It’s A WRAP!

Relax… this may or may not be the usual over the top lengthy wrap as in the past.  We covered most of the trip, tips and gripes in the daily posts so let's see how well he does in keeping it short... or not.

First things first, the Photo Album is up [the link is above in the header], selective pics put in the appropriate posts and all post have been put in chronological order.

Summing it up briefly, it was  a lovely trip.

Amsterdam was as welcoming and comfortable as we remember it and it was Great to see Lealu again, as perky as ever.

The individual stops, Cold, Rainy, Miserable, Brussels notwithstanding, were fun if not a bit trying with some lengthy bus rides.  For the most part, interesting and informative.

Cruise sponsored Excursions are a bit pricey but at least you’re guaranteed to get back to the ship for embarkation whereas in the past when we booked our own private car, and guide we ran the risk of missing da boat.  That said, some guides were good, some not so.  Again, pretty much discussed in the posts.

We got to meet the lovely and exciting folks of TE10 and hope to see them again sometime in the future, they all live in Vegas so that may happen sooner than later.

Then there was the Vision of The Seas.

The Crew – EXCELLENT, particularly the My Time Dining team in the Aquarius dining room, Constancio, Julius, Jeannevieve and Rahel, Revillino, Super XXX [Wayam] in the Schooner and our Cabin Steward Ikade. Most other Guest Contact personnel were wonderful, graceful and attentive, from the Casino to the service staff in the Buffet and Park Place at the Spa. All of whom were singled out with lavish praise in our lengthy letter to the President of RCL and the Senior VP of Hotel Operations, along with an in-depth critique of the kitchen’s meal deficiencies as outlined in the posts.  

Oh, and you thought Chucky was gonna let it slide?  Fugeddaboudit!

The Templeshifs also registered their dissatisfaction in the usual “How’d We Do” survey we all got in our e-mail in-box and being Diamond Plus Cruisers,  even got a call from some executive secretary who listened to their concerns politely, apologized and that was that.  Donna was NOT a happy camper.

However… Chucky’s Rant… er… uhh… comments prompted not only an an email but a subsequent phone call from Mark Tamis, Hotel Operations, Senior Vice President.

We made it very clear up-front, we were not looking for anything, rather, as Hospitality Industry Veterans, we felt it was necessary to alert them to the issues we experienced.

We spent some time going over our concerns and criticisms.  He was most gracious in listening to our concerns and in his candor that they were aware of many of the issues and that steps were well underway to correct and/or change many procedures.  

It was evident that he had “Checked Us Out" and realized we weren’t just some whiny little bitches, but that we were sincere and knew what we were talking about. 

Were we really heard? Are steps really underway for correction? Will we see a total Eclipse of the Moon on 21 August 2017... 

It’s a tossup.

Also in checking us out, they found that we had booked [tentatively on our part] a back to back cruise next September to Croatia and the Greek Isles out of Venice with the Templeshifs. Mark all but guaranteed that he intended to make sure that experience was far superior to our last. That said, he directed Laly Yera-Rodriguez Director of "Royal; Guest Experience" to reach out to us and who promised in a succinct email that “We've got you from here on”.  

So we'll see, just what they “GOT” and how closely they monitor that experience.  

Yeah… after all of that didn't go right, we booked another cruise [gluttons for punishment?!?] just because there was an on-board booking discount and we love traveling with the Templeshifs.  We'll see how our schedules with the G-Kids play out by the cut-off date next June and if we keep the booking.  it may split off to 1 week around Tuscany [Gawd we Love Italy] and 1 week cruise.  Time will tell, and of course... so will HE.

One last note before we Wrap-up the “Not So Lengthy” wrap-up.

The reason this is so late getting out is that right after we settled back into the G-Kid support schedule, Dragon Granny decreed DaBoyz should see Tio Brian in Atlanta before school starts.  

So besides a few lingering business issues [yeah… not quite retired yet] planning and executing that not-so-little feat took up most of my time.

We had a GREAT visit and DaBoyz not only got to see Tio Brian but Stone Mountain, The Georgia Aquarium and all points in between. And we all got to meet his very Lovey Lady-Friend Terri, a most gracious hostess with a BEAUTIFUL home.

That’s enough for now, we're sure He'll have some Random Brain Drop to pass along some time soon, but via email.  

We welcomed and enjoyed your comments and various responses to out little trip and are  happy that most of you [you know who your are] enjoyed traveling with the Wacky American tourist and the Ever-Lovely Dragon Lady.

So now Dear Heart and Innocent Bystanders we bring to a close NOWAT-BRITANNIA 2017 along with our traditional NOWAT Benediction:

Work like you don’t need the Money.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Dance like nobody’s watching.
And during life's darkest moments remember the 4 most important words in any language:

"This Too Shall Pass!"

Uncle Chuck & The So Very Glad you Joined Us , 

Dragon Lady