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Polynesia April '98
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Hot Windjammer Issues
Windjammer's "PR problem"
I think the best analogy here would be the "Soup Nazi". The
product is so good that they don't need to make an extra effort. There's
a restaurant here in Fort Worth that has awful service but the food is great,
so I keep going back. Windjammer's product is the same. You may have to
suffer through some surly agents (not all but some) and wait a long time
for answers to your questions but once you're aboard, you couldn't ask for
more attentive and friendly service or a more exciting experience. Having
said that, I don't think any business can afford to lose customers. Hopefully
Windjammer will make an effort to improve its customer service. For now,
know what soup you want and have your money ready when you get to the counter.
Kid's on Windjammers
Of the four Windjammers I've been on, only once were there any children
on board. They were never in the way; they were not rude or disrespectful
and their parents made sure that they were somewhere else when the activities
leaned toward the adult side. I think, however, that we were fortunate that
these were well behaved kids with smart parents. I can imagine that having
a boatload of kids can create problems, but I can't speak from first hand
knowledge. All industries are trying to make their services more family
friendly and I guess Windjammer must follow the trend. Making the Legacy
a family oriented ship seems like a good solution. Her cabins are larger
and seem suited to family travel. If Windjammer offers good deals for families
on Legacy it will discourage people from taking kids on other ships at full
price.
Click Here for Response from Ellen
Legacy
Most of Windjammer's fleet was built in the first half of this century
and were built primarily as sailing vessels. Legacy is relatively new and
has been retrofitted with sails. Windjammer literature says that their goal
is not only to provide fun vacations but to help preserve the sailing ships
of old. It seems now that their goal is to disguise new ships as old sailing
vessels.
RESPONSES:
From Al:
One correction...I do not think Mandalay was originally a sailing ship!
Met a fellow on Mandy last year who crewed on her when she was Vema, the
research vessel studying continental drift. He had a photo album of his
travels, and Mandy looked totally different from the waterline up!
NO sails, but a large enclosed bridge and I believe a cargo crane!!! Looked
more military than civilian. Meeting him was a very cool experience; he
had many stories to tell, and was still in love with his ship.
From Dean in Southern Deleware
Mandalay was actually a sailing vessel prior to it being used by Woods
Hole in its survey missions. They actually removed the masts from her..
At one point she had been used by WHOI as a sailing vessel in several research
project. So in this case, WJ actually restored Mandalay to her former role.
This history is recorded somewhere aboard, as I remember reading it when
I was aboard. She has a great history, and as a former Marine Biologist,
it added a great deal to my trip on her.
Is the Poly a "party ship"?
When I first began reading posts on AOL and the WBC Bulletin Board ,
I was surprised to read that Polynesia had this reputation. My first trip
on the Poly was positively sedate. It was the most relaxing experience I
had ever had. The crew commented that this was the most laid-back group
they had ever seen. On my second and third trips the crowd was a little
more active but no more wild than would be expected. My fourth week was
a Singles Cruise and although folks stayed up later, I wouldn't say it was
particularly wild. Polynesia is a great ship with a wonderful itinerary.
Don't avoid it because you've heard it's a floating orgy. Likewise, don't
book it expecting a non-stop party.
Gee Mitch, shouldn't you think about sailing on a different ship?
Yes. I was going to sail the Flying Cloud this year, but Polynesia is
taking the British Virgin Island itinerary for the Singles Cruise so I am
once again sailing her. Some day I'll diversify my jamming experience. I
will probably not diversify outside the Windjammer Fleet, though. Except
maybe a crewed charter when I win the lottery.