Onboard!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

 You would think that a company would put its best foot forward when catering to, arguably, its most loyal clientele aboard the cruise line’s flagship on its premier cruise of the year.  WRONG!

We’ve boarded three ships in the last 11 weeks, a luxury ship, a mass market ship and this ship which is categorized premium.  This was by far the worst experience of the three.  Best described as disorganized, there was no feeling of welcome on boarding.  Mass chaos waiting to check in at the pier. No glass of champagne to welcome you aboard.  No line of smiling stewards waiting to escort you to your cabin.  Absolutely nobody to even give you a smile as you crossed the gangway onto the ship.  I understand that this is a special cruise and with the amount of luggage to be delivered to the cabins, perhaps there is no time for the little amenities that mean so much to travel weary passengers embarking on a very special adventure.  But there should be!  Shame on you Holland America.

Passenger mix appears as expected, maybe a little younger than I expected.  Wheel chairs and scooters are far less than I expected also.  We’ve met people on their fifth world cruise.  Some folks go to Florida for the winter, these guys do world cruises.  At least it appears that most people are younger than our celebrity entertainers, Wayne Newton and Mitzi Gaynor!

The ship itself is showing its age but is still a classic ocean liner.  Lots of wood, a complete walkaround Promenade Deck, cheery library and comfortable showroom make this my favorite model for a ship.  The artwork throughout the ship enhances the experience.  Now if only the staff will be as expected.  Holland America’s strong point is and always has been  the people who work on the ship.  I didn’t get that warm, fuzzy feeling today.  I’m sure it will get better.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Got on the scale this morning for the weigh-in.  Yours truly is a robust, cuddly, hot hunk of squeezability at 212 pounds.  Goal is to perhaps hit 199 by the time I get off.  I’m sure there will be ups and downs but I feel confident I can achieve the goal.

Joe Wagg