April 26

Sea Day

Not much happens on the sea days. We catch up on our sleep; hang out in our rooms, or watch tv. Pretty dull. We did have a casual white night tonight. Our schedule for this was in one-hour blocks. My hour was from 8pm-9pm. As I came up to relieve the photog, she was finishing up with a couple. I happen to run into my fav longhorn guest. This guy I see everywhere. At embarkation, he was wearing that burnt orange and I had to converse with him. He is actually really cool and holds no grudges for the Aggies. Every time I see him around the ship, I call him Mr. Longhorn. Him and his wife both crack me up. He even got a photo of us two tonight doing our signs and all. I hope it turns out good for him.

My white night session was absolutely horrible. I had NO one want to get photos. I even had people laugh at me when I told them to come over for a few minutes. The fact that we had 2 pillows on the floor may seem a little weird, but that is to cushion these older folks from the floor. I even had a comment about making porn from one guest, which I know my eyes got big after hearing this. All I could say was ‘no.. and that is so wrong..’

April 27

Newport, RI

Got up at 5:45 this morning and got ready for gangway. There was so much fog outside when we came into the port. The Captain delayed the opening of the gangway due to the fact that the fog wasn’t moving or clearing. Today we are doing tenders so we were out a bit anchored. Because the fog was so thick, the Captain decided then to cancel the port due to weather conditions. Well as we were leaving, the fog decided to clear in less than 10 minutes. So we stayed, but didn’t have much time on shore side. Since we didn’t have a lot of time, the crew could not get shore leave unless you were working or on a tour. So after being up at 5:45, we finally got to the harbor at 9am. Everyone was in such a hurry to get to the buses that I got very few photos. I headed back after a couple of hours and took a quick nap since I didn’t get much sleep the night before. Back in the gallery at 1:30 to open and display. About 15 minutes go by and my manager looks around and realizes we are missing 2 people. The last tender should have been at 1:30 and yet we do not know where these two are. She makes a call and finds out that they are still shore side. We all look at the other and have this what if looks… If they don’t get back on the ship, then they have to find a way to get to our next port. Just craziness. Finally they show up… it seems the tenders were going very slow and there were still a lot of people waiting to get on the ship.

The night was quite boring. Not many people coming around and everything was already nice and neat and clean. Ended the night in the PO meeting new people and chatting it up with the guest entertainer.

Obviously you can't see exactly how bad the fog was last night, but this should give you an idea. This was around 6:30 pm.

Starting over

April 25

Formal Night

So it's my first formal night on this ship. There are less passengers here, but every ship is different. I got to see how they set up their studios and got left behind a little bit on my own. I don't want to just jump in without seeing how they do things around here so I am taking it slow.

The night wasn't too bad. It was busier than I had expected and I actually had a line of guests waiting for me. I have some guests who I see everyday. They include a Longhorn... I met him at embarkation when he walked up in a burnt orange shirt. I instantly starting to talk to him. He already told me he wants a photo with me to remember his trip. He cracks jokes every time we see the other. What a hoot. There are a couple more that are crazy and I love it. I was given a rose petal to do with as I please. Lmao. Crazy guy. I wasn't the only one he was giving petals to.

I am settling in okay. We went to the bar downstairs last night and I got to meet a few people. One girl I talked to is actually going to my old ship, so she wanted the juicy detail of the crew. Lol Met some of the officers and other crew. Everyone is really nice. They say hi and call me by name when I have my name tag on.

So all is good in the hood... that's the saying around here lately.

The name of the game is.... Cleaning

April 22

My official first day on this ship and after an exhausting flight plan, I think I am ready to get into it all.

Today is all about cleaning. Our gallery had a face life and we got an 'official' black label studio.. really cool. The lab is stuffed like a thanksgiving turkey with everything from the gallery and studio, plus more.. It looks like someone threw up boxes and random stuff everywhere. Lol

April 23

Most of everything is almost done, but not completely. I was sent out with a fellow photog to take some pictures for HAL to show the improvements and changes. It was a good thing to do so I could get an idea where everything is and what the differences were between this ship and the other.

We went into wet dock in the middle of the afternoon and unfortunately I didn't get to witness this happening. But I did hear it all in my room. It gets kinda loud there.

And we started sailaway later in the evening... around 6ish? Should be in Ft. Lauderdale in the early morning hours. I have to get up and do Immigration at 6:30am. Yikes...

April 24

6:00am..... I couldn't get to sleep last night. Kept watching tv and all that. Then my alarm went off. At 6:30am I was downstairs in line to do immigration. At 7am they said to come back at 7:45. My manager and I went for breakfast and then met back up downstairs at 7:30. It took forever... the people kept pushing back the time due to someone be late or something. I dunno. By the time all this is said and done we finally get into the room to do this around 9am. I so could have slept in more or done something with my morning.

Went around the ship to redo some of the photos for HAL. And then Embarkation. What a long, long, long day that was. Everyone worked the whole day. I decided to sleep in instead of meeting everyone in the bar downstair because once I was hanging out on my bed waiting for my roomie, it hit me how exhausted I was. And tomorrow is our first formal night.

Travel

April 20-21

Travel

When I disembarked from the ship it was around 11:30-12:00 Wednesday morning/afternoon. I took a taxi to the airport and then a shuttle to a commuter’s airport since I was going to LA. At this small airport every 30 minutes was a flight to LA. My flight wasn’t until 9:25pm. I had more than 8 hours of sitting on my butt. Luckily the terminal had free wifi, so I got some fb stuff done and chat with a few people on the ship. I did run into another person leaving the ship at the same terminal, so that was nice to sit and talk with him. He was heading home to Ukraine. Talk about a long flight plan.

First plane I took was only 25 minutes flight to La. Had about 1 hour layover and then another flight to Miami. This one was overnight on a 747. By the way, American Airlines sucks. The plane was so cold AND they didn’t even have blankets for us. WTF? I sat in the emergency exit row, which is fine, that has extra room. The guy in the same row as me kept complaining about everything. He even complained when his wife wanted to rest her head on his shoulder. Really? So I barely got sleep between this guy and the coldness, which I didn’t think to keep my hoodie out of my suitcase for the ride. Finally in Miami and I have to wait about 3 hours for my flight. No free internet..boo on them. I really didn’t do much sitting there, just waited. By this time I am getting pretty exhausted. Finally its my time to get on the plane. Thankfully the guy next to me moved across the aisle since no one was sitting there, to give us both more room. I tried to get some sleep, but didn’t get much on the 55-minute flight to Freeport, Bahamas.

Landed in Freeport and headed to get my bags. I am not sure if it is just because I am a girl or that I was looking pretty rough, but I had a few guys ask if they could help me. I was doing okay by myself, but I thanked them for the offer. Got outside for a taxi and it turns out there is a car waiting for a person on my flight that is going to the ship. So the guy says he can take me too. I think he was part of a service because he never said anything about money for the ride. He was also a big help when we got to the ship with my heavy bags. Note for next contract- take less stuff.

After 2 guys come down to help me with my bags, one of the dock workers come over and tell us he is going to help me. They take my bags and put them on a life to the ship so we didn’t have to drag them up 5 flights of stairs. That is almost not an exaggeration of how high we have to go up the stairs.

I get checked in and my new manager comes to get me and take me to my room. She is from Edinburgh, Scotland. So I think we will get along well. We go get lunch and then I head back to the room to unpack , take a shower (I really stink lol), and take a nap.

After a bit I get up and my manager comes to get me so she can show me where we eat dinner. Then, to the lab for an orientation and to look at my camera. We have a small meeting with the team, which is just 4 of us and then she and I go over some standards for event shooting.

I get my new id card and then we head out ashore for a beer and some pizza. It has been a long couple of days and I am feeling like everything is going to work out just fine here. My manager is super excited we are going to be going to her home city, in addition to all the other ones we will be hitting. We have very few sea days, which I am looking forward to even though it might be a little crazy at times.

And some pictures of the ship in dry dock. Oh! And I have the bottom bunk this time since my roommate will be joining n Ft. Lauderdale.

More Mexico

April 16

Puerto Vallarta Day 1-IPM

Did the gangway stuff with a Mexican couple. I had a guest take my picture with the couple since I am always taking photos of them. They wanted to remember me. Sweet, huh? Since I was on IPM, I decided to get laundry done and get some sleep. Headed out at night to clubs with a couple of people. Got in kinda late. A fashion show at the club we went to.

April 17

PV Day 2

Had a drill today and went over some safety stuff. Then took a trip to Wal-Mart to get some provisions. It is so hot outside that I am thinking of staying in today to avoid the sun. I slept the rest of the day. That sun is getting to me. Yikes

April 18

Sea Day-Formal night

Went to the OB afterwards to have a few drinks.. nothing really exciting other than hanging out with friends. Got some pics for you… may be a little blurry.. I wasn't the one taking the pics. :-)

April 19

Sea Day

Another night in the OB. It was suppose to be my last night, but it looks like I am staying a couple more days. I’ll be transferring to another ship because of certain situations that have come up, but it should be good for me. I'll keep the updates coming.

April 20

San Diego Airport

So it turns out I got transferred sooner than I had thought possible. Due to non specific conflict in the work environment I made to decision to transfer to another ship. I am going to miss the new family I have adopted and everyone I have met on the ship. But I think this is the best for me. I am now hanging out in the airport waiting on the 3 flights that will take me to Freeport, Bahamas and to my new ship. It's been a very crazy morning with all the last minute paperwork and procedures. I was able to catch some friends in the hallways and give hugs and kisses and promises to visit and meet again and also keep in touch. Me and one of the crew officers.. I'm gonna miss them, they are great people.

And a pic of the tiny airplane I will be on in less than 2 hours.

Finally some photos

Some photos for your viewing pleasure. Cabo San Lucas

Mexico

April 12

Cabo San Lucas

Shot the gangway with a Pirate and a Mermaid. Actually got quite a lot of pictures for a tender port. Got to hang out in Cabo for a couple of hours, The first task after we were done with work was to find some good food. We had the pirate take us to a good place to eat. It was behind all the shops where it more or less was a parking lot with a dozen different taco trucks with tables and chairs out front. I got 3 fajita burritos and rommie got chipotle shrimp tacos. Yum. Yum. Here are some pics we got with our new friends.

After lunch we ran into a couple of crewmembers and decided to go with them to the lover’s beach. I'll try to get some pictures up soon.

April 13

Loreto

Did the gangway with fellow photographer. This one there wasn’t any kind of shade of us and we had to be there from 11am to 3pm. In. The. Sun. Well of course I got sunburned because I ALWAYS forget my sunscreen.. heck I don’t even own any. So halfway through the afternoon I decided to turn my back to the sun and try to even out the redness on my arms. Decided to go out to town after done with the gangway and ran into a couple of the guys that work on the ship. Since it was just me, I figured I’d hang out with them for a bit. Walked into town and found the town center and one of the older churches. Also ran into more crew so I decided to switch group. Ended up have some margaritas and nachos on the patio. Good day to be outside, except for the burn on my arms. The night in the gallery couldn’t have gone by any slower. Went to bed straight away.

April 14

Guymas

Had drill at 10:30am, and then set up for formal night. The drill took a little longer than I was expecting, but once we were on the deck it went by quickly. I wasn’t going to go out today since my sunburn was kinda killin me, but ended up hanging out with piano guy. Took a shuttle to the town center and watched a small show of some kids dancing. It was really hot out there and headed back to the ship where there was a small shopping area walking distance from the ship. Had a margarita and sat outside in the shade for a little bit.

April 15

Sea Day scheduled since we couldn’t get into Topolobampo. Mainly in the gallery or sleeping.

Back to San Diego

April 10

I actually got to have a visitor today! The bad news was it took us forever to get the crew cleared for shore leave. Poor Malcolm had to wait over an hour on me. I really was almost going to give up on the whole prospect of seeing him. But with luck I got off the ship with less than an hour to hang out. Grr. We went for a walk and had breakfast and caught up on old times. Then back to the ship. He got to see my tiny room that I live in and then I had to boot him off the ship. After embarkation I actually had a few hours off, so I called Malc up and he came to pick me up. We got to hang out more and walk the streets near his apartments and catch up more. It was a great day, especially to have fun with a friend I haven’t seen in a long ass time.

On the way back to the ship I almost had a heart attack because the Celebrity Cruise ship over powered ours and I couldn’t see my ship. The cab driver kept telling me that was the only ship there and I almost took off his head telling him to keep going and my ship should be on the other side.

Went to bed early because of too much partying.

April 11

Taking it easy.

Formal night tonight and we thought we were going to hang low tonight, but there was a crew birthday downstairs and we can’t be rude. So we ended up in the crew mess room with all the beer we could drink and a laser light show. Time really flew by tonight and thankfully I didn’t have to get up super early in the morning. Gotta love ship life.

Ensenada and More

April 8

Yet another sea day.

April 9

Ensenada

My roomie and I didn’t realize we got to get out of work early tonight and therefore get to go ashore to Ensenada. So off we go and we don’t even know where to go. We happen to come across a few of the crew guys and ask where we should go. We get a shuttle to Pappas & Beer and once off the shuttle my rommie and I look at each other and wonder what now. Thankfully the guys ask us if we want to come along with them and of course we say yes. Ha. We end up hanging out and having a few beers and some food with the guys for about an hour, which is all the time we had there. Headed back to the ship and straight to the OB for going away party for a few people. The party had a nice sign: “F*ck Off Party” Gotta love the imagination of these people. So once again, another night of fun with the crew and another long night of drinking and darts. Here are some pics I got there.

Sea Days begin again

April 5

Gallery, gallery, and more gallery. Went to the OB to play some darts and have some fun.

April 6

Started to get into playing darts. I forgot that I am not too bad when it comes to playing. I played 6 games against one of the crew and lost all. But I did get better as we went I suck as getting bulls eye, but now I don’t suck as much. Found out that I could put a request in to bring a visitor on the ship in San Diego. The plan is to get the paperwork done tomorrow and get in touch with Malcolm about getting here early on Sunday.

April 7

Another sea day, but we are getting close to San Diego. Went to a show tonight to see a piano player from Romania, actually from Transylvania. He was pretty cool to watch. I’ll try to find a link for him. Went down to the OB to have a drink or two. Ended up playing darts on teams and got our butts kicked, but it was fun with all the smack talking,

Lahaina and more

Lahaina April 4

Tour- 7 Hours

Ran into a buddy.. he is a cadet on the ship training to be a Deck Officer. A quick shot I got of him.

The tour I went on went to Haleakala National Park. It took us a long time to get to the top. I got some videos of the journey.

Once we go tto the top of the crater we were 9000 feet elevation and it was ‘brisk’. That is how the guide explained the weather up there. It felt wonderful to me in short sleeves and jeans, but everyone else had jackets on. Wimps. Ha. Here are some shots I got while up there.

And a video on out way back down to civilization My battery was drained on my phone from all the videos and pictures I was taking. I got back to the ship with 3% of my battery left. Yikes.

We went to a valley where the tour guide said some of the Jurassic movies were filmed, but that is the only information I got about that. Here are some pics I got while there.

Lunch was after that and I got to chat with one of the locals. This guy went searching for sea glass on the beaches and made jewelry from it. Sea glass is more or less broken bottles that are at sea and wash up on the beaches after a very long time and they are sanded to small pieces. He had some really neat jewelry, but unfortunately I don’t wear much. But he was a cool guy to talk to about the island

Beach Time

Nawiliwili April 3

Had to work this morning in the gangway and then had the rest of the day off until 4:30. Decided to catch a free shuttle to Coconut Marketplace, which I thought it may be something like an open market. It wasn’t. It was just another shopping area for tourists. So I came back to the ship, changed into shorts and my flip flops, then proceeded to the beach 7 mins down the road to fins some friends. I took out my Hasselblad and shot some great stuff with Dejan (Danny) and then decided to hang out in the shade since I forgot about sunscreen. Thankfully Danny had some and I got my face covered, but the rest of my shoulders and chest came out lobster looking. Here are a couple of pics I took while relaxing.

My feet after walking around on the beach taking photos.

One of the new shop crew that we were hanging out with. She is from Serbia, I think.

My view from laying in the shade on the beach.

And cool people I get to hang out with.

Another fun time in Hawaii

Hilo, April 1

Ipm.

Found out my sister is pregnant. Yea! Caught up on some laundry that I needed to do and got some naps in. Easy going day today.

Honolulu April 2

Tour- 7 hours.

Tour guide talked about spam and how popular it is in the Hawaiian Islands. They have a Spam Jam at the end of April every year. Even McDonalds has a breakfast with spam and eggs. I got to see the original Hawaii 5-0 hotel they filmed the show at. Waikiki city is only 3 miles long, which is mainly beaches and malls of what it looks like to me. The best thing about Hawaii is that year round the water is an average of 78 degrees, which would make me want to hang out on the beach all the time too. The temperature around here never gets over 90 degrees… how awesome is that? I got to see Diamond Head from the bus and there is a hiking path that goes all the way up. Some of the crew took the path and showed me some pictures. They said it took all day to hike up and back. Another great thing about this island is that all the beaches are public. Our first stop was at Hanauma Bay and here are some photos I took.

One of the points here they call bamboo Point. (on the far left)

Our next stop was at the blowhole, but I didn’t see much of the blowhole due to the lack of big waves.

Sandy beach was right down the road and has been said to be the most dangerous beach for the body surfers. They can have serious accidents because of the force of the waves and the surfers can hit the beach and hurt themselves.

We talked about the Hawaiian Homesteads that the government gives to local people who are at least 50% Hawaiian. Their leases are 99 years, $1 a year and the lease can be transferred to the next of kin. Pretty cool deal they got going on here.

The next stop on the tour was the Bydod-In Temple. It is located in one of the largest cemeteries on the island. The cool thing about the cemeteries here is that there are multiple religions. And here are some pics of me. And some pics of the fishy pond.

Out of the window on the bus we could see a small island named by the workers from China from the early 1900’s? It’s name is Chinaman’s Hat. The tour guide said that you can walk out to it on low tide, but when the tide comes back in it come quickly.

I did find out that the movie Jurassic Park was filmed here also. It was filmed in the North Shore Valley. Also the opening scenes were filmed in Kauai, but they had to move because of a storm that hit the island.

We had lunch at the Polynesian Culture Center and here are some pics of that. I did have a couple adopt me as their grandchild. Lol. They kept a look out for me when ever we were out and about to make sure I didn’t get left behind. Gotta love these people, they crack me up.

Last stop was the Dole Plantation. I gota couple of pearls for myself and had it set. Here are some more pictures of my day.

My pearl is the one to the right of the wisdom one. It's pretty cool doing all this. And my pendent I got to put the pearl on.