GLOBAL ODYSSEY 2010 BLOG #11: A FEW MORE POINTS ABOUT SHIPBOARD LIFE

OK, as we charge down the western coast of South America, let’s take a bit of time to say something more about the Amsterdam. It really IS a good idea to preplan what you are taking and not assume you’ll be able to buy anything you need onboard – there are several shops, but the selection available is a contrast of some of the smartest and some of the dumbest marketing we’ve ever seen. Take the Logo Shop. This usually handles ship and line themed items, and is a bit like the shop at a good resort hotel. Of course, you never know how much of anything they’ll have, so the best thing is to buy early. Score one for the Line. Jackets, sweaters, and hoodies, shirts, a lot of the items are exactly what you would expect, classic and understated. Someone, however, has made the decision to push a series of goods dealing with “the whole dam line.” OK, it’s mildly clever and you could see a t-shirt or two perhaps, but the emphasis Holland America gives it is a lot like Cracker Barrel’s breakfast “coming right up …” campaign. We supposed it is better than “Holland America, not yet underwater,” but still leaves a bit to be desired. We are told that the goods will change during the voyage, but seeing is believing.

The Liquor Shop is much, much worse, if you understand that it includes the necessaries you’d buy in a corner store. You’d think they might have a guidebook or two for sale since they stock paperbacks, particularly right before we hit the appropriate port? You’d be wrong! There’s something like fifteen novels, sunscreen, batteries, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. etc. It’s like a motel convenience store on steroids.

If you want to buy high-end jewelry, however, then the Amsterdam can help you. It’s not our style – indeed this trip was in lieu of a “rock.” Mary does confess that she sat through an emerald lecture to be entered in the following draw – they didn’t make a sale and she didn’t win the stone. The people doing the offerings rotate on and off (H. Stern, for example, who deal with South American gemstones, will have their representative leave the ship by Argentina, we assume to get ready for someone specializing in diamonds or other African stones).

There’s also an art gallery (but realistic views of nature are not its strong point) as well as a photography studio. This is probably the most useful of all the shops, the photographers are quite helpful and have a number of packages for sale covering different groups of pictures – the final selection can be made at the end of the voyage. We believe they’re betting correctly – that at that point most people won’t want to leave any of the views behind. One of the photographers even filmed our progress through the Panama Canal from a helicopter as part of a series of DVD offerings.

Of equal value, but not directly selling anything is the digital lab aboard run by Microsoft. Jeff, the tech, not only holds daily classes while at sea, but also has “office hours.” During which, he will answer any difficult questions. We spoke to him, for example, about reducing and sending the photographs with which some of these postings are illustrated.

So there you have it – ranging from the useful and essential to the – well not so much. As your ship ID card is equivalent to plastic, you have to watch out and curb those urges to spend! There are plenty of opportunities in each port!