Noordam’s Father was a room steward on Holland America’s Noordam on the day he was born.
In March Rob and I attended a business seminar “Smart Success” in Orange County California. The seminar was held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We flew all the way from Chicago to LA – for 3 days? Really? > > NOT – – we wouldn’t do that. Would you? Flying all the way to LA is neither cheap or pleasant. When you Travel Like an Architect™ you always make the most of your time at a destination so As long as we had flown to the West Coast – we might as well Book a Cruise, right?
We found and booked the perfect Cruise – in fact it was the ONLY Cruise leaving Southern California on the Monday following our seminar. It was a four night Carnival (during Spring Break), on the Inspiration, out to Catalina Island and down to Ensenada Mexico and back. Would you do that? Yeah….we did! We had the best time in years partying and dancing with college students! There were about 300 University of Utah students that had assembled themselves in a Facebook Group to book the voyage together as well as students from Arizona, Nevada and of course California! The nightclubs on the ship were packed every night – a drastic comparison to the Holland America Cruise we had been on in February, where most people were in bed way before midnight. But it’s fun to pretend to be young once in a while….
Having been on a Holland America Line Ship so recently – we noticed the name tag on our room steward right away. His name was Noordam! The name of a Holland America Vessel!! We quickly joked “Hey – you’re on the wrong ship!” Noordam was quick to explain with a proud smile that his father had been working in the same capacity on the MS Noordam the day he was born, so he had been named in honor of his father’s job. Wow – how cool is that? The next time you think about complaining about your service on the ship or think about making fun of these people for any reason – please remember their sacrifice… They spend months of their lives away from their homes and families serving others for the basic paycheck that they receive because the opportunity is so much greater than one in their home place. They proudly serve you – sending their money home to wives and children for basic every day needs in places all over the globe where life just isn’t that easy. Please think about this and imagine how lonely or home sick some may be – or in some cases worried about a loved one who is not as fortunate as you. Treat them with respect – be gracious & tip them well. Their families depend on YOU!
Noordam told us that he is planning to marry next spring. His wife to be is waiting for him in the Philippines. He will return to his home land between contracts, after which he will continue to work on a ship, like his father. With a smile he said “I just hope that I am not working on the Carnival Ecstasy on the day that a daughter is born!” Noordam does a fine job with a smile on his face every day. The ship he works on is cleared and turned over every 4/3 days each week. That is a boatload of WORK for all of the staff – particularly the Room Stewards.
I asked Noordam if he would pose for a photo with me – he asked excitedly – will I be on Facebook??
We always ask the people who serve us about their families and home lands.. They are always happy to share their story. Might I encourage you to do the same? Try it once – it will make you feel very fortunate!! And you might even get better service for doing so…..
Moral of the story – When you Travel Like an Architect™ Be grateful for what you have and respect those who have less and work more for it by treating them well!
Rob and Lynn Belles are seasoned travelers and Cruises Inc. Travel Agents
Gathering up the best experiences on Earth to share with you
for the purpose of inspiring you to go into the world with peace and kindness and learn all about the rest of humanity………..
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