By Shannon Williams
I have written several times about the lack of customer service in our world these days, well I am happy to report I have found customer service to be alive and well aboard the cruise ship industry! I had not cruised since COVID became part of our world, I have been most fortunate to be able to take a cruise at least once a year for at least the past 20 years, so I felt like my dry dock had really gone on way too long and went on a cruise last month. For me, planning the cruise and getting ready for it are all a part of the fun. It used to be that most everything was a surprise when you cruise, not any longer. You can find what you room looks like, all the menus, what fun they have planned and so much more way before you walk up the gangplank. I have been working a lot of hours these days and was so afraid that the trip would be canceled so I really did not dive in and start my reading about the ship or what I would do, till right after the holidays. It was a short cruise out of Galveston, but it was a cruise and I am so very happy sailing the seas again. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out and keep up with the ever-changing guidelines for sailing, but in the end, there were tons of resources and people willing to help you do what was needed.

I think that cruising is so enjoyable to me, as it is truly the one place that I can totally let go of work and unwind. I know that all my needs will be met and I don’t have to make any big decisions, I just get to be me and have fun. I usually try to unwind (detox really) from work and get at least a day or two of rest before I go, especially if it is a short cruise. If not, I spend most of the time, just trying to find my fun self! I started out going early to pick up my trusty cruise mate (a work friend from California) at the airport. I wanted to go and see about the new HEB in League City and also needed some office supplies, so for three hours, I wandered, the new HEB and an office supply store, buying things I really had no need of but it was great fun just to “shop and wander”. Anymore, I order so much from Amazon so I don’t have to fight crowds, but I miss the aimless shopping of my youth. I even stopped at the Mall, but chickened out and just ran in and out of Dillard’s to get what I needed. It was most enjoyable just to take the time without being rushed by demands of work and home.

The next day or so, I continued working to unwind for the fun, we got our nails done, went out to eat and watched Netflix’s. We took our Covid test. We did the one you order and then do it over the intent with a live person. It was easy and we PASSED. I guess it helped that I studied LOL. Our departure morning arrived and the hubby loaded us up to take us to the port. Not having to fly to cruise is very nice and just so easy! The great service began as we pulled up to the port. EVERYONE and I mean everyone we came in contact with, was just so damn happy to take care of us, it was almost weird. By then I had relaxed and I too was smiling and laughing at silly little things. The whole process of getting on a ship is so easy these days, we sailed right on to that ship and found us a little bar and made friends with the bartender before my husband was even back off the ferry to go home.

We were given the option to upgrade about a week before we left, so we did. Our stateroom had a bathtub! It was so nice. I fear, I will always want to upgrade, but know that prices will not be this cheap again. The smiles and greetings just continued in each and every encounter. They were warm and just glad to have us there, I know that many of them had been without work for a long time, but all the happiness was just what the doctor ordered for me. I usually spend most of my days trying to meet all the demands and request of my job, day in and day out it is about resolving issues, fixing stupid mistakes and being told what I need to do by a whole lot of people! To just be in an environment that my only care was if I wanted hot tea or iced tea was so nice, and that the only thing anyone wanted from me was to make sure I was as happy as I could be, was just damn nice!!! I had turned off my work email and asked my older sister to jump in and do what was needed for our mother, so I really just left any care or worry many miles away. I did my best to enjoy the days and nights on the ship. I ate way too much food. I usually do not eat 3 full meals a day or have an appetizer and dessert with each and every meal, but I sure did for that week. We wanted to try all of the places to eat, so we had to eat a lot of times! I got naps in each day, a great luxury that I never have time to do. I read and read and when I was tired of reading, I listen to books! I am a big news person, watching news several times per day and reading a newspaper and checking several new websites each day, well not that week. I did not want to know what was going on anywhere expect for where I was! I took several hours to get ready for the dinner on the night we were suppose to dress up a bite. I am usually doing my make on the ferry when we go out someone nice, so it was great, just to take my time and no be in a rush. I played bingo, lounged, listen to music before and after dinner and had conversations that really did not matter. Emails and phone calls were not part of the week. I got on Facebook a few times just to see if family was doing well, but I put the iPad down after checking, I did not really care what anyone else was doing. The ship can sail with 3500 passengers, but on our sailing, there was only right under 900. We were tripping over people trying to help us. I don’t think we waited on an elevator at all. There were no meetings, other than the bingo games or piano bar that we wanted to attend!!

We did not want the fun to end so we got home and the next morning, headed into Houston for a staycation before my friend had to fly back home. More shopping, more eating, more time without email and phone calls. But all good things must come to an end. I am still trying to answer all the emails and my list of things I need to do for folks is several pages, but I am able to handle it a little better than before. Taking time out of our routine is hard, at times, you really just have to tell people I am sorry, but if I don’t get a break, I will break!!! I am not going to wait so long, in fact looking at two more trips I want to take. I wish I could retire and travel, but that would require money and as I understand it, money does not come if one is not working LOL. Well I will just have to keep working so I can spend that money to unwind from how hard I am working!

[Feb-15-2022]