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.
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