Originally Posted by
sukki007
We have taken many long cruises on Holland America. Our most recent was at the end of November on the Westerdam. Newbies and veterans alike, including us, swore "never again." The cost-cutting measures were staggering. Activities mainly consisted of "Get together for Mah Jongg" (or Bridge, or any other games) that required no staff. Not that I cared, but there were no art auctions, where you could at least get a free glass of "champagne," and they didn't even push the spa packages. The Captain's reception, which used to include hors d'oeuvres, was reduced to a five minute waste of time. Evening entertainment was woeful, and the few audience participation shows were held when late diners could not attend. There was a fair amount of Trivia scheduled. But the prize for winning was the same identical Holland America pin Every. Single. Day. I know, because my team won almost every single day.
While I don't miss the wasteful midnight buffets, the quality of virtually every service has declined precipitously. And I miss the fun component, which was never big on that cruise line, but it is gone.
Is it possible that these changes also reflect shifts in the reasons why people cruise? Does the modern cruiser reject the fake "upper crust" environment, frequent silliness and the rigid expectations that were
de rigueur in an earlier era of cruising?
Where we once had to dine with strangers at a set time and too often endure the endless droning of some opinionated wind bag we can select a private table and eat when we want. Playing quoits, the fusty library, the (ugh) audience participation shows, formal nights and other on-board hilarity might have made some sense in the era when cruises were extended voyages with few or no stops. Today they are anachronisms in a world where there is an internet and cruises stop in a different port almost everyday.