Today we were in Douglas, Isle of Mann. Just looking out from the top deck I could tell that this was a nice place what with the beaches, rolling green hills and quaint buildings that seemed all so close by.
My superiors have been in a good mood lately so I took the opportunity to get ashore for a couple of hours after lunch. Since it was a boat port it took a bit more time getting off and on the ship. I got on a tender at around 1330 and was back on the ship just after 1530.
I walked along one of the main streets of Douglas with a woman I met on the tender who was on the Artemis training the bar staff how to mix drinks properly and serve the customers. She was on a mission in Douglas to find a B&B where her father could stay next year during the TT races, which, I am told are quite popular.
When I got back to the ship it was business as usual until we knocked off at 1800.
Later at around 1030 a wardroom “Pirate Party” kicked off. Some people showed up in some really authentic looking costumes as classic pirates with the eye patch, parrot and hook. Others came as Somalian pirates. I just had to be different, so I turned up in regular clothes and brought with me some ‘fake’ pirated movies and music CDs. It was pretty random to have a pirate party on a cruise around Britain but it was a good excuse to have a pour out which meant free booze.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
DAY 21
Today we were at sea, which was not the original plan. Due to rough weather the call in Stornoway was cancelled. Instead, the captain informed everyone that we would sail directly for Douglas tomorrow and then the next day we would go to Dublin, where we would spend a day and a half. I think these changes will improve the cruise to be quite honest because I wasn’t seeing many people excited about going to Stornoway anyway.
Today there was the Artemis Uncovered event in the Atrium where all the departments have a display showing the passengers what they do. Myself and a colleague were the lucky ones from the Electrical Department to stand by our table and answer any questions the passengers had. Luckily it was only an hour…
At noon today there was the traditional Gold-Tier Luncheon in the Coral Dining Room. It was superb as usual and I had a good chat with the three couples that were on my table 88.
I went back to work at 1600 and continued until we all finished at 1800. I went to the gym for a run and after a shitshowerandshave went up to the Senior Officer’s cocktail party. After the party I went for dinner up to the conservatory for the Thai Buffet, which was great. I was joined by the staff captain and a financial officer.
It was the 60’s and 70’s dress up night for the passengers, so there were a few hippies seen on decks. There is usually a shindig up on the open decks but it was inclement weather and it was held in the Starlights Lounge instead. The dancers have a show titled “Swinging 60’s” after which they come out to the party and dance with the passengers. I met up with a couple of people at Starlights for a drink before heading off to bed.
Today there was the Artemis Uncovered event in the Atrium where all the departments have a display showing the passengers what they do. Myself and a colleague were the lucky ones from the Electrical Department to stand by our table and answer any questions the passengers had. Luckily it was only an hour…
At noon today there was the traditional Gold-Tier Luncheon in the Coral Dining Room. It was superb as usual and I had a good chat with the three couples that were on my table 88.
I went back to work at 1600 and continued until we all finished at 1800. I went to the gym for a run and after a shitshowerandshave went up to the Senior Officer’s cocktail party. After the party I went for dinner up to the conservatory for the Thai Buffet, which was great. I was joined by the staff captain and a financial officer.
It was the 60’s and 70’s dress up night for the passengers, so there were a few hippies seen on decks. There is usually a shindig up on the open decks but it was inclement weather and it was held in the Starlights Lounge instead. The dancers have a show titled “Swinging 60’s” after which they come out to the party and dance with the passengers. I met up with a couple of people at Starlights for a drink before heading off to bed.
DAY 20
Today we were in Lerwick. It was a tender port and it didn’t go particularly well because of the times that we arrived and had to depart. We came in a bit late, which made everyone rush about trying to get off of the ship to their tours. We only have 4 tenders that hold about 65 people each so it takes a bit of time to get 1000 passengers off the ship. The sea was quite choppy as well my friends which didn’t help the situation.
From what I could see from the upper decks Lerwick looked like a nice place. But that is as close as I got to it on this occasion. They cancelled the crew shore leave because they didn’t get all of the passengers off of the ship until about noon and they needed to get them all back on by 1600.
In the wardroom tonight was “Casino Night”. The entire casino department came up to host whatever we wanted to play. There ended up being a few blackjack and Texas Hold ‘em tournaments. I sat in for three games of blackjack but couldn’t turn a profit so I cut my losses and called it a night. I watched the rest of the gambling taking place and there were some interesting things that happened during the Hold ‘em tourney.
From what I could see from the upper decks Lerwick looked like a nice place. But that is as close as I got to it on this occasion. They cancelled the crew shore leave because they didn’t get all of the passengers off of the ship until about noon and they needed to get them all back on by 1600.
In the wardroom tonight was “Casino Night”. The entire casino department came up to host whatever we wanted to play. There ended up being a few blackjack and Texas Hold ‘em tournaments. I sat in for three games of blackjack but couldn’t turn a profit so I cut my losses and called it a night. I watched the rest of the gambling taking place and there were some interesting things that happened during the Hold ‘em tourney.
DAY 19
Today we were in Rosyth, the gateway port to Edinburgh, Scotland. I was planning to go on tour today to the Roslynn Chapel, but something came up on the ship and I had to work in the afternoon.
The Roslynn Chapel is the one that is visited by professor Langdon at the end of the Da Vinci Code novel.
There were no parties up in the Wardroom tonight, so a fellow officer and I decided to have a walk around the passenger decks to see what sort of entertainment was available. The passengers must have been tuckered out from the day in Edinburgh because it didn’t seem like many of them were out at about 2300. There was a tropical party in the Starlights Lounge and the dancer show in the International Lounge. We went to go see the dancer show and it turned out to be the one with all of the ABBA songs in it. It is one of the good shows that the headliner theatre company performs.
After a drink in the Tiffany’s bar after the show we decided to call it a night.
The Roslynn Chapel is the one that is visited by professor Langdon at the end of the Da Vinci Code novel.
There were no parties up in the Wardroom tonight, so a fellow officer and I decided to have a walk around the passenger decks to see what sort of entertainment was available. The passengers must have been tuckered out from the day in Edinburgh because it didn’t seem like many of them were out at about 2300. There was a tropical party in the Starlights Lounge and the dancer show in the International Lounge. We went to go see the dancer show and it turned out to be the one with all of the ABBA songs in it. It is one of the good shows that the headliner theatre company performs.
After a drink in the Tiffany’s bar after the show we decided to call it a night.
DAY 18
Today we were in the port of Newcastle, England. I had a quiet day and stayed in. I just wasn’t up for going off the ship for some reason.
Tonight was Indian dinner up in the Wardroom, which is always nice.
Tonight was Indian dinner up in the Wardroom, which is always nice.
DAY 17
Today was a sea day as we make our way to Newcastle. Nothing very exciting seemed to be going on around the ship. Just another day in paradise.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
DAY 16
Well today is turnaround day and it is one that many crew on the ship dread. It is like the equivalent of a Monday back home. The big issue for me is the lifts because on the night before turnaround day every passengers’ luggage is taken down from their cabins to deck 1 using the lifts and on the day of turnaround all the new passengers’ luggage is taken up to their cabins in them. It is quite a sight to see just how many bags they can stuff into a lift. Since the lifts are usually pushed to the limit during these operations it is not uncommon for problems to develop.
I was hoping to get out for an hour or two in Southampton to stretch my legs and buy some stuff but it just didn’t happen this time. For sure next time though.
Every night on turnaround day for dinner there is a pub dinner in the wardroom. I may have mentioned this back on DAY 1. It is a good time to meet any new joiners that have arrived today. This time around a few people came back that I had met on my last contract. There were also a few new faces.
After a fairly hectic day it is always nice to put it all behind you, collapse onto the bed, and drift into a deep sleep.
I was hoping to get out for an hour or two in Southampton to stretch my legs and buy some stuff but it just didn’t happen this time. For sure next time though.
Every night on turnaround day for dinner there is a pub dinner in the wardroom. I may have mentioned this back on DAY 1. It is a good time to meet any new joiners that have arrived today. This time around a few people came back that I had met on my last contract. There were also a few new faces.
After a fairly hectic day it is always nice to put it all behind you, collapse onto the bed, and drift into a deep sleep.
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