bjbear

Yellowbird and Party of One thanks so much for keeping us updated on Egon's travels.

 

I too wish I was able to cruise with him to help him get around. But I only hope that when I am 95 that I am able to get around as well as he does.

I second that, you two are the best!! :D I also thought his space was really spartan, would love to be there and spruce it up a bit!

And I hope that I can do what he does when I'm 95, God willing! :)

Sue

compared to all the other lines, except Luxury Oceiana, Regent Crystal, Seabourn, Amazar, Holland America offers the best bang for the dollar and a better passenger experience for the person seeking the pleasure of cruising on the ocean and enjoying the ship. and traditional sailing.

 

It is free from the gimmicks, carnivals, up-selling, shopping malls found on so many others. And too, it attracts a passenger who seeks the romance of the sea.

 

It may not be perfect, however, it has more going for it all in all.:D

You said it so well "a passenger who seeks the romance of the sea!" That's the main reason I cruise. Everything everyone above has said also, I love HAL, love the smaller ships. And from a different perspective - I travel solo - and never felt as at home and comfortable on any other cruise line. People were so friendly and never made me feel "odd" that I was alone. Got to love that late night room service too!! :D

Sue

Me too, it's got to be harder getting around without it. :)

Sue

Egon is a storyteller. Perhaps he describes people and situations with utter detail so we can visualize what he is seeing. These are not judgements but observations about what he sees on each cruise.

Beautifully said! :)

Sue

I couldn't have said it better Sam. Thank you! Let's get back to the intentions of this topic which is following a remarkable 95 year old gentleman on his journey enjoying life as he sees it, which is pretty darned impressive to me.

I second that too Sam and Pat! :) I don't like how this has strayed off the topic of Egon's wonderful journey. I think if you reach 95 and are sailing alone on a long journey and loving it, you are entitled to your opinion. That's all it is folks, his opinion, which has nothing to do with your insecurities. I don't mean to be rude, but life is short - live it! :D

Sue

I am wondering if people have grown tired of this site. If so, I will discontinue the updates.

Yes, please continue. :) I don't post much but I check everyday for "Egons Adventures" and I thank you, Pat, for taking time to keep us up-to-date.

Sue

Just moving us back up so we don't get lost in the shuffle! ;) Weather here has been cold and snowy and I'm wishing I were on a cruise!! :D

Sue

I too have been enjoying this thread and was excited to see Egon's post! You are a remarkable man, my friend! Thanks again Pat and those who post the pictures for us. I don't post often but I wanted to send this wish to all of you - I have to admit I read it on another thread and it just seemed so perfect for us. :D

May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!

May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy

May the problems you had, forget your home address!

In simple words.....

May 2012 be the best year of your life!!! :D

Happy New Year!

Sue

Oh this is so exciting, getting the details again of Egon's wonderful adventures! :) I don't know what I'll do when he stops traveling!! :D Thanks again so much Pat for doing this for us. :)

Sue

Just moving us back up so we don't get lost in the shuffle. :) Do you know, Pat, if he plans to keep corresponding when he starts his Cozumel trip - that's only a week or two away. In the meantime is there something else we can talk about 'till he comes back!!?? :D

Sue

Wow, I can't believe the year is up! It seems like just yesterday I found this thread and started reading this man's wonderful adventure. :) Pat, thank you so much for keeping his journey "alive" for us. I can't wait for the next installment!

Bless You, Sue :D

Yes, Pat I had tears reading his poem. What a man! He epitomizes what life is all about - may he never grow old! May we all be forever young at heart! :D

Sue

Pat, i'm so sorry. You and your daughter are in my thoughts and my prayers.

God Bless, Sue

And appreciated by me three! :D Also appreciate Pat's posting his narrative adventures. I too, am living a dream through his adventures and I hope I'm just like him when I grow up!! I'm already a "senior". ;):)

Sue

Hope you all are having a wonderful holiday weekend with friends and family. Got my flags out all over in memory of two high school classmates who were killed in Vietnam. Will never forget their sacrifice!

Pat, hope you and family are also having a wonderful weekend!! I don't post often on here but I read this thread faithfully every day and just want to thank you ( and the picture lady!!) for keeping us up to date on Egon's wonderful adventures. :D :)

To each and every one of you who have served so that we might all enjoy this day; a big THANK YOU!!

Sue

I agree with all of you about how Egon is being treated and have also voiced my opinion to MSC. It would appear that they aren't at all concerned about the bottom line or customer satisfaction, shame on them! :( He's making history with his wonderful adventure and should be treated so much better. I too, will never, ever, ever sail with MSC.

And another shout out to you, Pat for keeping us all in the loop. I look forward to this every day! :D

Sue

Steve (aka "woodboat"). You should be so proud of your father. I hope I live as long as him.

I'll second that Pat! I hope that, when I'm his age, I'm healthy and have the funds to do a year on a ship! ;) I can just see him in the alley with a kind stranger emailing!! What a guy. :D

Sue

Thanks Pat for keeping us updated about Egon, also a HUGE thank you for caring enough about him to write to MSC; which I am also going to do.

 

Most cruise lines will give you onboard credit OR an upgraded room if the price of the cruise goes down. I find it hard to believe that NONE of the individual cruises that make up the year of cruises Egon booked, wuldn't qualify for SOMETHING!! Free laundry in my mind is an insult to this gentleman. IF MSC had played their cards right and treated Egon fairly, his journaling of his year at sea could have generated a lot of GOOD PUBLICITY for them. Perhaps they are not aware of Cruise Critic, or the power of people on a forum such as this!!

 

MSC is an Italian cruise line and the Poesia is heading for Europe (Italy.) If I was an Italian or lived in Italy, here's what I'd do; (HOPEFULLY IF WE HAVE ITALIANS ON CRUISE CRITIC THEY COULD MAKE THIS HAPPEN)

 

At the first place in Italy where the Poesia is docking I would arrange for the media (newspapers and TV) to interview Egan, so he can tell his story. This is a human interest story and NO company likes BAD PUBLICITY especialy when it shows they have no compassion!

 

I know Egan is playing the piano because he enjoys it, but he is 95 and is taking this cruise so he doesn't have to go in a retirement home. IF he was treated better by MSC and I was a passenger on the ship, I'd be singing the praises of the cruise line helping him atain his goal. Everyone (that is everyone but MSC) knows that word of mouth is the best form of advertising!!

 

I echo Pat's words to MSC....SHAME ON YOU!

 

Foot note: I wish Egon's cruiseline of choice had been HAL. Maybe he and Mama Lou would have been a match made at sea. ;);)

OMG, Lindalans, what a fanastic idea!! :D I'll bet he and Mama Lou would be a match made at sea, in fact, she just might persuade him to stay on for a few extra weeks with her!! Love, love, love this idea! ;)

Sue

Sue>>Sometimes I might voice too strong an opinion, but that's who I am. I like to believe that if I can help, or at least try to help, someone who truly deserves it, then that makes me keep wanting to move forward. I will not apologize one iota for what I believe in. Call me nuts or anything you want, makes no difference. I agree 100% with you and yes, I did send MSC the above. I found a "contact" button on their website. I sure don't want to cause any problem for him and I am hoping that the cruiseline doesn't take it out on him thinking that it was at his request because it surely wasn't. I believe he is quite capable of handling "situations" himself, but I still believe that they took and are taking advantage of him and it's not right....not one bit.

Pat, I don't think that is too strong, at my age I feel I've earned the right to speak my mind. :D I'm going to send MSC a message also, thanks for telling me how. I agree he is very capable of handling his situations but I think they need to be made aware that other people are aware of their actions and that it will cost them business - at least yours and mine! ;)

Sue

I have a dear friend, Mr. Egon Landsberg, who is traveling and performing on your cruiseship since October of 2010. I think it is disgusting how you have treated him.

First off, he is playing for you for nothing and the patrons on your ship thoroughly enjoy those sessions.

What does he get in return? Free laundry???? What cheapskates you are!! Shame on you!

As he is 94 years old and he chose Poesia versus a retirement home to enjoy possibly the rest of his life and you can't even upgrade him to a room with an oceanview?

I travelled in January of this year on Poesia and I will NEVER be on it again. I have friends on Cruise Critics who feel the same about how he has been treated. I pity Egon having to endure this stinginess for 8 more months.

 

SHAME ON YOU!

Pat, I couldn't agree with you more. I only cruise with Celebrity and Holland and was actually considering some segment of this cruise just to meet Egon but you couldn't pay me to sail with Poesia now. I have the utmost admiration for this man and can't believe how nasty they have been.

I know people who have done world cruises on Holland and they get all kinds of perks and upgrades for a 110 day trip such as free laundry, free internet, gifts etc. I agree that he should, at a minimum, get at least an oceanview and/or a balcony cabin for his entertaining. I mean we're talking a whole year for heavens sake, give me a break Poesia. The publicity alone is/should be worth a huge reduction in price to them. Did you send the above to Poesia and, if so, how?

Again, I really appreciate you keeping us in the loop. I just wish he could do this again next year on another cruise line.

Sue

I don't know if this has been said enough and by others, but I do want to thank you for taking the time to keep us all up on Egon's adventures. He has become a very important part of my day and I so look forward to his postings.

I'll second that!! :D I love reading about his journey. I don't post a lot but I look for this thread every day! Thanks Pat! :)

Sue

Me too. I am sure he was homesick in some respects for some familiarity and he will get just that with Steve to help him possibly forget his troubles for a while. And yes, Tom gets kudos from me. So happy that Egon found his place for comfort while he recuperates.

 

As for my cruise, a lot depends on what transpires between now and Sunday. I am getting ready right now to take my dog for an x-ray to see if I need to put an end to his horrible suffering he has been going through. He is 14 years old and my buddy. All I know is that this has been a horrible week in all aspects and it has to end sometime, doesn't it?

Pat, my heart goes out to you. Having lost my best 4-legged friend twice now I can certainly relate to your pain. Fisherlady is right that you will know when and what to do when it's time. Please know that I'm thinking of you. :)

Sue

Steve, thanks for keeping us up to date, so glad he's OK. I had this horrible picture in my mind of him flipping over backward off the scooter! :eek: Hopefully, he can see someone when he's in FLL for a few days.

Pat, if it's not too much trouble please keep posting his reports on here too. :) I read his website with much interest (what a life this man has had) but we miss all our comments to each other if you don't post too! ;) And we will, of course, want to be hearing all about your cruise with him in Jan. :D

Sue

Pat, doesn't your cruise leave 1-9? You'll get to spend some time with him in FL before boarding again, right?? To bad he doesn't have a side car!! :D

I'm another one who really doesn't like to dress up anymore. Before I retired, I had to "dress to the nines" everyday for years for work and fancy parties, etc. I would be happy if I never had to "dress" for dinner again. However, I know he enjoys that so I'll bet you break down and go a little dressy on the cruise. ;) I would do it for him! :p

I'm in central Illinois and we are preparing for a winter blast, although not near as bad as the upper midwest is getting. :eek: Where in PA are you? I was born in Pittsburgh and all my relatives were there until they passed on. I love PA, hate the midwest, no hills, nothing but corn fields!! :(

Sue

I do know that he has to get off the ship from 1/4-9/2011 because the whole ship is chartered for that week. I can't imagine why they don't let him on. Rediculous. I wonder what he will do with all his things in his cabin for that week? They have begun giving him laundry service free so that he doesn't have to lug his laundry into a port. I agree, he should be given at least a room with an ocean view. They say you get what you pay for, but in his case they could go an extra mile, don't you think?

Pat, I think that is sort of ridiculous too. With paying for an entire year on their ship, wouldn't it be tremendous if they upgraded him to a "room with a view" when he reboards on 1/9/11?? :cool: I certainly don't think that's too much particularly since I'd imagine they are getting some great publicity from his journey. I'm so glad he has his scooter now - he can zip around in FLL while the charter is going on. :D

Sue