Doldrum Days

I’ve never had so much NOT to do with so much hanging in the balance. 

Seems a tad contradictory doesn’t it? 

He we sit, sunny and warm for the most part, at the Texas Home Port. Some days are spent doing nothing of consequence. It is actually impossible to do nothing when you really examine the nature of nothing. Even sitting and staring out the window is something, hence the qualifier….. “of consequence.” 

The topic of conversation most of the time is the upcoming cruise as there are still many items to check off the list and I don’t necessarily mean procurements. 

For example, the Cruise Line wants as much done up front as possible. This makes total sense as anything that makes Embarkation Day go smoothly is a plus. So, there are a myriad of forms to be filled out online, and several Tourist Visa’s to apply for. New Zealand, Australia, and Sri Lanka all require these documents. Get this … there’s an app for this! You just download the app from your particular store, and it walks you through the entire process, especially the all-important “Visa Fees” that are attached to each application. This is a no-brainer for them, they get an even $35 bucks from each visitor, so I am sure that over a years’ time it adds up nicely. It makes you wonder why all of the other countries don’t do something like this!  Shhh! Not too loud!!! 

Additionally, we are still tying up some loose ends on the ship itself. 

There is what’s called the Medallion App. This is a Princess product and is quite nifty in its application. Instead of the “Sea Pass” card that eventually replaced your stateroom key and also worked as an onboard card to access your account, we now have these fancy medallions that get worn somewhere on your person. Most will be on a lanyard, but you can also get a “watchband” type model or something that clips on. Think of these like the newer key fobs for your car where you just walk up to a certain proximity to your car and the doors unlock. Same here. 

The really cool part of these is when you use them in conjunction with a smartphone and the App. It now becomes a locator and an on-board communications/ordering device.  

For example…. 

You are by the pool and have sudden craving for a cocktail. You pick up your phone, go to the App and order an Umbrella Drink. The bar gets your order, makes it and since you are wearing your Medallion, they know exactly where you are and are able to deliver said beverage right to you, post haste! 

But wait, there’s more! As you are ordering you remember that your traveling companion is somewhere aboard and hopefully will be joining you at some time. Since he or she has their Medallion on them and are included in your “Group” you can locate them wherever they may be on the ship. Hah! There he is! In the Library again! But wait… he’s moving, coming this way, I’d better order something for him for when he gets here. So, you switch back to the ordering menu and ask for a nice cold Chocolate Milk to be added to your order. 

It’s that simple! 

But all this needs to be set up in advance, hence more “preparations” before departure. It’s a good thing that Princess has anticipated the barrage of phone calls to the Help Desk in order to guide one through the set-up process! 

Another aspect of this Cruise that needs/should be set up in advance is the Dining Preferences. Back in the Olde Days, you were assigned a table, usually with some of your other shipmates and that is where you spent your Evening Dining  for the extent of your voyage. It’s very different now.  

Basically, the Cruise Lines have all gone to a variation of “Anytime Dining”. You are no longer locked into a particular time slot, table, shipmates, or dining room for that matter (as there are several specialty dining venues available on board). 

This is all well and good on a certain level. But we do prefer a set time and table.  

Like the Olde Days. 

Six o’clock works just fine. This give us ample time after an excursion, to get back on board, relax a bit, and get ready for dinner. We also like to have the same table which means the same waitstaff. This also means that when you arrive at your table at the same time every evening there waiting for you is a glass of Pino Grigio and a lemonade. And…. When dinner is over, a wonderfully chilled glass of their finest Grade A Whole Milk is delivered just in time to accompany whatever chocolate desert that has been decided on for the evening. No waiting, no wondering if will get there in time, just great service every night. And…. you get to know your waitstaff very well! We are still in contact with our waitress Nydia (from Peru), from the Baltic Cruise we took a few years ago.  

She addressed us as Madam Paula and Sir Don.  🙂

Plus, it is one less decision that needs to be made on a daily basis. You know how it goes… 

“When do you want to go to dinner?”  

“Ida Know…. When do you want to go? 

“I asked you first!” 

And on and on and on for four months. Just give me a time and I promise that I’ll be there. It’s that simple. 

But, it isn’t that simple! I went on the App yesterday and tried to make reservations for the entirety of the Cruise, which is something that you can do. (They can be changed at any time)  

The only slots available were 8:20 PM. 

How can this be? We are still fifty-some days away from sailing! 

That obviously won’t work as I (sometimes we) are asleep by then! 

The good thing is that if we can’t correct this by sailing time, one can always go to the Maître d’ and make arrangements with him. They really do want to accommodate your wishes but, since I am from the Hospitality Industry, I know that a well-placed $$$ in someone’s hand will facilitate the process! 

We are also finding that as we go along and re-check those sold-out Excursions that there are newer ones popping up and waiting lists assembled so that when the list gets to the appropriate number, they can order an additional tour. Since my guess is that this Cruise is severely over-booked (as alluded to in the previous post) that as the cuts, and deals, get made, the excursions attached to those folks will then become available to everyone else, hence the constant checking back. 

To be continued as conditions change…..(if you’re not tired of this already!)