Badfinger Posted July 16, 2014 #1 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I have read threads here referring to the pursers desk. I have been on both the triumph and magic. I do not recall seeing any counter/office/dedicated area called the "pursers" desk. It does not show on the deck plans. Is it the same as guest services? Or did I just miss it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotte Posted July 16, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 16, 2014 The purser's desk is the same as guest services. You haven't missed anything. When we sailed on Holland America, they still called it the purser's desk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bury me at sea Posted July 16, 2014 #3 Share Posted July 16, 2014 It's the same thing. In earlier days they took care of on-board billing. Thus the name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mzloolue Posted July 16, 2014 #4 Share Posted July 16, 2014 in the old days of cruising it was called that The old days were not all that long ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmjb4ever Posted July 16, 2014 #5 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I call it purser's desk based on one cruise on princess in 2006 when it was called that. Crazy how things stick! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A2Mich Posted July 17, 2014 #6 Share Posted July 17, 2014 And be sure to ask for "Gopher":D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfadj Posted July 17, 2014 #7 Share Posted July 17, 2014 And they are now part of the tipping pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 17, 2014 #8 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I have read threads here referring to the pursers desk. I have been on both the triumph and magic. I do not recall seeing any counter/office/dedicated area called the "pursers" desk. It does not show on the deck plans. Is it the same as guest services? Or did I just miss it? Yours is not a stupid question at all. It's the same as what "Guest Services" is called now. Back when some of us first started cruising, that's what it was called so we'll often say "Pursers Desk". By whatever name ... it's the same thing. :) LuLu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfadj Posted July 17, 2014 #9 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Yours is not a stupid question at all. It's the same as what "Guest Services" is called now. Back when some of us first started cruising, that's what it was called so we'll often say "Pursers Desk". By whatever name ... it's the same thing. :) LuLu like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilgr Posted July 17, 2014 #10 Share Posted July 17, 2014 The real reason: A purser is historically the person in charge of the money on board. The first recorded use of the word "purser" dates back to the early 15th century, although the word was used as a surname in the late 13th century. The term is derived from the word "purse," and signifies one who is in charge of the purse. One of the most well-known pursers in modern popular culture is probably the television character Burl "Gopher" Smith played by actor Fred Grandy in television's 1970s/1980s series The Love Boat. Grandy's portrayal was beloved by many Love Boat viewers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela12345 Posted July 17, 2014 #11 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Originally Posted by jimmyle13 in the old days of cruising it was called that The old days were not all that long ago. I dont understand how this forum works. Is it just me ? I do not see the post from jimmyle13. Can the rest of you see it ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseAwesome Posted July 17, 2014 #12 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I still occasionally call it the Purser and I also called an Entertainment Staff member a "Social Host" and was quickly corrected! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YB Nrml Posted July 17, 2014 #13 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I dont understand how this forum works. Is it just me ? I do not see the post from jimmyle13. Can the rest of you see it ?? No, that post is gone. Sometimes the moderators will remove posts, or even entire threads, if someone gets too snarky or off topic. I didn't see the deleted post either so I don't know why that particular one was removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilgr Posted July 17, 2014 #14 Share Posted July 17, 2014 He was running some sort of cookie sniffing software that made it appear as if he knew private info about you. The private info about you could only be seen by you. But to some that don't know what he was doing that might have been a little scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LambKnuckles Posted July 17, 2014 #15 Share Posted July 17, 2014 And be sure to ask for "Gopher":D Yep, that's who I think of when I call it the Purser's Desk!!! The old days weren't so long ago!!! I've called it that and have to correct myself lately!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loubetti Posted July 17, 2014 #16 Share Posted July 17, 2014 The real reason: A purser is historically the person in charge of the money on board. The first recorded use of the word "purser" dates back to the early 15th century, although the word was used as a surname in the late 13th century. The term is derived from the word "purse," and signifies one who is in charge of the purse. One of the most well-known pursers in modern popular culture is probably the television character Burl "Gopher" Smith played by actor Fred Grandy in television's 1970s/1980s series The Love Boat. Grandy's portrayal was beloved by many Love Boat viewers. Quite correct! However, just remember that "Gopher" was only an assistant purser. The chief purser is often now known as the Hotel Manager / Director. Also, I've always had a problem with the use of the word "guest" on ships or hotels. The definition of guest is: "A person who is invited to visit the home of or take part in a function organized by another". Granted, a cruise could be considered a function, and the offering of a cruise could be considered an invitation, but there is no mention of payment for such! If you are on a ship, you are a passenger, just like on the airlines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela12345 Posted July 17, 2014 #17 Share Posted July 17, 2014 No, that post is gone. Sometimes the moderators will remove posts, or even entire threads, if someone gets too snarky or off topic. I didn't see the deleted post either so I don't know why that particular one was removed. He was running some sort of cookie sniffing software that made it appear as if he knew private info about you. The private info about you could only be seen by you. But to some that don't know what he was doing that might have been a little scary. Oh ! I understand now. Thanks for the answers guys !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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