Having a Grand Time on a Grand Voyage
Day 51, Grand Asia 2017
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 – At Sea
In case we had forgotten that we left the exotic (to us) ports of Asia for the decidedly commonwealth nations of Australia and New Zealand, tonight’s gala dinner reminded us.
The theme was Bowlers and Bumper Shoots (I think they meant bumbershoots, or umbrellas). Dozens of umbrellas with London’s iconic buildings hung from the dining room ceiling. At each place setting was a bowler hat in either glittery gold or silver.
Naturally, the dinner table conversation turned to how easy or difficult it would be to pack the hats for our returns home. I daresay that when each of us packed for this 80-day cruise, we didn’t give much thought to leaving room in our luggage for the various things we would acquire along the way. I’m already thinking that I might make a stop at the post office or UPS store in Honolulu to ship home the umbrellas I bought that turned out to be too long for my suitcase.
One feature that differentiates the three annual Holland America “grand” cruises from all the others is the “pillow gift” on gala evenings. In the past these gifts have shown up after each gala dinner, but on this cruise they seem to come about half the time. Just another cutback, I guess.
Our first gift was a box of stationery and a nice umbrella, which came in handy during our days of rain in Japan. Next was a large messenger bag. I used it as an overnight bag during our stay in Beijing.
The third gala gift has become the subject of many comments and even jokes – a set of six appetizer plates with classic Holland America themes. It is a really nice gift and is packed well in a box the size of a small hatbox. But it is heavy and bulky, and most of us will have an airline flight home from San Diego (or Hong Kong or Sydney for those departing after shorter segments). Couples have two boxes to work into their luggage. It won’t be easy to stay below the airline luggage weight limits with a set or two of dishes.
I hear some plate sets already have been gifted to the crew or to passengers fortunate enough to live in San Diego. We wonder how many passengers simply leave them in their cabins, to be packed away on the ship for regifting? These are the only gala gifts so far that haven’t been printed with a logo for this specific voyage, so they could have been circulating as gifts for years. A wonderful gift idea, but not too practical.
The next gala gift could help answer that problem, or create another. It was a rolling carryon suitcase. It might come in handy for all those things we have accumulated during the cruise, but it also will incur additional baggage charges for many of us.
Tonight we received a smaller practical gift – a power bank to use for charging cell phones and other mobile electronics.
It is a little more difficult for me to assess the other benefits of a grand voyage. We haven’t seen the dinner menu repeated yet, although some items do make multiple appearances. The surf and turf (lobster tail and filet) shows up frequently on gala night, and I gladly keep ordering it. Holland America’s Grand Voyage marketing brochures boast of fresh, local ingredients and regional cuisines, but I’m not sure how different that is from other HAL cruises I have taken, including a “non-grand” 45-day Mediterranean cruise six years ago. Both cruises had lecturers, bridge instructors and cooking demonstrations. I would say about half the bulleted items in the cruise brochure that “make a Grand Voyage grand” are common to all Holland America cruises. The main differentiator seems to be the length of the cruise.
One difference is the price. Holland America’s website originally listed this cruise at a fare starting at $12,999 a person (based on two in an inside cabin; singles pay almost twice that). It works out to about $165 a day. I can find other HAL cruises advertised at $100 a day or less. Are the gifts and other little extras worth it? That’s an individual and personal decision. I picked this cruise mostly for the itinerary, but also I was interested in experiencing a grand cruise.
By the way, the bowler hat was cute but too large for my small head. It won’t fit into my current minimalist lifestyle, so I left it on the table. Later I saw stacks of hats returned to a storeroom. Perhaps you will go on a grand voyage one day and wear it!
Love reading your comments about the gifts…brings back memories of earlier this year. We left ALL THE HATS! What on earth would we do with them at home. We shipped all the bags we brought with us home and then took the two HAL rolling suitcases with us on the train at the end of the trip. They are great I hope you can find room for yours somewhere.
I agree, the charging thing was the most practical gift, we brought both home with us.
Thanks again for writing…
I wonder what happens to all the gifts left behind. I’m sure the cabin stewards don’t want ten boxes of plates or eight messenger bags.
You are indeed experiencing a Grand Voyage, although it may not be as grand as in past years. You are still receiving some gifts, gala evening decorations, water color classes, fresh squeezed orange juice, and probably more frills than other cruises. None of these were on our Voyage of the Vikings last summer, although it was wonderful. I was especially disappointed that our only clergy was the Catholic priest. There was a bridge director, but no dance instructor or hosts. Hopefully the atmosphere is grand for your voyage.
Barbara