Machine vs Man

Yesterday, I went in a new store and I saw one manned register and three or four self check-out registers. I thought how odd and sad that was. Companies are now trying to eliminate the workforce and force consumers to do the work themselves. It may help their bottom line with saving on salary. But they have forgotten the most important reason they are in business. Humans are created to interact with each other. We crave conversation and touch. (Remember how we would run into each other at Walmart? Many of us would stay way longer than planned because we ran into someone we hadn't seen in a while and needed to chat or hug and catch up!!) Machines cannot do that! They can be programmed to respond in certain ways, but no machine can be a flesh and blood human. So, my thought process is this: If I have to get in my car, drive to a store, collect my items, check myself out and then drive back home, without being able to have a conversation or shake a hand or greet an old friend, what is the point?!? I can save gas, shop online and have a conversation with the mail carrier when they deliver my package!! At least there will be some human interaction. While technology can be a good thing, it can never replace us or be able to give the same personal experiences we all crave.

Last Night on Virgin's Valiant Lady

This is our last night on Virgin's Valiant Lady and I must say, it has been a game changer! Things that you have to pay for on other lines are included in the cost of the cruise here. There are no a la carte restaurants! All dining is included! Even sodas, tea, and coffee is free. (Specialty coffee and red bull type drinks cost). There is no buffet! Big game changer. You go into the Galley, find a seat, use your phone to scan the QR code for the menu. Once you decide what you want, raide the flag on the table and someone will come take your order and deliver the food to you. This whole cruise was a learning experience. Virgin Voyages has disrupted the industry. I believe there are going to be a lot of people who crave an adult-only experience while on a cruise. And while I did not attend some of the shows and entertainment because of my personal preferences, I did enjoy the experience and would sail again with more insight and wisdom on what to do better. This hammock on the balcony of our room has me wanting to get one when I return home. All I will need is a loop of the ocean water splashing so I can close my eyes and revisit this experience. While I would have loved to have a photographer on-board, I brought my own. I would have loved a little bigger bathroom and would have enjoyed being able to book restaurant reservations a little better.  I will know how to improve next time. Maybe a group of couples would like to go with me. I'm taking names. Just let me know.

Sorry, Where are My Manners?

On my NCL cruise last month, I cam across the perfect bear to be the travel bear for BMac Travel! I found her in St Thomas. My beautiful granddaughter, Zahria, cam up with her name: Journey.

After my husband observed me having so much fun with Journey, he decided his bear I got for him a few weeks ago would be the perfect travel companion for Journey. Zahria again came up with the perfect name, Trip. Now Journey and Trip and best friends and on their first cruise together. Friends don't let friends travel alone!

Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady: Day 1

This is my first morning on the ship. We boarded around 2:30pm yesterday. From the beginning I knew it was going to be different. Before we left home, there were no luggage tags to print! That was a first. When we got to the port, there were porters there tagging our luggage. We just showed him our room number on the interactive app, and we left our luggage with him. Then we got in line to go up escalators in order to check in and receive our bracelets. Bracelets? Yes, our bracelets were our key cards! 

We opened our door and charged purchases with it. What a novel idea. If you wear it, you are less likely to forget it or misplace it. Check-in was relatively quick. Then thru scanning and we were ready to board the ship. I glimpsed the beautiful waiting area with the red seating but bypassed it and went directly to the gangway to board the ship. We were greeted at the doorway, told our staterooms were ready and went to find our room. When we opened the doors the curtains opened automatically! Then I videoed the room so you could see what it was like.

 After exploring the room, we went to find some brunch. The first place we saw was the pizza restaurant, so we went and ordered. I was not used to waiting for pizza. Before, you would just gram what was left under the heat lamp. Not on Virgin. Everything is cooked to order. Makes for less waste. So we ordered and received our buzzer (like in the restaurants) to let us know when our food was ready.

 They also had pre-made salads, so I grabbed one of those to eat with my pizza. Everything was very good.

 So we went exploring and found the Social Club Diner. They serve carnival type foods there. I had to get a soft pretzel with green chili cheese dip.

 After more exploring, we found the ice cream shop called Lick me till...ice cream. I am just telling you the name of it, not endorcing any behaviors. Anyways, I got a scoop of key lime pie and a scoop of strawberry sorbet in a chocolate waffle cone. 

You can also get a cup instead if you like. Everything was very good. I look forward to other treat that await us on the cruise. 

Saturday, February, 18, 2023 Amtrak Ride from FLL to HAM

I was not going to blog today because it is a day for riding the train. However, this ride is very different from our ride down. Today, before we could even get on Amtrak, we were met with negativity and what seemed to be hostility. Because we were going to Hamlet, NC, which is an unmanned station, we could not check out luggage and have them store it. So that was a no. Then, the mean lady named Linda said we would have to store our bags in our room. My husband had a sea bag, a book bag, a smaller piece of luggage and a camera bag. I had a 29 inch suitcase and a book bag. So in a room that would hold 2 bunk beds, she expected us to keep all of our luggage there. When we took our luggage to our room, it fit, but then we didn’t. So, she came back and said this was our lucky day, she had a roomette where we could store our luggage. I tried my best not to get upset with her. I thought, no this is not our lucky day, you are just doing your job and finding a place to store our luggage. Now, if we had purchased a regular seat, we would have put our luggage in the back of the car. But because we have upgraded accommodations, we don’t have a place for our luggage? How crazy does that sound to you? Needless to say, hubby and I are contemplating our next journey with Amtrak and if we even want to be bothered with such rudeness. We will let you know what we decide. But today, Amtrak has put a bad taste in our mouths! We are first contacting them by email and their response will determine our next transaction with them. PS. I said I would update you about what happened. Well, today, 3/22/23, I received a call from one of the managers in the company. They were calling to have a conversation with me and to let me know my voice was heard! I appreciated that. They also assured me that my husband and I would not have to go thru that again. I really did appreciate the excellent customer service on that call. I did mention we will be on Amtrak again next month and hoped our trip would be a good one. He assured me that it would. He also mentioned they have a chief on board now to prepare the meals and we would really enjoy that. So I am looking forward to riding on Amtrak and will let you know how it goes this time.

Friday, February 17, 2023 Celerity Apex Cruise

Today is our last day at sea. We will be getting in to the Fort Lauderdale cruise port better known as Port Everglades early tomorrow morning. Today we had breakfast and a light lunch and plan to meet up for dinner with a couple we met while onboard. So we finished packing, collected our photos and were ready to get off the ship. Tagged luggage has to be outside of the room tonight at 10pm. There were so many things I did enjoy about the ship. One thing I noticed right away was the lack of photographers everywhere. They would be standing near the place they were to photograph you but they would only take your photo if you asked them. They also had a studio where you could take photos in front of a green screen. Then they would give you different backgrounds to choose from. If we had known that, we would probably made an appointment and did the photo session, so we could have at least, gotten a photo with the ship. On other ships, the photos started when you got to the ship and were at each port. Not Celebrity. They allow you to be in charge of the photos and we appreciated that. I have learned a lot about Celebrity, more that just the book knowledge. There is a specific clientele Celebrity caters to. However, if you are looking for an upscale experience with really good food and great customer service, Celebrity may be for you. They have beautiful art for sale as well as perfumes, Tag Heuer and Cartier watches, Effy jewelry stores, Bvlgari jewelry, designer handbags and so much more. We did try all of the restaurants included in the price and a few of the specialty dining restaurants. All of the food is very good, so even if you don’t try the specialty restaurants, I believe you will be pleased with the food. Even the food at the buffet is good. So, when you go, make sure you try something different from your normal menu. Who knows, you may have something new to add to your likes. Tonight, our last night aboard, we went back to the Normadie. This time I had the Turkey Terrine & Radish Carpaccio and the Grilled Chicken Breast. Hubby had Escargot a la Bourguinonne and the Duck Breast with veggies.

Thursday, February 16, 2023 Celebrity Apex Cruise

Today was our first of two days at sea. For me, it was a late breakfast and then lounging before heading back to the room for some much needed sleep. After napping for a few hours, I was ready to roam the ship and see what was going on. We had dinner reservations at Rooftop Garden Grill. Hubby was able to get it moved from 9pm up to 6pm. That was great because the four course meal lasted almost 2 and a half hours. The food was very good. And the portions were more than enough. After dinner, I came and dressed down for the theatre production called “Uptown”. It was Motown favorite by a trio of men who sang everything from The Jackson 5 to Stevie Wonder. It was a very good production. The singers has so much energy and really got the crowd up and dancing. We met up with a couple we met while on this cruise and tried to go to another show at a space called Eden but it was packed. So, we sat outside the area where the show was held and talked until almost midnight! Tomorrow is our last cruise day so we will see what they will offer. Each day has been full of things to do at various venues. So, there is never a dull moment, unless you want it to be. Dinner Thursday was at the Hilltop Garden Grill. It is a specialty restaurant. It was so good. And there was plenty of it. I had some awesome dry rub smoked chicken wings, a build your own “chop chop” salad and a half rack of mesquite baby back ribs with Mac and cheese and grilled asparagus. Hubby had the train wreck fries, Caesar salad and the seafood kabob.