The Open Ocean

Travelogue: The Open Ocean

Greetings from Asia! I know you all haven’t heard a lot from me in the last week or so, and that’s because I’ve been super busy! Between constant trainings, work, seasickness and longing to go into port, I’ve been on my feet a lot and crashing hard when I crawl in my bunk at the end of the night.

I know you’re all (and by all I mean Mom) super curious about my job, what it’s like living on a ship and working in a place that is never in one spot for too long, and to be honest I’d love to tell you all about it. HOWEVER, Security’s a pretty big deal on the ship (It’s actually this week’s safety topic) and I want to be careful about what I share. There’s a fine line between innocent chatter and accidentally sharing something that could put the ship in danger if anyone ever wanted to attack it. So if I keep some details close to the vest, that’s why. So no pictures of my cabin or work areas for now. :P

However, I can give you a quick run-through about what my average day looks like:

Morning: Haul myself out of bed and shower, then go to breakfast…on the opposite end on the ship. Breakfast has been pretty good, but if I show up too late the French toast gets cold and starts to harden, so I’ve learned to go early. Late morning, I usually have some form of training. Because I’m a new hire, I go through a WHOLE slew of trainings to ensure that I don’t panic if something happens onboard. Again, safety and Security are two very large concerns. But rest assured I know which fire extinguisher to use should I see flames.

Afternoon: Sometimes I have additional training (Company policies, etc.…) and sometimes I have work. My work schedule not only varies each day, but each cruise, because each cruise is a little bit different. I usually manage to fit lunch in there somewhere too. I usually have an hour or two I can sneak onto the internet and chat with family if it’s not too late in the evening their time. Or play Tomb Raider.

Evening: THIS is where most of my work day happens. Because I’m a member Stage Staff, most of my work is helping with productions. I could be operating a spotlight or moving a piano in the pit. I also do a lot of crowd control, which I’m okay with talking about because 3,000 guests see me do it on a regular basis. We have a parade on the Royal Promenade (our “Main Street”) that opens every cruise, and I help set up the props and keep people from running onto the parade route (which seems to happen every cruise) This is important because parts of the parade have bikes and performers that move VERY quickly, and the last thing I need is some little old lady getting run over by a giant panda. (Royal Caribbean is partnered with Dreamworks, so certain dreamworks characters appear in our parade and at special events.) I do a lot of setting up/taking down miniature stages for bands to perform on throughout the day.

I also assist with crowd control on our Ice Show. Because it’s a copyrighted event, I have to endeavor to stop people from recording the show. Thankfully it’s really easy to see the record button on phones. At one point in the show the Zamboni comes out dressed up as a train and a few children are allowed to ride. I have to stop EVERY OTHER CHILD in the theater from jumping on. Ok, so it’s the parents we have to worry about-the stories I’ve heard about parents trying to get their kid on the train make me jumpy every time it comes out.

I mainly work in the Savoy, our large theatre. It’s not only security but professional pride that keeps me from talking too much here; Theatre’s no fun if you know all the behind-the-scenes stuff. :P but This is where I run Spotlight or help move things backstage.

Also dinner. That’s in there somewhere too.

Late evening after I’m done, I come back to my little cabin and either crash right away (which is more common when the seas are rocky and I just want to sleep) or I’ll sit on my computer for a bit and write letters and blog entries. I don’t stay up too long, though-I have to get up early the next day and do it all again!

Until next time, Travelers!