39. At Sea to Puerto Montt

Sea Day towards Puerto Montt       

59F (15C)     Feb 28, 2018

On sea days we try to listen to Humberto who gives the Destination Talks. He tells us what we can expect to see. Humberto is very positive on many things, sometimes so much that reality is not at all even close to what is there. He talked about Wi-Fi connections when there were none. He showed pictures of what we could look at but it was like an advertisement… in reality, it looked very much different when we got there. Yes, he is hired by the ship, but even so, he will say when we are better off taking a local guide. 

Exclusive Retreat - Not For Us

Well, a Ship’s tour is the easiest way to see a town and gives the assurance that no matter what, the whole ship will wait for us should something occur such as a traffic accident, etc. while being out on an excursion.  Many people use the ship excursions, they book them knowing that they are ‘safe’ from eventualities. Buses hired by the ship carry the ship tourists from the ship to wherever, there is little risk. 

It is a cookie cutter tour most of the time. 

Exclusive Retreat Also Included Massage Tables

After taking a few cruises now I know it’s a money-making venture for the ships. And boy, does the ship make a mark-up. The prices are at least double, sometimes triple what the trip costs if you do it on your own. 

Yet I listen to Humberto because I have no clue what is there to see in Puerto Montt for example. I have never even heard of this town.

Effy knows women, the place is always crowded, and I never knew that jewelry was such a big draw for women. The sales personnel at Effy’s know their stuff. Give-away items are raffled off on a constant schedule. Today, Carol tells me, they had 2 raffles; she did not win in either of them.

 

Dining Room

We made a mistake at lunch time; we were seated at a table for 10. It took a full 45 minutes to get served. I do not like large tables with so many people that you cannot talk to anybody. To me having a meal with someone is a social affair. Six people are about the most I can handle and 8 people already are a crowd. But we had 10 for lunch, way too much cross talk, and some people speak so softly that my hearing aids do not pick up their voice. Ugh!

We did somewhat better for dinner. We sat with Jim and Mary from Alaska. They had 25 cruises with the Princess line and had an ‘Elite’ status. They received many perks that normal passengers had to pay for, like laundry service, Wi-Fi, etc.  Jim spoke so softly that even Carol could not hear him well and Mary only talked about their children, grandchildren, etc. Nice people but way too ‘domestic’ for me. I like to learn from other people, I did not have the feeling I could learn anything from Jim and Mary.

 

A Couple of Fun Characters We Hung Out With Sometimes

Rick Steele was our entertainer for the night show. Country Music and a guitar was his shtick. He had to borrow a tux from the ship’s crew to perform. The tux was way too big and he looked somewhat like a scare crow. His whole luggage got lost by the airline; all his stage props and regalia were in the lost suitcase. What to do?

His show was pretty good, he loved to schmooze with the audience and the women loved it.