one week in

Well, its been a week since I embarked the Ruby Princess in Venice- and what a week it has been! I’m loving life here back on the big ship. The Ruby is exactly the same as my first ship. So, coming on board, I already knew the place like the back of my hand. I’m constantly being jarred by seeing different artwork on the walls here though… strangely disturbing to see a different painting than what you subconsciously expected.

My team on here is great. The whole department is so friendly and welcomed me and Hannah with open arms. It's definitely a party ship, though- which is both good and bad. I havn’t been to sleep before 2am so far.

The weather, on the other hand, has been AWFUL! Cold, rainy and windy every day. I didn’t even go to Cannes yesterday because it was just so miserable. Today, in beautiful Barcelona, was the first day of sun.Already the mood of the passengers has been lifted by the cheerful weather!

The passengers on the crossing are fine, but extremely stereotypical cruisers. Imagine an American couple aged in their mid 60’s. They are wearing walking shoes, bum bags and the man is wearing some kind of technical fishing vest and a US airforce hat. Both have sunglasses with sunglass holders attached and the woman’s shirt may or may not have tropical fish or birds splashed across it. These are passengers who have cruised a million times before and know how to get what they want. They’ll systematically go around and ask each of the cruise staff the same question, then come back to you and tell you what other people have said to try and get their way. They will also talk to you for hours about how our library is crap and Holland America has tea and coffee in it’s library everyday and how they’re cancelling their next princess cruise for this reason.

So, they’re nice, but they are tiring and we’re  all making a big effort to keep on their good side.

The crew club on this ship is great and there are always cool events on to keep us crew members occupied. Last night, we had a crew show with the hypnotist on board at the moment, and of course I volunteered. There are 50 levels of hypnosis.. and I think I was about at a level 20. I was really suggestible and would do all the things he told me to do, but when it came to seeing things that were’nt there (eg. When he told us he was going invisible), I could see him the whole time. SO.. I faked it a bit. But it was really fun and I’m thoroughly embarrassed today!

Then there was a raffle of all this awesome electronics – ipods, speakers, laptops. Of course, I won nothing.

Today in Barcelona I caught up with Tanzer, a friend from Brisbane who’s recently moved to Barcelona. He took me to a bar secluded in the open air atrium created by a block of buildings that contained a beautiful garden.’ Bar in the garden’ was it’s rather apt name. It was great to catch up with him and hear the tales of his recent move, and semi-whirlwind romance with his now-wife, which I missed while I was at sea the last time.

Tomorrow is a sea day, during which we’ll be passing out of the meditteranian sea. The next day we will be in Lisbon, Porgugal and then after that, welcome to the Atlantic Crossing!

A new adventure

The seatbelt light has flashed off on Flight EK 435 to Dubai and I’m well and truly on my way to a new adventure. In two days time, I’ll be joining the crew of the Ruby Princess, the jewel of the Princess fleet.

Throughout my day; from waking up, through last minute packing mania to sitting in the now-strangely-comfortable departure lounge chair- I had been feeling a strange trepidation about “escaping completely” this time. In my two months at home, I had truly “settled” back in to the Brisbane lifestyle. Constant coffee, cocktails and dinners with friends, job hunting, uni applications and gorgeous spring days out at the races, Parklife and Oktoberfest… I was feeling very “at home”. Last holidays, I grabbed a quick 3.5 weeks and heading back was easy.. but this time, the ties are stronger.

This being said, as I walked down the tunnel to board the plane, a big wave of excitement washed over me. I’m off to Europe once more (ableit briefly), I’m going to experience an atlantic crossing, and I’m going to have those near and dear to me come and experience cruising with me. Freakin awesome!

My newfound feelings of wellbeing were taken to insane levels after I was seated. Seat 31A. Window seat. You always try to play it cool when, as the flow of passengers through the cabin slows to a trickle, and the two seats next to you remain empty. You try not to get over excited. Not to get your hopes up of a couch-style flight. You have to wait for that “cabin crew arm doors” announcement and then.. let the good times roll! I’m currently seated leaning against the window of seat 31A with three pillows softening that annoying chair-arm-in-the back. My legs are resting comfortably across seats 31B and 31C.. my computer is sitting on my lap and I’m sipping a glass of fortified red (tastes like ass.. but.. still adds to the luxury of my current surrounds). This is the ultimate. You could not hope for more!

 It’s a good start to what will hopefully be an amazing contract on the Ruby Princess. The Ruby is the sister ship of my first ship, the Emerald Princess- and thus is a carbon copy. I know exactly where my cabin is and exactly how to get around. No learing curve for me! After the atlantic crossing, we’ll also be doing the exact same itinerary as I did on the Emerald- 7 day Eastern Carribean. Basically, this is the most unforgiving itinerary of all. Tits and teeth every night, 9.5 hours average a day, tender port for 3400 people. I know the score! But I can’t wait. This contract I will have the pleasure of working with my good mate Toby, who I trained with on the Sapphire back in April last year. From the instant I met this boy, I knew we were going to get along like a house on fire. Can’t wait to see his face again!

I’m also excited to meet my new team – not just the cruise staff but the whole ENTS department and indeed, the entire crew 1200 strong. Ugh there weren’t even that many people in total on the Pacific Princess.

But for the time being, I’m settled in here flying over Alice springs. It’s a 13.5 hour flight, so I’m glad to be so comfortable! Now let’s see if I can sleep