Cruise Question of the Day: June 2008

TheSkipper · June 11, 2008

Reserved Deck Chair??? Never experienced that, or the Bon Voyage parties, but I have heard of them and of course seen them in the movies.

On our earlier cruises there was no TV. Not sure adding it was a good thing.

I agree with the "dress" thing. Cruising used to be a "Class Act." Now it is more of a "Crass Act."

I'm enjoying this trip down cruisings memory lane.

JoeyandDavid · June 11, 2008

How do you really feel Joey?? LOL
I forgot about he confetti streamers!!! That used to be fun during the sail away.

Ed we started sailing after they had already stoppped the confetti so ...I had to go with SERVICE :laugh:

JoeyandDavid · June 11, 2008

I miss people dressing properly for dinner and coming to the dining room with an "It's my vacation and I'll do as I d--- well please attitude"

Giving MaryLou a standing ovation for her answer!

TheSkipper · June 11, 2008

Joey,

I don't know that I've seen a decline in service, but I guess I'm not that aware. What about the service has changed in your experiences??

JoeyandDavid · June 11, 2008

Joey,
I don't know that I've seen a decline in service, but I guess I'm not that aware. What about the service has changed in your experiences??

it all changed when the industry instituted automatic tipping..... it was in between our Ryndam and Oosterdam experiences... the difference between Sincere effort and going thru the motions..

cruisetarp · June 11, 2008

Ed - on our first cruise (way way back in the 60's) each deck chair had a brass plate with a number on it which corresponded to the number you found in your cabin during embarkation. There were deck stewards who would move your lounge around all day for you - in the sun - in the shade - wherever you wanted. No chair hogs in those days.

TheSkipper · June 11, 2008

Interesting point, never really thought about it. We have never sailed on HAL, but I'm sure the same thing happened aboard all the other lines.

On the other side of the coin, I've seen a lot of waiters and bus boys "stiffed" by no show passengers on "Tip Night." So, in some ways we (the passengers) may have brought this change on ourselves.

Just a thought.

TheSkipper · June 11, 2008

Interesting point, never really thought about it. We have never sailed on HAL, but I'm sure the same thing happened aboard all the other lines.

On the other side of the coin, I've seen a lot of waiters and bus boys "stiffed" by no show passengers on "Tip Night." So, in some ways we (the passengers) may have brought this change on ourselves.

Just a thought.

JoeyandDavid · June 11, 2008

Interesting point, never really thought about it. We have never sailed on HAL, but I'm sure the same thing happened aboard all the other lines.
On the other side of the coin, I've seen a lot of waiters and bus boys "stiffed" by no show passengers on "Tip Night." So, in some ways we (the passengers) may have brought this change on ourselves.

Just a thought.

Ed it wasn't so much the wait staff as the "other" staff.. stateroom , cocktail servers..purser desk personnel just the entire front of the house staff in general.. it was like we don't need to "be on" in order to earn a living!!

of course this was just my observation.

DebbieandJerry · June 11, 2008

It's hard for me not to compare this cruise to a previous cruise. I try and stop myself. I try to remind myself that I am on vacation and that perhaps change is for the good.

One thing that I have noticed, that has gone by the wayside, is the overall cleanliness of the common areas. I cannot believe that some people do not clean up after themselves. Yes we are all on vacation. Yes we want to feel pampered and waited on. But some of these folks need to toss their trash in the trash cans.

The smaller lounges and bars are kept very clean. It's the pool areas, buffet areas and tables, etc. where I have noticed mass accumulation of dirty items.