Thursday, October 30, 2008

Day 41 At Sea

Today was a lonely day….. It was very windy with temps in the low 50s. There weren’t many people out enjoying and otherwise sunny day. I relaxed all day out in the sun, out of the wind. We had people get on the ship yesterday. The voyage for some will end in 3 days when we reach Melbourne…. What a Grand Voyage. It seems as thought we are just riding on a ferry boat. We have had people coming and going so much I can’t keep track of how many “segments” there are…. I wonder how bad they will carve up the Grand World Voyage in an attempt to fill the ship. Everywhere you look there are cutbacks. Maintaining the quality of the product has become secondary, I fear. A lesser quality product ought to drive the prices down in the future…..

9 comments:

Michelle and Rudy van der Goot said...

Just how bad is the cutback? Is it to the point where there might not be value for money? There is always an alternative to HAL but we just don't fancy it.

Are you checking your emails? We sent you two emails and would like to have an offline chat with you.
Cheers
Rudy and Michelle

Unknown said...

Jeff you sound down. How many on the ship? Sas and I would like to know what beside pillow gifts and no pasta bar is evident. Keep happy. Allan and Sandra

Kween Karen said...

Oh dear! Once again I am fearing for my "Dream Trip" Grand voyage next September. Maybe it will still be marvelous for me because I can only compare it to an 18 day Panama Canal trip on the Amsterdam. I am paid in full.....so I certainly hope I get a marvelous trip!!

Jeff Farschman said...

The cutbacks are there but that doesn't mean you can't have a good time. I am enjoying myself but just disappointed in the direction I see Holland America going. I am not alone in my disappointment. Karen you will enjoy your dream voyage.

Kween Karen said...

Jeff,
If I had been onboard I would have been out in the sun WITH you! I do love my sunshine! I notice that occasionally you get out of the wind in the Oasis. On my maps it says that this is a place for teenagers. Are you allowed to go there becuase there are no teens onboard.....or do you just sneak in?? It looks like a fun place.

Anonymous said...

Jeff,
We agree with your comments.

Would like to know what makes a Grand Voyage.
As you, we were on last year for 64 days, just one day short of this years "Grand Voyage", it was MUCH "grander" last year for sure!

Your fellow passengers,
Jean & Doug

Kween Karen said...

Arghhhh! Your blog has made it sound as though you are having a great time. I am hoping you really are.....and that you are just disappointed in a few things. I appreciate your response.....but I continue to be very nervous....especailly with others posting the same thing.

Jeff Farschman said...

Karen, I am having a great time. That does not mean I like everything Holland America is doing. I will praise and critize as I see things on the voyage. You may want to stop reading if you aren't willing to hear about the bad along with the good......
Just because I don't like some things has no bearing on whether or not I have a good time.

Kween Karen said...

Thanks Jeff.....I appreciate your candidness! I am glad you are having a good time....and I do understand that everything can't be perfect.(Though wouldn't that be nice??!!) I will certainly keep reading......especially now that your path will be very much the same as part of my 2009 voyage. Keep writing....I enjoy it!