Service
Like most of my countrymen, I come from a humble background. In fact, I don't believe I know anyone personally who grew up with servants. I don't mean the cleaning lady who came in 3 times a week, or even a live-in housekeeper like Alice of The Brady Bunch. I mean the full-on whole house staff a la Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs. The service on Seabourn ships approaches that level, and for me it takes some getting used to.
The hotel staff are always bustling about cleaning things. They watch, and whenever you leave your cabin they slip in and tidy it, smoothing the bed if you sat on it or replacing a towel you have used. People hold doors for you. In the restaurant they pull your chair out for you and push it in for you when you sit down. The waiter spreads your napkin across your lap for you. At the buffet they insist on carrying your plate to the table for you. The moment you put your fork down the empty plate is whisked away. At lunch today Van wound up with 2 Cokes at once, because both of the drinks waiters spotted him finishing his first one at the same time.
It can all be a bit overwhelming for someone not used to it. I keep wanting to say "No, It's alright. I can do it." but I realize it's their job and they don't mind. I like the constant room cleaning, and it doesn't bother me as much, since we never see the girl. The fussing and opening doors and such as though I was the Grand Duchess is harder to adjust to. And the restaurant service, where they don't want to let you carry anything and hover just behind you as you eat takes even more getting used to. I'm sure some of it is for safety. We are at sea, and most of the guests are older. Carrying the plates and such probably does save some mishaps. But at first it's hard to not feel almost insulted by it. I find myself wanting to say "I'm not feeble!", but I know that's not how it's meant.
I would really have a problem with the full Edwardian service like we see in the period dramas. Some putting your clothes on you and taking them off you would be a bit creepy. And I would never be able to develop the proper attitude towards the servants. In the dramas they are always discussing their most intimate secrets in front of the maid or the serving boy as if they weren't there, and knowing they would no more repeat what they have heard than the chair would. I think most all of us would be uncomfortable with that sort of thing. I guess you have to be born to a world that treats people like just part of the furniture.
The hotel staff are always bustling about cleaning things. They watch, and whenever you leave your cabin they slip in and tidy it, smoothing the bed if you sat on it or replacing a towel you have used. People hold doors for you. In the restaurant they pull your chair out for you and push it in for you when you sit down. The waiter spreads your napkin across your lap for you. At the buffet they insist on carrying your plate to the table for you. The moment you put your fork down the empty plate is whisked away. At lunch today Van wound up with 2 Cokes at once, because both of the drinks waiters spotted him finishing his first one at the same time.
It can all be a bit overwhelming for someone not used to it. I keep wanting to say "No, It's alright. I can do it." but I realize it's their job and they don't mind. I like the constant room cleaning, and it doesn't bother me as much, since we never see the girl. The fussing and opening doors and such as though I was the Grand Duchess is harder to adjust to. And the restaurant service, where they don't want to let you carry anything and hover just behind you as you eat takes even more getting used to. I'm sure some of it is for safety. We are at sea, and most of the guests are older. Carrying the plates and such probably does save some mishaps. But at first it's hard to not feel almost insulted by it. I find myself wanting to say "I'm not feeble!", but I know that's not how it's meant.
I would really have a problem with the full Edwardian service like we see in the period dramas. Some putting your clothes on you and taking them off you would be a bit creepy. And I would never be able to develop the proper attitude towards the servants. In the dramas they are always discussing their most intimate secrets in front of the maid or the serving boy as if they weren't there, and knowing they would no more repeat what they have heard than the chair would. I think most all of us would be uncomfortable with that sort of thing. I guess you have to be born to a world that treats people like just part of the furniture.