Bonjour! The last time I heard so much French spoken, I was wandering the crowded Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France.
But here I was, boarding the Club Med 2 in the Eastern Caribbean, surrounded by the rich and lyrical language. It was if I were on the other side of the Atlantic or in Quebec.
The sun sets as the five-mast Club Med 2 sails in the Eastern Caribbean. Photo Credit: Andrea Zelinski
I joined the sailing for the final three days of a seven-day itinerary from St. Martin to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. As part of an international press and travel agent contingent that joined the ship from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, I was there to scope out the ship's $10.8 million refurbishment of dining and common areas.
I was most curious to acquaint myself with the Club Med brand that is best known for its tropical and ski resorts but has kept this ship sailing for the last 30 years. I didn't know what to expect.
I knew about the ship's sails -- which were taller, whiter and larger than I had imagined -- leaving the romantic in me in awe, especially during sunset. There was an excitement about imagining ships of yore using nothing but the sails to float across the sea. (The Club Med 2 also uses an engine, but the sails reduce its energy usage by 20%.)
Whatever my expectations were, I wasn't expecting to be greeted with "bonjour" when I boarded the ship or surrounded by crew members at times wearing white-and-blue striped shirts or to be offered so many French cheeses.
Club Med, headquartered in France, has more than 65 properties around the world, but very few of them are in the United States. (Club Med will open a resort in Utah that is expected to open in 2025.)
The company largely draws customers from Europe. The same goes for the Club Med 2, the only cruise ship in the company portfolio. However, executives are looking to build brand loyalty among North Americans and introduce them to a resort, a cruise and so on.
Tea time at the Portofino bar on the Club Med 2. Photo Credit: Andrea Zelinski
I wandered around the ship knowing the entire crew not only spoke French but English, and often other languages such as Italian. The ship attracts an international audience: about half of the guests are French and the other half are from Italy, Belgium and the United States. Signage around the ship was in French and English, making it easy to find my way around.
Several of the ship's designs had a French touch, too, such as iconic white and colored stripes on patio chairs reminiscent of the white-and-navy beach umbrellas I saw spread along the beach in Nice. My room was stocked with Sothys French soaps, shampoos and lotion along with an espresso maker and an impressive selection of teas.
Classes like dance and yoga were in French, although the instructor would repeat the directions in English for those who needed it. I tried out an "Aquazumba" class that was quite easy to understand, aided by our instructor who demonstrated the moves. A guest I met said her meditation class was in French and that she was able to recall some of the language because she had learned it years ago. Still, the instructor repeated the directions for her in English.
Guests had a laissez-faire manner, often gathered in groups and playing cards or table games. I rarely saw anyone on their phones. It struck me that I saw few couples on their own. Instead, they gathered, laughed and told stories. I couldn't eavesdrop because of the language barrier, but they looked like they were having a good time.
Club Med 2's dance choreographer leads an Aquazumba class on Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic. Photo Credit: Andrea Zelinski
They also smoked. By the end of the day I saw dozens of cigarette butts, many stained with bright red lipstick, in a large sand-filled ash tray station outside. No outdoor seating section was complete without at least a few ash tray saucers on tables.
By the time my short sailing was over, I was growing accustomed to simple French phrases like "merci," "parlez-vous anglaise?" and "au revoir." Had I more time, I would have enjoyed picking up more phrases like I had when I was last in France.
C'est la vie.