Another beautiful day greeted us this morning, although looking out the window, we did notice some rain falling in the distance. This is just what you can expect in the tropical part of the South Pacific. Most times, the navigation team can steer around the individual clouds, and avoid the worst of a downpour. As the intensity of the sun gets stronger, the occasional rain showers can be welcomed.
Today is actually # 22 of the grand voyage, and some of the “glitter” has been taken away from some of the guest’s expected experience. We are referring to the less than ideal conditions that caused the tendering to shore to cease while at Easter Island on Sunday. Stories are cropping up with disappointed guests who followed the directions for procuring tender tickets, only to find the line had begun forming at 4am, not 7am. Today, while having a private conversation with four friends in the Lido, a disgruntled couple interrupted us with their story of woe. Many people had tickets that got them nowhere, because they were cut off early on. Their biggest gripe was that all of the ship’s tour groups went off eventually. Folks…..that’s the way it works, and that is the reason we booked tours in places such as this. We know from experience that tender service can be stopped in places like Ascension Island, St. Helena, The Falklands, even Maui in Hawaii. It is just part of the cruise world. Lots of new guests do not understand this, but if they read the contract we are supplied, it is stated that successful landings are not always possible. If you have arranged a private tour, you are taking a chance that you might not get there. If you can insure these independent excursions, then perhaps the scene we saw today might not have occurred. Anyway, this couple got hot under the collar because they lost their tour money, so we left before it got worse. We could hear them arguing with a couple of our buddies all the way to the elevator.
Another strange story we heard was about a couple that were scheming to disguise the number on their tender ticket to show a 6 and not a 16. One gal we know warned the staff, and this couple got caught trying to jump the line. Golly, this sounds like kindergarten. Can you believe the couple threatened to get even with her sometime during the rest of this cruise?
Later in the afternoon, everyone received a letter from Captain Mercer going into details why he ceased the transfer at 4pm. One thing we already knew was that a 15 minute ride, turned into a 45 minute ride to shore, and again, coming back. The delay built up. Another attempt to open the starboard platform, ended up with that side flooded under 2 feet of water.
What a shame that so many passengers made their disappointment clear in writing and verbally. Once again, the Captain offered his sincere regrets, but that is the way it is…..period. The Master has spoken, and we hope that is the end of this dissatisfaction.
However……tomorrow’s “port” is not really a port, but a unique stop where the locals are allowed to come onboard for a short duration. No one onboard the ship will be going anywhere on the island. But it was pointed out by our friends that the Port Guide shows the map of the island with the things to see (the square, church, post office, caves, cemetery, museum, etc.) marked like all the other ports we go to. It even talks about the food and shopping, but we never are allowed to go there, and we all know it. Whoever writes these booklets added this: Our award winning shore excursions provide convenient access to these sights. See Shore excursions to fill out the order form. Not happening folks. This might turn out to be another day of complaints.
On a lighter note, the flowers are back. Obviously, the florists got their delivery on Easter Island, and the displays have shown up in the public areas and the dining room. Eddie and Calista must have worked through the night to create arrangements suitable for Valentine’s Day, which is coming soon. This has to be one of their busiest times, because guests buy many floral gifts for their significant others.
America’s Test Kitchen has been operating full speed ahead. We have been invited to a cake decorating session on Friday at 11am. Since there are so many guests that have high Mariner status, it has been impossible to have “hands on” classes. So, we have been invited with a group of 5 star Mariners to the Wajang Theater to get the recipe cards and special aprons. As requested, we called to confirm that we would be present.
For those that are anxious to part with some big bucks, there was a seminar on tanzanites and diamonds mined in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tomorrow, the Tahitian pearls will be on sale for 2 hours. This is a whole new concept to motivate the folks to buy on a whim, although it is part of a trunk show, and will only be onboard for a short time.
Barb and her trivia team won again today, actually getting 15 answers correct. They are on a roll…..At dinner tonight, she told us a story about a group that ordered two Tomahawk steaks from the dinner menu to be served for lunch in the dining room today. They had a group of ten, and the staff made a huge deal out of the presentation of the glorified monster-sized steaks. What a good way to advertise this $75 x 2 meal-deal. Anyway, her lunch buddies decided to move to a table a bit further away from the noise. Guess some of the steak group will be leaving in Auckland, and this was a celebration for them. Our morning waiter, Gan, told us that they serve the big steak much more often on the cruises of shorter duration more than on a grand voyage. Interesting.
The Mainstage show was a brand new performance from The Knights once again. They filled the room once again too.
Tonight the clocks went back another hour – the third time in as many days. OK with us.
Bill & Mary Ann
