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.
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.
