northerndynasty
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Posts posted by northerndynasty
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Thank you!!! I did it twice as bad, didn't I?!?! Silly me for thinking of posting this 'early' in the AM. Serves me right! :)
Thanks for the follow-up, though. Perhaps that is it! A 2-day cruise seems like an awfully short one, but perhaps it's meant as an 'Introduction to cruising' cruise? That'd be just enough to lure someone in - and for all the right reasons!
Can't go back and change the spelling; I feel so embarrassed! Oh well, guess we knew what I was referring to.
:)
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We live in Miami Beach and are honored to take in the majestic views of Her Majesty, the Davina, every Saturday night during "season". However, She is in Port Miami today - a Tuesday - just 4 days after leaving Port Miami.
Is this a scheduled stop, or is there something else going on?
Anyone with any information?
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I'm at south beach quite often and the scenery is definitely better over there than our side. :D
...if that's the case...my Lord this place is scarier than I thought! LOL...
;)
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I think "60 somethings" might bother me more than "20 somethings". ;)
...maybe not in the Cape, but down here, it DOES happen! All over...and all around!! :eek:
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We did the 8/23 and 8/28 cruises, and the reason some of us were late for the turnaround procedure was that it was scheduled to be @ 10:45AM on the 28th, and we were all set to be there on time. BUT .... at about 10:20 there was an announcement made over the ship's loudspeaker that the B2Bers should proceed to the Island dining room at once, as they were starting early. We rushed there right away, and found a huge crowd already in the corridor heading to the gangway. We had to make our way thru the crowd to get into the dining room to sign in before we could join the line. Everyone had to sit in the terminal for 20 minutes or so after going thru Immigration before we were allowed to reboard.
Since we didn't have to go to Muster Drill again, we took advantage of the aft , adults only!, pool being practically empty.
There were some "20-somthings" wearing very "cheeky", very short shorts in the dining room on the first night. I know the dress code is more relaxed that night, but I don't care how young you are and how great of a body you have .... I do not want to have to look at those " aft cheeks" as you sashay your way thru the dining room while I'm eating my dinner. UGH!!!
...on what really happens from guests themselves. It's starting to make more sense about the delay from our B2B "Friends". :) Meh, so you know what, all you did was keep me from gaining even MORE weight! So, I actually should be thanking you! :P
And as for the dress-code, I think I've voiced enough on it, so I'll just nod my head in approval with what others saw and how they're feeling concerning the matter. nodding...smiling...nodding some more... ;)
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Thank you for starting this thread Northern Dynasty.
I have had the privilege of sailing with Hector several times over the past few years. Not only does he have a marvelous voice' date=' he is also a great person. Professionally, you'll be hard pressed to find a head waiter any better within the fleet. Watch how his team works with him and responds to him. That says a lot about the man. He does his utmost to see that the passengers in the dining room have an enjoyable time at every meal. Personally, he is kind and generous. For me, Hector is no longer a crew member. He is my friend and I am proud of that. I look forward to sailing with him again.[/quote']
...tastefully put and well stated! Thank you for chiming in!!!
People like Hector deserve so many Blessings!
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Although you get to skip the second muster drill when doing back-to-back cruises, you'll find that all passenger services--food and beverages--will be closed for it. Get any food and drinks about a half hour before it's scheduled. We enjoyed swimming in the spa pool during the muster drill last December. Several crew members stopped to tell us about it, but understood when we let them know we were back-to-back passengers.
I'm afraid that the cat is out of the bag when it comes to shorts in the dining room. In the overall scheme of things, it doesn't bother me as much as people wearing baseball caps there. At least with the shorts you don't see them while they're sitting down. Our tablemate (adult male around 50 years old) wore them on our last CB cruise. On the formal night, he wore a polo barong, which is semiformal wear in the Philippines. It looks similar to the Cuban guayabera.
...ok...I suppose I'll have to get used to it (saying that in a positive way). Hopefully, as you described, the more "comfortable" dress will stay decent and appropriate. (My body is young, but is my brain getting old?! :P )
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I did notice shorts in the dining room, VERY sheer coverups over bathing suits in the dining room, plates and drink glasses in elevators and on the floor throughout the ship. The crew was trying to keep up, but the lack of manners by some of the passengers did astound me. I did not let this ruin my cruise! Do not be afraid though, the majority of the passengers were very polite and treated both crew and fellow passengers quite well.
@Northerndynasty--we looked for you the rest of the cruise and never spotted you. Glad you had a good time! We bought our Future Cruise Credits, but have not booked a cruise yet. We will take short cruises again but we understand it will not quite be like the longer cruises.
...on-board...sad to say, just look for the Casino Host, and I'm sure I'm not too far from her/him. Or, alternatively, you'll see me slamming-down a MONSTROUS slab of World Renown Princess Pizza - ANYTIME that they're open! ;)
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Thank you for the post. We are doing 30 days on Caribbean in February. Hopefully we will have Hector. What a wonderfully talented man. Truly enjoyed listening to him sing.
...and enjoy! Seems we were on part of your cruise (828-9/1), and also had a great time!
Thanks for your review!
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I was on Caribbean Princess in December and just happened to get a table in his dining room. I was thoroughly surprised by his singing and managed to get this clip...
An AWESOME contribution - and thank you!!
So incredible to be able to keep the memories alive as if we were just in the Dining Room this evening...
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...for chiming in. Sometimes I feel like some aspects of our cruising lifestyle are "protected inside", and little is known on the outside. It's stories and people like this that I wish we could spread the word and joy about. Of course, not too much... ;)
Again, thank you all...and please continue to share your stories about Hector...it's comforting to read about them when you miss him so much!
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He ain't Frank!
...what he is, is a smack-in-the-face to all those passengers who continuously choose to criticize and down-cast the crews on-board these ships.
Mr. Catalan Alvarez has a passion for his job, and more-so, a passion to please his guests, from not only tremendous service, but to give back in the form of song.
No one ever said he was a Pro, but I have a very good idea that those who rise and show their appreciation to him after he finishes-off think he is pretty darn good and are honored to have him belt out what he can for them. (it might be evident by those wiping tears off their eyes and all who stood in ovation at the end...)...just sayin'...
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All:
I am trying to spread the word about a very unique, special and talented Crew Member. I'm asking that everyone who reads this takes the time to listen to this Crew Member, recognize his talent, and shares with everyone you know.
So much of what we read on here reflects on the negativity of how we feel we have been treated on-board a Ship. We rarely read enough positive stories. Here is one of them:
His name is: Hector Catalan Alvarez. He is a Head Waiter, currently serving aboard the beautiful Caribbean Princess, doing Voyages in the Caribbean corridor. Hector, I would say, is probably somewhere in his 50's, but you would never believe it if you heard him.
You see, Hector has an incredible talent that is not very well known outside of whatever ship he is serving on. I would liken our fortune of seeing him so often as just sheer luck! Throughout our cruising years, he has been on our particular voyages I would say 50% of the time. And I can tell you, he shines through each and every time!
The talent I am referring to is his tremendous singing voice. Hector captivates and amazes the Dining Room guests with serenades that bring tears to your eyes. He exuberates a monstrous amount of passion singing to his guests. He is a caring, kind, loving, respecting, and beautiful person - who believes in making this World just a little bit better by spreading the word of Joy through song.
It has been our honor, our pleasure...to have been able to get to know Hector more with each of our cruises, and I can't imagine what a Princess cruise would be like without him.
Please take the time to listen to both of these postings. Then, share them...share them with your cruising (and non-cruising) friends!
I thank all of you for your time...and wish you all Safe Sailings and Following Seas...
The beautiful Davina...in Port Miami...on a Tuesday?
in MSC Cruises
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...thank you for the additional feedback. I will completely agree with you that it is a "pity" they do these things, and regretfully, it is about filling ships and making money.
Hopefully the hard-working Staff can revitalize her in time for her next Voyage, and return her to her luster. She is a most beautiful site - especially when we watch her leaving at night.