South 3.5 degrees, West 137 degrees – Sunday 14 December 2008 – 7:38 am (GMT – 9.5 hours)
Just had my lactose-free Danish and will head up or down for breakfast shortly. Speed currently 17.8 knots which is over the average 17.32 knots needed for a timely arrival. Sea and weather here at less than 4 degrees South Latitude is of course perfect as it usually is in “The Doldrums”. I plan to skip the King Neptune ceremony today, but the “Country Fair” put on by the Cruise Director in which all the crew departments run games in booths would normally be missed if it weren’t for the cryptic mention in the ship’s schedule of a game called, “Wet the Stewardess.” Wonder what he means? I will advise. Might be a highlight of the cruise. Only wildlife noted so far is above. This creature was noted as we left the anchorage at Huku Niva yesterday morning. Hope to see whales as we approach
Thought I’d mention some updates to the earlier “Lost at Sea” entries:
1 Had “Elegant Tea” (the one with no Filipino trio playing Beachboy music in always the same key and tempo but with unwarranted enthusiasm) yesterday afternoon with two delightful ladies. Both unfortunately—for me, not for them—happily married and heard that besides the “Laundry Trolls” there are also the “Bridge Witches”, the “Crocheting Nazis” as well as various other turf protecting entities. We concluded—analysis is prevalent among many of us, at least those who put up with each other on the ship—that the self appointed dispatchers and schedulers are a manifestation of perhaps a lower level of sophistication of guests on Regent versus Silversea and also of the larger passenger count on a larger ship where what might be one or two such folks is double the count. See we are always using our minds here as well as trying to wear underwear for multiple days.
2 The early bird coffee with too much “self service”, the bar tenders who chat with one guest or read the newspaper instead of serving, problems in the dining room with confused or ADHD inflicted wait staff, etc., seems to have improved greatly since one guest had a frank but very polite and detailed discussion with the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager (who looked like a trapped small animal at the time but got more interested when the long list of comparisons with another similar but higher service cruise line was provided with specific training schema and detailed solutions involving role-playing sessions below deck complete with sketches for PowerPoint presentations and a draft schedule). While the latter were not immediately accepted, a sudden shift in service appeared the next day. The coffee attendant was now standing by the coffee pots actually observing the guests instead of reading behind the counter and the tables were instantly bussed as needed. A waiter formerly from Silversea was promoted in mid-cruise to Head Waiter and now was assigned to said guest’s table. Service has become fantastic and most attentive—at least at that table. Many want to join said passenger each evening as he clearly understands the concept of “enlightened self interest.” Also, a hell of a good guy and all around charmer. You betcha.
3 The FOX News as the only life TV news available in mid-Pacific is still a bit troublesome. While an audio BBC “podcast” is available on another channel, it usually consists of long discussions of the
More updates and a report on the specifics of “Wet a Stewardess” later. At 8 am (GMT -9.5 hours) it’s already 80 degrees. We change to Alaska time (GMT – 8 hours) tonight. Speed is 17.6 knots.
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