Thank you notes - Letters

Cruise Travel, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Doris Shapiro

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the letters printed in Cruise Travel. I have found writing thank-you notes on a cruise ship to those who have been especially nice to me not only is appreciated, but also results in receiving special attention and gifts on future cruises.

As I have cruised 18 times, mostly on Royal Caribbean ships, some of the staff are now my friends, including the master of the Voyager of the Seas, Captain Svein Pettersen, with whom I have cruised seven times. He always sends flowers to my cabin. This past summer, Captain Pettersen surprised me with a birthday party at his dinner table.

While on the cruise ship, I take pictures of those who have been especially kind to me, as they make nice memories for my cruise album. When I get home, I write thank-you notes and include a copy of the pictures I took. As those working on a cruise ship are far from home, they appreciate the pictures and often send them to their families.

Doris Shapiro, Miami, FL