Service with a Big Smile

One aspect of Cruising which should never be underestimated is the friendliness of the staff who you are in daily contact with, some would argue that the smiles and the courtesy you get shown is false, put on and done to illicit a large tip at the end of the cruise. I personally disagree, it would be hard to keep up that level of pretence for 24 days or even longer on a world cruise, the newly introduced tipping system has changed the old tradition of personal tipping in some cases. The nature of Indian, Filipino and Oriental people is genuinely a more positive outlook on life than the average European, you should also remember crew are often contracted for six to nine months at a time with very little time off.

Your first point of contact is always your cabin boy or girl, Minguel looked after me on this cruise and nothing was too much trouble and he was a hive of information, and on occasion's coming back to the cabin to find a swan or an elephant made out of towels did make me smile. Waiters the world over have a tough job, I have a job not to spill a coffee between the kitchen and the lounge, these guys do it at sea in force 9-10, respect. In Tiffany Court, which is were you get your Costa Coffee, all the guys were great, but I got on particularly well with Vincente (Vinnie) a great laugh always smiling and flirting, rearranging furniture to fit everyone in, a guy who had time for everyone who is very nearly at the end of his nine month contract and is looking forward to getting home to Kerala to his beautiful wife and 18 month old daughter. In our restaurant we were regally looked after by our waiters.

As you can see the smile never far away, a level of service and speed that would be hard to beat anywhere, always quick to change anything you were not happy with, get Sean an extra portion and find Patrick Ice Cream to go with everything. Janet who has to have a different menu was given the next days menu so she could make her selections for the next day with the minimum of fuss. Carol our wine waitress was a darling, once purchased you never poured your own wine, as your glass was getting lower & lower she suddenly materialised and topped you up, no mean trick when you consider how many tables she was looking after.
We also had meals at Marco Pierre White's Ocean Grill and the Italian Restaurant were once again the staff could not have been more attentive and help to enhance the experience. I am full of admiration for the staff who made my holiday such a pleasure, I don't know all your names but thank you one and all.

 

Table 71