SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2013

Today I boarded the ship!

 

We (the approximately 40 crew members and I that stayed at the hotel last night) were picked up at 8am and driven (via a bus) to the port.  After going through security, filling out paperwork, and a whole lot of "hurry up and wait," we finally boarded the ship.  Then we did more paperwork.  The woman who I am replacing went ashore today (with my blessing), so I met the cruise director on my own . . . he seems great, walked around the ship and acquainted myself, and just settled in a bit.  The layout of the ship is almost identical to the Dawn, with a few minor exceptions.  The decor, however, is quite different.

Once the current Entertainment Production Manager arrived, we really got to work.  There are a lot of things that are not happening here that should be, so I have my work cut out for me . . . lots of organization and "clean up" needs to happen, but that comes second nature to me, so I'll enjoy the task, no doubt.  And, it'll be a great feeling to have left my mark, and left things better than I found them.

The afternoon's entertainment started with the production cast performing "Let's Get Loud" on the pool deck for the sail away party, as they did on the Dawn.  We then had rehearsals for the evening's Welcome Aboard Show.

The Welcome Aboard show tonight included the production cast (they are all very nice and a talented group), the magician (Jorgos), Jocka & Maria (the aerialists with whom I worked for 8 weeks on the Dawn back in the winter - they actually leave at the end of this voyage), and the cruise director.  We had one show at 8pm, followed by a 9:30pm of guest entertainers "Supreme Dreamgirls."  They are, as you'd suspect, a tribute to The Supremes.

By the end of the day, I was beat!  I am not sleeping well.  I fall asleep rather easily, but wake up a few hours later, as we are 6 hours ahead of Eastern U.S. time . . . so my intial sleep feels like a "nap" to my body.  Jet lag isn't too fun.  Ah well . . . a small price to pay . . . hopefully I'll get over it quickly.

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2013

My overnight flight landed in Copenhagen, Denmark at approximately 10:15am, local time, 30 minutes later than our scheduled arrival.  It was grey and drizzly.  UGH!



Terminal 3 of Copenhagen Airport - the terminal into which I arrived on July 29, 2013



The Danish flag



After finding the shuttle bus stop, I took the hotel shuttle to the Quality Airport Hotel Dan (a Quality Inn in the USA).  I checked in and had wireless internet, so I was able to email my friend, Timo, about getting together.  We had made plans prior to my trip over here . . . actually, I emailed him earlier in June, as soon as I knew it was a possibility I might be doing this contract.  So, we made our plans and I took a nap.  It was tough to wake up, but I did, showered, and met he and Naja at the hotel around 3:30pm.  It was so great to see them, and we laughed about how, when we all disembarked the Norwegian Dawn on May 3rd, none of us thought that we'd be seeing each other in Europe less than two months later!  Timo and Naja are half of the aerial group with which I worked on the Dawn, for the majority of my contract.  They are a lovely couple, and I'm so happy to call them colleagues and friends.

 

Naja is Danish, originally from Copenhagen, and Timo is from Finland, but a resident of Sweden.  As a result, I really got the full Scandanavian experience from the two of them!  We started at a little cafe, the name of which I can't recall, and had . . . believe it or not . . . cheeseburgers . . . which were delicious!  We were there for quite some time, chatting and catching up, and by the time we left (sometime around 6pm), the skies had cleared and the sun was shining. It was cool (for my standards), with the temperature around 65 degrees Farenheit (I'm guessing).

 

 

 

After our late lunch, we walked around downtown Copenhagen and saw some fabulous architecture.  The Tivoli Amusement Park is the second oldest in the world, having opened on August 15, 1843.

 

 

 

After our walk around this area, we went to, what I'll call the "river area" which is seen in all of the postcards and tourism photos of Copenhagen.  En route there, we stopped to take a photograph of Timo and I outside of the Finnish Embassy (remember, he is a Finnish citizen).  Then, we stopped at a pub, grabbed some beer . . . yes, even I drank beer . . . and relaxed outside.  Like Florida (during the winter months), there are heaters placed around outdoor seating almost everywhere here.  But, the Danes go a step further and have blankets on the chairs.  It's really kind of neat.

 

We watched people, chatted lots more and had a great time.  At one point, I asked Naja what "pissoir" meant, and, as I suspected, it has to do with urinating.  We couldn't figure out why the street was named as such . . . I suggested that maybe after too many beers, people just stand along the river's edge ane pee into it.  Nonetheless, she thought it was fun to take a photo of Timo and I under the sign.  The part that still astounds me is that the sun is in the background . . . I was fading and at one point said that I thought it was time for me to get back to the hotel.  I didn't know what time it was and Timo informed me it was 9:40pm.  WHAT?!?!?!  But the sun is still out . . . THAT was disconcerning . . . and really threw me off!

 

 

Timo and Naja drove me back to the hotel, where we arrived at approximately 10pm, said our farewells, and I fell asleep quite quickly.  It was a wonderful afternoon/evening with two wonderful people, and a great beginning to this journey!

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2013

Just when I thought my days at sea were over . . . and I intended them to be so . . . I am off to a ship.  Today I start my journey to serve (briefly) as the Entertainment Production Manager on the M/S Norwegian Star.  The Star is the sister ship to the Dawn and actually, we tendered next to each other in Belize City, Belize, and docked next to each other in Cozumel, Mexico, all during my winter months in the Caribbean.  Anyway, I am working on the Star for just 4 weeks, and only three voyages, in the Baltic Sea.  NCL calls this itinerary the Baltic Capitals Cruise.  We begin in Copenhagen, Denmark and travel to Warnemunde (near Berlin), Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden.

 

 

I left my condo at approximately 10:15am.  Phylis Philpson, my neighbor and good friend, rode with me to the airport and drove my car back.  I was supposed to leave, Ft. Lauderdale at 11:48am, but weather caused us to leave about an hour late.  We did make up some time in the sky, and arrived at JFK International Airport in New York City about 40 minutes late. 

 

Yes, that is Fort Lauderdale in the background.  Thank you, Google.

My darling Erin Craig took the subway out to JFK to have a bite to eat and a drink with me.  Well, Delta is in Terminals 2 and 4 at JFK (3 is closed) and is connected by a shuttle.  Unfortunately, we found out (the hard way) that there are no restaurants outside of security at either terminal.  Fortunately, there was a small Starbucks in Terminal 2, so we grabbed a Frappuccino each, and sat in some airport seats for about an hour and a half, watching people arrive to the airport and check in.  While I admit that I much prefer a leisurely glass of wine in a more subdued environment, it was great fun to see Erin and gab.  And now we have a silly story/memory.

 

 

I boarded my international Delta flight at approximately 6:30pm and once again, due to summer weather, we left an hour later than planned.  We were scheduled to leave at 7:20pm, but didn't end up taking off until about 8:30pm.  The weather caused our "corridor" (air highway) to be closed.  Hey, better safe than sorry, as far as I'm concerned.  We took off and I partook in a few glasses of red wine (which is free on Delta's international flights, thank you very much!), had dinner, watched LINCOLN, and tried to sleep.  Damn an 8+ hour flight is NOT comfortable!  I don't know how crew members that have 11, 12, 13, etc. flights (sometimes more than one) do it!  I did have an exit row window seat which was nice.  The plane's seating configuration was 2-3-2, which was a nice size - not too big and not too small.

 

Sweet dreams . . . well, not quite, but I tried . . . I dozed on and off.  One of the strangest things was that as we headed east, and caught up to the sun, shortly into our flight, there was always light on the horizon - that was an odd thing to see and sensation to feel.

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013

The schedule for the day is . . .

8:15am     U.S. Immigration Inspection

10:00am   Debark vessel, U.S. Customs Inspection, shuttle bus to Boston Logan International Airport

2:15pm     JetlBlue flight to Ft. Lauderdale

5:36pm     Arrive at Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport

6:00pm     Pickup by my friend & neighbor, Phylis Philpson

7:00pm     Publix for some evening provisions (and some for tomorrow's breakfast)

7:30pm     Unpack

8:00pm     A cocktail, bite to eat, and relaxation on my couch in my living room!

TBA         A wonderful night's sleep in my OWN BED in my OWN HOME!!!!!!!

And thus ends this chapter . . .

WOO HOO!

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013

Well, today was the last day of this voyage and the final or three days in a row that we are at sea.  By this point, the natives get restless.

Tonight's performances were of BOLLYWOOD, one of the production shows I've been working on since October.  I called (the cues) the first show, and Kate, my successor, called the second show.

I closed out my financial account this morning, packed, gave myself a haircut (ok, I pretty much buzzed it . . . less resistance as I run off this ship tomorrow), returned my uniforms, did some personal work, etc. throughout the day.  I had my final evaluation with the cruise director (it was quite good, and I'm pleased).  Early to bed again as tomorrow starts relatively early . . .

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013

Today was another sea day.  More training of my successor, a final load of laundry, some personal work, etc.

Tonight's main stage performances were OH WHAT A NIGHT!  Mom, Dad and I saw this act on the Pride of America in January 2012.  It is a fun show, with great music.  I watched bits & pieces of both of tonight's performances.

I went to bed relatively early, as I am either fighting allergies or a little cold - UGH!  This recycled air is ridiculous!  I am so ready to be back in the tropics!

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Today was the first of three sea days (oy!)

It was a busy day of continuing to train my successor, but a productive one.  I started to do a little packing.  I am very excited that I managed to do quite well with my supply of toiletries . . . I am almost out of shampoo, facial scrub, and body wash.  I finished my hand soap.  I am down to my last bottle of contact solution, deodorant, Zicam, etc. 

Tonight’s main stage show was Justino’s Comedy Magic, starring my buddy, Justino Zoppe!  I will be sad to leave he and Daniela, but look forward to working with them again in the very near future.  Last night, I received a minor “trick” from Justino.  He decided it would be cute to have the Production Supervisor, shore side, email me to tell me that I was needed to extend for two weeks.  My initial reaction was “nope – I already have things lined up.”  Well, it only took me a few seconds to realize that this was the Production Supervisor trying to “get me.”  A few seconds after that it dawned on my that Justino probably had something to do with it too.  I went to tell him and Daniela, to see his reaction, and she couldn’t keep a straight face, at which point I knew I was trying to be had . . . but you have to wake up pretty early in the morning to pull one over on me!   Well, that’s what I tell myself, and in this one instance, it’s true (pfew).  Despite that, I still think Justino and Daniela are pretty great and I told both he and the Produciton Supervisor that . . .

It may not be today.

It may not be tomorrow.

But payback is a bitch!

MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2013

Not counting today, I have 3 days to go.  I am SOOOOOOO ready to be home!

Today we were in St. Thomas, which is one of the three U.S. Virgin Islands.  I did a little bit of work in the office, bright and early, and was off the ship by 9:30am.  I didn't venture away from the port area . . . I haven't done one single excursion during this contract.  Hmmmmm.  I am OK with it, too.  Anyway, I went to a coffee shop and sat outside, did some work and some play (including skype instant messaging with Erin) on my laptop, and just enjoyed the fresh air and being on solid ground.

Oh, once again, I didn't take any photos in St. Thomas, but give thanks to the great Google . . .

Tonight, Tim Kaminski, a comedian who boarded yesterday, performed at 7pm and 9pm.  He's been working cruise ships for ages, so he has a bit of a "following" of passengers who've seen him before.  He was very well received.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2013

Today we were in St. Maarten.  I stayed on the Dutch side of the island.  I walked from the port over to the beach/boardwalk area (about a 15 minute walk) and then walked the entire length of the Boardwalk.  As I was walking back, I decided upon a little restaurant with a wooden deck, overlooking the ocean and the bay.  Since I was in the tropics, I decided on a tropical (though not healthy) lunch of coconut shrimp (& french fries) and two pina coladas.  My diet is shot, and I've accepted that, until I return home, so what the heck.  There was a . . . how do I say this delicately . . . let's say "local" place next door (I wouldn't have eaten there).  It was fenced off behind the restaurant part (on the boardwalk), but being down-wind, I could smell a constant scent of pot.  I think after 2 hours I was actually a bit high from the second-hand smoke.  OK, I jest, but it was certainly pungent!  I walked back to the ship and was in my cabin by 2:15pm for a nap - I don't know if it was the rum, the grease, or the sun, but it wiped me out and I didn't feel great.

Tonight, Arte Diem performed for the final time.  They debark on Friday (as do I - YIPPEEEEEEE!) and head directly to Sweden for a rehearsal on Saturday, May 4, for a Eurovision performance later in the month.  I have really enjoyed getting to know them and working with them, especially Timo, the producer/artistic director.  I hope to work with them again in the very near future.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2013

Today was another day at sea.  It was relatively calm, and it’s warm & sunny – perfect weather for cruising!

This afternoon, Margie Hobbs, who is one of our principal musicians (piano/vocal lounge musician) performed a show with the show band on the main stage.  Because it was such a beautiful day, the pool was packed and the show lightly attended (about 40% full).  Nonetheless, she gave a lovely performance – yes, I watched/listened to the whole thing.

Tonight is The Second City troupe’s main stage performance.  They are always well-received, and I predict tonight will be no exception.  I expect to watch the 9pm performance.  At 10pm, the production cast will perform their MAMMA MIA (ABBA) medley at the 70s Groove Party in the Spinnaker Lounge.  Once again, this will be a “last one” for me.  Should I be feeling nostalgic?  I’m not.  Hmmmmmmm.

We are now more than half way through this repositioning cruise.  Speaking of repositioning cruises . . .

When I first boarded the Norwegian Dawn, it was on October 31, 2012 in Boston, MA.  At that point, I was boarding as an independent contractor, serving as the production stage manager for 2.5 weeks, to install the new production cast, with whom I had just spent 4 weeks rehearsing in Tampa.  I’ve already written about how the story changed, but what I haven’t written about, as I didn’t realize it until about a month ago, is that several of the ports at which we stopped on our way down the East coast, en route to Tampa, were first-time stops for the Norwegian Dawn.  Outside of the Aqua Restaurant, there is a wall with photographs, plaques, etc. of “inaugurals” for the ship.  I was looking at it one evening about a month or so ago and noticed that several of our stops on that repositioning cruise last fall were firsts for this ship . . .

November 5, 2012 - Baltimore, MD

November 5, 2012 - Baltimore, MD

November 7, 2012 - Charleston, SC

November 7, 2012 - Charleston, SC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 11, 2012 - Tampa, FL