From: Sherman Rootberg
Date: Tue, Feb 12, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Subject: 2/12/2008
2/12/2008
Salvador Da Bahia
Another port for geniuses. We were here a year ago and planned no tours. We were told there would be a shuttle to the tourist building. To get to town you had to take a public elevator to another level. This city is on two levels.
The elevator is supposed to be a 10 minute walk. It costs about 25 cents US but they do not take US. The ship used to exchange money in foreign ports. They obviously decided to not be accommodating any longer. There was a place to change money. It
was a 15 minute walk each way. These are the times given by their representative from the Brazilian tourist department. We all already know not to believe a thing they ever say. A walk of half an hour, or who knows how much longer, in the hot sun, sounded slightly less offensive then a sharp stick in the eye, but right there in the same category.
The tourist building was supposed to be right near the ship, so there was no shuttle. I asked the, on board, Brazilian tourist
department representative about the shuttle. Oh yes there is a shuttle. It is the shuttle from H. Stern. They will take you right to their store. Oh yes, there are plenty of cabs too. Do they speak any English? Not usually. Do they take US money? No.
It was nice to see something different the first time we were here but not worth another visit. With all the helpful alternatives offered by the ship’s tour department and the locals, we decided to let them stuff it. We saw a really good movie instead.
Things We Lost in the Fire with Halle Berry and David Duchovny and Benecio Del Toro. Go see it or rent it. They have had some really good movies in the theater and on TV. All very recent.
As has been the practice in most ports, shortly after we arrive, there is no internet or phone. Had it ever been something blocking the signal, it would not have worked as we first arrived and tied up. They always give the same answer. They are working on it. I
don’t care if it is broken or they are shutting it off. If I cannot communicate I can no longer use them. The included internet and ship to shore phone service is the main reason we decided we could take these long periods away. If this is no longer available, neither am I. No matter how great the entire cruise quality might be, I cannot travel for long periods without contact to family and associates. I also have to be able to see and manage my bank accounts, stocks, credit cards and other bills. So it looks like you won’t have to suffer through this blog again next year. So far, I’m 
canceling.
I have not received nearly as much mail regarding this blog this year. That is surely because it has been too much about complaining. I guess it has been. People do not like to be brought down. Happy stuff is far more pleasant to read about. When I think about it, while there is very much that is good, or exceptional, there really has been far too much that is less then we are accustomed to from this line. Too bad. The most important
thing aboard a cruise ship is its cruise staff. This is the best and most accommodating in the industry. That is the very hardest thing to acquire and train. Everything else is very easy in comparison. Too bad they are throwing it all away for an attempt at a few nickels and dimes more profit.
This evening at 6:00 we had a special dance troop and band. They have played in 127 cities in the US we were told. The costumes were very nice but after you have seen dozens of folkloric dances, it gets just a bit old. We had reservations at Latitudes for 6:30 so we just stayed for the half an hour and went to dinner.
Date: Tue, Feb 12, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Subject: 2/12/2008
2/12/2008
Salvador Da Bahia
Another port for geniuses. We were here a year ago and planned no tours. We were told there would be a shuttle to the tourist building. To get to town you had to take a public elevator to another level. This city is on two levels.The elevator is supposed to be a 10 minute walk. It costs about 25 cents US but they do not take US. The ship used to exchange money in foreign ports. They obviously decided to not be accommodating any longer. There was a place to change money. It
was a 15 minute walk each way. These are the times given by their representative from the Brazilian tourist department. We all already know not to believe a thing they ever say. A walk of half an hour, or who knows how much longer, in the hot sun, sounded slightly less offensive then a sharp stick in the eye, but right there in the same category.The tourist building was supposed to be right near the ship, so there was no shuttle. I asked the, on board, Brazilian tourist
department representative about the shuttle. Oh yes there is a shuttle. It is the shuttle from H. Stern. They will take you right to their store. Oh yes, there are plenty of cabs too. Do they speak any English? Not usually. Do they take US money? No.It was nice to see something different the first time we were here but not worth another visit. With all the helpful alternatives offered by the ship’s tour department and the locals, we decided to let them stuff it. We saw a really good movie instead.
Things We Lost in the Fire with Halle Berry and David Duchovny and Benecio Del Toro. Go see it or rent it. They have had some really good movies in the theater and on TV. All very recent.
As has been the practice in most ports, shortly after we arrive, there is no internet or phone. Had it ever been something blocking the signal, it would not have worked as we first arrived and tied up. They always give the same answer. They are working on it. I
don’t care if it is broken or they are shutting it off. If I cannot communicate I can no longer use them. The included internet and ship to shore phone service is the main reason we decided we could take these long periods away. If this is no longer available, neither am I. No matter how great the entire cruise quality might be, I cannot travel for long periods without contact to family and associates. I also have to be able to see and manage my bank accounts, stocks, credit cards and other bills. So it looks like you won’t have to suffer through this blog again next year. So far, I’m canceling.I have not received nearly as much mail regarding this blog this year. That is surely because it has been too much about complaining. I guess it has been. People do not like to be brought down. Happy stuff is far more pleasant to read about. When I think about it, while there is very much that is good, or exceptional, there really has been far too much that is less then we are accustomed to from this line. Too bad. The most important
thing aboard a cruise ship is its cruise staff. This is the best and most accommodating in the industry. That is the very hardest thing to acquire and train. Everything else is very easy in comparison. Too bad they are throwing it all away for an attempt at a few nickels and dimes more profit.This evening at 6:00 we had a special dance troop and band. They have played in 127 cities in the US we were told. The costumes were very nice but after you have seen dozens of folkloric dances, it gets just a bit old. We had reservations at Latitudes for 6:30 so we just stayed for the half an hour and went to dinner.
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