July 15, 2011

SEADAY enroute to FTL

Well, the schedule has been thrown into complete disarray by the departure of Hettie. I have no idea what the end result will be, but I do know it will mean increased hours and decreased time between events to rest. At least until the replacement shows up. I am pretty sure that if not this week, then next week I will get a roommate, and my ‘spacious’ single room will be no longer mine alone. All the more reason to rise in rank quickly, which may not be impossible.

Out of the blue today, on I95, Amy met up with me and pulled me aside to say how impressed she was with the job I am doing, and how she and Mike, the Cruise Director, were talking about me last night after Quest. This game show is really impossible to describe except to say it is a blast…and a lot of work. The best I can suggest is to look it up on Youtube. You need a lot of energy to do it. It is motivating the crowds and getting them all hyped. Something I like to do. So Amy pulled me aside to congratulate me, and say that, between her and me, that Mike had mentioned me as a future Cruise Director in the not distant future. I told her thanks, and used the opportunity to volunteer for extra training with that in mind. Anything she wanted me to learn that would be useful to that goal. I also told her that what she had said the previous night about working for RCL for a year and half and being promoted to Activities Manager was the track I was looking to be on. She smiled and said that sounded like a great idea and that she would help me to that goal. Apparently due to the high visibility of Oasis, it is easy to get noticed, which can be good or bad, for your work. I’ve been noticed apparently. Not bad for five weeks work. I’m proud of my work here and the connections I am able to make with the guests. I’ve said it before, but I just like to make people happy.

We had Bingo first thing this morning, and again, the new marketing of Ringo has done well. The Final Bingo is always a pre-sale for the machines, so for the first time, I was given the duty of setting up a booth on the Promenade to pre-sale. There was no one there for the first half hour of the hour I was stationed there. Thinking of something I could do, other than yelling and hawking, which I had a feeling would be unappreciated, I remembered the large sign with the Jackpot amount of $4,000 on Deck 4. It is a large cut out of Ringo holding the sign. I went down, retrieved the cut out statue and brought it next to my booth. Instant line! Sold not only almost 30 machines, but a bags worth of Ringo’s as well. When I was asked by Amy and Hettie, I told them and they were both impressed. Another point!

Day ended with me piloting the Rising Tide during the Farewell Celebration on the Promenade. Full house, and I had them dancing with the music and was busy taking their pictures. Smiles all around. I got a little teary eyed at the music and throngs of people. The Ancient Greeks were right, music is a powerful drug on the emotions. The final moments of the Farewell Party are to the finale of the Oasis of Dreams soundtrack, which is a lush Yanni-esque score. Very moving. I wish I had remembered to bring my camera. I will next time so I can make some video of the celebration.

Bedtime, and an attempt to catch some sleep before the 0430 wake up for Debark. At least tomorrow I get off early at 2100. A couple hours in FTL to pick up necessities will be welcome as well.