SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Well, Candi left this morning, and Gio arrived to serve as our cruise director.  Greg London, the singing impersonator who has been on since I boarded November 18 also left.  So, we had to put together a new “Welcome Aboard” show.  I took the reigns on this and it ended up being the production cast performing their VACATION number, the show band, Ariel Jacobe – one of our principal singers/piano players, Ruby – a member of the cruise staff, and Jocka & Maria – our new aerial/adage couple.  It was a “variety” of entertainment, and was a decent show for the guests.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2013

Today, Candi and I had a sushi lunch in Bamboo, and then did our final power walk around the promenade deck.  She departs tomorrow.  I’m sad to see her go, but keeping an open mind about working with a new cruise director.  Candi was there for me when I was thrown into the fire, and has taught me so much.  I now feel like I am ready to be there for the new cruise director.  Thanks, Candi!

I did create a simple "show reel" for her . . . it's a 5 minute compilation of her hosting various game shows, TV shows, theater shows, etc. as a cruise director.  It was a labor of love, but one that I was more than willing to do.  I am happy with the outcome, as is she.

And so, the Candi months come to a close on a high note . . .

FRIDAY, FEBRURY 8, 2013

Today I went to shore in Cozumel, had my weekly lunch at La Choza, and caught up on emails, etc.  Tonight I had a relaxing night w/ pizza and TV in my cabin.  I enjoy Fridays.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2013

Each week, there is an emergency drill for the crew.  It entails some sort of emergency (fire, man overboard, bomb threat, etc.), followed by a lifeboat drill where crew must go to their muster stations to abandon ship (which doesn’t actually happen).  Fortunately, my position, along with principal musicians, gymnasts, guest entertainers, and a few select others only have to participate once a month.  WOO HOO!

Every three months (I think), there is a “ship to shore” drill.  It’s where everyone has to actually disembark the vessel, via the dock.  Well, today was the day.  And it was HOT in Roatan.  The kicker for me is that the instructions are to stay in a single-file line.  Well, as lovely as that sounds, if I ever really have to evacuate a ship, there’s no way I’m staying in a single-file line.  I’m gonna be running my ass to the hills so damned fast.  Anyway, while I expected it to last for 2 hours, the whole thing was over and done with in less than an hour and a quarter.  I learned that next time I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt though.  Oh, and how sad is it that the first time I’ve stepped foot in Roatan, Honduras is today, for this drill.  I wonder if it’ll be the last.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2013

Tonight I had my first real bout with “WTF is wrong with people on this ship?!?!  Why can’t you just do your bloody job?!?!”  Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!  I need a cocktail!!!!!!!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2013

I went ashore today with Candi.  We went to the mall and had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  It was a fun outing with her, one last time, before she leaves next Sunday. 

Johnny, the assistant cruise director, is acting as the cruise director this week, while Candi still holds the official title.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28 - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013

Well my boss from shore side was here this week.  I was a little apprehensive at first, as I didn’t know him well, and wondered what it would be like with him onboard all week.  It was really nice.  I developed a good relationship with him, and feel as though he is comfortable with my work.  We had several chats about a variety of topics, and it looks like he is going to extend me beyond my current May 3 sign-off date.  I’m OK with that.  Actually, I’d be happy to stay on through May 31, then have June & July off, and start at the beginning of August, rehearsing with the new cast for the Pride of America, then heading to Hawaii and sailing with them for 6 months.  I THINK that is going to happen – I’ve put in my request!  J

At the end of the week, he wrote me a short and sweet email thanking me for my good work and to keep it up.  I am happy.

Oh - by the way, did the groundhog see his shadow?  Oh wait, I’m in the Caribbean!  It doesn’t matter!  WOO HOO!!!!!!!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2013

Well, it’s time for Mom and Dad to leave.  Mom admitted that the little cabin with just a porthole was more than adequate.  At the welcome aboard show on the first night, Candi informs everyone that “the more you get involved, the more fun you’re going to have.”  Mom and Dad concur!  They came for a nice, relaxing cruise, where they weren’t going to go ashore at any ports (except for lunch at La Choza in Cozumel), and they were just going to relax and read.  Well, Mom still hasn’t finished last Sunday’s newspaper she brought with her, and didn’t even crack open a book!  They were on “go, go, go” status all week, and they had a great time!  I’m exhausted!

I went ashore with them to run a few quick errands.  I forgot my computer power cord, so the big errand I needed to do (watch some videos on strong wifi at Whole Foods) was eliminated.  Instead I just went to CVS, then Mom & Dad dropped me back at the port and they were home by about 11:30am.

This week, Robert Dean Hertenstein, the manager of theatrical operations for Norwegian is sailing with us.  He’s brought Daryl Eisenberg, his new casting director in NYC along to learn the shows on this ship, and the NCL product.  I don’t know Robert well, so I’m a little nervous, but also looking forward to the week ahead.  I hope it goes well.  I happened to run into them around 1pm, so I gave them a tour of certain areas of the ship that are pertinent to the production cast, and showed them to their cabins.

The sail away party and welcome aboard shows were both good and the week is off to a good start.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013

I had to perform weekly cabin inspections, immediately followed by tech. run-through for BOLLYWOOD, so Mom & Dad were on their own this morning.  Clearly, they do just fine without me, as they won at the final bingo game!  They had to split the pot with another winner, but it was about $250 each, so they were definitely winners!

We played dominoes again today, and spent most of the afternoon together, after my rehearsal.  Candi joined us for dinner at Bamboo, the Asian restaurant.  It was supposed to be our treat, but she generously picked up the tab.  She’s so amazing.  I’m going to miss her when she leaves on February 10^th.  I’m so glad that Mom & Dad had an opportunity to meet her though.

Mom & Dad watched the 7:15pm performance of BOLLYWOOD, then went to Gatsby’s lounge to hear Ruby, one of the cruise staff members, sing Broadway tunes, along with Ariel Jacobe, one of our principal musicians.  I joined them for the last few minutes, and then headed back to work as they went to pack and hit the sack early.  They did pop into the office before retiring to their cabin, and took a picture of Dan and I.  Mom said they had one of their ship "daughter-in-law," so they needed one of their ship "son-in-law."

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2013

Today, I took Mom and Dad to La Choza!  It’s the one “shore excursion” we planned. Fortunately, the weather was much nicer than it had been – warm & sunny.   Natalie also joined us and we had a delicious lunch and lots of fun (especially the people at the table next to us)!

While in Cozumel, we saw Carlos & Charlie’s (restaurant/bar), where Mom and Dad were many years ago, and watched a drunk lady butt-slide down an entire flight of stairs.  We couldn’t figure out where the stairs were/are, so we’re not sure if it has been remodeled, or if perhaps there is another one in Cancun and that’s the one they’re remembering.  Regardless, it is a funny story and they were excited to see the place.

 

After lunch, and only one margarita each, we returned to the ship and took naps.  I adore Fridays!  LOL.  Afterward, Mom & Dad “weighed in” to see how much weight they gained during the week – it wasn’t too bad.  And weighing oneself on a ship is not terribly reliable, as the scales are affected by the ship floating – so weight must be measured when docked.  Even then, there’s still a margin of error.

 
We watched the first performance of Greg London’s show, then grabbed a little bite at the Garden Café (buffet) w/ Candi, and then moved on to Norwegian’s Chocolate Night! It’s nothing terribly extravagant, but it’s full of lots of refined sugars!