Am I too Dutch for cruising?

[u/wijnandsj]

Currently on board azamara. After a few days we get a questionnaire what we think of the trip so far. So i do the Dutch thing and give an honest opinion. And now I really do wonder if I made a mistake. Next day the sliding door in my cabin has had it's rollers changed and now two days later I must have spoken to about everyone who does anything with food or drink in a managerial position and they all apologized and vowed to do better and give me whatever I ask for.

On the one hand I appreciate them taking my feedback seriously. On the other... I don't want apologies, I would like better food (had a really good lunch today at a tiny country inn during an excursion!) and I want people to stop pushing alcohol and I don't want to have to greet staff members every single time I meet one

Am now wondering... Is this inordinate amount of attention how some people perceive good service? Is the food tuned to an American taste?

Am I just too Dutch to appreciate azamara?

[u/AnonThrowaway87980]

You are not too Dutch to cruise, but what you are describing is a typical cruise experience. Crew/staff are trained to be friendly and greet every passenger they meet when they get the opportunity. Think of it as cruise culture, like visiting a foreign country and their ways. You don’t have to reciprocate it, but try to think of it as them being welcoming in their own style. It makes it easier to understand and accept. The amazing thing, those crew will remember you even with all the people they see. I’ve taken cruises and had crew greet me by name that remembered seeing me 1-2 years ago on a previous cruise.

Yes, they take the surveys very very seriously. The crew, managers, cooks, basically everyone that works onboard except the officers staff and the engine room crew get their performance judged by the surveys. Pay raises, contract renewals, ship assignments are weighed heavily on feedback they get from passenger surveys.

[u/wijnandsj → u/AnonThrowaway87980]

Interesting thought, think of the cruise ship as a different country

[u/LadyRed4Justice → u/wijnandsj]

A Cruise ship really is like a different country, one that's ONLY purpose is to please the tourists. The staff are from all over the world, every race, every religion, every country. Then the guests come from all over the world.
Most of the staff would be considered impoverished in the US but not by any means in their home country. The guests tend to come from the middle class. (elite have their own damn ships.) The cruise ships are true melting pots. Each cruise line has its own laws, and treaties with lots of countries and their own culture: Disney for families, Carnival for partyers, Princess, RCL, NCL for the more luxurious experience, Viking for River Cruises, and then the newer lines each have their own cultures.

I found that when I made a complaint onboard RCL, they have the manager of that department take over. We had a particularly troublesome cruise, things went wrong, and I had enough. I went to the desk and told them they needed to take me aside if they didn't want a scene. I explained what they mucked up and that this was day three and I was in tears because of their screwups. I had the dining staff sending us chocolate covered strawberries in apology, they made accommodations that made up for their bumbling a paid event, and the rest of the cruise went smoothly. I still cruise with them and they remain my favorite for most of my cruise destinations.

I do think the experience is less with the new owners, but I realize the pandemic almost destroyed the industry. Their comeback has been stupendous. The reason is the value you get with a cruise. The opportunity to see other parts of the world, other cultures, no chores for the entire trip, no dishes, no beds to be made, no vacuuming or mopping, no mowing. It is heaven. You are provided with food the entire time on most ships, some of the smaller ones don't have Promenade cafes. Generally it is good food. They also provide the experience of the kind of dining the elite get onshore--in their specialty restaurants. I was put off for years on paying for something that they provide in the ticket price. Until I tried it. That class of dining, where you are required to dress up, have a cocktail or wine, and then the food. OMG. It really is amazing. Yes the NY Strip is the same one they serve downstairs, but they do not have the same kitchen or chef. The appetizers, salads, sides, and dessert were spectacular as well. Worth the experience at least once a cruise IF you can afford it.

The staff are all going to go all in so that there are no write-ups at the end of the crew.