Our very capable and friendly wine steward. Haydee (pronounced something like "Heidi"), like several crew members, did her best to learn names and something about each of the people she was responsible for. All of the crew members who interfaced with passengers were well-schooled in the art of greeting with a smile and making people feel at ease.

Those at the top of the line - table waiters, wine and cabin stewards - could earn substantial amounts though they worked very long hours for them. Servers signed on for six to twelve months at a time and worked twelve to sixteen hours a day. Ours was the last dinner seating - 8:45. Our waiters had already seated and served breakfast, lunch, high tea and three dinner seatings before we saw them. Yet we saw few examples of frazzled waiters.

Haydee looked forward to returning to the Philippines and her children. After them, she said she missed home cooking more than anything.