Sometimes it Rains

March 25, 2012 – Sometimes it Rains

Even in Paradise, sometimes it rains. Now that should be expected, for how would paradise be so robust with flora if it didn’t rain? And how would you appreciate warm days and star-filled nights if the clouds and rain didn’t come and occasionally strip them away? But some people believe that paradise should always be perfect, according to their own unique definition, and truly seem surprised by the rain.

But for those of us in the business of creating the perfect fantasy world for our guests it can be a little annoying when the necessary rain falls at the wrong time. Especially when it falls at the wrong time again and again and again. Now, I am not talking about Great Flood style rain, but more of the dramatic tropical rain showers that make a habit of sneaking up on you when you are least expecting them. It started in St. Thomas. The morning was virtually perfect and our guests disembarked with great anticipation as they ventured into this mecca of port shopping and a diversity of natural experiences. The morning was fine but as Tim, Lavern and I sat for lunch on the aft deck we saw the mountains quickly disappear and a squall move toward the ship with great impatience. We had time to collect our plates and move inside and felt ourselves fortunate that the intense shower was over so quickly. What we didn’t know was that 10-15 minute outburst directly coincided with the return to ship of several of our largest half day tours, bathing a large number of our guests in unexpected tropical splendor. But Mother Nature was not through with having fun with us for that day. A second similar squall moved though later that afternoon, and you guessed it, right at the time that our afternoon shore excursions were all returning. Timing is everything, and for us that day, it was everything we didn’t want to experience.

The next day in St. Croix the weather was more predictable. Every hour for about ten minutes it rained at such an alarming pace you were sure that Noah would sail soon around the corner. After each intense downpour the sun would triumphantly return and give hope that the rest of the day would be what our guests expected. With great hope they would boldly venture off only to return to the ship like very drowned rats an hour later. This pattern continued faithfully throughout the day.

Our second to last port of the cruise was San Juan, and we arrived early in the morning . . . to rain. That is apparently a very unusual occurrence for Puerto Rico where according to locals the storms usually come in the afternoon and early evening. But given our luck on this cruise they chose to greet us when we arrived. As the day went on the weather slowly improved and by just before departure time the sun was shining almost as though it was mocking us for being in port too early, especially at the port where we generally wish to be there in the evening.

The spirits of the officers and staff were not high that night. Three straight days of rain do not bode well for cruise ratings. Believe it or not many guests act as though we are responsible for the weather. Guests sometimes ask us in all seriousness why we can’t avoid the weather. We can of course as are ships can certainly sail away from storm fronts and generally outrun the progress of the storm. However, that only works if we aren’t actually trying to get somewhere. When you have an actual destination then you must eventually submit yourself to the realities of jet streams, high and low pressure systems, cloud formations and ocean temperatures. Some guests immediately ask for compensation because their port experience has been ruined. That definitely takes entitlement thinking to a new level. We chose to respond by simply turning up the wattage on our smiles and personality to warm their hearts if not their bodies. We can always make it sunny on the ship. But as to the ports, “Yes, Virginia, it will rain. “

Generally at the worst possible time.

And the adventure continues . . .