August 4, 2011

COZUMEL, MEXICO

After 70’s Dance last night I was I went up to the Heli Bar which I had not been at for a long time. Well, frankly, I don’t go because I just can’t stand the feeling I have in the morning which comes around all too early on this ship. However, as I had nothing to do today, and Susan, the Cruise Staff Member that took Alison’s place when she signed off, would have been upset with me had I not gone. She is a great one for team activities, which I admit we don’t get a lot of chances to do. So I met Luis and her on the way up to Deck 6. Up there I saw Sean and the other members of the cast of Hairspray, and they asked if I would like to join them at the resort they were going to in Cozumel. I said sure, but only if I did not get a chance to get on the tour for Tulum. They asked if I had already signed up. I said no. They said that I was out of luck and that I had had to make reservations with the Shore Excursion people earlier in the day. Damn.

Sure enough, I woke up in the morning and could not go to the ruins. So I joined the cast at 11:30 at the pier and we all headed out to the Park Royal Resort. Apparently this is a crew hang out in Cozumel because so few guests go there. You pay $40 for a day pass and all the alcohol and food is free. Onto the resort the crew descended like locusts. It was beautiful, and not only because it was off the ship! I am back on the ship now, but I spent the whole day in the pools with the crew, and Richard Spacey, the Cruise Director joined us. This was the first time that I had really been able to talk with him and hang out a bit, so I was very glad that I had this opportunity. We spent the day swimming, playing pool volleyball, drinking, eating at the huge buffet the Resort has, and otherwise enjoying ourselves. It was so nice to relax in the sun in the water.

It was really fun to hang out with the cast and crew of the shows. Michael, who plays Link Larkin in Hairspray, was really thrilled when I told him he reminds me of my old friend from Seattle, the actor Cheyenne Jackson. Apparently Cheyenne is his idol. Except for the eyes. Cheyenne has the most ice-blue eyes I have ever seen, which is all the more striking with his dark hair. Michael has the same build and vocal range but brown eyes.

Towards the late afternoon everyone started to play volleyball in the pool, and the staff of the resort put up the net. Great fun was had by all, but I really like Sean’s method of playing. Sean plays Edna, the mother, in Hairspray. He’s a big guy, and is the de facto “mother” of the cast. An example of life imitating art. With drink in hand, wading in the shaded section of the pool, he would drawl out “I got it” every time the ball went out of play. Of course while he made no effort to move! Things got a little wild and at one point while I was turning around, well outside the range of play, I got pegged in the side of the head with the ball. Glasses flying, strawberry daiquiri unspilt, Sean drawled out “kids play nice, don’t make me turn this ship around”!

I got back on the ship around 4:30 PM so I would have time for a nap before I started my evening duties. It was an easy evening with Rising Tide for 2 hours, doors for the Headliners The Texas Tenors, and then the Quest Game with Richard. While doing doors I saw Patrice and the girls. I also saw them out in Cozumel. For a ship of over 6,000 guests I see them everywhere. So I ran and got my camera and had someone take a picture for us.

 

UPDATE: Tropical Storm Emily has dissipated. It is totally gone, blown apart by the mountains of Hispaniola. This is good because we will make our appointed docking time. It is also bad since I do not know if Ralph will be able to adjust his schedule again to come up to meet me. I am tempted to tell him not to come and we will meet up in September. It is only 4 more cruises and will be the almost halfway point for my contract. I’ll have to talk with him today and see what the plans are.

After speaking with Sean and the cast members I am torn between auditioning, (a lot more money to be had as a performer), or continuing on. I am concerned that my voice hasn’t really come back all the way. It could be because of the constant strain on it hosting events, but that never bothered it before. I seem to be always hoarse, and I have lost my top range. Well, the shows are not going anywhere, so I will finish this contract and see what a couple months off with vocal rest will do.