Alaska Cruise
Glacier Bay, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Victoria, BC. These were the stops on our Alaska cruise. If you are hesitant to book this kind of a trip because you think that it will be boring just seeing tree after tree after tree for seven days, well think again. I enjoyed the Alaska cruise so much. There are so many waterfalls that you get to see right from the cruise ship. The wildlife is awesome. Eagles, whales, seals, I did not get to see any wild bear. It just goes on and on the wildlife that you will see. Glacier Bay is not a port of call per se. You cruise to it, and sit and the boat rotates so all get to see the glaciers. They are HUGE and they are right in front of you. The silence is wonderful as people get quiet to listen for the cracking sounds the glacier makes when it is calving or breaking off a piece to fall into the ocean. It is cool to be right there in front of nature with this 12 story or so ship with its casinos, the bars, the internet, the showrooms, and yet that all takes a back seat to the glacier spectacle in front of you. This is God's country. The other cities listed above are great to visit. They are basically tourist traps but fun to explore and to take some of the land tours of each city. Victoria, BC is much more of what you would expect in a full service city. It is the capital of BC. You only get a short six to eight hours in Victoria and that is not enough time to really see it. But, you get a taste of Canada. There are sailings from Seattle 3-4 days a week on multiple cruise lines. Holland America provides a great cruise. I just wanted to give them a little plug. Try an Alaska cruise. I do not think that you will be disappointed.
Cunard's QM2 www.cunard.com
I was lucky to be able to take the QM2 from New York City to Southhampton, UK. We also had very smooth seas which I am grateful for. The ship was built to withstand trans-oceanic crossings and the bad weather and seas that sometimes goes with it. First, the bad: I thought the food quality was less than what I would expect for such a liner. Kinda like going to a fancy restaurant only to be served meals fitting a roadside restaurant. It was good, but nothing to write home about. That is it. The good points are many. The ship has many decks to check out and explore. It is a long ship too. I believe about as long as the Empire State Building is tall! Cabins are well appointed. Service from the staff is ok as long as you are patient with the English. I think Holland America provides a more attentive staff. The library is awesome. Even if you are not into books, you will be amazed at the space provided on the ship. Great views out of the library windows too. The ship's disco is named G32 and it also a wonderful place to visit, dance, and drink. The live action demonstration kitchen with meals prepared in front of you is awesome. I thought that we might become bored on a ship at sea for so many days without a port of call. The time FLEW by. I could have easily stayed on board for another 6 days. The passengers on this cruise also were just a bit older than on other cruises that I have been on. Also, more of a well to do crowd. But no attitude at all. A very refined, and elegant exprience which would only be made even better by a slight improvement on the quality of the food. There are so many good things to say about the QM2. It is something you must try to book passage on to experience it all.
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The terminal that this great ship sails out of is new and well done. The neighborhood that you must go through to get to or to get out of the terminal is nasty and not a good first impression of the US for arriving passengers. This area around the terminal needs a good douching ASAP.
Customer Service. My Wishes, Hopes, Dreams, and Desires.
In this time of the economic downturn it is especially important to remember to provide to the customer excellent and genuine customer service. I all too often see employees who do not make eye contact with their paying customers. I see employees who fail to say "thank you."
The customer can choose to spend their hard earned money at numerous stores which sell the same thing. After choosing to buy something at your store please acknowledge me as the customer, and be grateful that I am supporting your business and your paycheck. Joe's Sporting Goods, Circuit City, and many more now closed businesses are examples of bad management, and examples of where the customer did not feel they received excellent customer service. The customers chose to do business elsewhere. Just because you work for a giant corporate entity does not guarantee future sucess. See Above. As customers we must bring to the attention of the employee and management when we do not feel welcomed, or thanked for being their customer. This does not mean that I think the customer is always right, because lately, I have also seem some shitty attitudes and behaviors from customers to employees. We need to return to some basic civility. So, let's treat each other with some respect. Maybe we will all be better off when this economy turns around, and maybe just maybe, it will turn quicker if we choose to be nicer to each other. What do you think?
Chunnel Crossing - Eurostar Trains
We had a great experience on the Eurostar trains crossing through the Chunnel from the UK to France. We did splurge and buy a first class ticket. They are called "Business Select" or now, "Leisure Select." You pay more, but how often does a guy from the US get to travel on the Eurostar? Well, not too often for this one. Paying extra for a better seat, a meal, and the pampering was well worth it. Do not expect a super deluxe meal nor extra special customer service. You just avoid the cattle car feel and treatment of the "standard class" cars. The food was good but nothing to write home about considering the extra charge for the seat. If you have travelled on a subway, then you should not be afraid of the tunnel experience. You are only in it about 20 minutes, so no big whoop there. I had to get used to the ear popping while going through some of the shorter tunnels as you are travelling quite fast. That also takes a minute or so to get used to, going so fast at ground level. It seemed to me to go faster on the French side, as it was more rural when you exited the tunnel in France. Overall, I would do it again and again. It seemed safe and clean. I went on it while on crutches for a sprained ankle. There was no help offered by the staff. You are on your own. Luggage can be a problem if there is a lot or if the bags are heavy, especially if one in the group is on crutches or in a wheelchair. It was a cool experience, and a very convenient way to get from London to Paris in a jiffy.
Bears' Den Paris 6 Rue des Lombards, Paris, France
Bear's Den has been open for 10 years. Time (and fur) flies when you are having fun. This is a great find in Paris for the man who wants to drink and party with other like minded men. Get it? Good. If you get all testy about that, then drink at one of the other fine bars in Paris. These men are welcoming, friendly, and know how to have fun even if you do not speak a lick of French. Some licking may help, but I digress. Silly me. The place seems smallish but there are two sub levels to explore. Quite fun to check it out. A most unusual architectural element makes the place different and fun. Next time you just happen to pop on over to Paris, pop on in to the Bears' Den. WOOF.
Urban Mo's, 308 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 491-0400
Urban Mo's in San Diego used to be Hamburger Mary's. When they changed the name I was saddened. BUT, Urban Mo's is about the same. Great staff, great place to people watch, and wonderful food. I think they have the best jalapeno poppers I have ever had anywhere. Of course, they are known for their huge hamburgers too. This restaurant is in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. The area has fallen on some hard times and some really funky places to shop have closed, but there are still many stores for you to nose around in while you are in the area. Kickers is attached to Urban Mo's. This place also seemed more fun and popular when the country music fad was hotter. Now, they mix in a more urban music feel. That decision I think was made to keep the joint open. Stop by Kickers and Urban Mo's next time you wind through San Diego. There ARE other great places to visit other than the Zoo and Old Town!
Jessica Goulburn
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