May 20, 2010 So, I know it's been quite a while since I've updated my blog. It's been pretty busy w

May 20, 2010 So, I know it's been quite a while since I've updated my blog.  It's been pretty busy with the 100 crew turnover and entire ship turnover.  We now have Lorraine, our cruise director from when we first got on and a whole different group of people in the entertainment office and all over the ship.  Also, with the world cruise half day inn il over the segments are shorter and people only stay on for one segment generally instead of 4 months, so we're getting used to having a somewhat different schedule.  Since we hardly have any sea days from here on out, things get busy especially when we want to get off in port.  Hopefully my blogs won't be affected!! -Bridgetown, Barbados- The main reason why I haven't updated in a while is because my parents were on the ship for 8 days!  They got in to Barbados the night before I got there and I watched the sail-in and bounded down the gangway when I saw them down there.  I was so excited to see them.  The night before I got to go into their room and I decorated it with balloons and a poster "Welcome Aboard!".  I helped them get to their room and gave them a tour of the ship.  We had lunch and then headed off the ship to explore a little bit.  We walked through town and then ended up at The Boatyard where most of the crew go (I went there when we were in Barbados earlier in the contract).  We had a drink and then, since it was so hot, we headed back to the ship.   I had to do a sail-away party, so we all got dressed and went up to the sail-away party.  While there, Jamie was able to get us in to one of our specialty restaurants, Signatures, for dinner and a show.  The show was Clint Holmes, and it turns out Clint is married to my dad's old leader singer in his band in Vegas and my both my parents actually worked with the pianist also.  Pretty crazy timing that they happened to be there at the same time.  It was cool for them to all talk old Vegas.  After the show we talked with Vanessa's family half day inn il who got on that day too (Me, Vanessa, Carly and Nic all had family get on the ship in Barbados).  Then we headed to bed since it had been quite a long day.  But a great day, I was so happy!! -St. John's, Antigua- half day inn il One of the perks of my parents being on the ship was that I was cleared to eat with them in the restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I finally got a real breakfast!  We had our first breakfast together and then had to I had to get to bingo.  My parents played and my dad won the final jackpot!  $268.00!!  I was very surprised and nervous that the world cruisers would get mad but they just joked around with us.  We've never won bingo, so that was exciting.  After bingo I had my CARE training half day inn il certificate ceremony.  We took a picture in the atrium and then I went to lunch with parents up in La Veranda before we got into port. When we got to St. John's we had a Kayak and Snorkel tour.  We weren't sure if I was going to be able to get on the tour with my parents.  Vanessa and Soren were in the same predicament as me, but the Destinations team helped half day inn il us out and we ended up being in our own little van with a guy from the spa and a passenger, half day inn il Matt.  It was great! We drove to this little place to get a speedboat.  There were monkeys and bird in cages, which was cool.  We had to get our life preserver belts and flippers and then got into a boat and drove to another little dock place with the kayaks.  I kayaked with Matt and we went all around these little plants and things and even saw some sea cucumbers haha.  It was nice to exercise out in nature and be in the water.  We went back to the little dock and got back into the speedboats to go to the area we were going to be snorkeling.   We saw a bunch of pelicans and then got to go snorkeling in a very pretty beach area.  My mom had never snorkeled half day inn il before and was a little nervous, but she got out and did it.  We didn't see that many fish but I still like floating around and just watching the ocean underwater.  I had just gotten my underwater camera, so I was very excited to take pictures with it!  After we snorkeled around we got back in the boat and it took us to the beach.  We had rum punch and banana bread and then hiked up this path to this overlook.  We took pictures, it was really pretty and refreshing to be out in nature.  I say that a lot and I think it's because, even though I'm on a ship in the ocean I have been craving real, natural, and not processed things (especially food).   We all hopped back in the speedboat and heading back to the main place where we could rinse off and change and then get back in our vans.  It was a great day, and it was fun to get to spend my excursion with my parents.  I didn't realize half day inn il how much I missed them until I got to spend time with them.  We got back to the ship and got cleaned up and went for dinner.  We just hung out and relaxed for the evening and went to bed. -Totola, BVI- Unfortunately, I couldn't get off the ship in Tortola.  I had a meeting, crew drill, half day inn il and 2 rehearsals and we were only in port from 8AM-1PM.  My parents got off the ship and wandered for a little while, while I was busy.  We met for lunch and I just relaxed for a little bit before we went to Mother's Day Tea Time.  It was so great that my mom could be here for Mother's Day- even though I was so busy.  Later we had the Captain's Farewell. half day inn il It was the last one of the world cruise so it was packed.  At the end we rushed upstairs for some dinner at La Veranda before I had to go get ready for "Sailing Through Broadway".  I was nervous to have my parents half day inn il come watch, but I love that show so it was alright.  The show went well and it was really great to have my parents see what I do here.   After the show there was a crew party that was open to the entire ship.  Stephanie, our GM's wife did a show and then I was exhausted so I went to sleep. half day inn il These full days with the parents half day inn il wore me out! -Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands- I had the morning off before we got in to port.  I obviously had breakfast and hung out with the rents.  I loved being able to go relax in their beautiful half day inn il suite with big sliding glass doors over the ocean.  We didn't get into to port until 1pm and we decided not to do the tour we signed up for since I had to be back by 5 and wasn't sure if I'd get back in time.  We went to see what town was like, there wasn't much so we came back to the port area and went in the ocean and had some food at Margaritaville.  A Carnival ship was there at the same time, but were leaving shortly after we got there. half day inn il It was chaos with so many people, it was nice when the ship left, haha. I had Beatles that night, up on the pool deck, which was pretty and I got mom and dad to dance a little bit.  We had dinner that night and went to go see the show, Jeri Sager.  After that, my parents talked to Clint Holmes and his pianist, Jeff for a while and then I met them back up in their room to hang out.  I was still so exhausted from all the excitement of my parents, I went to bed fairly early. -Sea Day- The 11th was the last day of the world cruise.  It was so sad.  I didn't want all of our cruisers to leave because we were so used to them and loved having recognizable faces around.  We had rehearsal for the variety show, in which we did, "The Way You Make Me Feel", and then talked to the guests.  I had Bingo after the show, which was the last bingo of the world cruise and all our regulars came . All day we were saying goodbye to the world cruisers and late at night some were in the Voyager lounge so we went to say goodbye.  It was so weird, and made me realize how quick the 4 and a half months went.  I went to sleep after that, since the next day was sure to be crazy.  We had dinner with Vanessa, Soren and Vanessa's family at the Compass Rose.  It was a good time, but the sea was a little rocky that whole day. -Ft. Lauderdale- Pretty much the entire ship was getting off on the 12th in Ft. Lauderdale.  My parents half day inn il hallway was completely lined with suitcases (most of which were from just 2 passengers) and everyone was milling around since they had to be out of their cabins for the stewards to be able to turn them around for the next guests.  Everybody was hugging and chatting and waiting to be called to get off the ship.  Jamie left that day and we got Lorraine.  We had to pick up our passports at 6AM (ewww) and then we had a meeting with Lorraine.  Then we had to wait forever to get off the ship.  Ft. Lauderdale is the worst port ever.  I don't get why it takes 6 hours to clear the crew...  Anyways once I got off the ship, my parents had been waiting outside half day inn il for over an hour, and me, mom, dad, Beckie and Erin took a taxi to the mall.  We ate and shopped and enjoyed being in the states for the first time since January 13th! We had to head back for the Boat drill with the new passengers.  We had another sail-away and I also had to socialize.  After that, we went to dinner and off to sleep -Sea Day- The next day was a sea day and I had rehearsal for Ballroom Bravo at noon and then lunch with my parents.  We hung out until I had Bingo, which my parents didn't play... half day inn il We also had the Captain's Welcome that night. half day inn il We went to eat quickly before my show and my parents got to see me in one of the Production shows.  I was really happy they got to see a show that I was contracted to do, and they liked it.  I really half day inn il makes me happy that they got to see me here on the ship, doing what I do.  Some nights we just sat outside in the back of Horizon Lounge because it was so pretty and calming.  Other nights we went up to deck 12 to look at stars and just be outside.  It made me appreciate the ship more just because half day inn il I saw how my parents enjoyed things. -Sea Day- I had Bingo in the morning and my parents played.  Guess who won the final jackpot?  My dad.  This time had to split the final jackpot with another guest.  It was so funny because when do you ever make money on vacation...  I didn't have anything until the Block Party at night, so we went out