AFTERNOON TEA DANCE - MAY 10TH

Thanking the World Cruise travelers, the maître d’ and staff prepared a most elegant afternoon tea dance for the remaining passengers who were disembarking in Los Angeles.  It’s a beautiful affair, with all the wait staff dressed in tuxedos and the Princess Show Band performing for our listening and dancing pleasure.   

We were thrilled to attend because we hadn’t been to any afternoon teas throughout the cruise although they’re a daily occurrence.  Usually eating lunch around 1:30 and having dinner at 5:30, we’re really not in the mood for anything to eat around 3:30.  That being said, we didn’t have lunch on Friday because we knew we’d be attending high tea that afternoon.

We heard from Jan Swartz via video as well as from our Captain, J. P. Bryant, thanking us for our loyalty.  We were able to bid during an auction for the World Map that was prepared by the Officers on the Bridge - it went for a whopping $1,100.00, which goes to a Princess charity.  

We will miss our fabulous head waiter, Ilo, from Macedonia, who we traveled with us in 2016.  He prepared anything, and I mean anything, we wanted any night and always made sure I had blueberries or other berries delivered to my stateroom every night for breakfast.  He’s a wonderful guy and we will miss him.  Our maître d’, Alberto, has been great to us as well; very gracious, welcoming and friendly.  

At the end, various officers and crew paraded off the stage to say good-bye.  It’s these kinds of things that make people loyal to a particular cruise line.  Our patronage has been rewarded with the perks and little extras that we receive. 

While the afternoon was very pleasant, it is always amazing to me that people come dressed like this to something special.  This is such a common occurrence that it is noticed by the crew.  It’s an eye-rolling experience for them and we have been told on many occasions, on many ships, how much the crew appreciate how we dress for dinner. People don’t seem to understand what “smart casual” or “formal” is although it is specifically described on the Princess Patter.  They, apparently, think “smart casual” is the same as “casual” which, to them, means, shorts, t-shirts, flip flops, and the clothes they’ve worn all day.  Unfortunately, it’s a rule that Princess doesn’t enforce.  My rule is simple.  When the maître d’ wears “casual” clothing in the dining room, so will I.  That will never happen. 

MICHAEL’S OBSERVATIONS:   It’s clear to me that the vast majority of cruisers haven’t a clue about the long hours that the wait staff and cooks put in on a daily basis.  And, on special occasions, like this, even more hours are logged in by the crew in order to make the event special.  I know our head waiter and his crew began their day at 6:30 in the morning preparing tables and settings in the Cabaret Lounge.  Their hard work may the event a special one and it was a great way to end our cruise.  I wish I could thank each and every one for their hard work in making this cruise so special.