June 22, 2001

Still not getting off the ship yet. Had life raft training this morning and been on duty being a trivia game host. Several people came up to me this morning while I was posted on the gangway and said how much they enjoyed my karaoke hosting last night. Had a couple that also complimented me on my trivia hosting. One even asked why I wasn’t a Cruise Director. I told them that after a week and a half of employment that that might be seen as a bit of a jump. Besides, there is so much more to this job than just entertaining and hosting. I’m not talking about the box office and people skills, crowd management, etc…it’s the safety issues. Cruise Director is just underneath the Hotel Director, which is directly under the Captain…as such the CD better know everything there is to know about the safety of the ship and all its procedures. This might take me more than a week to learn!

I don’t know if I am aiming for Cruise Director or not, although one of the Cruise Staff asked me in all honesty if I had thought of it. I do look at the performers and their contracts, especially at 2AM when I am still working, and wonder if I might not be happier on that side. But then again, I really like what I am doing and the variety of tasks. I think I would get bored being in the same role for 10 months or more. As Cruise Staff my role is always the same, but the audiences change and it always is a new show and new crowd. I like that.
My skills from the piano bar and cabarets back home are certainly paying off though. I don’t really feel there is anything magical about what to do. It is common sense and the desire to treat others as I would wish to be treated if I were in their shoes. I want someone to smile at me, say hello, see if there is anything I need, answer questions if I am confused or lost….it’s pretty basic stuff. The microphone work is a skill, that I will admit.

Now, a bit about crew life…It is a whole world below decks. It’s a city, really. There is everything down here, and a more diverse group of cultures you would be hard put to find. There are 38 nations represented on board. I still get comments about how people think I am the only American, which is not true, although the others might not all be in public areas.

I think I may have explained before, but there are basically four levels below deck, meaning below the public areas. On Deck 2, which is the main crew area deck, there is a “highway” that stretches the length of the ship called I-95. There are people going to and fro at all hours. There is a median line down the middle, and all the exits are marked as freeway exits, and all passageways have names. Because they tend to put all crew members who interact with the public, (Cruise Staff, Youth Staff, Performers, etc), all the “streets” in my area are named after NYC streets. Broadway being a major “street”. I live at the corner of Broadway and 35th Street, about half way down the block. The performers mostly live on 42nd Street.

There is a large crew’s mess, or chow hall, on Deck 2, in the forward part of the ship. At the back of the Mess there is a hatch and hall leading to the elevators to 4 decks of crew recreation area. Everything from Library, Internet Room, four bars, Game Room with pool tables and video games, etc. The top most deck, Deck 6, is the Heli Pad. This seems to be the main crew hangout. The only separation between crew members seems to be in this area. Most of the Caribbean nationals, Jamaicans, Haitians, etc, frequent the bar on Deck 4. There is an English style pub on Deck 5, which is quieter and more relaxed. I prefer the Heli pad, which though loud because of the engines and air vents, is more open and at least has a section that is open to the sky. All the rest are windowless.

The other option is Blown Away, which is a private crew deck on Deck 18. It is a bit out of the way, but provides a great view and is totally open to the sky making it a great place for sun bathing. I have only been up there the once, but plan to go more often for the open air.

I really can’t imagine being in a job that would place me below decks all the time. I think I would go crazy from the lack of sun and air. It would seem very claustrophobic.
I try to be nice to everyone, smile and say hello, and the team seems very tight. I am beginning to see a bit more of the politics though. I keep remembering what you and Traci said….second fiddle, play second fiddle. I don’t get involved in the gossip, though to be honest there is not much since we are so busy. There does seem to be a lot of relationships and one night stands that go on, though for the life of me I can’t figure out how they do it with the lack of privacy we all enjoy. I guess some arrangement must be made with their cabinmates.

I think that I am starting to get the hang of everything, and now feel almost ready to start exploring beyond…like going to the gym and getting off the ship. I can’t believe I have only been here 10 days. It seems like weeks and weeks since I left Key West.