten with 10,000+ cruise passengers, but most everyone understood. (There were a few out of control passengers, but they were far and very few between). All in all it was handled extremely well by the cruise line and the passengers.
B. Terrible - In today's USA Today online there is a blog about there being a virtual Mutiny on the Carnival Miracle not only because of the change in itinerary caused by Hanna (including a non-Caribbean port call in Newport, Rhode Island...which I personally love), but because of the way the captain has purportedly handled it. USA Today reports that one CruiseCritic poster claims "The attitude of the captain has caused passengers to (go) ballistic" and that the passengers are shouting "Refund! Refund!" while threatening to penalize the innocent crew by reducing their gratuities to "zero". Now, I have been around long enough to know that not every CruiseCritic poster portrays things as accurately as they might and that some have agendas which are not totally honorable, but where there is smoke there is a good chance of fire. Quite possibly an understanding and warm explanation that there as no way to cross Hanna's path safely (which should be obvious) either on the way and/or the way back coupled with an explanation that because of the size of the Miracle, Bermuda was not an option (I am assuming here), Carnival might have avoided the Mutiny.
Alas, there is a reason my motto/business plan is very simple: Be Treated By Your Travel Agent As You Will Be Onboard! I expect to be treated exceptionally well. If I do not believe I will be, I will not board the ship and will not suggest such a ship to my clients. (Ironically, I have 8 clients sailing on the Carnival Miracle tomorrow! I will be able to let you know how Carnival response to Ike with more direct info!)
Personally, no matter how arrogant the captain may be, no matter how bad the ports may be, no matter how disappointed you may be, you are still on a cruise...on the ship of your choosing...and the ship has lots of good things to do. Why ruin the entirety of your cruise while you are on it? Make the best of it and, if ultimately appropriate, complain when you return. BUT REMEMBER, you chose to cruise during hurricane season. (Did you like the discounted price offered on your cruise? You could have taken the same cruise Christmas for lots more money. First ask yourself, "Why was the cruise discounted so much?" and then write your letter.)
First, any passenger traveling to the Caribbean between August and October must (that is "must") understand that ship happens during hurricane season. If you have saved up for your one and only trip to St. Thomas or you have finally decided to "now or never" swim with the stingrays in Grand Cayman this is not the season to book your cruise to do it. Fly to the destination and do a land-based holiday. You may get wet, but you only have to deal with problems if the hurricane is going to be over the top of you...rather than blocking the ship's path back to port.
Second, be flexible. Even if your itinerary isn't what it was supposed to be remember that First and Foremost, you wanted to be on a cruise. You spent how much time selecting the ship, which cabin, avoiding which airports, etc.? You think (or post) endlessly about your favorite waiters, the "secrets" of enjoying the ship more, how the entertainers are going to be, whether there will be new towel animals and have pre-booked the spas and specialty dining areas. Even if you don't get to go to a port, you have the ship...and that is THE major destination for most Caribbean cruises.
Third, hope and pray the cruise line handles it well. Here I can give you too great recent examples...one Excellent and one, apparently, terrible.
A. Excellent - During my recent cruise on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas we dodged Fay, but had to deal with Gustav. As a result our 4 port cruise (Labadee, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel) became only 2 ports (St. Thomas and St. Maarten). Captain Johnny gave a very detailed explanation over the ship's PA system (which was great for those that could not understand his very enthusiastic and upbeat Norwegian accent!). BUT RCCL DID MORE: The Cruise Director and Captain broadcast a detailed explanation over the television system using charts, weather tracking information, travel distances, etc. leaving absolutely no question in any reasonable mind that every option was taken into account (even, "Well we could have sneaked into Labadee and then changed course, but you would have been met with a cold, rainy and windy beach along with rough seas, so we opted for a sea day with sunny skies and smooth seas")...and then they explained it again; confirming the difference in port charges would be added to everyone's onboard account. Yes, there was disappointment for many with less ports and more sea days...and being in St. Thomas again (though there were happy shoppers) and being in St. Maarten with 10,000+ cruise passengers, but most everyone understood. (There were a few out of control passengers, but they were far and very few between). All in all it was handled extremely well by the cruise line and the passengers.
B. Terrible - In today's USA Today online there is a blog about there being a virtual Mutiny on the Carnival Miracle not only because of the change in itinerary caused by Hanna (including a non-Caribbean port call in Newport, Rhode Island...which I personally love), but because of the way the captain has purportedly handled it. USA Today reports that one CruiseCritic poster claims "The attitude of the captain has caused passengers to (go) ballistic" and that the passengers are shouting "Refund! Refund!" while threatening to penalize the innocent crew by reducing their gratuities to "zero". Now, I have been around long enough to know that not every CruiseCritic poster portrays things as accurately as they might and that some have agendas which are not totally honorable, but where there is smoke there is a good chance of fire. Quite possibly an understanding and warm explanation that there as no way to cross Hanna's path safely (which should be obvious) either on the way and/or the way back coupled with an explanation that because of the size of the Miracle, Bermuda was not an option (I am assuming here), Carnival might have avoided the Mutiny.
Alas, there is a reason my motto/business plan is very simple: Be Treated By Your Travel Agent As You Will Be Onboard! I expect to be treated exceptionally well. If I do not believe I will be, I will not board the ship and will not suggest such a ship to my clients. (Ironically, I have 8 clients sailing on the Carnival Miracle tomorrow! I will be able to let you know how Carnival response to Ike with more direct info!)
Personally, no matter how arrogant the captain may be, no matter how bad the ports may be, no matter how disappointed you may be, you are still on a cruise...on the ship of your choosing...and the ship has lots of good things to do. Why ruin the entirety of your cruise while you are on it? Make the best of it and, if ultimately appropriate, complain when you return. BUT REMEMBER, you chose to cruise during hurricane season. (Did you like the discounted price offered on your cruise? You could have taken the same cruise Christmas for lots more money. First ask yourself, "Why was the cruise discounted so much?" and then write your letter.)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Seabourn is Discontinuing Complimentary Seabourn Experiences
I have some news from Seabourn that may affect your present bookings with me or your planning of a future booking with Seabourn, so I wanted to get this out to you quickly.
Effective December 2008 Seabourn will no longer offer its exclusive complimentary Seabourn Experiences except for:
- “Caviar in the Surf” beach party events that Seabourn does on warm-water itineraries;
- Brazilian Boi Bumba festival at Parintins;
- Jungle dinner party in the Amazon’s Anavilhanas Archipelago
- Evening in Ephesus at Kusadasi in Turkey.
This does not affect the 2010 World Cruise events.
While this may seem like a reduction in what makes Seabourn…well Seabourn…it is not.
While there will be a cost savings to Seabourn, the actual motivation is the lack of guest attendance at the events. Seabourn regularly would guarantee say 100 people would attend an event, but when it came to the day of the event only 40 would show. That not only caused a huge waste of money…which ultimately is passed on to all of Seabourn’s guests…it got Seabourn thinking about two things: (1) Why?; and, (2) Why increase our costs providing something our guests don’t really want?
As to “Why?”, as Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a changin’.” The fact is that more and more of Seabourn’s guests are foregoing group tours, or anything seeming like a group tour; preferring instead to use Seabourn’s Signature Desk or to otherwise book private excursions. So what ten years ago was a very fashionable and upscale “experience” is now generally seen as a more run-of-the-mill event. So as Seabourn raises the bar with its new ships, it doesn’t want to provide what are seen by many guests as lower quality offerings.
As to “Why increase Seabourn’s costs for something the guests don’t really want?”, the answer is now obvious. If you are not convinced, think about this, I want to you consider that Seabourn could have eliminated caviar, change the toiletries, etc., but not only would that be honestly perceived as “cost cutting” measures…they would be. (I also bet more than 40 people per cruise would be upset about those items being reduced or eliminated!)
The net result is that Seabourn is not wasting money on underutilized events, is raising the bar in many areas (some I cannot let you in on just yet!), and unlike some other lines, is keeping its cruise fares down. Just compare Seabourn’s fares to some other lines and you will see what I mean!
However, for my clients who have already booked a cruise with Seabourn that has had the complimentary Seabourn Experience eliminated I, personally, am offering you a US$50.00 per person credit for any one shore excursion you take on a Seabourn cruise. (It doesn’t matter if it is a Seabourn excursion or if it is in the same port where the Seabourn Experience was going to be held, either!) All you have to do is send me a copy of your invoice for the replacement tour after your cruise and I will send you a check.
Why am I doing this? Obviously because I want you to be comfortable with the value I have represented you would receive. More importantly, I want you to know that I always work hard for you to make sure you are satisfied with your cruise experience…even if “shamefully” I don’t afford you the opportunity to complaint first!
Please call or email me with any questions or concerns.
Effective December 2008 Seabourn will no longer offer its exclusive complimentary Seabourn Experiences except for:
- “Caviar in the Surf” beach party events that Seabourn does on warm-water itineraries;
- Brazilian Boi Bumba festival at Parintins;
- Jungle dinner party in the Amazon’s Anavilhanas Archipelago
- Evening in Ephesus at Kusadasi in Turkey.
This does not affect the 2010 World Cruise events.
While this may seem like a reduction in what makes Seabourn…well Seabourn…it is not.
While there will be a cost savings to Seabourn, the actual motivation is the lack of guest attendance at the events. Seabourn regularly would guarantee say 100 people would attend an event, but when it came to the day of the event only 40 would show. That not only caused a huge waste of money…which ultimately is passed on to all of Seabourn’s guests…it got Seabourn thinking about two things: (1) Why?; and, (2) Why increase our costs providing something our guests don’t really want?
As to “Why?”, as Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a changin’.” The fact is that more and more of Seabourn’s guests are foregoing group tours, or anything seeming like a group tour; preferring instead to use Seabourn’s Signature Desk or to otherwise book private excursions. So what ten years ago was a very fashionable and upscale “experience” is now generally seen as a more run-of-the-mill event. So as Seabourn raises the bar with its new ships, it doesn’t want to provide what are seen by many guests as lower quality offerings.
As to “Why increase Seabourn’s costs for something the guests don’t really want?”, the answer is now obvious. If you are not convinced, think about this, I want to you consider that Seabourn could have eliminated caviar, change the toiletries, etc., but not only would that be honestly perceived as “cost cutting” measures…they would be. (I also bet more than 40 people per cruise would be upset about those items being reduced or eliminated!)
The net result is that Seabourn is not wasting money on underutilized events, is raising the bar in many areas (some I cannot let you in on just yet!), and unlike some other lines, is keeping its cruise fares down. Just compare Seabourn’s fares to some other lines and you will see what I mean!
However, for my clients who have already booked a cruise with Seabourn that has had the complimentary Seabourn Experience eliminated I, personally, am offering you a US$50.00 per person credit for any one shore excursion you take on a Seabourn cruise. (It doesn’t matter if it is a Seabourn excursion or if it is in the same port where the Seabourn Experience was going to be held, either!) All you have to do is send me a copy of your invoice for the replacement tour after your cruise and I will send you a check.
Why am I doing this? Obviously because I want you to be comfortable with the value I have represented you would receive. More importantly, I want you to know that I always work hard for you to make sure you are satisfied with your cruise experience…even if “shamefully” I don’t afford you the opportunity to complaint first!
Please call or email me with any questions or concerns.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Iamboatman Book Review: "Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline"
UPDATE: I guess the author liked my review (below). You can also read it on his website: http://lovebruns.com/Templates/Review_GoldringTravel.html.
I just finished reading a very light, but interesting, book entitled: Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below The Waterline. One Crazy Year Working on Cruise Ships. It is probably worth a few hours to read it as it does put into perspective some of the ups, downs, trials and tribulations of training for, and working in, cruise ship restaurants.
While the author of this non-fiction book, David Brian Bruns, seems to place himself as the virtuous, never straying, deeply devoted boyfriend chasing his Holy Grail girlfriend, Bianca...and, of course, while being the best waiter ever to have served on the seven seas, for pure voyeuristic enjoyment and as a vehicle to tie all the craziness together, without it having a total feel of a trashy novel, it works.
Without ruining the book, Mr. Bruns discusses (exposes?) the relatively - OK, absolutely - wild, sleep deprived, cramped, smoky and sexually active lives below deck. Not unlike the yachting industry (only more-so due to the horrific number of hours/weeks/months worked without a real break), much of the focus is on sex being used as a tension release rather than for intimacy. I say this upfront because you need to read through the regular references to it in order to find the real nuggets of information and perspective.
One of the starkest realities is that most of the ship's waitstaff (and, to be sure, others) simply do not understand the general American philosophy or approach to many different things. This goes far beyond the concept of as an American we tend to think of owning a car and having a private home (rented or owned) as birthrights while some crew will work years on a ship just to be able to buy a used car.
Some things really make you think. A negative example: Why do we require the buffet to look as if no one has been there before us even minutes before it closes? (The amount of needless waste created as a result is shocking.) A positive example: Why do many of us actually care about those serving us; asking about our waiter's family and life at home? (Many cultures are such that waitstaff should not even be acknowledged.)
So enjoy reading about how the staff is trained and what they are actually trained for (it is not just about serving food), realize the hours it takes to put together all the things and time needed for a breakfast or dinner service (and the differences between them!), appreciate the working of 15+ hours a day without a break for months, ponder how and why the supervisors are so tough in a "survival of the fittest" world, and enjoy the descriptions of the Eastern European beauties and Turkish and Caribbean musclemen...or just the need for a tattoo.
But remember this is book about one American's experience on Carnival in the days when they were The Fun Ships, where cheap cruises and huge amounts of alcohol were the rule...apparently both above and below the decks. I am sure much of it remains valid today, for as I have said, I have seen similar (but not quite as wild) behavior on superyachts, but I would suggest that when you board a Seabourn ship you will see far fewer bloodshot eyes and encounter far fewer with slurred speech from the crew party the night before.
And, ironically, understand just how profitable it is to be an art auctioneer aboard a cruise ship. (See my last post!)
I just finished reading a very light, but interesting, book entitled: Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below The Waterline. One Crazy Year Working on Cruise Ships. It is probably worth a few hours to read it as it does put into perspective some of the ups, downs, trials and tribulations of training for, and working in, cruise ship restaurants.
While the author of this non-fiction book, David Brian Bruns, seems to place himself as the virtuous, never straying, deeply devoted boyfriend chasing his Holy Grail girlfriend, Bianca...and, of course, while being the best waiter ever to have served on the seven seas, for pure voyeuristic enjoyment and as a vehicle to tie all the craziness together, without it having a total feel of a trashy novel, it works.
Without ruining the book, Mr. Bruns discusses (exposes?) the relatively - OK, absolutely - wild, sleep deprived, cramped, smoky and sexually active lives below deck. Not unlike the yachting industry (only more-so due to the horrific number of hours/weeks/months worked without a real break), much of the focus is on sex being used as a tension release rather than for intimacy. I say this upfront because you need to read through the regular references to it in order to find the real nuggets of information and perspective.
One of the starkest realities is that most of the ship's waitstaff (and, to be sure, others) simply do not understand the general American philosophy or approach to many different things. This goes far beyond the concept of as an American we tend to think of owning a car and having a private home (rented or owned) as birthrights while some crew will work years on a ship just to be able to buy a used car.
Some things really make you think. A negative example: Why do we require the buffet to look as if no one has been there before us even minutes before it closes? (The amount of needless waste created as a result is shocking.) A positive example: Why do many of us actually care about those serving us; asking about our waiter's family and life at home? (Many cultures are such that waitstaff should not even be acknowledged.)
So enjoy reading about how the staff is trained and what they are actually trained for (it is not just about serving food), realize the hours it takes to put together all the things and time needed for a breakfast or dinner service (and the differences between them!), appreciate the working of 15+ hours a day without a break for months, ponder how and why the supervisors are so tough in a "survival of the fittest" world, and enjoy the descriptions of the Eastern European beauties and Turkish and Caribbean musclemen...or just the need for a tattoo.
But remember this is book about one American's experience on Carnival in the days when they were The Fun Ships, where cheap cruises and huge amounts of alcohol were the rule...apparently both above and below the decks. I am sure much of it remains valid today, for as I have said, I have seen similar (but not quite as wild) behavior on superyachts, but I would suggest that when you board a Seabourn ship you will see far fewer bloodshot eyes and encounter far fewer with slurred speech from the crew party the night before.
And, ironically, understand just how profitable it is to be an art auctioneer aboard a cruise ship. (See my last post!)
Monday, September 1, 2008
Mariner of the Seas Travelogue - The Last Days and A Conclusion: An Interesting Experience
I am now back from my cruise. I am well rested and, while the product really is not for me, fairly impressed with most aspects of my cruise.
I left off with St. Maarten. It was, well and truly, overwhelming to see the Freedom of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Carnival Valor on the same dock. Over 10,000 cruise passengers descending upon this tiny island was actually kind of depressing because I knew none of the quainter places could possibly be quaint at all. We decided to stay on board the ship and had a very nice time.
As I looked closer at the Solarium I kept thinking, "If they just reduced the number of lounge chairs by 50% this would be an absolutely incredible space to be enjoyed as a real luxury." And with so many ashore, it was a wonderful place to be. Any luxury ship or hotel would be proud of the space, design, finishes, etc.; and even the lounges were very good. I did find the lack of any real bar service to be a let down. (I had a ritual of getting my wife 2 orange juices from the Windjammer Café because there was no option. Not a huge problem, but with a full bar in the area, but not opened until 2PM, it was a bit disappointing. But with an obvious plan for onboard review, but it not panning out, RCCL obviously has limited the bar's hours.)
We also enjoyed Johnny Rockets with the kids. It is pretty much identical in food and experience as it is on land...but I was able to get out of there paying only for shakes, floats and a beer (not available in land operations!).
I would be remiss not to mention the Ice Show. It was truly a wonderful show with ice skating, aerial acrobatics and good music. It is truly a not to be missed show. (And I am not a fan of cruise ship shows!)
With the last two days at sea, I found myself getting up, taking my book to the Concierge Lounge and reading while I sipped coffee, setting off for a bit in the Solarium then getting out of the sun and relaxing on my balcony...interspersed with some playtime with the kids (who spent a small fortune in the Arcade - conveniently located by the kid's facilities - when they were not involved in the kids programs), a visit to the casino or a walk around the ship. There were no lectures unrelated to selling things available on board.
We decided not to revisit Portofino, but did have a third night at Chops (the last evening), which was again a very nice experience. I must comment however, that while I truly did not like our main dining room waiter (I decided he just has a very sly way about him and his habit of shaking the wine bottle to get the last drop off really bothered me...I guess it was his "thing"), our assistant waiter, Courtney, was a diamond in the rough...and working very hard to do things the right way: poised, quiet, served properly, was friendly but not too much so and always greeted you with a genuine smile. That said, we thought it worth trying the last formal night to see how the lobster was. Surprisingly, for shipboard lobster it was very good! The presentation of the rice and vegetables was not great and we were not offered any seconds...which I saw being brought out to others (I didn't want one, but I felt like our waiter just wanted done with us.)
Final Thoughts:
I will give some ratings based upon the ship and a more mass-market experience. It would not be appropriate to rate things versus, say, Seabourn.
I am absolutely positive that even with the change of itinerary, the vast majority of passengers had a great time. Royal Caribbean delivered the product they promised to deliver...and the many guests who had been on 10+, 50+ and even 100+ (?) cruises with them spoke with true satisfaction. So for the right market, the ship delivers...and being docked next to the 5,000+ passenger Freedom of the Seas elicited great excitement from them not only about it, but the even larger Oasis of the Seas. For them I think the cruise (itinerary change and attendent horrrific lines at the tour desk excluded) would be an A.
For many food is something to be consumed; for some (many?) in great quantity and for others as either as subsistence or a time for socializing. For those wanting high quality food, the options are very limited...though surprisingly (at least for me) Chops had room on every night for additional diners and it is not a large venue. When Johnny Rockets is your best tasting lunch option... Anyway, for me the food was a C- (noting that marginal food served well probably would have tasted better), but for Chops I would give it a B+.
The kids had a great time, after settling in. My 9 year old was able to, for the first time, have some independence as Royal Caribbean very carefully makes sure the ship's public areas are safe. They have some crew in brightly colored safety vests/shirts and others quietly strolling around, but it afforded me the opportunity for my daughter (with a two-way radio always in hand) to venture out on her own or with a new found friend. My 12 year old found the Living Room and a few activities to be fun. While he proudly showed off his medal for coming in second in a Guitar Hero competition ("See Dad, all those hours of playing video games actually paid off!"), he did enjoy being able to come and go with his friends as he pleased. And I really didn't see any truly bad kids (thought, to be accurate, I was trying to avoid the masses!). So for kids I give the ship an A, but for the program (if your kids have been on a few cruises and have a "been there, done that" option) a C. New to cruising kids would probably rate it a B+. (I found the Celebrity programs to be a bit more sophisticated.) Overall cruise experience for the children: B+.
Our Grand Suite was very nice and out attendant was very good; leaving it spotless and never misplacing or accidentally throwing out anything. I do like the option to have quiet instrumental music in the bathroom. (Upgraded toiletries were just as good as Regent's!) The individual rheostat controlled lights by the bed and dimmers on all other lights in the suite were nice too. Our balcony was wide, but a bit too narrow. (This, I observed, was corrected on the Freedom-class ships.) I also found the complete array of glassware excellent, but wondered how it was to be used with the no bringing of alcohol on board policy in place. (BTW, I brought a bottle of Glenfiddich aboard in my luggage with no problem at all.) Frankly, without the Concierge Lounge as a quiet morning retreat with continental breakfast, its Concierge allowing me to avoid the Tour Desk's horrific lines and it complimentary drinks and canapés before dinner, I would have had a much less satisfactory cruise experience. I would rate the suite experience an A-.
One side comment: The staff needs to smile more and recognize the passengers. I know that with 3,735 passengers saying "Hello" and smiling all day and night is a daunting task, but the failure to do so leaves one with the impression that you are more of a bother than a guest. In fact, some times I was just ignored. To be fair, some were very good at acknowledging passengers, but that was most certainly a minority.
It also reminds me that the "software": the staff and crew that make an experience a luxury one. Sitting in the dining room with that wonderful view and the duo playing, I said a number of times, "If just the service and food were better." When entering the Concierge Lounge if I was greeted by, "Good Morning, Mr. Goldring" or "How was your son's parasailing?" I would have felt better. But with 3,700+ passengers every 7 days, to expect so much - and at the price we paid - would, well and truly, be unfair.
We went on a family cruise and the family is happy. It will not be remembered as special and will, to be sure, fade from our memories, but will do so as a non-descript good experience.
Overall, my feeling is that I can still readily recommend Royal Caribbean for the product it is. I cannot, as I can with Celebrity, recommend that a luxury experience can be had with a little knowledge about the ship and its offerings. Royal Caribbean does not market itself that way and, as I said, it delivers what it promises.
I left off with St. Maarten. It was, well and truly, overwhelming to see the Freedom of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Carnival Valor on the same dock. Over 10,000 cruise passengers descending upon this tiny island was actually kind of depressing because I knew none of the quainter places could possibly be quaint at all. We decided to stay on board the ship and had a very nice time.
As I looked closer at the Solarium I kept thinking, "If they just reduced the number of lounge chairs by 50% this would be an absolutely incredible space to be enjoyed as a real luxury." And with so many ashore, it was a wonderful place to be. Any luxury ship or hotel would be proud of the space, design, finishes, etc.; and even the lounges were very good. I did find the lack of any real bar service to be a let down. (I had a ritual of getting my wife 2 orange juices from the Windjammer Café because there was no option. Not a huge problem, but with a full bar in the area, but not opened until 2PM, it was a bit disappointing. But with an obvious plan for onboard review, but it not panning out, RCCL obviously has limited the bar's hours.)
We also enjoyed Johnny Rockets with the kids. It is pretty much identical in food and experience as it is on land...but I was able to get out of there paying only for shakes, floats and a beer (not available in land operations!).
I would be remiss not to mention the Ice Show. It was truly a wonderful show with ice skating, aerial acrobatics and good music. It is truly a not to be missed show. (And I am not a fan of cruise ship shows!)
With the last two days at sea, I found myself getting up, taking my book to the Concierge Lounge and reading while I sipped coffee, setting off for a bit in the Solarium then getting out of the sun and relaxing on my balcony...interspersed with some playtime with the kids (who spent a small fortune in the Arcade - conveniently located by the kid's facilities - when they were not involved in the kids programs), a visit to the casino or a walk around the ship. There were no lectures unrelated to selling things available on board.
We decided not to revisit Portofino, but did have a third night at Chops (the last evening), which was again a very nice experience. I must comment however, that while I truly did not like our main dining room waiter (I decided he just has a very sly way about him and his habit of shaking the wine bottle to get the last drop off really bothered me...I guess it was his "thing"), our assistant waiter, Courtney, was a diamond in the rough...and working very hard to do things the right way: poised, quiet, served properly, was friendly but not too much so and always greeted you with a genuine smile. That said, we thought it worth trying the last formal night to see how the lobster was. Surprisingly, for shipboard lobster it was very good! The presentation of the rice and vegetables was not great and we were not offered any seconds...which I saw being brought out to others (I didn't want one, but I felt like our waiter just wanted done with us.)
Final Thoughts:
I will give some ratings based upon the ship and a more mass-market experience. It would not be appropriate to rate things versus, say, Seabourn.
I am absolutely positive that even with the change of itinerary, the vast majority of passengers had a great time. Royal Caribbean delivered the product they promised to deliver...and the many guests who had been on 10+, 50+ and even 100+ (?) cruises with them spoke with true satisfaction. So for the right market, the ship delivers...and being docked next to the 5,000+ passenger Freedom of the Seas elicited great excitement from them not only about it, but the even larger Oasis of the Seas. For them I think the cruise (itinerary change and attendent horrrific lines at the tour desk excluded) would be an A.
For many food is something to be consumed; for some (many?) in great quantity and for others as either as subsistence or a time for socializing. For those wanting high quality food, the options are very limited...though surprisingly (at least for me) Chops had room on every night for additional diners and it is not a large venue. When Johnny Rockets is your best tasting lunch option... Anyway, for me the food was a C- (noting that marginal food served well probably would have tasted better), but for Chops I would give it a B+.
The kids had a great time, after settling in. My 9 year old was able to, for the first time, have some independence as Royal Caribbean very carefully makes sure the ship's public areas are safe. They have some crew in brightly colored safety vests/shirts and others quietly strolling around, but it afforded me the opportunity for my daughter (with a two-way radio always in hand) to venture out on her own or with a new found friend. My 12 year old found the Living Room and a few activities to be fun. While he proudly showed off his medal for coming in second in a Guitar Hero competition ("See Dad, all those hours of playing video games actually paid off!"), he did enjoy being able to come and go with his friends as he pleased. And I really didn't see any truly bad kids (thought, to be accurate, I was trying to avoid the masses!). So for kids I give the ship an A, but for the program (if your kids have been on a few cruises and have a "been there, done that" option) a C. New to cruising kids would probably rate it a B+. (I found the Celebrity programs to be a bit more sophisticated.) Overall cruise experience for the children: B+.
Our Grand Suite was very nice and out attendant was very good; leaving it spotless and never misplacing or accidentally throwing out anything. I do like the option to have quiet instrumental music in the bathroom. (Upgraded toiletries were just as good as Regent's!) The individual rheostat controlled lights by the bed and dimmers on all other lights in the suite were nice too. Our balcony was wide, but a bit too narrow. (This, I observed, was corrected on the Freedom-class ships.) I also found the complete array of glassware excellent, but wondered how it was to be used with the no bringing of alcohol on board policy in place. (BTW, I brought a bottle of Glenfiddich aboard in my luggage with no problem at all.) Frankly, without the Concierge Lounge as a quiet morning retreat with continental breakfast, its Concierge allowing me to avoid the Tour Desk's horrific lines and it complimentary drinks and canapés before dinner, I would have had a much less satisfactory cruise experience. I would rate the suite experience an A-.
One side comment: The staff needs to smile more and recognize the passengers. I know that with 3,735 passengers saying "Hello" and smiling all day and night is a daunting task, but the failure to do so leaves one with the impression that you are more of a bother than a guest. In fact, some times I was just ignored. To be fair, some were very good at acknowledging passengers, but that was most certainly a minority.
It also reminds me that the "software": the staff and crew that make an experience a luxury one. Sitting in the dining room with that wonderful view and the duo playing, I said a number of times, "If just the service and food were better." When entering the Concierge Lounge if I was greeted by, "Good Morning, Mr. Goldring" or "How was your son's parasailing?" I would have felt better. But with 3,700+ passengers every 7 days, to expect so much - and at the price we paid - would, well and truly, be unfair.
We went on a family cruise and the family is happy. It will not be remembered as special and will, to be sure, fade from our memories, but will do so as a non-descript good experience.
Overall, my feeling is that I can still readily recommend Royal Caribbean for the product it is. I cannot, as I can with Celebrity, recommend that a luxury experience can be had with a little knowledge about the ship and its offerings. Royal Caribbean does not market itself that way and, as I said, it delivers what it promises.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Mariner of the Seas - A Hurricane Runs Through It...Almost
We were greeted with the news of Gustav, which is projected to take the same cruise we had scheduled: Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, we made a hard left (East) and are visiting St. Thomas and St. Maarten. This gives us 2 extra sea days and 2 ports I really have no great desire to visit.
One big plus to having a suite is that you do not need to need to stand in the tour desk line...or the line for ice show tickets. I must say I feel really bad for the people that stood in line for half a day to arrange tours only for the itinerary to be changed and them all having to stand in line for another half a day changing them again. Yesterday the line literally ran down 75% of the Promenade. That was much worse than the line of 100+ waiting for ice show tickets. I, on the other hand, just walked to the Concierge Lounge and the tours (parasailing) and ice show tickets were done instantly; albeit I did have to wait for one person.
The Concierge Lounge is also a nice place for a quiet drink before dinner. Nothing fancy, but definitely acceptable.
We have dined in Chops, the extra cost alternative steak restaurant ($25 per person) and have had two good to very good meals with very good service (better than Regent). Looking forward to a nice meal and a decent wine list (yes, it's true!) has made things a bit better. The grilled Portobella mushroom and asparagus spears was so good I had it both nights. My wife's tuna Carpaccio was OK and her lobster bisque was actually quite good. My veal chop was very good and my T-Bone was OK (far better than the main restaurant). My wife's filet mignon was very good as was her lamb. The ala carte side dishes were OK, but the huge baked potatoes are worthy of note. I cannot figure out why most people do not try this venue for at least one night. (Last night I tried Portofino and will let you know below if this second alternative restaurant also succeeds.)
Yesterday, while everyone was off the boat in St. Thomas I took some time to check out the ship sans the crowds.
- The Windjammer is actually a very pleasant space. The food, however, reminds me of the college cafeteria. I sampled a bit from here and a bit from there and most was just not that good; some awful. They do prepare vegetables nicely.
- The Solarium (the adults only pool and lounge area) is actually pretty darn nice. A lot of thought went into this space with comfortable lounges (fitted cushions over the standard pool lounges), nicely tiled mosaic flooring, numerous classy artistic touches and shelter from the wind. Any luxury line's guests would be pleased with this space. What a difference from a sea day with it overflowing with people, saved lounges, no room in the spas or pool, etc.
- The Main Pool is also a really nicely designed and attractive space...if you can get past the thousand plus lounge chairs.
- The Promenade is also very attractive if you look into the pub or wine bar and see it without the throngs of people.
And that is, for me, the problem. It is not signing for this or that (never bothered me). And most of the prices actually seem quite reasonable...save the bottled water. It is the people and the noise. Oh, that noise. It is exhausting. So I am avoiding it. My suite and balcony is great. The Concierge Lounge is nice. The Connoisseur's Club for a cigar and a whiskey is also nice (but could use better air cleaners). The alternative restaurants are also good. So there are places to make this ship OK.
But I will paint a picture from two nights ago that pretty much sums it up. After a nap on my balcony, we had drinks in the Concierge Lounge and then went to Chops for a nice meal. We then wandered over to the Connoisseur's Club and decided to call it a night. AND THEN IT WAS DISCO NIGHT IN THE PROMENADE. Bam, it hit me in the face. My lovely evening was ended by the reality of where I was. (But to be fair, there were hundreds of people that absolutely had a blast and the love the crowds and noise.)
Last night was interesting on a number of levels.
First, I have come to the conclusion that the Kid's Program is designed to work with the least common denominator and, therefore, loses the interest of most of the children. At first I thought it was my 12 year old being, well, 12 years old. But he has consistently told me that the programs are not of interest and, to be honest, they don't sound very interesting to me. (They probably were good 3-5 years ago, but times they are a changin'.) My 9 year old says she is treated as a child and the activities are "for babies". and, when looking at them, they pretty much all seem like "high energy, low thought" games. So many children simply opt out of the programs...and I actually have more work making sure my 9 year old is OK and entertained than when I am cruising on, for example, Regent or Celebrity. And I thought the kids would LOVE this cruise. It is was a main motivator for our being here in the first place. I guess rock climbing, miniature golf, etc. only goes so far with today's sophisticated children.
Second, the food thing really wears you down. Last night in Portofino we had an OK meal. Every word was scripted and the food had about the same amount of imagination. "My name is X and although I am from the Philippines, I will do my best to be your Italian waiter this evening." His assistant kept calling my wife "My Lady" and me "Senor". Huh??? My smoked duck salad was good, and the cold tomato soup was fine (not great), but the main course...the recommended pasta with seafood had no flavor other than crushed red peppers (a classic cover for no taste items) and frozen seafood. Even the recommended dessert sampler was just OK. Two of the four dishes were tasteless with one literally overwhelmed by the use of too much cornstarch, but the other two were actually quite good (tiramisu and a flourless chocolate cake). BUT the thing that really got me was the infamous pitch (not yet heard on this ship) about making sure we give great marks when we rate everything. We canceled our second seating in Portofino and have added a third at Chops. Tonight is our second venture into the main dining room.
Third, after our post-dinner drink my wife wanted to check out the party on the pool deck. I went back to the Suite. She wasn't 10 minutes behind me. Over 1,000 having a very loud, and very happy, time was just not something she could deal with. I came up with the idea of going to Ellington's in the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 14 (yes...and there is one deck higher!) where we could observe the party from up high and through glass windows, shielded from the noise and crowds. It was actually very nice to observe...like Times Square on New Year's Eve. This leads me to conclude that my perspectives are, in fact, not actually fair. Royal Caribbean does an excellent job at delivering what it is supposed to be delivering. I don't eat at TGI Fridays; I don't go to dance clubs; and, although I am in far better "shape" to do it, I haven't done a belly flop in years.
Even with the itinerary change I do not see many sad faces, the food is being eaten, the parties are packed...and the ship is spotless, my suite remains pristine (and two burned out bulbs were changed immediately), and I am fairly relaxed about it all.
Today, we are in St. Maarten along with the Freedom of the Seas (5,000+ passengers) and the Carnival Valor. With over 10,000 people descending on this little island, believe it or not, Mariner of the Seas is our Oasis. (What a good name for a Royal Caribbean ship! OMG, RCCL has sucked me in!) But I do have the harsh reality of then having two days at sea having to share this very interesting ship with all those other people.
One big plus to having a suite is that you do not need to need to stand in the tour desk line...or the line for ice show tickets. I must say I feel really bad for the people that stood in line for half a day to arrange tours only for the itinerary to be changed and them all having to stand in line for another half a day changing them again. Yesterday the line literally ran down 75% of the Promenade. That was much worse than the line of 100+ waiting for ice show tickets. I, on the other hand, just walked to the Concierge Lounge and the tours (parasailing) and ice show tickets were done instantly; albeit I did have to wait for one person.
The Concierge Lounge is also a nice place for a quiet drink before dinner. Nothing fancy, but definitely acceptable.
We have dined in Chops, the extra cost alternative steak restaurant ($25 per person) and have had two good to very good meals with very good service (better than Regent). Looking forward to a nice meal and a decent wine list (yes, it's true!) has made things a bit better. The grilled Portobella mushroom and asparagus spears was so good I had it both nights. My wife's tuna Carpaccio was OK and her lobster bisque was actually quite good. My veal chop was very good and my T-Bone was OK (far better than the main restaurant). My wife's filet mignon was very good as was her lamb. The ala carte side dishes were OK, but the huge baked potatoes are worthy of note. I cannot figure out why most people do not try this venue for at least one night. (Last night I tried Portofino and will let you know below if this second alternative restaurant also succeeds.)
Yesterday, while everyone was off the boat in St. Thomas I took some time to check out the ship sans the crowds.
- The Windjammer is actually a very pleasant space. The food, however, reminds me of the college cafeteria. I sampled a bit from here and a bit from there and most was just not that good; some awful. They do prepare vegetables nicely.
- The Solarium (the adults only pool and lounge area) is actually pretty darn nice. A lot of thought went into this space with comfortable lounges (fitted cushions over the standard pool lounges), nicely tiled mosaic flooring, numerous classy artistic touches and shelter from the wind. Any luxury line's guests would be pleased with this space. What a difference from a sea day with it overflowing with people, saved lounges, no room in the spas or pool, etc.
- The Main Pool is also a really nicely designed and attractive space...if you can get past the thousand plus lounge chairs.
- The Promenade is also very attractive if you look into the pub or wine bar and see it without the throngs of people.
And that is, for me, the problem. It is not signing for this or that (never bothered me). And most of the prices actually seem quite reasonable...save the bottled water. It is the people and the noise. Oh, that noise. It is exhausting. So I am avoiding it. My suite and balcony is great. The Concierge Lounge is nice. The Connoisseur's Club for a cigar and a whiskey is also nice (but could use better air cleaners). The alternative restaurants are also good. So there are places to make this ship OK.
But I will paint a picture from two nights ago that pretty much sums it up. After a nap on my balcony, we had drinks in the Concierge Lounge and then went to Chops for a nice meal. We then wandered over to the Connoisseur's Club and decided to call it a night. AND THEN IT WAS DISCO NIGHT IN THE PROMENADE. Bam, it hit me in the face. My lovely evening was ended by the reality of where I was. (But to be fair, there were hundreds of people that absolutely had a blast and the love the crowds and noise.)
Last night was interesting on a number of levels.
First, I have come to the conclusion that the Kid's Program is designed to work with the least common denominator and, therefore, loses the interest of most of the children. At first I thought it was my 12 year old being, well, 12 years old. But he has consistently told me that the programs are not of interest and, to be honest, they don't sound very interesting to me. (They probably were good 3-5 years ago, but times they are a changin'.) My 9 year old says she is treated as a child and the activities are "for babies". and, when looking at them, they pretty much all seem like "high energy, low thought" games. So many children simply opt out of the programs...and I actually have more work making sure my 9 year old is OK and entertained than when I am cruising on, for example, Regent or Celebrity. And I thought the kids would LOVE this cruise. It is was a main motivator for our being here in the first place. I guess rock climbing, miniature golf, etc. only goes so far with today's sophisticated children.
Second, the food thing really wears you down. Last night in Portofino we had an OK meal. Every word was scripted and the food had about the same amount of imagination. "My name is X and although I am from the Philippines, I will do my best to be your Italian waiter this evening." His assistant kept calling my wife "My Lady" and me "Senor". Huh??? My smoked duck salad was good, and the cold tomato soup was fine (not great), but the main course...the recommended pasta with seafood had no flavor other than crushed red peppers (a classic cover for no taste items) and frozen seafood. Even the recommended dessert sampler was just OK. Two of the four dishes were tasteless with one literally overwhelmed by the use of too much cornstarch, but the other two were actually quite good (tiramisu and a flourless chocolate cake). BUT the thing that really got me was the infamous pitch (not yet heard on this ship) about making sure we give great marks when we rate everything. We canceled our second seating in Portofino and have added a third at Chops. Tonight is our second venture into the main dining room.
Third, after our post-dinner drink my wife wanted to check out the party on the pool deck. I went back to the Suite. She wasn't 10 minutes behind me. Over 1,000 having a very loud, and very happy, time was just not something she could deal with. I came up with the idea of going to Ellington's in the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 14 (yes...and there is one deck higher!) where we could observe the party from up high and through glass windows, shielded from the noise and crowds. It was actually very nice to observe...like Times Square on New Year's Eve. This leads me to conclude that my perspectives are, in fact, not actually fair. Royal Caribbean does an excellent job at delivering what it is supposed to be delivering. I don't eat at TGI Fridays; I don't go to dance clubs; and, although I am in far better "shape" to do it, I haven't done a belly flop in years.
Even with the itinerary change I do not see many sad faces, the food is being eaten, the parties are packed...and the ship is spotless, my suite remains pristine (and two burned out bulbs were changed immediately), and I am fairly relaxed about it all.
Today, we are in St. Maarten along with the Freedom of the Seas (5,000+ passengers) and the Carnival Valor. With over 10,000 people descending on this little island, believe it or not, Mariner of the Seas is our Oasis. (What a good name for a Royal Caribbean ship! OMG, RCCL has sucked me in!) But I do have the harsh reality of then having two days at sea having to share this very interesting ship with all those other people.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Mariner of the Seas - My First 24 Hours
It has been a very interesting 24 hours aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas. With approximately 3,735 passengers onboard, with quite a mix of ages, ethnicities, languages and socioeconomic classes, there is much that I have observed and some that just disappoints. Overall though, it has been more tolerable than I expected, though not my idea of a perfect cruise.
We arrived yesterday around 11:30 am and had a very painless check-in and were heading up the gangway in about 15 minutes. Our Grand Suite wouldn't be ready until 1:00 pm and we were not permitted to drop off our carry-on luggage so we started a brief tour of the ship a bit bogged down.
First stop was the spa, so the sea day massages could be booked at the desired times. There was no hard sell. I briefly inspected the complimentary steam room and sauna and other facilities and they were quite nice and sparkling clean. We then stopped by Johnny Rockets, the pool (with a scary number of lounge chairs), the rock climbing wall and miniature golf. The kids purchased their soda cards ($25 +15% gratuity) so they can have all the soda they want without the constant single charges.
It was time to eat, so we ventured into the Windjammer Café and had an OK meal from the buffet. (I do not remember ever seeing a hamburger that looked like what they were serving, but it was OK.) The seating was nicer than expected in faux rattan chairs, but the ambiance is not something I enjoyed with literally over 1,000 people walking past.
It was now time to see our suite. I was, and remain, pleasantly surprised by it. It is larger than the suites on Seabourn or Regent Seven Seas or Cunard, with a very comfortable full size sofa bed, queen bed, two comfortable chairs (plus one by the vanity desk), a nice bar, plenty of closet and drawer space and a very nice, large, marble bathroom with double sinks under a granite top and a full bathtub/shower. The balcony is large enough for two lounges, two chairs and a table. While it comes with only one lounge, a request of our cabin steward and a second lounge appeared. TV with DVD and an excellent sound system is also included. The bed was extremely comfortable and the linens crisp and comfortable. It was spotless and smelled clean and fresh. This is becoming my refuge.
Suites also have the use of the Concierge Club with complimentary drinks and snacks before dinner, as well as a fairly nice continental breakfast. More importantly, the concierge takes care of ice show tickets, tours, etc., avoiding literally hour long lines. It is a bit of a refuge and relief as well.
When I reappeared from my suite a terrible thing happened: Thousands of more people appeared. It turned the Promenade from a curiosity with a couple of possible places to have a glass of wine, to an echoing and loud mall/hall with tables being set up for the sale of cheap jewelry and liquor.
After a rousing game of miniature golf with the kids, I checked out my table for dinner. Incredibly we had been placed in probably the worst table in the restaurant, stuck in a back room next to a service door on the lowest of the three levels...with no view of anything. Shocking for a suite guest to be placed there. Equally amazing there was available an excellent table on the third (top) level right by the railing overlooking the entire restaurant and just above the pianist and violinist...transforming the massive space into what was admittedly a pretty elegant and quaint one.
With the kids enjoying room service (with a limited, but acceptable, menu) and planning out their evening, we had a drink in our suite and then we all ventured out to the show, which was very entertaining with a comic and a juggler (http://jeffthejuggler.com/). Then dinner.
This is where "my" cruise really falls apart. Our waiter is OK, but I cannot tell if he is genuinely friendly or if I should be looking for my wallet at the end of the meal. The service was polite, if not a bit rough around the edges. It was as if I was being rushed to complete my meal after waiting to place my order. The waiter served my wine - which I appreciated - as I saw the next table waiting a painfully long time for the sommelier. My first course was a Hot and Sour Shrimp soup which was hot and sour, but the broth had little other flavors and the shrimp had that watered down taste and mushy consistency of thawed shrimp that had been dumped from the tub with the defrosted water into the soup at the last minute. My wife's onion and cheese tart was OK, but with no style and curiously covered with red peppers. Salads were basic. Her sirloin steak was marginal at best (small, thin and tasteless) and was accompanied by a scoop of mash potatoes (you could see the scoop marks) and some diced vegetables. I went with the end cut prime rib and baked potato. The meat was dry, but it had a bit of flavor. It was, alas, food and nothing more. (Tonight we are trying Chops.)
We ended our evening in the Connoisseur's Club, the cigar and whisky lounge. It is a very nice venue, but curiously had a big screen TV which dampens the ambiance; though it remains one of the quietest places on the ship...which is hopping everywhere else! It is very sparingly used (maybe 3 couples at a time), but it does need better ventilation.
After a very restful night's sleep our breakfast arrived. The order had most of what we ordered, much we did not. It had tasteless powdered eggs and paste-like potatoes with dry, tasteless pastries. The coffee was actually quite acceptable as was the bacon. The rest was pretty much inedible, so cereal and fruits may be the only way to go.
I won't bore you with our morning activities, but the pool was pretty much filled and, as such, the whirlpool tubs were overwhelmed with kids. The Promenade was filled with announcements for raffles, etc. I like my suite.
We tried lunch in the Dining Room. The service was even more rough and let's just say that I will not be eating any more shrimp on this ship. I actually think the buffet might be a better option...if you can deal with all the people.
That's it for my first 24 hours.
We arrived yesterday around 11:30 am and had a very painless check-in and were heading up the gangway in about 15 minutes. Our Grand Suite wouldn't be ready until 1:00 pm and we were not permitted to drop off our carry-on luggage so we started a brief tour of the ship a bit bogged down.
First stop was the spa, so the sea day massages could be booked at the desired times. There was no hard sell. I briefly inspected the complimentary steam room and sauna and other facilities and they were quite nice and sparkling clean. We then stopped by Johnny Rockets, the pool (with a scary number of lounge chairs), the rock climbing wall and miniature golf. The kids purchased their soda cards ($25 +15% gratuity) so they can have all the soda they want without the constant single charges.
It was time to eat, so we ventured into the Windjammer Café and had an OK meal from the buffet. (I do not remember ever seeing a hamburger that looked like what they were serving, but it was OK.) The seating was nicer than expected in faux rattan chairs, but the ambiance is not something I enjoyed with literally over 1,000 people walking past.
It was now time to see our suite. I was, and remain, pleasantly surprised by it. It is larger than the suites on Seabourn or Regent Seven Seas or Cunard, with a very comfortable full size sofa bed, queen bed, two comfortable chairs (plus one by the vanity desk), a nice bar, plenty of closet and drawer space and a very nice, large, marble bathroom with double sinks under a granite top and a full bathtub/shower. The balcony is large enough for two lounges, two chairs and a table. While it comes with only one lounge, a request of our cabin steward and a second lounge appeared. TV with DVD and an excellent sound system is also included. The bed was extremely comfortable and the linens crisp and comfortable. It was spotless and smelled clean and fresh. This is becoming my refuge.
Suites also have the use of the Concierge Club with complimentary drinks and snacks before dinner, as well as a fairly nice continental breakfast. More importantly, the concierge takes care of ice show tickets, tours, etc., avoiding literally hour long lines. It is a bit of a refuge and relief as well.
When I reappeared from my suite a terrible thing happened: Thousands of more people appeared. It turned the Promenade from a curiosity with a couple of possible places to have a glass of wine, to an echoing and loud mall/hall with tables being set up for the sale of cheap jewelry and liquor.
After a rousing game of miniature golf with the kids, I checked out my table for dinner. Incredibly we had been placed in probably the worst table in the restaurant, stuck in a back room next to a service door on the lowest of the three levels...with no view of anything. Shocking for a suite guest to be placed there. Equally amazing there was available an excellent table on the third (top) level right by the railing overlooking the entire restaurant and just above the pianist and violinist...transforming the massive space into what was admittedly a pretty elegant and quaint one.
With the kids enjoying room service (with a limited, but acceptable, menu) and planning out their evening, we had a drink in our suite and then we all ventured out to the show, which was very entertaining with a comic and a juggler (http://jeffthejuggler.com/). Then dinner.
This is where "my" cruise really falls apart. Our waiter is OK, but I cannot tell if he is genuinely friendly or if I should be looking for my wallet at the end of the meal. The service was polite, if not a bit rough around the edges. It was as if I was being rushed to complete my meal after waiting to place my order. The waiter served my wine - which I appreciated - as I saw the next table waiting a painfully long time for the sommelier. My first course was a Hot and Sour Shrimp soup which was hot and sour, but the broth had little other flavors and the shrimp had that watered down taste and mushy consistency of thawed shrimp that had been dumped from the tub with the defrosted water into the soup at the last minute. My wife's onion and cheese tart was OK, but with no style and curiously covered with red peppers. Salads were basic. Her sirloin steak was marginal at best (small, thin and tasteless) and was accompanied by a scoop of mash potatoes (you could see the scoop marks) and some diced vegetables. I went with the end cut prime rib and baked potato. The meat was dry, but it had a bit of flavor. It was, alas, food and nothing more. (Tonight we are trying Chops.)
We ended our evening in the Connoisseur's Club, the cigar and whisky lounge. It is a very nice venue, but curiously had a big screen TV which dampens the ambiance; though it remains one of the quietest places on the ship...which is hopping everywhere else! It is very sparingly used (maybe 3 couples at a time), but it does need better ventilation.
After a very restful night's sleep our breakfast arrived. The order had most of what we ordered, much we did not. It had tasteless powdered eggs and paste-like potatoes with dry, tasteless pastries. The coffee was actually quite acceptable as was the bacon. The rest was pretty much inedible, so cereal and fruits may be the only way to go.
I won't bore you with our morning activities, but the pool was pretty much filled and, as such, the whirlpool tubs were overwhelmed with kids. The Promenade was filled with announcements for raffles, etc. I like my suite.
We tried lunch in the Dining Room. The service was even more rough and let's just say that I will not be eating any more shrimp on this ship. I actually think the buffet might be a better option...if you can deal with all the people.
That's it for my first 24 hours.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Mariner of the Seas Travelogue - Prologue
I promise I will not bore you with the minutia of taxi rides and pre-cruise meals in this travelogue, but rather will try to give some perspective from a travel agent's and a parent's points of view as I venture back into the world known as mass market cruising. On Sunday I will be boarding Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas settling in a Grand Suite on a sold out Caribbean cruise as Tropical Storm Fay just departs.
As my family is rather jaded from all of the cruises they have taken - and where they have traveled - it took until last night for them to show any real interest in the cruise. My wife asked about the specialty restaurants, forgetting our discussing same weeks ago when I pre-reserved two nights each in Chops (steaks and fish) and Portofino (Italian). My kids, after first stating they were not that excited because we wouldn't be getting off the ship much (2 sea days and Jamaica), realized that for the first time in a couple of years they would have a "real" kid's club...and now that they are getting older, some real independence.
As for myself, I am trying to look at my cruise on this behemoth much differently from any of my prior cruises...as I remember my ship inspection of the Explorer of the Seas thinking negatively: "Shopping Mall". (My kids, of course, hear my complaint and shout with glee, "Cool!")
My last Royal Caribbean cruise was in 2001 in an owner's suite on the Nordic Empress (then Empress of the Seas and now gone from the fleet as too small and unique). I do admit that once I got over all the blue-green glass and brass I found the crew very enthusiastic and I did have a good time (though the food was marginal). I will not, however, forget my tablemates: a very nice couple albeit he happened to be a cook at a youth jail somewhere in Pennsylvania. Ya' never know!
I will be taking some time on this trip to work on some plans for two of my next ones: The Seabourn Spirit on September 27, 2008 (Athens to Istanbul) and my son's Bar Mitzvah Safari in August 2009. I am sure that somehow some comparisons...and hopefully some good ideas...will be generated while on this cruise.
So after a few days in Florida visiting my mother, and the Kennedy Space Center for lunch with an astronaut...and, of course, rain predicted for every day!...we will board and I will let you know.
As my family is rather jaded from all of the cruises they have taken - and where they have traveled - it took until last night for them to show any real interest in the cruise. My wife asked about the specialty restaurants, forgetting our discussing same weeks ago when I pre-reserved two nights each in Chops (steaks and fish) and Portofino (Italian). My kids, after first stating they were not that excited because we wouldn't be getting off the ship much (2 sea days and Jamaica), realized that for the first time in a couple of years they would have a "real" kid's club...and now that they are getting older, some real independence.
As for myself, I am trying to look at my cruise on this behemoth much differently from any of my prior cruises...as I remember my ship inspection of the Explorer of the Seas thinking negatively: "Shopping Mall". (My kids, of course, hear my complaint and shout with glee, "Cool!")
My last Royal Caribbean cruise was in 2001 in an owner's suite on the Nordic Empress (then Empress of the Seas and now gone from the fleet as too small and unique). I do admit that once I got over all the blue-green glass and brass I found the crew very enthusiastic and I did have a good time (though the food was marginal). I will not, however, forget my tablemates: a very nice couple albeit he happened to be a cook at a youth jail somewhere in Pennsylvania. Ya' never know!
I will be taking some time on this trip to work on some plans for two of my next ones: The Seabourn Spirit on September 27, 2008 (Athens to Istanbul) and my son's Bar Mitzvah Safari in August 2009. I am sure that somehow some comparisons...and hopefully some good ideas...will be generated while on this cruise.
So after a few days in Florida visiting my mother, and the Kennedy Space Center for lunch with an astronaut...and, of course, rain predicted for every day!...we will board and I will let you know.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Exclusive Seabourn Spirit Offer - Istanbul to Alexandria - November 8, 2008
Whether Seabourn just finished reading my blog, I have incredible intuition, or it is happenstance, it really doesn't matter, but I was just contacted by Seabourn with an exclusive offer than fits in perfectly with my last post....and must be acted upon immediately if you are interested:
I am thrilled to offer this truly outstanding cruise to anyone who has not experienced a Seabourn cruise, who is looking for an exotic getaway this Fall, or who just wants an incredible deal on a cruise:
Seabourn Spirit – November 8, 2008
Seabourn Spirit – November 8, 2008
Istanbul, Turkey to Alexandria, Egypt
Only $__(The Price is So Low I Cannot Post It Here) per person*
(*You will be booked as an A Guaranty Suite, but this offer is NOT limited to Category A oceanview suites, so you may be surprised by what suite you ultimately may be assigned by the time of sailing! And you thought all * were signs of bad news!!!)
(*You will be booked as an A Guaranty Suite, but this offer is NOT limited to Category A oceanview suites, so you may be surprised by what suite you ultimately may be assigned by the time of sailing! And you thought all * were signs of bad news!!!)
This price includes port charges/fees, but not taxes or fuel supplement. This fare is capacity controlled, so it may be withdrawn at any time.
Here is the itinerary:
Nov 8 S Istanbul, Turkey
9 SU Cruising The Dardandelles
10 M Piraeus (Athens), Greece
11 T Navplion (Mycenae), Greece
12 W Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece
13 TH Rhodes, Greek Isles
14 F Cruising The Mediterranean Sea
15 S Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt
If you are interested DO NOT DELAY. Please call or email me immediately. (Some of you were disappointed when you delayed in responding to my last exclusive offer. Please don’t let that happen again!)
Here is the itinerary:
Nov 8 S Istanbul, Turkey
9 SU Cruising The Dardandelles
10 M Piraeus (Athens), Greece
11 T Navplion (Mycenae), Greece
12 W Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece
13 TH Rhodes, Greek Isles
14 F Cruising The Mediterranean Sea
15 S Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt
If you are interested DO NOT DELAY. Please call or email me immediately. (Some of you were disappointed when you delayed in responding to my last exclusive offer. Please don’t let that happen again!)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Regent Seven Seas, Please Listen: Luxury Is Really About Service
I guess with a bit of irony I commented in my post this morning that Regent's trumpeting $40,000,000 of hardware upgrades on the Voyager and Mariner was good news, but there needs to be a significant improvement in the service department.
I was just taking a look over at the Cruise Critic boards and saw a new thread today speaking of services misses that were, quite disappointingly, similar to that which I have experienced over the past few years. And the services misses were not from one person, but quite a few.
Problems with wine stewards that can't be bothered and pour what they have in their hand; simple dining requests that are given a "NO" rather than making it magically happen; being told to wait for tea service rather than providing a few minutes early; leaving a passenger struggling on the dock with luggage; being rushed through dinner, etc., etc., etc.
What makes me believe that things are not improving is that the people complaining did so with the qualification that it did not ruin their cruise, but that the level of service was simply inferior to most cruise lines and did not warrant the premium pricing.
I do not want to beat a dead horse, but it just baffles me how Prestige Cruise Holdings is throwing money at hardware, but history shows that it is service, service and service that really makes the difference...not just in getting new passengers, but in keeping them and building loyalty.
I was just taking a look over at the Cruise Critic boards and saw a new thread today speaking of services misses that were, quite disappointingly, similar to that which I have experienced over the past few years. And the services misses were not from one person, but quite a few.
Problems with wine stewards that can't be bothered and pour what they have in their hand; simple dining requests that are given a "NO" rather than making it magically happen; being told to wait for tea service rather than providing a few minutes early; leaving a passenger struggling on the dock with luggage; being rushed through dinner, etc., etc., etc.
What makes me believe that things are not improving is that the people complaining did so with the qualification that it did not ruin their cruise, but that the level of service was simply inferior to most cruise lines and did not warrant the premium pricing.
I do not want to beat a dead horse, but it just baffles me how Prestige Cruise Holdings is throwing money at hardware, but history shows that it is service, service and service that really makes the difference...not just in getting new passengers, but in keeping them and building loyalty.
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