Topic starter
11/07/2007 5:26 pm
My husband Ray & I just returned from back-to-back steamboating cruises on the AQ 6/25-7/5/2007. We had not been on the AQ since 1997 - a three day cruise. We were very apprehensive about what we would encounter on the first trip under Majestic America Lines.
Unlike Mr. Herron, we were very impressed with the whole operation. These are our opinions and we will not let negative comments keep us from cruising. As Franz has asked us "give the new owners a chance". Remember each of us is just one little spoke in a big paddle wheel, and we must learn to "breath" and go with the "flow". Our boats will remain steamboats; Majestic is just sweeping away the ole soot, leaving us with fresh new amenities.
The first nights entertainment, "All Hands On Deck" was a great presentation of the Officers and Entertainment Staff. We were given a sample review performance by each entertainer of what to expect during the cruise. Note: we now have just two singing entertainers performing for a show instead of four. We didn't think we would like, but it is much better in our opinion.
We both loved the H2O soap products. Towels were as the Company said big and fluffy. Thought the beds would give us problems, but each night we hit the bed and slept till morning. They are high for some, but made great luggage storage underneath. Our tablemates were short, but made light of the situation, going with the flow. They used the available small ladders.
There is now a large make-up mirror in the bathroom and robes. (These are not in every cabin). Please request yours at the Pursers Office. Clocks kept accurate information. (Ray bought one)
Of course there were glitches for some on our cruises, but after they were directed to the proper person, their complaints or problems were addressed. Some problems are easier to solve than others, and then you have the passengers who in their own minds do not allow the problem to be resolved.
We don't miss the late night buffet. If a person does not eat enough during the day, that is their own fault. Eating a good breakfast is supposed to be better for your health anyway.
In our opinion the boats now have Chefs that know how to prepare food without the highly seasond food of the past. We still have a selection of beef, pork, lamb, veal, duck, fish, and chicken, etc. The June 13th cruise (Mr. Herrons cruise) had Executive Chef David Bailey and we had Executive Chef Barry Bennett.
If Mr. Herron felt the portions were small, than he could have ordered another portion. He could also have addressed the issue to the Chef. What seemed small to him might be enough or too large for another passenger. We ourselves did not find small portions. In fact I began asking for 1/2 portions at dinner.
We had a hearty bowl of stew for lunch on each cruise and the bowl was always chucked full of beef and vegetables. Rather than for those at Mr. Herron's table to sit and gripe about the serving, they should have addressed the problem with the Maitre d' or Chef. They also had the choice of eating from the Buffet in the Grand Saloon.
There are mostly new servers and assistants in the dining room. We must be patient with them. We found our server and others we spoke with to be very courteous and attentive. Most are in the learning mode. Once Mr. Herron stops thinking so negatively, given the chance he will find these servers are just as good as the ones he had in the past. MAL is watching the service. If employees are not working out they let them go. We saw this twice.
When a passenger is coming on board celebrating a special occasion, we found just telling your travel agent is not enough. As soon as you get on board make contact with the Maitre d', tell your Server, and then the day before, and the day of celebration, remind them of your celebration intentions. There is no charge to sing to the passengers.
Since the Company upgraded Mr. Herron to a AA Cabin, he shouldn't be so critical about the TV not being fully installed. It worked, so why not just appreciate the upgrade and assume the installation would be finished at a later date.
We didn't like the thought of TV's on board, but now believe they will be great for a person who may not be up to par for a day confined to their cabin, etc. Never had time or the desire to use it during the cruises, but had the news on while packing. (We didn't go blind and we are still steamboaters)
Franz asked all of us to give the new company a chance. We definitely agree. All our cruises will not be smooth, just remember to "breath" and go with the "flow". Let positive vibes flow through our Steamboats!
If a steamboating problem is incurred, contact the Purser's Office, so that the proper person is contacted to address the issue. In the Dining Room direct problem to the Maitre d' for resolution.
We will take one green bean over whining any day!
Ray & Marian Nusekabel
11/07/2007 5:54 pm
Thanks, Marian!
We are scheduled to board the AQ on July 21 for a week and I was very glad to read your post. This will be our 4th trip on the boats , and had something not changed (such as the ownership) we would not be going. Things had gotten bad and we are looking forward to a cleaner boat, less shabby decorations, and a chance to have fun again like we did the first time! It was refreshing to find that things are not as awful as they have been portrayed on this board. Thanks and we can once again look forward to our trip!
Binki Teitlebaum
Topic starter
11/07/2007 8:44 pm
PS - Just for info: This was our 33 & 34 steamboatin cruise. We have cruised on all three boats. Since 1992 first TAll Stacks on the MQ.
11/07/2007 10:12 pm
Thank you for your review.
I am also going on the July 21st cruise and am happy to hear others are having a good time on the boats.
Julie
11/07/2007 11:05 pm
I'm glad to hear your cuisine was better your trip than Jim Herron's.
I find a little concerning that you would accept gladly any type of quality concern over & over again (as I read it).
Too many of us, myself included-had this opinion with the DQ company in it's various generations and I think this is the reason Jim Herron & others experienced what they experienced.
Although I haven't cruised as much as you & your husband...I only went 25 cruises from 1979 to 2005, looking back I always seemed to feel..."just enough to get by" was the DQ motto....and that was fine when we were paying much-much less for these trips. Today, with what is charged, 1st class prices should command 1st class quality, no question.
Forgive my comments, as I know I'm not popular with several here, but one can't just roll over either...
12/07/2007 1:54 am
I guess I don't get it...I didn't see Jim Herron's post as whining at all. It was just his opinion, correct? Jim may have used a tad bit of sarcasm to get his point across but it was his point to be made. I will be the first to point out that what happens at one dinner table may be totally different than what happens at another, and I as a passenger probably wouldn't complain to the matre'd if food or service was a little below par, I would instead give my opinion via the size of the tip and the comment card. Just like a fine restaurant, I've had the occasional bad meal at my favorite place? And yes Deb and I still tip individually on the DQ as well as give a group tip.
And isn't that what we are all doing when describing our experience on the Queens...giving our opinion? I for one welcome everyone's posts on their cruise experiences...hell, Deb's and my DQ experiences have been enhanced by what we have read on this forum, both pro AND con. Nobody had more forboding about the robes, the matresses and the missing eagle than me when we got on in March.
It always helps to look at something on the DQ for the first time because your attention was drawn to it by this forum, and then taking the time to form your own opinion. Marian your post is also an opinion, right? And even though there are a rare few people that do not enjoy their steamboating experience, I am speaking presumtuously for Jim Herron, he is not one of them, he seems to be one of us. From what I have seen of his work I believe he truly loves the boats.
I look at it this way, in December Deb and I are riding the AQ for the first time. It will be interesting if we see any of the issues that you or Jim brought up with your respective AQ post-cruise posts.
We value BOTH of your opinions.
12/07/2007 9:15 am
Wow Marian, when I offered my comments it was in the hope that those things I mentioned could or would be improved. Overall, the cruise we were on was a fine one. It's just that when three people at our table ordered beef stew, we thought it ought to have more than one piece of beef, about 1/2 inch square in the bowl. At least, all the beef stew I've had previously was so made. I don't need the extra food, as anyone knows me can attest, but great food was one anemitie DQSC was known for and I still think it's one of the best ways to bring the passengers back. Those who don't care about it can pass it up while others will appreciate it, including the late night buffet.
One episode we observed on the DQ last year was when a lady decided she wanted all the grapes from the late night buffet and began loading them into several napkins to take to her cabin. Her husband tried to talk her out of it but she made a BIG scene with a lot of yelling about how she liked them and wanted all of them for herself. While her poor husband was very embarrased, some people thought it was pretty funny. We felt sorry for the DQ attendant who got caught up in the whole thing and tried to explain that the buffet was for everyone, only to have her yell at him, too.
We told his supervisor that he had handled the episode with great skill and that he was completely absent from any fault. Chances are that this lady had been in the lounge a little too long but she made other "scenes" during her cruise, too. She's the only such passenger we've ever seen on any cruise. When you deal with the public, you never know what's coming next!
As for the TV, we did watch it when we went to bed and it worked fine. The stations available were a bit limited but that was no problem.
Also, we are very grateful for the upgrade we received, as were our friends who were in the cabin next door. It does look like MAL is trying, especially since they replaced the eagle on the DQ. Yes, we'll give them a chance by booking another cruise in the future.
12/07/2007 12:42 pm
I have found that when you go on a trip expecting to have a good time chances are small inconviences don't matter much. On our cruise in June we discovered that we were on the main seating for dinner and we had requested early/ After so many cruises you are supposed to be assured of the seating you request. We spoke to the maitre d and he said that he would work on it. We were'nt the only ones with the same problem. We explained to him that if the Happy Ladies had to eat that late we would have to stay up much later and we would'nt be responsible for our actions. It was straightened out by dinner the 2nd day. Albeit we were in the corner by the kitchen behind a screen. Just kidding but they did put another table in to accomodate us and two others. When we found out that they had given our original table to a group with special needs at early seating it gave us pause to realize that we are not the only ones on the boat. I enjoy reading the boards and hearing about others experiences. I think we all have a love for steamboatin and want it to continue forever.
12/07/2007 3:19 pm
Sally Harris;6547 wrote: I think we all have a love for steamboatin and want it to continue forever.
Which is the reason I've been frank with my comments of recent about the boats! I wish to cruise the DQ again some day and not look back at "what was once around"....
Yes, I didn't step forward to buy the company, but this needs to be said again.... how does the company generate income??? Ask any merchant...the end consumer???
If a consumer based service company can't accept public comment, good or bad, and then act or react on it...well...
13/07/2007 1:13 pm
Jim Herron has devoted much time and money to preserve steamboating heritage for us in his videos of the DELTA QUEEN'S 75th anniversary trip and in IRON CROWNS, the story of the AMERICAN QUEEN's UMR trip. For those of us who have purchased these, we are most appreciative of his efforts to share memories of these boats with us. We know Jim Herron not only supports the QUEENS with his fares, but also with his time, talent, and money in recording their histories for us. Jim is a true steamboater and lover of the boats. Thanks Jim for all you've done for them and us. ...and I would suggest to any steamboater who doesn't yet have either video to contact Jim to acquire them.
13/07/2007 6:21 pm
In short order we won't have a DELTA QUEEN if the product remains as it is, and MAL does not provide a product that is within line of its price. To chastise someone for making comments intended to make the cruise better is not a wise thing to do. In fact it can hasten a company's demise.
Somehow in America today the faulty notion that to question the government is not only wrong it's unpatriotic is being applied to those whom are viewing MAL with a critical eye towards improving the product.
14/07/2007 12:05 pm
I am still writing up notes on our July 5 -10 AQ cruise, but I thought I would post this piece of information.
My wife has arthritis and wakes up stiff and in pain each morning, even though we have extra padding on the mattress and some other additions that help.
While we were on the cruise she didn't wake up in the night once, and never woke up in pain, even after a day of sight seeing all over Marietta. We have been back 4 days and the pain is back full force.
I need to find out where they purchased those mattresses.
14/07/2007 4:51 pm
I would just be glad to BE on the boat, on the river. Sometimes I almost feel like crying because I miss it so.
15/07/2007 3:12 am
Amen!!! I agree totaly!
S'
David D.
15/07/2007 3:17 am
Hey Bruce, I think it's just a Boat Effect. Although I did like the mattresses & slept very well--but then there's that gentle boat motion helping out too!
Dang, I miss it!
S'
David D.
PS, maybe the Dr. will give your wife a prescription to ride the boat & you'll have to go along too. . . ..??
16/07/2007 10:05 am
David Dewey;6577 wrote: but then there's that gentle boat motion helping out too!
She claimed not to feel any. My parents noted the missing motion as well. I noticed it, especially after an upriver tow went by.
16/07/2007 12:56 pm
David Dewey;6577 wrote: PS, maybe the Dr. will give your wife a prescription to ride the boat & you'll have to go along too. . . ..??
And then, you could deduct the trip as a medical expense!
On the subject of missing the boats? Imagine if you used to live on them.
Paul
17/07/2007 4:52 am
Paul,
OUCH! I think that would be really painful, although I have wondered if I could live under the main deck w/ no portholes.
S'
David
17/07/2007 1:03 pm
David Dewey;6627 wrote: Paul,
OUCH! I think that would be really painful, although I have wondered if I could live under the main deck w/ no portholes.
S'
David
Oh, we have portholes. We're just not allowed to open them.
Paul