July 16, 2011

FTL TURNAROUND

Up at 0430 for shower and breakfast, which at the hour is not much, just cereal, then 0530 meeting at the Duisenberg on the Promenade to assign sections for the Debark. Usual crowd of crazies. I really like crowd mentality. Someone spilt a whole glass of OJ on the tile floor in front of the Opus Dining Room, where I was stationed. I tried to stop people from walking through it by standing in it myself. I called the Facilities people and said to make a rush on it as it was a busy corridor. A Facilities man happened to walk by 15 minutes later and saw that I was trying to direct traffic, stop people from walking through the mess, and he brought two yellow CAUTION sandwich boards.

Having done what I could, I then watched over a thousand people walk right through it…oblivious to the LARGE YELLOW CAUTION sign. Amazing. 45 minutes later, after everyone had pretty much finally debarked, the Facilities team I had called showed up and had the audacity to make a face at the mess that had been tracked over a 20 sq ft area. I let them know that had they responded earlier over a thousand people would not have walked through it.

Late finish to debark, Customs stopped the line three times, which set us back an hour. Finally finished at 10:30, and had to be back on ship by 1300. Quickly changed to civvies, and got in line for crew debark. Customs stopped that as well. 1130, I am finally off the ship, with an hour and a half to run into FTL, get what I need and get back so I can smile and welcome people aboard for three hours.

I had the opportunity to grab a taxi with the Cruise Director, Mike, and he asked me point blank what my plans were and how far I wanted to go. I told him as far, and as quickly as I could, that at 44 I didn’t have a lot of time to waste. He said that I was the best person on the team, in his opinion and that he was certain I would move up quickly. That was nice to hear.

Back to the ship, with 15 minutes to spare, back into suit and tie, and all smiles for the guests arriving. I have to say, though, it was enjoyable. It was the first time I had done Gangway for arrivals, and the smiles and looks on their faces as they caught the first glimpse of the Promenade was awesome. Especially the children. It IS impressive. It is best summed up by a young man who exhorted, “Holy Crap!” as he walked on. I couldn’t put it better myself.

Three hours of cheek deadening smiles, and it was off to the Box Office for 3 more hours. Making the reservations for the shows that people did not do online before they arrived. Always a frustrating and time consuming part of the cruise, but we sped through it pretty well.

I sat there as a foreign woman and her son walked up and tried to explain to me what they wanted. I couldn’t tell by their names where they were from, nor could I place the accent. Finally, after attempting everything, including sign language, I asked where they were from. France, they said. Ah!

Launching into my best Pidgin French, trying to reach back in time to 10th grade and Mr. Ellis, (those Bush Grads who read this blog will remember who he is), I made myself understood. It wasn’t pretty, but they got the picture. And they were gratified that I had made the effort.

It is so frustrating not being multi-lingual.

There is an ice-dancer named Carole who is from France. She was in training with me. I saw her the other day and she has agreed to sit down with me, when time allows, and help me practice my French. That will be good.

Finally a beautiful evening and time to do doors for the Aqua Show, Oasis of Dreams. Picture perfect evening, astonishingly small standby line, happy guests, and the day is over.