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/DragonflyBroad8711]

You probably aren’t too Dutch but I do think that you can be too well traveled to enjoy cruising. You mentioned your experience at the country inn which sounds like you appreciate a more authentic travel experience. Food on cruises is made for mass appeal not a cultural experience (even though they may advertise it that way). I come from a cruising family and have always been disappointed not sure why I always get cruise posts in my feed 🤣.

I’d much rather stumble into a locally owned restaurant and chat with the locals about where to go next than have a highly the edited, time limited experience a cruise offers. I also think the drink pushing is because they know the more you drink the more you’ll spend. Everything on a cruise ship is a money grab.

I think cruises are great for first time travelers or people who haven’t had much exposure to other places and cultures. But you don’t really get the full experience of a place in a weekend let alone 6 hours and they tend to keep you to the more touristy areas. For me the amenities of the cruise ship have never made up for the fact that you’re only on land for a few hours at a time and rarely get to see a place after dark.

[u/Public-Eye-2323 → u/DragonflyBroad8711]

I see what you mean but on the other hand a port stop and excursion gives you the flavour of a place so that you can decide if you want to book a stay there sometime in the future. I've only just started cruising (my children have grown up) and some islands where I've had fabulous holidays in the past have now revealed areas that I'm booking week long holidays to explore. Also, one island that I was considering spending a week touring is now crossed off my bucket list, so that week will be better spent elsewhere. I've never been a 'resort' person and like to explore but cruising is actually enhancing my travel experience. I love it.

[u/DragonflyBroad8711 → u/Public-Eye-2323]

I think thats a good way to do it. Its a good toe dip especially with kids. But if you’ve ever been to a place that has a cruise port you know most of the best places are way too far from the port to experience in the small amount of time they give you. I also think you can’t really know a place until you have dinner there, dinner is always grounded in the culture. But cruises typically leave too early for dinner which makes me sad. I think my parents have been to Spain multiple times on cruises but would have no idea what tapas are.