We have two days at sea until we reach Montevideo. The weather is already beginning to warm up although there is still a ‘lumpy’ following sea which makes this rather awkward-moving vessel lurch all over the place. Still the sun is shining but the movement of the vessel has meant that the pool has had to be lowered as it was fit for surfing last night and was emptying itself all over the decks. The Jacuzzis are still in operation and have attracted a few takers. Otherwise the mostly elderly passengers (guests as they insist on calling us!!), are reading and sleeping in their chairs.
If I haven’t mentioned it before, I am amazed at how little has changed since I was, myself serving on passenger vessels in the sixties and early seventies. Bingo, trivia quizzes, bridge, ‘interest talks’, fairly ‘over-the-hill’ entertainers, (one billed as having performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra which would put them in their nineties, at least!!), cooking classes, etc. I suppose this is what most people who cruise want and that is why the cruising companies supply it. It seems that nearly everyone here has spent their entire lives cruising and much of the (overheard), conversation is comparing one Line and/or one ship with another. I do think that this form of vacation is a bit of an acquired taste.
Whilst a repetition of this experience for me is in the realm of the highly unlikely, I cannot fault the ship or the ship’s staff who are universally polite and helpful. They have certainly been well-drilled not to let you pass them without acknowledging you by a ‘Good Morning’ or other sort of greeting. The staff in the restaurants are also cheerful and courteous. The food is, on the whole extremely good although as might be expected there have been a few failures. If I had to list the, relatively small items with which I would take issue they are:
- There is a tendency to ‘nickel and dime’ rather too much with charges for some items which, at the costs of this whole cruise, I would have thought could be included. As usual water is one of these items which is at Manhattan prices.
- Sometimes there is a bit of a ‘hard sell’ for future cruises but I suppose as they have you captive they would like to ‘hook’ you for future trips.
- The schedule is a little strange and I think I would have arranged it differently. For example, Buenos Aires and Montevideo are large cities with varied cultures. I think I would have allowed the vessel to stay there until at least midnight so that we could, for example in BA, have had some sort of tango show either on board or as a shore excursion; or even that people could have had dinner ashore in those places. An 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. daytime stay seems to be a little ill-thought-out. It might be fine for Ushuaia or Punta Arenas but for major cities it doesn’t seem very appropriate.
- In a few areas, the ship, which is always neat and clean. could do with a bit of an upgrade, especially in the fitness room where the equipment is rather old. Perhaps they have invested more in the spa where there is a bigger profit margin.
Although I am not sure that the option was ever there, I would probably be happy to disembark and come home from BA. I have not been to Santos but I am not sure it is exactly a ‘must-see’ place anyway and I have been to Rio twice before so really the remainder of the cruise, after BA, is a bit superfluous. I could imagine that the change things would cause an immense rumpus as well as mucho $$$$$$, so I had better leave it be.
Tonight we have another party in the Owners’ Suite of Harvey and Barbara. They are a much larger than life couple originally from New York, but now living in California. Harvey has a business supplying movies to cruise liners and Barbara is an interior designer. As I think I have mentioned before they have been married 55 years and I would think must be in their 70’s but they are the life and soul of the party and all gatherings that include them are great fun. They are generous to a fault and great hosts.
After the party we have dinner in ‘Toscana’ the Italian-themed restaurant. This is one of the two ‘specialist’ restaurants for which booking is required although the food is included in the cost of the cruise, it is just that there is limited space in the restaurant. There is also ‘Polo’ a steakhouse as well as a formal Grand Dining Room and a Terrace Cafe which is informal. Quite enough opportunities to over-eat!!
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