pstoker Posted August 7, 2019 #1 Share Posted August 7, 2019 My wife and I love cruising. We've never really had a horrible cruising experience with HAL. We have taken some pleasure in the hobby of people watching. Many people forget the fact that they are on a cruise, which only a small portion of people ever get to do in the first place. Some people take pleasure in treating the cooking staff on the Lido with audible contempt. Some people enjoy complaining about everything they encounter with respect to the cruise ship. Some people complain about the fact that one conglomerate has taken over the line and that HAL is just a puppet of a larger company. Regardless of the veracity of their statements or perceived justifiability of their behavior, they seem to forget that not everyone gets to enjoy being on a cruise. I grew up in a very poor middle class family. Cruising was never an option I even dreamed about. Watching the Love Boat was about as close as I dreamed I would come to a cruise. Thanks to hard work and a bit of luck, I get to enjoy it now but I never forget where I came from. The people who serve you on these ships are far away from their homes and families for months at a time. The staff that cleans your rooms, cooks your food, and handles the ship, in most cases do it for a salary you and I would never consider as acceptable. They work enormously hard to please the guest and they absorb quite a bit of verbal abuse by people who frankly have it pretty good in life. Maybe it's my 21 years of military service, or maybe its the fact that I I still have calluses on my hands, I never overlook the hard work people do. The best thing you can do as a cruiser, whether you're a first time cruiser or an experienced cruiser, is to lighten up, take in the ocean air, and just enjoy the fact that you have the privilege to cruise. If your sheet isn't folded quite as perfectly as you would like, remember that you didn't have to make that bed. If you're treated rudely, by all means report that treatment, or don't tip as much. Before you decide to go an a rant ask yourself this question. Would you do what these people do for the pay they receive? I recognize that there are some truly bad things that may happen on a cruise. Back in January 2017, I was on the Nat Geo/Linbad cruise that threw a rod in the middle of the Drake passage and had to return under emergency power. But even then, the overall cruise was a great experience. I'm happy go lucky person. I love being on ships. Yes, I've noticed some changes in services, but I'm smart enough to realize that have a zero defect mindset is unrealistic. To keep myself grounded, though I'm retired, I work part time in an industry that is woefully under paid (EMS). Many of my colleagues work multiple jobs to make ends meet. So remember, if you have a stable deck beneath your feet, don't have to do the dishes after dinner, or make your bed, you've got it pretty good in life. Enjoy yourself. Leave the grump monster locked up at home where he/she belongs. 46 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betsey Posted August 7, 2019 #2 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Bravo - thank you for stating this so well. A little gratitude goes a long way! Fair winds and following seas to you. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevingastreich Posted August 7, 2019 #3 Share Posted August 7, 2019 I agree. The crew and staff work extremely hard. I try to be nice to them regardless of the experience. BTW, what is "extremely poor middle class"? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regnig Posted August 7, 2019 #4 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Bravo! Well said. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pstoker Posted August 7, 2019 Author #5 Share Posted August 7, 2019 10 minutes ago, kevingastreich said: I agree. The crew and staff work extremely hard. I try to be nice to them regardless of the experience. BTW, what is "extremely poor middle class"? It's living in a "middle class" income bracket but both parents working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Once I was old enough I worked as well to help out. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyer79 Posted August 7, 2019 #6 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Fantastic post.! Thanks for your contribution. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kucherov Posted August 7, 2019 #7 Share Posted August 7, 2019 I could have written it myself, but you said it better than I ever could. I never get over the pickiness of people I see on cruises... but never let it affect my enjoyment. Having been in the Navy, I just love being on ships. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted August 7, 2019 #8 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Nicely done, pstoker! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonialinnkeeper Posted August 7, 2019 #9 Share Posted August 7, 2019 It is good to be reminded from time to time how fortunate we are and how much of the world does not have the opportunity and living standard that we do, We never dreamt that we would travel a good part of the world and experience the things we have seen and been a part of. We always feel we are taken such good care of when we board the HAL ships and try to make the staff that make it such a great trip to know how much we appreciate them. Thanks for your post. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfish Posted August 7, 2019 #10 Share Posted August 7, 2019 If we followed pstoker's advice, we'd probably enjoy our cruises a whole lot more. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted August 7, 2019 #11 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Dose of reality. 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare vino100 Posted August 7, 2019 #12 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Thank you for reminding us how blessed we are. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avian777 Posted August 7, 2019 #13 Share Posted August 7, 2019 👍 Thanks for the very uplifting Post, pstoker, and Godspeed on all of your travels. 😎 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leerathje Posted August 7, 2019 #14 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Like you, I grew up with not much. Never in a million years would I have thought I would cruise. Thank you for reminding us all of where many people come from. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted August 7, 2019 #15 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Take a bow!!!!!! Well said well said👍👍 Thank you so much for your wonderful words !!! Denise😊 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandThyme Posted August 7, 2019 #16 Share Posted August 7, 2019 I couldn't agree with you more! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ski ww Posted August 7, 2019 #17 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Well said & how true, couldn't of said it better myself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatbob66 Posted August 7, 2019 #18 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Thank you!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare puppycanducruise Posted August 7, 2019 #19 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Sometimes we have to be reminded of how lucky we are. Thank you. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted August 7, 2019 #20 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Very well said!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsel Posted August 7, 2019 #21 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Bless you and thank you! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar Dragon Posted August 7, 2019 #22 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Absolutely true-a little kindness and consideration goes a long way, on a cruise and in life! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selion Posted August 7, 2019 #23 Share Posted August 7, 2019 This should be featured on the front page of CC. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggal Posted August 7, 2019 #24 Share Posted August 7, 2019 I'm often appalled at the behavior of some passengers toward the crew, and, other passengers as well. The only excuse for them is that they probably are that way at home too. Its a pity. I wish HAL, and other cruise lines, would include a one page letter to passengers with suggestions for ship-board etiquette. Especially elevator etiquette. It would go a long way to improving everyone's cruise experience. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare dogo88 Posted August 7, 2019 #25 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Well done. And thank you for your service. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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