February 27, 2013: At Sea
I had a leisurely breakfast and went by to see Jacob before going to the Loft. Not long after I walked into Club HAL, there was an announcement for a fire drill. I had to get Jacob to look up the number so I could call the front office to let them know I was working. That’s what I don’t get about Club HAL being PAX notification team. If an emergency happens, I’m extremely likely to be at work and my first priority will be to get the children to their lifeboats and their parents. Only after that will I be able to go to the front office to post stuff, probably after they’re done since most people should be at the lifeboats quickly. Then, I’d have to go down to my room, grab my lifejacket before heading back to the other side of the ship to my liferaft. It’s just an added step. We have a general drill tomorrow as well because of an audit on the ship...not fun.
Anyway, the boy showed up this morning again, but brought one of the teens with him! He’d met her in the Lido and convinced her to come up. We hung out for a while, listening to music and trying to identify the artist and title of songs, then we played video games again until it was time for my lunch break.
I didn’t really take that long to eat, but I was happy that I found brie! Now I know where to look in the future! There was only about 45 minutes before I had to be at work, so I went up to see if Jacob needed anything. None of the kids were there, so I held down the fort while he went down to the office to print out schedules for the next few days. The kids must have all had really long lunches because none of them were there when Jacob got back and I went to the Loft early. The boy came up first, we just chatted and I did a few sudokus while he played cards, then the teen got there and we all played video games the rest of the afternoon. Surprisingly only one person came in to ask about the library!
Dinner was long, and very interesting. I sat with Jacob and Krista, and we had good conversation. They both had to leave for work, but Charlotte had come by, and one of the 4th officers sat with us and the three of us started talking, joined by the doctor and his wife once she’d dropped the kids off at Club HAL. Charlotte had to head to work, but I stayed since I was interested in the conversation.The doctor had actually been in the navy, and is now just a travelling doctor, filling in in ERs where they need him. Doing ships is just as easy for him since it’s just more travel. I love learning stuff about people. He and Charles (the 4th officer) talked about different stuff in the bridges of ships they’ve been on and stuff like that while the wife and I listened and talked ourselves. It was a good dinner!
Only the boy came up tonight, we talked and played video games. Actually, I let him play while I did a few sudokus until it was time to go. We have some pretty interesting conversations since he’s travelled all over the world pretty much.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
great day at the beach in Half Moon Cay
February 26, 2013: Half Moon Cay
I managed to get up early enough to have breakfast before going to catch the tender. There was a huge line waiting for the tender, because there were some big swells. As soon as I got down there, someone asked if I was crew, then proceeded to yell and curse at me telling me that this was ridiculous and I needed to get it to work better; I was just trying to get to the back of the line to wait…. The other people around him were nice though, they insisted I get in line before them since I was going ashore to work. I’m glad there are good people like that to make up for the meaner ones.
After two tenders came and went, we finally were allowed to get on and head to shore. The doc’s kids were the only ones who came to beach activities, so we played with their small, floating football until time was up. Then, I went down to the beach and hung out with Charlotte and Sara (the stage manager) on the beach. We swam some, we talked some, we read some; it was a good afternoon!
I came back, changed and got lunch with Charlotte and Sara, then went up to the Loft for the rest of the afternoon, the 18-year-old was the only one who showed up (I wasn’t really expecting the girls to, since they’re teenage girls and more than likely spent the day on the beach, then by the pool). We talked and played video games until I had to close up.
After a long dinner and relaxing in the room for a while, I went up to Club HAL to give Jacob a few minutes off before I went to the Loft. They were playing Celebrity heads; all of them were participating and having fun (so much better than last week!).
The 18 year old boy was the only one to come up to the Loft again. We kept a count of how many people came by to ask for the Library or Crows Nest, and played video games until it was time to leave. At least I haven’t been bored sitting in the Loft waiting for someone to come! Hour forward tonight, so I’m not going out, most people probably won’t anyway.
I managed to get up early enough to have breakfast before going to catch the tender. There was a huge line waiting for the tender, because there were some big swells. As soon as I got down there, someone asked if I was crew, then proceeded to yell and curse at me telling me that this was ridiculous and I needed to get it to work better; I was just trying to get to the back of the line to wait…. The other people around him were nice though, they insisted I get in line before them since I was going ashore to work. I’m glad there are good people like that to make up for the meaner ones.
After two tenders came and went, we finally were allowed to get on and head to shore. The doc’s kids were the only ones who came to beach activities, so we played with their small, floating football until time was up. Then, I went down to the beach and hung out with Charlotte and Sara (the stage manager) on the beach. We swam some, we talked some, we read some; it was a good afternoon!
I came back, changed and got lunch with Charlotte and Sara, then went up to the Loft for the rest of the afternoon, the 18-year-old was the only one who showed up (I wasn’t really expecting the girls to, since they’re teenage girls and more than likely spent the day on the beach, then by the pool). We talked and played video games until I had to close up.
After a long dinner and relaxing in the room for a while, I went up to Club HAL to give Jacob a few minutes off before I went to the Loft. They were playing Celebrity heads; all of them were participating and having fun (so much better than last week!).
The 18 year old boy was the only one to come up to the Loft again. We kept a count of how many people came by to ask for the Library or Crows Nest, and played video games until it was time to leave. At least I haven’t been bored sitting in the Loft waiting for someone to come! Hour forward tonight, so I’m not going out, most people probably won’t anyway.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
busy but boring day in home port
February 25, 2013: Fort Lauderdale
Immigration was at 10, it went pretty fast I think; we were done by 11. Since it was so late though, and I didn’t have anyone to go out with, I decided to stay on the ship this time. I took a nap, went to lunch, hung out in Club HAL for a while with Jacob as he waited for people to come by for heath inspection, then went to the library to get books from Charlotte.
Mom called, so I went to the bow to talk to her for a while. After that, it was a lot of up and down the stairs (elevators kind of were backed up with new guests finding their way around, and housekeeping taking luggage to rooms) as I went back to actually get the books from Charlotte, drop them off in the room, went back up to listen to the HAL Cats’ deck set, went back to the room to hide during the passenger drill, back upstairs for a entertainment department meeting, back down to kill some time before dinner, dinner, then down again to try to get something straightened out in the Crew Office, then finally back up to the Loft. Busy busy day.
None of the teens actually came, though an 18-year-old came up and hung out for a while. We talked, played cards and played Wii sports (I’m horrible at golf) until I closed up the Loft for the night. Jacob suggested I write the teens notes to try to get them all there at the same time (since last week the 8 teens kept missing each other in the Loft), so I did that after the 18-year-old left, then went to sleep because it’d been a loonngg day.
Immigration was at 10, it went pretty fast I think; we were done by 11. Since it was so late though, and I didn’t have anyone to go out with, I decided to stay on the ship this time. I took a nap, went to lunch, hung out in Club HAL for a while with Jacob as he waited for people to come by for heath inspection, then went to the library to get books from Charlotte.
Mom called, so I went to the bow to talk to her for a while. After that, it was a lot of up and down the stairs (elevators kind of were backed up with new guests finding their way around, and housekeeping taking luggage to rooms) as I went back to actually get the books from Charlotte, drop them off in the room, went back up to listen to the HAL Cats’ deck set, went back to the room to hide during the passenger drill, back upstairs for a entertainment department meeting, back down to kill some time before dinner, dinner, then down again to try to get something straightened out in the Crew Office, then finally back up to the Loft. Busy busy day.
None of the teens actually came, though an 18-year-old came up and hung out for a while. We talked, played cards and played Wii sports (I’m horrible at golf) until I closed up the Loft for the night. Jacob suggested I write the teens notes to try to get them all there at the same time (since last week the 8 teens kept missing each other in the Loft), so I did that after the 18-year-old left, then went to sleep because it’d been a loonngg day.
sea days
February 23, 2013: At Sea
Another late-start morning. I had a long breakfast in a crowded Lido, some passengers sat with me and we chatted while we ate. No one came up to the Loft, so I sat with my pages of Sudokus and music.
Jacob asked me to work with the kids this afternoon so he could do some work in the office and get stuff done for the last few days of the cruise. It was kind of insane because ALL of the kids were there and running around, begging for my attention. But, I made it through. The little girl actually stayed for a while before noticing that her mom left, then she ran to me and sat with me the rest of the time. :) Most of the kids actually got along for once, usually they’re arguing over what to play. After work, I read some, went to dinner and went to it again. We really didn’t do any “Brave the Night” activities. But, they got along and played games in groups which I was more than fine with!
February 24, 2013: At Sea again
Just another day at sea really. Morning shift in the Loft followed by an afternoon in Club HAL, there were only a few there the first hour and they were content to play video games, then a few more arrived and I put in a movie since it was on the schedule. It went by pretty quickly and I got to play some Lego Harry Potter with one of the kids while others watched the movie.
It was the last night of the cruise, so it was supposed to be movie night. But they were all getting along so well, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to let them continue what they were doing: boys playing video games (one with my help) and the girls building a fort and making decorations for it and then playing sardines. Jacob was going to let me off at 10 and take over late night, but we got into playing Bop It Extreme followed by Spoons, so I didn’t leave until 11. They were having so much fun, they didn’t even realize that we hadn’t gone down for ice cream.
I went to the OB for the first time here. It’s set up very differently from the Oosterdam, which surprised me since they’re the same class ship. I talked with Jacob and Krista for a while, then Lianne (she was on the Maasdam as well, works in the front office). I met a few people and now feel a bit more comfortable around them, so now it won’t take so much work to actually motivate myself to go out at night.
Another late-start morning. I had a long breakfast in a crowded Lido, some passengers sat with me and we chatted while we ate. No one came up to the Loft, so I sat with my pages of Sudokus and music.
Jacob asked me to work with the kids this afternoon so he could do some work in the office and get stuff done for the last few days of the cruise. It was kind of insane because ALL of the kids were there and running around, begging for my attention. But, I made it through. The little girl actually stayed for a while before noticing that her mom left, then she ran to me and sat with me the rest of the time. :) Most of the kids actually got along for once, usually they’re arguing over what to play. After work, I read some, went to dinner and went to it again. We really didn’t do any “Brave the Night” activities. But, they got along and played games in groups which I was more than fine with!
February 24, 2013: At Sea again
Just another day at sea really. Morning shift in the Loft followed by an afternoon in Club HAL, there were only a few there the first hour and they were content to play video games, then a few more arrived and I put in a movie since it was on the schedule. It went by pretty quickly and I got to play some Lego Harry Potter with one of the kids while others watched the movie.
It was the last night of the cruise, so it was supposed to be movie night. But they were all getting along so well, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to let them continue what they were doing: boys playing video games (one with my help) and the girls building a fort and making decorations for it and then playing sardines. Jacob was going to let me off at 10 and take over late night, but we got into playing Bop It Extreme followed by Spoons, so I didn’t leave until 11. They were having so much fun, they didn’t even realize that we hadn’t gone down for ice cream.
I went to the OB for the first time here. It’s set up very differently from the Oosterdam, which surprised me since they’re the same class ship. I talked with Jacob and Krista for a while, then Lianne (she was on the Maasdam as well, works in the front office). I met a few people and now feel a bit more comfortable around them, so now it won’t take so much work to actually motivate myself to go out at night.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
ziplining in Costa Rica
February 22, 2013: Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
I had a liferaft drill this morning (the usual one for newly-embarked. Apparently I’m good for another month because my liferaft just had a drill last week!). It wasn’t until 10:30, but I woke up around 7 while Charlotte was getting ready and we talked for a while. She told me about a crew excursion to go zip–lining today that I hadn’t heard about yet. They’d been trying to do one for a few weeks now, but there have been some complications with drills and not having enough people, etc. That got me thinking about it. Once she left, I slept for a little bit longer, then got ready for the day. I decided to check and make sure I knew where my liferaft and raft 1 (where newly-embarked crew meet) were before I went to breakfast. After that, I decided to check in with Charlotte in the library and let her know that our bathroom light was fixed (more about that in a second).
Charlotte emailed (amongst departments on ship, they use a certain email that doesn’t use internet or something? I’m not sure how that works) HR to ask about the excursion for me and they said they had room, but to come by ASAP to get my name on the list. So, I ran downstairs, grabbed $25 from my room and signed up! Before getting off by 11:45, I had to go by the entertainment office and get a shore pass (new for me, but apparently it’s something Costa Rica makes crew have to come ashore). I met Charlotte at breakfast, then we went back down to the room to kill time until my drill. It was a normal drill, we went over all the important stuff that’s in the rafts, how to lower it, what to do in an emergency, etc. Same as every other raft drill.
I got my shore pass, then changed to go zipline-ing in the rainforest of Costa Rica! I was the first one out there, probably because I was so worried about having the time wrong, but I did make friends with a few of the others that got there not long after me as we waited 15 minutes for the rest of the group to get there. Jacob went too, so all of Club HAL was out today. We sat together on the bus (25 minutes from port) and I put his stuff in my bag to check it in a locker when we got there. Next time I know though, I can take whatever I need to and don’t have to worry about actually ziplining with it. Also, I know to leave my sunglasses in the bag instead of wearing them.
I was in the first group to get set up. Here, they had the a chest harness in addition to the regular harness, gloves, and a helmet. When I went ziplining in France, it was more ‘independent.’ We didn’t have to have helmets, there was no chest harness, we had to brake ourselves when going across and there was only one zipline instead of the double one (here there was a contraption that went across both cords to keep us stable). Here, there was someone on each platform, and they had a rope and a kind of stopper thing on the second zipline to stop us from coming in too fast. Sometimes they weren’t quick enough though, Jacob got to the platform once and kneed the girl working there. Whoops. It was fun! I had my camera attached to my chest harness and got pictures of Jacob (who was in front of me) and a girl named Ally (girlfriend on board of one of the tech crew, she was behind me). We all got pictures of the people before and after us. I got a video too of going down the line as well. I’d pressed record before they attached me, and just let it hang from the harness as I went. I had a TON of fun, and got to know a few of my fellow crew members in the process! Pretty good day in port considering I woke up this morning thinking I’d just walk around on my own again.
Back to the bathroom light issue. Last night, I discovered that the light in the bathroom started flickering like it has been as it turns on, but it wouldn’t stay on. It flickered the whole time I had the switch on. I asked Charlotte if she knew about it when she got up this morning, and she said she’d put a work order in for it. We ended up taking showers by flashlight this morning because the flickering was so bad. Luckily, as I was getting ready, maintenance came by and fixed it; not long after Charlotte put in the order for it. She says it came up as a priority 5 (one of the highest) when she put in the order. It surprised her, but not really me since it is a big deal not having light in a bathroom that really doesn’t have access to any other light source. I’d hope they want us to be clean, haha. They fixed it very quickly and all is well now!
After the excursion got back (we were nearly late getting back because there was a car crash and traffic was jammed up on the way back), I quickly changed and went to the Lido for pizza. That’s a good thing about this ship: most of the food is available most of the time; the lines are open all afternoon instead of just burgers and sandwiches. I took a nap until dinnertime when our cabin steward came by. I haven’t really been too impressed with the food thus far here. I’ve had pasta or pizza every night for dinner. They try to make everything too fancy, there’s not just plain chicken it’s stuffed with something or coated in some gross bready crust. I am getting meat every day though just so you know Mom, haha: pepperoni on pizza, chicken in sandwiches, burgers, etc.
I hung out in the room and watched Mamma Mia for a while, then went up to see Charlotte before going to work. I told Charlotte how bored I get in the Loft when the teens don’t come, so she found books for me to borrow and printed out lots of pages of sudokus to keep me occupied! I put on my music and did a few sudokus for the first hour, then went to the show since it was on the schedule. The show was a magician, we’ve been taking care of his two boys in Club HAL; apparently he’s rather famous. Does anyone recognize the name James Cielan?
After the show, I stayed in the Loft for a bit to make sure no teens were coming by after the show, then took over after-hours for Jacob. At least the kids are more open now to learning new games. I got sick of playing Apples-to-Apples, hide-and-seek and keeping the balloon in the air; we played Taboo instead, and Jacob taught them Spoons earlier.
I had a liferaft drill this morning (the usual one for newly-embarked. Apparently I’m good for another month because my liferaft just had a drill last week!). It wasn’t until 10:30, but I woke up around 7 while Charlotte was getting ready and we talked for a while. She told me about a crew excursion to go zip–lining today that I hadn’t heard about yet. They’d been trying to do one for a few weeks now, but there have been some complications with drills and not having enough people, etc. That got me thinking about it. Once she left, I slept for a little bit longer, then got ready for the day. I decided to check and make sure I knew where my liferaft and raft 1 (where newly-embarked crew meet) were before I went to breakfast. After that, I decided to check in with Charlotte in the library and let her know that our bathroom light was fixed (more about that in a second).
Charlotte emailed (amongst departments on ship, they use a certain email that doesn’t use internet or something? I’m not sure how that works) HR to ask about the excursion for me and they said they had room, but to come by ASAP to get my name on the list. So, I ran downstairs, grabbed $25 from my room and signed up! Before getting off by 11:45, I had to go by the entertainment office and get a shore pass (new for me, but apparently it’s something Costa Rica makes crew have to come ashore). I met Charlotte at breakfast, then we went back down to the room to kill time until my drill. It was a normal drill, we went over all the important stuff that’s in the rafts, how to lower it, what to do in an emergency, etc. Same as every other raft drill.
I got my shore pass, then changed to go zipline-ing in the rainforest of Costa Rica! I was the first one out there, probably because I was so worried about having the time wrong, but I did make friends with a few of the others that got there not long after me as we waited 15 minutes for the rest of the group to get there. Jacob went too, so all of Club HAL was out today. We sat together on the bus (25 minutes from port) and I put his stuff in my bag to check it in a locker when we got there. Next time I know though, I can take whatever I need to and don’t have to worry about actually ziplining with it. Also, I know to leave my sunglasses in the bag instead of wearing them.
I was in the first group to get set up. Here, they had the a chest harness in addition to the regular harness, gloves, and a helmet. When I went ziplining in France, it was more ‘independent.’ We didn’t have to have helmets, there was no chest harness, we had to brake ourselves when going across and there was only one zipline instead of the double one (here there was a contraption that went across both cords to keep us stable). Here, there was someone on each platform, and they had a rope and a kind of stopper thing on the second zipline to stop us from coming in too fast. Sometimes they weren’t quick enough though, Jacob got to the platform once and kneed the girl working there. Whoops. It was fun! I had my camera attached to my chest harness and got pictures of Jacob (who was in front of me) and a girl named Ally (girlfriend on board of one of the tech crew, she was behind me). We all got pictures of the people before and after us. I got a video too of going down the line as well. I’d pressed record before they attached me, and just let it hang from the harness as I went. I had a TON of fun, and got to know a few of my fellow crew members in the process! Pretty good day in port considering I woke up this morning thinking I’d just walk around on my own again.
Back to the bathroom light issue. Last night, I discovered that the light in the bathroom started flickering like it has been as it turns on, but it wouldn’t stay on. It flickered the whole time I had the switch on. I asked Charlotte if she knew about it when she got up this morning, and she said she’d put a work order in for it. We ended up taking showers by flashlight this morning because the flickering was so bad. Luckily, as I was getting ready, maintenance came by and fixed it; not long after Charlotte put in the order for it. She says it came up as a priority 5 (one of the highest) when she put in the order. It surprised her, but not really me since it is a big deal not having light in a bathroom that really doesn’t have access to any other light source. I’d hope they want us to be clean, haha. They fixed it very quickly and all is well now!
After the excursion got back (we were nearly late getting back because there was a car crash and traffic was jammed up on the way back), I quickly changed and went to the Lido for pizza. That’s a good thing about this ship: most of the food is available most of the time; the lines are open all afternoon instead of just burgers and sandwiches. I took a nap until dinnertime when our cabin steward came by. I haven’t really been too impressed with the food thus far here. I’ve had pasta or pizza every night for dinner. They try to make everything too fancy, there’s not just plain chicken it’s stuffed with something or coated in some gross bready crust. I am getting meat every day though just so you know Mom, haha: pepperoni on pizza, chicken in sandwiches, burgers, etc.
I hung out in the room and watched Mamma Mia for a while, then went up to see Charlotte before going to work. I told Charlotte how bored I get in the Loft when the teens don’t come, so she found books for me to borrow and printed out lots of pages of sudokus to keep me occupied! I put on my music and did a few sudokus for the first hour, then went to the show since it was on the schedule. The show was a magician, we’ve been taking care of his two boys in Club HAL; apparently he’s rather famous. Does anyone recognize the name James Cielan?
After the show, I stayed in the Loft for a bit to make sure no teens were coming by after the show, then took over after-hours for Jacob. At least the kids are more open now to learning new games. I got sick of playing Apples-to-Apples, hide-and-seek and keeping the balloon in the air; we played Taboo instead, and Jacob taught them Spoons earlier.
Panama Canal day!!
February 21, 2013: Panama Canal
Panama Canal day. It’s a very confusing schedule because basically for us it’s like a sea day, but apparently on the rest of these cruises the kids mostly get off for excursions. Not this cruise. Anyway, we supposeedly got there around 5. I woke up around 8 and watched us go through one of the locks as I got ready, then another while at breakfast. We were in the lake by the time I finished and went to the outside deck where the Loft was supposed to meet and watch us go into the lake. None of the teens showed up this morning (maybe they actually went on excursions). Jacob wanted to work on the xbox and wii in the Loft to get them working (someone came in and cleaned and messed everything up) so we switched rooms for the rest of the day.
I had a short lunch (I was in the Loft until 12 and had to be in Club HAL at 1), then went outside to watch us go back through the locks while waiting for the kids to come. It was a busy afternoon, most of the kids were there, so we did various things until 2 when I put on Happy Feet 2 to watch. They kept getting loud and I almost turned off the movie at one point because I couldn’t hear it, but I hadn’t seen it, so I wanted to finish watching it. After the movie ended, we played hide and seek until time for them to leave. We were only in port for about three hours, so some of the parents were ready to leave when they came to pick the kids up.
I changed and got off the ship, just to walk around and explore. The shops here have lots of pretty earrings, so I’m definitely getting off another time when we’re here! There’s not a whole lot else to do here though, we stop mainly to pick up the people that went on excursions.
I didn’t have much time before dinner so I read for a few minutes, then went up. I sat alone but was joined by Sarah, the stage manager, and Charlotte. That was nice; I feel awkward sitting alone, but I also feel awkward asking to join tables of people I hardly know. I went up to Club HAL to start working on stuff for Spy Night. I didn’t get much done before the family and some of the other kids came; that’s odd since every session I’ve worked this cruise, no one has shown up for at least thirty minutes after I open. That’s kind of what I was expecting tonight, so I had to sneakily put up the clues for the scavenger hunt around the room while eight kids ran around. Talk about being a super secret spy, haha. We did actually manage to get through some of the activities for spy night, which I was rather impressed with! The two girls in the family tried to get me to stop, but I kept on and they eventually had fun. We made spy ID cards, they figured out ‘chinese numbers’ and we did the scavenger hunt, complete with the making of a spy gadget. That’s all we finished before time was up. The family, of course, stayed for after-hours. It was a little bit insane. There was stuff everywhere from when they made the spy gadgets, one girl sat in her masterpiece: a plate covered with glitter glue. We spent half the night trying to walkie-talkie and call her mom so she could bring her new pants. Fun night.
Panama Canal day. It’s a very confusing schedule because basically for us it’s like a sea day, but apparently on the rest of these cruises the kids mostly get off for excursions. Not this cruise. Anyway, we supposeedly got there around 5. I woke up around 8 and watched us go through one of the locks as I got ready, then another while at breakfast. We were in the lake by the time I finished and went to the outside deck where the Loft was supposed to meet and watch us go into the lake. None of the teens showed up this morning (maybe they actually went on excursions). Jacob wanted to work on the xbox and wii in the Loft to get them working (someone came in and cleaned and messed everything up) so we switched rooms for the rest of the day.
I had a short lunch (I was in the Loft until 12 and had to be in Club HAL at 1), then went outside to watch us go back through the locks while waiting for the kids to come. It was a busy afternoon, most of the kids were there, so we did various things until 2 when I put on Happy Feet 2 to watch. They kept getting loud and I almost turned off the movie at one point because I couldn’t hear it, but I hadn’t seen it, so I wanted to finish watching it. After the movie ended, we played hide and seek until time for them to leave. We were only in port for about three hours, so some of the parents were ready to leave when they came to pick the kids up.
I changed and got off the ship, just to walk around and explore. The shops here have lots of pretty earrings, so I’m definitely getting off another time when we’re here! There’s not a whole lot else to do here though, we stop mainly to pick up the people that went on excursions.
I didn’t have much time before dinner so I read for a few minutes, then went up. I sat alone but was joined by Sarah, the stage manager, and Charlotte. That was nice; I feel awkward sitting alone, but I also feel awkward asking to join tables of people I hardly know. I went up to Club HAL to start working on stuff for Spy Night. I didn’t get much done before the family and some of the other kids came; that’s odd since every session I’ve worked this cruise, no one has shown up for at least thirty minutes after I open. That’s kind of what I was expecting tonight, so I had to sneakily put up the clues for the scavenger hunt around the room while eight kids ran around. Talk about being a super secret spy, haha. We did actually manage to get through some of the activities for spy night, which I was rather impressed with! The two girls in the family tried to get me to stop, but I kept on and they eventually had fun. We made spy ID cards, they figured out ‘chinese numbers’ and we did the scavenger hunt, complete with the making of a spy gadget. That’s all we finished before time was up. The family, of course, stayed for after-hours. It was a little bit insane. There was stuff everywhere from when they made the spy gadgets, one girl sat in her masterpiece: a plate covered with glitter glue. We spent half the night trying to walkie-talkie and call her mom so she could bring her new pants. Fun night.
Curacao and sea day
February 19, 2013: Curacao
I pretty much had the morning off, so I slept in after 8, did my hours and went to the Lido for a leisurely breakfast. I was about halfway done eating when the little girl (the 3-year-old) and her mom (they’re family on board by the way, they’ve been on since December) got to breakfast. The little girl saw me and waved, then got her mom to put their plates at a table near mine (I was at a two-person table) so I could talk to her. She’s such a cute kid. I ended up moving tables to sit with them; one of the fitness trainers joined us as well. It was a fun breakfast! I finished eating and the little girl came to sit in my lap as I talked to her mom and the trainer. The little girl loves to repeat after her mom sometimes when she says things a bit dramatically and we tried my rings on all of her fingers to see if any would fit. Rory (the trainer) and I were both getting off after breakfast so we agreed to meet at the gangway so we wouldn’t have to explore Curacao alone.
I talked to Charlotte while I got ready; she told me there wasn’t a whole lot to do right in town, but she told me some of the highlights like the floating bridge. Rory and I got off the ship, picked a direction and started walking. There wasn’t much of anything right off the ship, but we crossed on the floating bridge and found a few markets and a whole shopping area which we walked around for a while, making lots of circles and going over various bridges in the area. Tired of walking for the moment, we found a place with internet and were antisocial for a while as we checked emails and all that. Then, we walked around some more, at an old fort that has been transformed into a mall and restaurant with a great view of the water. I was hungry so we went back to the ship and parted ways so I could get lunch. After lunch, I just hung out in the room reading. I managed to finish the book Charlotte lent me (called “The Night Circus”, it’s really good. Did I mention that I finished JK Rowling’s book the other day?) and took a nap before going up to dinner. My room key had somehow gotten deactivated, so I went to the crew office after dinner to get that fixed since I had plenty of time before I had to be in the Loft.
It was a quiet night. One girl came at first and we talked for a few minutes, then both read until two more people showed up (one being the girl who’s mom had complained to the front office). I got them talking about stuff, and another girl came. It was slightly awkward at first, but when the girl with the complaining mom and the boy she’d brought alone left, the other two girls relaxed and started chatting easily with one another! Since it was movie night, we looked through the DVDs we had and decided to watch one of the three we’d not heard of before: “It’s kind of a funny story.” Interesting movie. Not sure if I’d watch it ever again, but it was interesting to see once.
The family down the hall only called down once and I popped my head out to tell them sorry, but I had teens to entertain. They came by after ice cream, then again when their mom picked them up but it seems like they didn’t miss having me around too much. It wasn’t long after the movie ended that the teens left and I started cleaning up to go. Jacob came by to see how things went and to give me the schedule for tomorrow. Late morning, I don’t start until 10 since it’s a sea day.
February 20, 2013: Sea Day
It was a lazy morning. I got ready and had a long breakfast, not really worrying about being up to the Loft on time, although I did get there before 10. Basically I read all morning. None of the teens showed up so I got comfortable in a chair and read until people came by looking for the library.
I went down to lunch and sat there for about 2 hours. Lots of people came and went while I was there, so I got to know some of the crew a little bit better: some of each of the HAL Cats (vista class ships, there are two instead of having a Neptunes band), and some of the girls who work in the spa.
The afternoon went by very slowly. I read the whole time, occasionally helping passengers as they searched for the library. I finished one of the shorter books and decided to play card games. Two of the teens did come up, the rich girl and the boy she’d met (the girl is the one with the mom who complained). They stayed for about 10 minutes before they left. I did get her talking at least so that seems to be an improvement. I stayed until 5, went back down to the room and talked to Charlotte until dinnertime. We went up together and joined some other crew members. We didn’t stay long since everyone else left so we came back to the room and talked some more. She had to be at work an hour before I did, so I ended up watching the end of Pitch Perfect and the beginning of another movie while waiting.
One of the teens did come up at least. It was Casino night, so card games were all that were on the agenda. We went over what we could play, then I ended up teaching him Rummy. We played Spit and Speed and Garbage by the time his mom and grandmother came to get him (he’s technically not a teen, but only a few months off, and the closest age to him in the kids room is 3 years difference, we let him come to the Loft. After he left though, I was alone, so I drew some, read, listened to music and colored until it was time for me to take over for after-hours.
I pretty much had the morning off, so I slept in after 8, did my hours and went to the Lido for a leisurely breakfast. I was about halfway done eating when the little girl (the 3-year-old) and her mom (they’re family on board by the way, they’ve been on since December) got to breakfast. The little girl saw me and waved, then got her mom to put their plates at a table near mine (I was at a two-person table) so I could talk to her. She’s such a cute kid. I ended up moving tables to sit with them; one of the fitness trainers joined us as well. It was a fun breakfast! I finished eating and the little girl came to sit in my lap as I talked to her mom and the trainer. The little girl loves to repeat after her mom sometimes when she says things a bit dramatically and we tried my rings on all of her fingers to see if any would fit. Rory (the trainer) and I were both getting off after breakfast so we agreed to meet at the gangway so we wouldn’t have to explore Curacao alone.
I talked to Charlotte while I got ready; she told me there wasn’t a whole lot to do right in town, but she told me some of the highlights like the floating bridge. Rory and I got off the ship, picked a direction and started walking. There wasn’t much of anything right off the ship, but we crossed on the floating bridge and found a few markets and a whole shopping area which we walked around for a while, making lots of circles and going over various bridges in the area. Tired of walking for the moment, we found a place with internet and were antisocial for a while as we checked emails and all that. Then, we walked around some more, at an old fort that has been transformed into a mall and restaurant with a great view of the water. I was hungry so we went back to the ship and parted ways so I could get lunch. After lunch, I just hung out in the room reading. I managed to finish the book Charlotte lent me (called “The Night Circus”, it’s really good. Did I mention that I finished JK Rowling’s book the other day?) and took a nap before going up to dinner. My room key had somehow gotten deactivated, so I went to the crew office after dinner to get that fixed since I had plenty of time before I had to be in the Loft.
It was a quiet night. One girl came at first and we talked for a few minutes, then both read until two more people showed up (one being the girl who’s mom had complained to the front office). I got them talking about stuff, and another girl came. It was slightly awkward at first, but when the girl with the complaining mom and the boy she’d brought alone left, the other two girls relaxed and started chatting easily with one another! Since it was movie night, we looked through the DVDs we had and decided to watch one of the three we’d not heard of before: “It’s kind of a funny story.” Interesting movie. Not sure if I’d watch it ever again, but it was interesting to see once.
The family down the hall only called down once and I popped my head out to tell them sorry, but I had teens to entertain. They came by after ice cream, then again when their mom picked them up but it seems like they didn’t miss having me around too much. It wasn’t long after the movie ended that the teens left and I started cleaning up to go. Jacob came by to see how things went and to give me the schedule for tomorrow. Late morning, I don’t start until 10 since it’s a sea day.
February 20, 2013: Sea Day
It was a lazy morning. I got ready and had a long breakfast, not really worrying about being up to the Loft on time, although I did get there before 10. Basically I read all morning. None of the teens showed up so I got comfortable in a chair and read until people came by looking for the library.
I went down to lunch and sat there for about 2 hours. Lots of people came and went while I was there, so I got to know some of the crew a little bit better: some of each of the HAL Cats (vista class ships, there are two instead of having a Neptunes band), and some of the girls who work in the spa.
The afternoon went by very slowly. I read the whole time, occasionally helping passengers as they searched for the library. I finished one of the shorter books and decided to play card games. Two of the teens did come up, the rich girl and the boy she’d met (the girl is the one with the mom who complained). They stayed for about 10 minutes before they left. I did get her talking at least so that seems to be an improvement. I stayed until 5, went back down to the room and talked to Charlotte until dinnertime. We went up together and joined some other crew members. We didn’t stay long since everyone else left so we came back to the room and talked some more. She had to be at work an hour before I did, so I ended up watching the end of Pitch Perfect and the beginning of another movie while waiting.
One of the teens did come up at least. It was Casino night, so card games were all that were on the agenda. We went over what we could play, then I ended up teaching him Rummy. We played Spit and Speed and Garbage by the time his mom and grandmother came to get him (he’s technically not a teen, but only a few months off, and the closest age to him in the kids room is 3 years difference, we let him come to the Loft. After he left though, I was alone, so I drew some, read, listened to music and colored until it was time for me to take over for after-hours.
Aruba!
February 18, 2013: Aruba
It was a sea morning. I had a quick bowl of cereal in the Lido for breakfast then went up to Club HAL. I didn’t rush because I knew I’d have at least 15 minutes until anyone came. It was only crew kids again this morning. The boys played on the xbox most of the morning and I helped entertain the little girl with her mom, going back occasionally to help out with Lego Harry Potter when they needed me. It was an easy morning; I kind of love the mornings this cruise!
One of the parents was a little late picking up their boys, so I got to clean up slowly and head straight down to lunch. I sat with Charlotte and a few other random crew members (front office, HAL Cats drummer, some of the cast came later). We finally docked and then we all separated. I met Charlotte back in the room and read for a while, to finish JK Rowling’s book, before getting off. After I finished, I got down from the bed and got started talking to Charlotte. We talked about all sorts of stuff: books, school systems, dealing with kids, student teaching, some of the crazy comments we’ve seen/heard from guests, etc. Before I knew it, two hours had gone by and I still hadn’t left!
I got off the ship and walked around, just walking, looking to see what shops were around and mainly looking for a place to get internet (since I was lugging my heavy laptop around with me). I ended up making a giant loop and found an ice cream place close to the terminal that had wifi. I posted the last few blogs, and caught up on emails (which included confirming my next two contracts. So I’m definitely going to be on the Veendam and Nieuw Amsterdam now!). It was around 5 by the time I finished with that stuff so I decided to head back to the ship to relax some before going up to dinner and work. Charlotte and I both had pasta for dinner (we’re a lot alike, it’s a bit scary. We read most of the time in the room, and eat pretty much the same foods. We were alone for a while, anyone who didn’t have to work was probably eating off the ship. A HAL Cats guitarist joined us for a bit before we all had to get to work.
Again, the first 15-20 minutes of Club HAL, I was alone. Then, the doc’s kids joined me and the little girl and her mom came. She started talking about Tangled so I put the movie in for her and the cousins came in later and joined us in watching it while the boys played xbox. Then it all changed. The family came in. So, I tried to keep them somewhat quiet so the two youngest girls could watch the movie while they played Apples to Apples. I think the mom of the littlest girl got a bit overwhelmed and they left to go get coats (the AC seems to be on high) and get ready for bed. An argument broke out amongst the two girls of the family and I tried to solve it while still paying attention to the cousins who were being extremely patient. The two fighting girls ended up using their walkie-talkie to call their parents to tell on each other and one of the mom’s came up and had a talk with them. At least that gave the boy relative, the cousins and the doc’s kids time to play a game together in peace for a few minutes!
The doctor’s wife came to pick the boys up and the little girl and her mom came back, the little girl all dressed in her pjs. The family convinced everyone to play sardines/hide-and-seek so we did that until the cousins left. Then suddenly they were tired of that and wanted to play with the balloon. So the little girl and her mom joined us and the kids took turns throwing the balloon to the little girl. At 10, the two of them left to get her into bed since it was late for a 3-year-old and the family got Jacob to leave the Loft and play with them (without my permission, they kept running to the Loft and I kept having to tell them to leave him alone for now, he’ll come when there aren’t any teens there and he’s ready). It was a chaotic trip to get ice cream. One of the girls spilled hers, the other complained that they didn’t have chocolate ice cream, so got a bowl of vanilla and ended up not eating it, their mom came up after there was an incident with the walkie-talkie and let them run wild around the Lido as she talked to me. What am I supposed to do in a situation like that? I’m still trying to figure out how much control I should take of the kids when their parents are there talking to me. Anyway, after some more balloon-volleying and hide-and-seek, Jacob took over for the night.
We’re actually switching groups for the next two days. One of the teens has put in a complaint about the Loft, so the EM wants to see what happens if we change it up. Should be fun, I don’t work ‘til 8:30 tomorrow!
It was a sea morning. I had a quick bowl of cereal in the Lido for breakfast then went up to Club HAL. I didn’t rush because I knew I’d have at least 15 minutes until anyone came. It was only crew kids again this morning. The boys played on the xbox most of the morning and I helped entertain the little girl with her mom, going back occasionally to help out with Lego Harry Potter when they needed me. It was an easy morning; I kind of love the mornings this cruise!
One of the parents was a little late picking up their boys, so I got to clean up slowly and head straight down to lunch. I sat with Charlotte and a few other random crew members (front office, HAL Cats drummer, some of the cast came later). We finally docked and then we all separated. I met Charlotte back in the room and read for a while, to finish JK Rowling’s book, before getting off. After I finished, I got down from the bed and got started talking to Charlotte. We talked about all sorts of stuff: books, school systems, dealing with kids, student teaching, some of the crazy comments we’ve seen/heard from guests, etc. Before I knew it, two hours had gone by and I still hadn’t left!
I got off the ship and walked around, just walking, looking to see what shops were around and mainly looking for a place to get internet (since I was lugging my heavy laptop around with me). I ended up making a giant loop and found an ice cream place close to the terminal that had wifi. I posted the last few blogs, and caught up on emails (which included confirming my next two contracts. So I’m definitely going to be on the Veendam and Nieuw Amsterdam now!). It was around 5 by the time I finished with that stuff so I decided to head back to the ship to relax some before going up to dinner and work. Charlotte and I both had pasta for dinner (we’re a lot alike, it’s a bit scary. We read most of the time in the room, and eat pretty much the same foods. We were alone for a while, anyone who didn’t have to work was probably eating off the ship. A HAL Cats guitarist joined us for a bit before we all had to get to work.
Again, the first 15-20 minutes of Club HAL, I was alone. Then, the doc’s kids joined me and the little girl and her mom came. She started talking about Tangled so I put the movie in for her and the cousins came in later and joined us in watching it while the boys played xbox. Then it all changed. The family came in. So, I tried to keep them somewhat quiet so the two youngest girls could watch the movie while they played Apples to Apples. I think the mom of the littlest girl got a bit overwhelmed and they left to go get coats (the AC seems to be on high) and get ready for bed. An argument broke out amongst the two girls of the family and I tried to solve it while still paying attention to the cousins who were being extremely patient. The two fighting girls ended up using their walkie-talkie to call their parents to tell on each other and one of the mom’s came up and had a talk with them. At least that gave the boy relative, the cousins and the doc’s kids time to play a game together in peace for a few minutes!
The doctor’s wife came to pick the boys up and the little girl and her mom came back, the little girl all dressed in her pjs. The family convinced everyone to play sardines/hide-and-seek so we did that until the cousins left. Then suddenly they were tired of that and wanted to play with the balloon. So the little girl and her mom joined us and the kids took turns throwing the balloon to the little girl. At 10, the two of them left to get her into bed since it was late for a 3-year-old and the family got Jacob to leave the Loft and play with them (without my permission, they kept running to the Loft and I kept having to tell them to leave him alone for now, he’ll come when there aren’t any teens there and he’s ready). It was a chaotic trip to get ice cream. One of the girls spilled hers, the other complained that they didn’t have chocolate ice cream, so got a bowl of vanilla and ended up not eating it, their mom came up after there was an incident with the walkie-talkie and let them run wild around the Lido as she talked to me. What am I supposed to do in a situation like that? I’m still trying to figure out how much control I should take of the kids when their parents are there talking to me. Anyway, after some more balloon-volleying and hide-and-seek, Jacob took over for the night.
We’re actually switching groups for the next two days. One of the teens has put in a complaint about the Loft, so the EM wants to see what happens if we change it up. Should be fun, I don’t work ‘til 8:30 tomorrow!
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sea Day
February 17, 2013
I had a meeting this morning instead of my first hour of work. When I got up to Club HAL, it was only crew-kids there. All five of them are great, easy to look after and hang out with so I didn’t mind. I helped one start playing Lego Harry Potter, while another played another video game and their brothers did something together. I talked with the three-year-old and her mother and tried to help the mother leave without the 3-year-old noticing (didn’t work, but she’s only been 3 for a month so it didn’t surprise me that she wasn’t ready to have mommy leave her).
I hung out with Jacob and a teen in the Loft until lunch. I sat with Jacob and a random bunch of crew. I found out later that the person sitting next to me was actually the captain. The staff captain, an acupuncturist and a few doctors were there as well. It was interesting, I didn’t really have much to say to be part of the conversation, so I just ate slowly as the group switched out people (the DJ-former Club HAL,- life stylist and a HAL Cat eventually came) until it was finally time for me to go back to work. Two crew kids came and a quiet 10-year-old girl and a younger girl who’s very agreeable all came and stayed the whole time. It was a very easy afternoon.
After the afternoon session ended, I went to the Loft and met another teen and the three of us talked for a while until I decided I should go to my room at some point before dinner. So, I read for about 30 minutes then went up for dinner with Charlotte. We sat with a steel drum player and talked ship life until two officers and a spa girl joined us, when the officers and musican talked and I talked some with the beautician, Charlotte contributed to both conversations. Still, it felt a little odd to me, like the mixing of the groups doesn’t happen a whole lot on this ship. I’d gotten so used to seeing everyone mingling with everyone on the Maasdam.
The night session started out with no one there, then the doctor’s kids came and we played video games until the young girl and her cousin came. The family came just after snack, just when I was getting out stuff for Camp Night. Despite being so excited about it earlier, they were no help in making our tent/fort. The other kids thought it was great, but they only complained about how it didn’t look at all like a fort. They kept asking if they could do stuff or go places but I ended up stopping answering because it was always the same questions I’d already answered negative to. I had other kids that needed more of my attention. So, the two doctors kids and the girl cousins and I began to make our camp flags. The youngest of the three relatives finally decided she wanted to make one too and came in the fort to do so. I was relieved at that point, especially when the little girl and her worked on a camp flag together! That pretty much took up the time until the doc’s boys left and then the little girls parents came. The older cousin stayed and of course the family. We played apples to apples until closing time.
The family stayed for after-hours again and we played with the balloon until 10:30 ice cream time (their parents kind of insisted we get them dessert and had already put in a few complaints to the front office about Club HAL’s lack of food/drink (um just because your kids don’t like the snack and don’t want paper cups doesn’t mean we don’t provide them snack!) and our lack of engaging them in activities. Apparently this is going to be a nightly thing. But hey, it’s a guaranteed $15 cash per day each for me and Jacob. After ice cream we played sardines/hide-and-seek in the room. Always interesting when people count fast and others giggle when hiding. Jacob took over at 11 to let me get some sleep. Regular morning schedule tomorrow, then we’ll see about the afternoon.
I had a meeting this morning instead of my first hour of work. When I got up to Club HAL, it was only crew-kids there. All five of them are great, easy to look after and hang out with so I didn’t mind. I helped one start playing Lego Harry Potter, while another played another video game and their brothers did something together. I talked with the three-year-old and her mother and tried to help the mother leave without the 3-year-old noticing (didn’t work, but she’s only been 3 for a month so it didn’t surprise me that she wasn’t ready to have mommy leave her).
I hung out with Jacob and a teen in the Loft until lunch. I sat with Jacob and a random bunch of crew. I found out later that the person sitting next to me was actually the captain. The staff captain, an acupuncturist and a few doctors were there as well. It was interesting, I didn’t really have much to say to be part of the conversation, so I just ate slowly as the group switched out people (the DJ-former Club HAL,- life stylist and a HAL Cat eventually came) until it was finally time for me to go back to work. Two crew kids came and a quiet 10-year-old girl and a younger girl who’s very agreeable all came and stayed the whole time. It was a very easy afternoon.
After the afternoon session ended, I went to the Loft and met another teen and the three of us talked for a while until I decided I should go to my room at some point before dinner. So, I read for about 30 minutes then went up for dinner with Charlotte. We sat with a steel drum player and talked ship life until two officers and a spa girl joined us, when the officers and musican talked and I talked some with the beautician, Charlotte contributed to both conversations. Still, it felt a little odd to me, like the mixing of the groups doesn’t happen a whole lot on this ship. I’d gotten so used to seeing everyone mingling with everyone on the Maasdam.
The night session started out with no one there, then the doctor’s kids came and we played video games until the young girl and her cousin came. The family came just after snack, just when I was getting out stuff for Camp Night. Despite being so excited about it earlier, they were no help in making our tent/fort. The other kids thought it was great, but they only complained about how it didn’t look at all like a fort. They kept asking if they could do stuff or go places but I ended up stopping answering because it was always the same questions I’d already answered negative to. I had other kids that needed more of my attention. So, the two doctors kids and the girl cousins and I began to make our camp flags. The youngest of the three relatives finally decided she wanted to make one too and came in the fort to do so. I was relieved at that point, especially when the little girl and her worked on a camp flag together! That pretty much took up the time until the doc’s boys left and then the little girls parents came. The older cousin stayed and of course the family. We played apples to apples until closing time.
The family stayed for after-hours again and we played with the balloon until 10:30 ice cream time (their parents kind of insisted we get them dessert and had already put in a few complaints to the front office about Club HAL’s lack of food/drink (um just because your kids don’t like the snack and don’t want paper cups doesn’t mean we don’t provide them snack!) and our lack of engaging them in activities. Apparently this is going to be a nightly thing. But hey, it’s a guaranteed $15 cash per day each for me and Jacob. After ice cream we played sardines/hide-and-seek in the room. Always interesting when people count fast and others giggle when hiding. Jacob took over at 11 to let me get some sleep. Regular morning schedule tomorrow, then we’ll see about the afternoon.
Half Moon Cay
February 16, 2013
Jacob was assigned to do tender tickets this morning, so it was my job to go to shore and run the activities on the beach for the kids. The Westerdam was in port with us, so their Club HAL people should’ve been there too. I was alone though, none of the kids came even. As I was getting ready, I looked at the weather info on the TV and it looked like it’d be cloudy and rainy, so I didn’t pack sunscreen or a book because I figured I’d just go back to the ship once our activities were over because of the rain. However, it was sunny. After walking around the kids area for an hour waiting to see if anyone would come, I went down the beach to find a spot and soak up some sun for a while. It was really nice spending a few hours relaxing on the beach :)
I headed back to the tender to get on the ship around 1. It took a while for the tender to get there, so I stood in line talking with some of the passengers, all of whom were happy to talk with someone to pass the time. Back on the ship, I showered and changed in record time to get up to lunch then up to Club HAL for our afternoon session (2:30-4 since all aboard time was 2:30).
Two of the crew kids, one of the young girls (4 years old) and her cousin (a great older girl) came up in the afternoon. I pretty much just gave them free time since the schedule was kind of more for the older kids (on the expected list, it was mostly tweens, but with all the crew kids being in the 3-7 range, and the family acting as if they’re in the 3-7 ranger, it’s been difficult to do those activities). We played some foosball, we made stuff with glitter glue, and generally just hung out.
The evening session went pretty well, although it was long since the three relatives stayed in after-hours for at least an hour. At least I got them interested in something. “Lights, Camera, Action” night isn’t the easiest one to extend out. None of the kids wanted snacks-chicken nuggets- so there went a good time-killer. They made their ‘celebrity stars’ quickly. Then, I introduced Celebrity Heads. I’m so grateful they took to it right away. We played it for an hour until the two other kids left and it was just the family. They then had my full attention, and Jacob’s since no teens had come by. So, we blew up a balloon and tried to keep it off the ground for as long as possible and played sardines in Club HAL. Their parents were frequently up there to ask questions, so we ended up taking them down for ice cream at 10:30 since the parents had all but demanded that they get food (they don’t eat our snacks, nor drink our water-they have to have their own bottled water or directly from the machine in the Lido). Jacob let me leave at 11 so I went to bed, exhausted.
Jacob was assigned to do tender tickets this morning, so it was my job to go to shore and run the activities on the beach for the kids. The Westerdam was in port with us, so their Club HAL people should’ve been there too. I was alone though, none of the kids came even. As I was getting ready, I looked at the weather info on the TV and it looked like it’d be cloudy and rainy, so I didn’t pack sunscreen or a book because I figured I’d just go back to the ship once our activities were over because of the rain. However, it was sunny. After walking around the kids area for an hour waiting to see if anyone would come, I went down the beach to find a spot and soak up some sun for a while. It was really nice spending a few hours relaxing on the beach :)
I headed back to the tender to get on the ship around 1. It took a while for the tender to get there, so I stood in line talking with some of the passengers, all of whom were happy to talk with someone to pass the time. Back on the ship, I showered and changed in record time to get up to lunch then up to Club HAL for our afternoon session (2:30-4 since all aboard time was 2:30).
Two of the crew kids, one of the young girls (4 years old) and her cousin (a great older girl) came up in the afternoon. I pretty much just gave them free time since the schedule was kind of more for the older kids (on the expected list, it was mostly tweens, but with all the crew kids being in the 3-7 range, and the family acting as if they’re in the 3-7 ranger, it’s been difficult to do those activities). We played some foosball, we made stuff with glitter glue, and generally just hung out.
The evening session went pretty well, although it was long since the three relatives stayed in after-hours for at least an hour. At least I got them interested in something. “Lights, Camera, Action” night isn’t the easiest one to extend out. None of the kids wanted snacks-chicken nuggets- so there went a good time-killer. They made their ‘celebrity stars’ quickly. Then, I introduced Celebrity Heads. I’m so grateful they took to it right away. We played it for an hour until the two other kids left and it was just the family. They then had my full attention, and Jacob’s since no teens had come by. So, we blew up a balloon and tried to keep it off the ground for as long as possible and played sardines in Club HAL. Their parents were frequently up there to ask questions, so we ended up taking them down for ice cream at 10:30 since the parents had all but demanded that they get food (they don’t eat our snacks, nor drink our water-they have to have their own bottled water or directly from the machine in the Lido). Jacob let me leave at 11 so I went to bed, exhausted.
first day on Zuiderdam
February 15, 2013
I don’t think I’ve had a first day this crazy since I started ships. It was really insane. The morning went fine, I was up and ready and breakfasted and downstairs to meet the shuttle. One of the girls from the front office on the Maasdam was getting on Zuiderdam today as well, so I knew someone! Quite a lot of people were getting on today, but most of us weren’t new to Vista class, and no one was brand new to ships. Once on the ship, I set off to find my room. I went down the nearest elevator to B deck only to find the watertight doors were shut, thus I couldn’t go beyond the area to see where my room could be. I went back up to A deck and asked someone who told me to go all the way to the front of the ship. When I got to the elevators there, someone asked me what I was looking for and then told me to go back to the other elevators. So, confused, I started walking back down the hallway confused and tearing up slightly. Two other crew members (I think they were about to go do some kind of maintenance) took pity on me, and took my suitcase and showed me where my room was, even carrying my suitcase down the stairs for me (it was almost directly on the other side of the watertight doors). At the bottom of the stairs, there was Jacob, who had just gone to the room to look for me because the HRM told him I’d gone to the room when he went there to meet me. Such a confusing morning. I’m rooming with the librarian in… probably one of the smallest rooms on ship. We kind of have to do some weird sort of dance to do things if we’re both in the room and out of bed. There’s about two feet between the beds and the wall, the end of the bed kind of overlaps the space where the wardrobes are on the opposite wall and there’s about two feet at the foot of the bed where the door opens and the bathroom door opens. We’ll make it work somehow. Although, they may move me next door for the next cruise since that’s supposed to be my cabin, but for some reason they put an upholsterer there instead.
Anyway, first meeting went fine, I got there a bit early and talked some with the HRM. After the meeting, I just went back to the room and read. Charlotte, the librarian/my roommate came in not long after and we talked until she left to open up the library and I had to get ready to go to lunch/open house. Jacob was at open house with me for the first hour, only two families came in during that time. I was alone for the next half hour and then a few more families started to come in. Jacob came back to help for another little while, then it was time to close. I went down to the room where Charlotte was and we talked and she lent me a book (JK Rowling’s book that I haven’t had a chance to get yet). We talked and then both read until the emergency drill. She’s a traffic director so had to go up, but I continued reading. I read until dinner, Charlotte came back and read until dinner as well. I met some of the cast there, and the lifestylist. Lot of interesting people here, but it’s nice.
Club HAL time. I can’t entertain a child that doesn’t want to be entertained. That was kind of the theme for the night. There were three kids (two siblings and a cousin) that were not content to do anything. They were miserable the whole night and when I didn’t let them call their parents on the walkie-talkie (for the 100th time that half hour, after the parents told them to stop and let them eat) they got even more upset. I did my best to try to engage them in some activity, but they wouldn’t have it, so I hung out with the other kids that were there and who were perfectly content with doing whatever. It was extremely frustrating because the three kept trying to leave on their own, so I had to leave what I was doing with the others to tell them they couldn’t go. They were hungry, but refused to eat the snack that had been brought up. Eventually, the dad came and was frustrated with ME because they had been calling. He actually tried to pay me off to make them stay. I attempted to explain to him that they didn’t want to be entertained, didn’t want to be there; he didn’t believe me until he talked to them about it and they admitted that they didn’t want to be there and they’d given up playing the games and refused everything I’d suggested. It got a bit better after that. He got the youngest girl to start playing apples to apples with me and the other kid there (who was amazing, she never once complained about my attention being torn, and she helped me by letting me know I wasn’t imagining their being impossible). The other two weren’t having it though, so he took them on a walk. She actually continued playing Apples to Apples with us! Then, she said she didn’t want to leave; much improvement. I feel like that’s a small victory, despite the other two kids not wanting to come back. Hour forward tonight, so I’m off to bed early-ish to get off in Half Moon Cay tomorrow.
I don’t think I’ve had a first day this crazy since I started ships. It was really insane. The morning went fine, I was up and ready and breakfasted and downstairs to meet the shuttle. One of the girls from the front office on the Maasdam was getting on Zuiderdam today as well, so I knew someone! Quite a lot of people were getting on today, but most of us weren’t new to Vista class, and no one was brand new to ships. Once on the ship, I set off to find my room. I went down the nearest elevator to B deck only to find the watertight doors were shut, thus I couldn’t go beyond the area to see where my room could be. I went back up to A deck and asked someone who told me to go all the way to the front of the ship. When I got to the elevators there, someone asked me what I was looking for and then told me to go back to the other elevators. So, confused, I started walking back down the hallway confused and tearing up slightly. Two other crew members (I think they were about to go do some kind of maintenance) took pity on me, and took my suitcase and showed me where my room was, even carrying my suitcase down the stairs for me (it was almost directly on the other side of the watertight doors). At the bottom of the stairs, there was Jacob, who had just gone to the room to look for me because the HRM told him I’d gone to the room when he went there to meet me. Such a confusing morning. I’m rooming with the librarian in… probably one of the smallest rooms on ship. We kind of have to do some weird sort of dance to do things if we’re both in the room and out of bed. There’s about two feet between the beds and the wall, the end of the bed kind of overlaps the space where the wardrobes are on the opposite wall and there’s about two feet at the foot of the bed where the door opens and the bathroom door opens. We’ll make it work somehow. Although, they may move me next door for the next cruise since that’s supposed to be my cabin, but for some reason they put an upholsterer there instead.
Anyway, first meeting went fine, I got there a bit early and talked some with the HRM. After the meeting, I just went back to the room and read. Charlotte, the librarian/my roommate came in not long after and we talked until she left to open up the library and I had to get ready to go to lunch/open house. Jacob was at open house with me for the first hour, only two families came in during that time. I was alone for the next half hour and then a few more families started to come in. Jacob came back to help for another little while, then it was time to close. I went down to the room where Charlotte was and we talked and she lent me a book (JK Rowling’s book that I haven’t had a chance to get yet). We talked and then both read until the emergency drill. She’s a traffic director so had to go up, but I continued reading. I read until dinner, Charlotte came back and read until dinner as well. I met some of the cast there, and the lifestylist. Lot of interesting people here, but it’s nice.
Club HAL time. I can’t entertain a child that doesn’t want to be entertained. That was kind of the theme for the night. There were three kids (two siblings and a cousin) that were not content to do anything. They were miserable the whole night and when I didn’t let them call their parents on the walkie-talkie (for the 100th time that half hour, after the parents told them to stop and let them eat) they got even more upset. I did my best to try to engage them in some activity, but they wouldn’t have it, so I hung out with the other kids that were there and who were perfectly content with doing whatever. It was extremely frustrating because the three kept trying to leave on their own, so I had to leave what I was doing with the others to tell them they couldn’t go. They were hungry, but refused to eat the snack that had been brought up. Eventually, the dad came and was frustrated with ME because they had been calling. He actually tried to pay me off to make them stay. I attempted to explain to him that they didn’t want to be entertained, didn’t want to be there; he didn’t believe me until he talked to them about it and they admitted that they didn’t want to be there and they’d given up playing the games and refused everything I’d suggested. It got a bit better after that. He got the youngest girl to start playing apples to apples with me and the other kid there (who was amazing, she never once complained about my attention being torn, and she helped me by letting me know I wasn’t imagining their being impossible). The other two weren’t having it though, so he took them on a walk. She actually continued playing Apples to Apples with us! Then, she said she didn’t want to leave; much improvement. I feel like that’s a small victory, despite the other two kids not wanting to come back. Hour forward tonight, so I’m off to bed early-ish to get off in Half Moon Cay tomorrow.
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