I’m not sure what a cruise actually costs as I am an employee of this cruise line, however I find it really hard to understand why so many people pay upwards of, oh, I don’t know, $4000 to come onboard the Island Princess to scream at each other. Can’t you do that for free at home? (I should know, my family did enough ‘free vacationing’ for years!) Not a day goes by that I don’t share an elevator with a couple bickering over which side of the ship is port, or just how much bacon is too much. (Answer: Never too much)
I also get to witness passengers taking out their frustrations on unsuspecting Malaysian crew members whose job is to rip the paper off of the straws before they go into the overpriced daiquiris. Pinjar doesn’t know why you didn’t receive a complementary toothpick in your bathroom, nor does he care. But, he smiles and politely says “Do you want a straw Ma’am?” and goes on with his day. We are the consummate host, and we will go to any length to pass you on to the next person who isn’t sure how to fix your minute problem in the fastest possible time.
I’m not trying to mock our crew. It is almost embarrassing listening to passengers complain about things that at home, would most certainly come as a luxury, but while at sea somehow become necessity. Even in Canada the summer heat reaches lethal temperatures, but I don’t expect a cool cloth waiting for me on a silver plater when I reach my front door, but somehow people just can’t climb the six steps up the gangway in Jamaica without that. When special extras start to become demands by some, they just aren’t that special anymore.
This rant is primarily brought on by the turn of the calendar year. As I wrote last year (and my devoted 4 readers will remember) each December 31st I make a list titled “What Was Good in…” followed by the current year. I list happy memories, loved ones names and moments from the past 12 months to remind me of what is important, and to remind me that it’s the little things that truly make me happy.
It’s easy to get caught up in what isn’t happening, or what you could be doing, but it’s so important to appreciate the little things, and not them get in the way of the big picture. That being said, I have five more months to go on the contract and I already asked Adam if it was too early to pack.
Happy New Year everyone. Go over your list, and make sure that the little things aren’t left off of it.
I also get to witness passengers taking out their frustrations on unsuspecting Malaysian crew members whose job is to rip the paper off of the straws before they go into the overpriced daiquiris. Pinjar doesn’t know why you didn’t receive a complementary toothpick in your bathroom, nor does he care. But, he smiles and politely says “Do you want a straw Ma’am?” and goes on with his day. We are the consummate host, and we will go to any length to pass you on to the next person who isn’t sure how to fix your minute problem in the fastest possible time.
I’m not trying to mock our crew. It is almost embarrassing listening to passengers complain about things that at home, would most certainly come as a luxury, but while at sea somehow become necessity. Even in Canada the summer heat reaches lethal temperatures, but I don’t expect a cool cloth waiting for me on a silver plater when I reach my front door, but somehow people just can’t climb the six steps up the gangway in Jamaica without that. When special extras start to become demands by some, they just aren’t that special anymore.
This rant is primarily brought on by the turn of the calendar year. As I wrote last year (and my devoted 4 readers will remember) each December 31st I make a list titled “What Was Good in…” followed by the current year. I list happy memories, loved ones names and moments from the past 12 months to remind me of what is important, and to remind me that it’s the little things that truly make me happy.
It’s easy to get caught up in what isn’t happening, or what you could be doing, but it’s so important to appreciate the little things, and not them get in the way of the big picture. That being said, I have five more months to go on the contract and I already asked Adam if it was too early to pack.
Happy New Year everyone. Go over your list, and make sure that the little things aren’t left off of it.
From a travel agent's perspective, you're so right about the expectations - we tell customers that living standards and local customs will be different at their destinations that here in Canada, but they still seem to think that everything should be just like it is at home. If you really want it to be just like home, stay home!
ReplyDeleteSuz