The Caste System of the Cruise

 

caste system of the cruise - capitalistic, social stratification based on customer loyalty that determines a cruiser's status onboard a ship. 

Cruising is a culture. Inside of every culture is a way of life that social structure impacts. American cruise ships are tied to corporations reflective of the capitalist ideal. Inside of capitalism is a hierarchy consisting of the haves and the have-nots. Which is otherwise known as classism. Nowhere is classism more noticeable than on a ship.

The cruise business is especially dependent on customer loyalty. According to Cruise Lowdown.com, there are about 50-60 ocean cruise lines, the "big three" being Carnival (Princess), Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian as well as the independents: Disney, MSC, and Viking. In all, there are 323 ships, a huge amount of healthy competition. Based on my informal interviews with a small number of cruise aficionados (persons who have made cruising a necessity) onboard my ship, the Coral Princess, I have found that most of these travelers are loyal to one line because it just pays for them to be. Not cash, perks. At the very top of Princess's caste system is the Elite, a fitting label. These people have been on more than fifteen Princess cruises or have accumulated 150 days onboard. 

By the time I get off of this boat, I'll have 114 days, meaning I would just need to go on about three more basic cruises or another world cruise (too much time on the water when one has responsibilities on dry land) to be awarded Elite status on Princess. Ooo wee! Upon permanently disembarking, I will have Platinum status, but I am now at Gold, being this is my first cruise with Princess. What's left is Ruby, translating into three cruises or thirty days. The Elite members are the elitists on the ship. They walk around with their noses up and a special medallion (necklace with a coin) that designates their status, kind of like Indian Brahmins with the tilaks (dots) engraved on their heads. These people live and breathe cruising, spending a large portion of their lives on cruises. Most of these folks are 65 and older; many are well-off single women who are on the lonely side, looking to be "nurses with purses." (The ratio of single women to men on this luxurious banana boat is about 25 to 1. Men have their pick, often going for the youngest or most physically attractive gals. But I'm not telling you anything new.)

Of course, loyalty has its perks. Just ask anyone in a political office right now. But I digress. The top-tier Elite members on Princess are rewarded free dry cleaning (something that I could care less about as I wash all of my clothes in my stateroom's sink), a stocked minibar (in case you are so sauced you can't make it down to any one of a half-dozen bars on the ship), ten percent off on excursions and shops (basically nothing), and priority disembarkation (the only plus I'd be interested in other than cash back, which is not offered). As for the other groups, there is not much. My travel agent insisted that I purchase a "package," that pretty much includes everything a cruiser might want, eliminating the need for cash or credit cards entirely. I can't complain as I really like the concept of "all inclusive." I just paid too much for it.

All of the other cruise lines have a similar caste system, but Princess makes it most obvious. Like all isms, classism is wrong but is still perpetuated. Have money will travel in any capitalistic society. And if you don't have at least 30K to spend, you won't be permitted to cruise the world. Because I got ripped off re: my stateroom as noted in my previous blog, I will be attempting to negotiate a deal with the management, hoping to convince them to give me 20K in credit for their initial wrongdoing. Wish me luck. Do I want to be a part of this culture/caste system? No. As Sally says to Charlie Brown in "A Charlie Brown Christmas, "I just want what is coming to me." 

#Coral Princess, #cruise culture, #cruise ship lines, #blog, #blogger 

Irenic Cruising Onboard Coral Princess (A Critique)

 

irenic - adjective - aiming or aimed at peace (Oxford Languages)

With so much unrest in the world, where can you find peace? Ironically, it may be found in the most unlikely of places: cruise ships that tour the world. Although perhaps unintentional, the Coral Princess, the ship that I am on at present, is a irenic microcosm. As a solo passenger, I have purposely sought out companions and have found numerous persons (primarily couples) from around the world. So far, I have met folks from Canada, Austria, Germany, Vietnam, Croatia, Russia, the Philippines, Brazil, the U.K. as well as from all over the U.S. All have two things in common: a fondness for luxury liners and an adventurous spirit. In short, we cruisers are a kind of United Nations aimed at exploring the globe and having a good time doing it.

What has fascinated me has been the vast number of return customers who have pledged to remain in the club year after year. (Obviously, they have money to burn.) Just about everyone I have met so far (maybe about twenty people, if not more in three days) has been on a number of cruises, particularly with Princess. Some try to spend at least three months per year on one or more passenger ships. Although I like the idea of being on moving water, I wouldn't want to spend more that a week per year on a ship. And I don't intend to continue my relationship with Princess. 

My first impressions of the line owned by Carnival have not been very favorable. Despite an effortless check-in (but only because I got to the port late) and kind, helpful employees, it took six hours for my bags to find my inside cabin. Over a year ago, when I booked the cruise, I requested a stateroom away from any 24-7 lounge. What can I say? I don't appreciate pulsating bass lines turned up to eleven at eleven, my bedtime. Princess put me right above one of the most active entertainment spaces, and now won't move me to a quieter space. (I am looking into getting some of my expensive fare refunded. I doubt it will happen.) In addition, the company refuses to make dining accommodations for single individuals. How hard would it be to set aside one large, labeled table in one of the many onboard restaurants just for singles?  Instead, we wind up "sharing" tables with married couples, which is not egregious, but we would feel more comfortable with like-minded people. Which brings me to the food. It is not bad, but it is not good either. 

On a positive note, I have been impressed with the WiFi, the technology of Medallion, a magnetic, coin-like device worn like a necklace that allows one to open any door and even charge merchandise to a credit card. Also I am enjoying a lengthy agenda of onboard activities from which to choose on the days out at sea. It reminds me of summer camp, but most of the pastimes are for adults. There is everything from movies to pickle ball, shuffleboard, cards, tai chi, Zumba, fitness classes (for a price), seminars on everything from cooking to maintaining your waistline while cruising, trivia, music (we in the Coral Princess pop-up choir even have a performance schedule), swimming, and ukulele lessons (ukuleles provided, no extra charge). (In terms of the offerings, I provided about a third of them.) And of course, there is top-notch entertainment nightly and bands that play in the various bars from 9 a.m. until midnight daily. Needless to say, there are few five-star hotels out there that offer so much for one all-inclusive price. Which is why there are so many return customers. 

At the end of the day, though, I think that after this journey is all over, I will return to Royal Caribbean for more seafaring adventures. The service, accommodations, and food are much better. All cruisers have a favorite line that they keep coming back to, usually for personal reasons. 

#PrincessCruises, #review, #cruising, #blog, #blogger

An-tic-i-pa-tion

 

anticipation - noun - expectation or prediction; action of anticipating (Oxford Languages)

I can't remember just how many years ago I set out to dream, plan, execute the number one item on my bucket list. Neither can I recall how many years ago that I first conceived of the idea. What bucket list? What idea? What does she mean? Have I managed to hold you in a state of an-tic-i-pa-tion yet? I hope so. 

Hold on because here it comes: Tomorrow I'll be channeling James Cook who explored the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, charting islands in 1768 and for about ten years thereafter. Interestingly enough, his initial itinerary was very similar to ours as we contemporary cruisers on the Coral Princess will be starting the grand tour of the Pacific in Hawaii and ending in New Zealand and Australia before heading up to explore most of Asia, Alaska, and the coast line of the United States. The ship of 2,000 will be floating at a speed of about 25 mph to 28 countries and fifty ports of call. It will take 115 days or just about four months. I have never been away from home for any longer than a month, which is conceptually daunting, but I will be taking it in stride. What other way is there? Gotta stay in the moment and make it worthwhile.

In 2023 (the year I should have gone but couldn't as I was contemplating a major move across the country), the itinerary for this same cruise looked very different. Originally, it was supposed to be more of a world cruise including nearly all of the continents. However, as the war broke out in Gaza, the ship was forbidden to go through the Suez Canal, a complete and utter game changer. Naturally, I was disappointed as I had wanted more of a complete experience. I had wanted to feel the mileage, the size of the earth before I grew too old to venture out there solo. I put away dollars for a long time, creating a version of a Christmas Club just for the trip, something that you are welcome to do as well. Since I was determined to set out on this particular ship, a round trip departing in Los Angeles and returning to Los Angeles, my current hometown, I settled for what became the third itinerary. As I am going as a single person, the cost was double, about 50K, but still pretty reasonable considering the trip is all inclusive. Everything you can think of is included. If I don't buy any souvenirs, I won't have to spend a dime. I will tip the tour guides, though. 

On 1/21 at 12:30 p.m., I will be joining a culture of cruisers, mainly retired couples who spend much time vacationing on ships. Some even live on them full time, something that I don't see myself doing as an individual who doesn't drink alcoholic beverages (up to fifteen are included daily–yikes), play cards (or board games), consume specialty desserts twice a day (as advertised), or much in the way of gourmet food. I probably don't have much in common with my fellow passengers other than wanting to change the scenery. Escapism is big these days. I don't have to tell you why. However, we'll be in safe waters (I hope). And I hope the natives will be friendly. After all, money is a universal language. To earn enough to pay the bills, one has at least to fake congeniality. 

Heads-up: my blog posts from today until May 16th will be reflective of my adventures. I hope you will decide to join me on this once-in-a-lifetime escapade by way of "Word to Words." Between destinations, I'll be working on writing a romance novel set on and off of the ship. Stay tuned. 

#PacificCruise, #CoralPrincess, #travel, #blog, #personal essay, #blogger

Preserving the Visual Pleasure of Palm Springs

preserve - verb - to maintain in its original or existing state (Oxford Language)

Some of you (one or two?) who have been reading this blog religiously may recall that nearly two years ago, I sold my Jersey Cape Cod (built in 1939) to a Gen Z yuppy couple and relocated to SoCal. After a year, the two, who were originally head over heals with the design of the place, fell out of love and tore it down, only to replace it with a monolithic, modern McMansion. After at least two close friends of mine reminded me that in a capitalistic society, buyers have the right to do just about anything to the property after the deed has been signed over, I slinked away in silence with my tail between my legs, reluctant to acknowledge that they were right. 

Well, last weekend, I took the tail out from between my legs and used them (the legs) to do a celebratory dance when I discovered that in some American communities, there are laws that preserve the design aesthetics in residential neighborhoods. Palm Springs, California, the iconic second home of various classic and contemporary celebrities, is one such community.

According to City of Palm Springs.gov., homes in Palm Springs "must adhere to aesthetic and design codes, especially regarding exterior colors on main streets and hillsides to preserve the city's iconic Desert Modern style, with the city's Code Compliance division enforcing rules on building design, zoning, and appearance, to maintain community standards." Some of the former residences of legendary citizens, such as Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, and Sammy Davis, Jr. are designated as historic sites, adding another "layer of preservation for owners." If dilapidated houses must be torn down, they must be replaced with similar homes with the same look.

Respect for the integrity of what has preceded the present is a rarity. Just as not to castigate my home state of New Jersey entirely, there is a city called Plainfield–the former Hollywood, home to silent movie stars of the distant past– has a historic district of about one square mile that prohibits home owners from tearing down the Victorian architectural treasures that make the city unique.

If you want my two cents (and you may since the penny is now pass'e), these architecturally restrictive codes should be uniform throughout the country. If people want to build their own dream homes, they need to buy open land in order to do so. Why buy a perfectly renovated antique with personality only to destroy it because the new owners like the location, not the house? There is something nonsensical or just plain barbaric about that. 

But then again, sometimes I think the country is going to the dogs, and perhaps it should. Some out there think that dogs are more humane than humans. As proof, I saw this written across a warehouse in letters that were each two feet tall:

BE MORE HUMAN

(and if in doubt)

BE MORE DOG

I rest my case. 

#blog, #personal essay, #architecture, #aesthetic values, #real estate, #Palm Springs

 

Resolving Resolutions

 

resolve - verb - to settle or find a solution to (Oxford Languages)

resolution - noun - a firm decision to do or not to do something (Oxford Languages)

Oddly enough, although I as a blogger have celebrated five, successive new years since conceiving this pastime, it seems as though I have not walked head-on wholeheartedly into the topic of New Year's resolutions until now.

To tell you the truth, New Year's Eve came and went sans my even contemplating any kind of resolution. And I would have gone on my merry way into 2026, completely free from the concept if it had not been for a friend of mine, a rather famous fine artist in her own right, who called me New Year's Day and asked, "Do you have any New Year's resolutions?" Obviously, I had to come up with something, so I went with the first thing that came into my head and replied, "Gratitude. Just to be more thankful than usual." She approved and then revealed that she intended to minimize expectations, which is always smart, but hard to do. I wish her much luck. 

After our conversation had concluded, and I abandoned my phone to its charger in the kitchen, I wondered how many out there have similar thoughts as to how they will behave in 2026. According to Google, the most common resolutions still being made include losing weight, eating healthier, exercising, being more fiscally responsible, taking up a new hobby other than board ("bored") games, card games, and pickle ball, or spending more time with loved ones.  

On the other hand, what if some persons, like me, were hoping to get away with ignoring the formerly indispensable tradition at this time of year. If that is the case, why the apathy? Is it because people are being more Zen and staying in the moment more, or is it because the goings on globally are so unpredictable that New Year's resolutions are impossible to make given the capricious climate? Or is it that contemporary humans are more self-aware and realize that whatever they promise themselves they'll do, they will most likely not do. Perhaps people find "firm" decisions to do or not to do to be on the flabby side? Perhaps the real resolution is to resolve to skip making them altogether? Perhaps that is a safe, honest alternative?

I don't know. I suppose an unspoken resolution, a simple one, kind of like the one I came up within a few seconds, may not be a bad idea. No one needs to announce intentions publicly, just zero in on one self improvement and stick with it. Keep it to yourself, but keep it close in mind. If you are out of original ideas, choose from the aforementioned, but please come up with unique hobbies.

Happy New Year and thanks to all of you who have been a fan of Word to Words or who have dropped in from outer cyber space out of curiosity. (So far, I'm keeping my 2026 resolution. I am thanking everybody!)

#NewYear, #resolutions, #blog, #blogger, #personal essay