Merry Christmas from the Summit...

Merry Christmas to all back home.  I am missing you all dearly and it hardly feels like Christmas Eve at all.  I start work tomorrow at 6:30 in the morning.  Will be the first ever Christmas Day I have worked and feels real strange and not really like Christmas at all.  

I do have one pressie to open in the morning though - Thank you Mum for getting it to me in time.  Receiving a package from home was the best.  Thank you again.  (Sorry Tanya, your package didn't make it in time for Christmas - should get it next week).

So, what's going on?  A lot of work but not much return at the moment.  And a bit concerning to say the least...

Two more of the spa girls left quite suddenly - one was transferred to another ship and another decided to go home after 4 months.  Sad to see them go - the Spa has not been the same without them.  I miss their energy.

Had some quality me time this arvo in Bonaire, which I think was much needed.  I enjoyed just wandering the town on my own.  You don't get much me time onboard a ship so was good to reflect and recharge.

Was asked to go to Captain's Club last night.  Basically had to dress up and represent the Spa mingling with guests.  Not too bad but hopefully not something I have to do every cruise...

Tonight there is Eggnog and Cookies in the staff bar at 11:45 pm - so 45 mins away - I should make it...

Need to pass on this free internet connection to my roommate now so will hopefully be able to get some more free time tomorrow night...

Love to all

Alex  

xxx

Waiting For Coastguard...

This morning we arrived in San Juan and a busy day although at the moment a bit of a waiting game...We have Coastguard today, which means we do boat drill with the Coastguard onboard to mke sure we know our stuff.  If there is something wrong with the ship or the crew in regards to safety, they can apparently hold the ship until it is fixed so kind of a big deal.  We have had multiple drills over the last few weeks to get us all prepared and to make sure we don't make any mistakes.  So I am sittin ghere in my cabin just waiting for the signal.  Ideally I wanted to go to the gym this morning (with the morning off but alas not today).  Hopefully it's not too much longer.

Also have to go through immigration today as we enter the US.  So another time-consuming task for the day.  And then start work once this is over meeting and greeting new guests.  We now move into 7 day cruising so looking forward to a change of pace and definitely enjoyed the change of place yesterday.  I had most of the day off in St Maarten yesterday.  Sun, sand and beautiful blue seas.  Looking forward to a change of energy for the next few months after coming from the cold of the Med.

Cannot quite believe that it's Christmas in under 2 weeks.  Doesn't feel like that time of year at all despite my efforts at making my cabin a little more Christmassy.  There's a high chance I will have to work on Christmas Day so that will be a first and will be quite strange I imagine...

Anyway, I think I've almost used all my internet time again...Catch up with you all soon...

Need to Eat Real Food...

Am getting tired of the crap food in the mess at the moment.  I have forgotten what it feels like to eat cleanly and my body is suffering.  Tonight's dinner was vegetables (which I knew had a coating of butter or something similar on them) and a bunch of grapes.  Very sad.  Nothing else looked edible to put it nicely.

Have had a frustrating day today.  This is our cheapest cruise of the year apparently and guests onboard are reluctant to spend money on anything let alone detox!!  We have done 4 seminars this cruise but next to no bookings and minimal sales.  I feel like I'm hitting my head against a brick wall at the moment.

I know next cruise (and the next 18 weeks) in the Caribbean will be better.  Cannot wait...Only 2 more sea days to go and then I have 2 mornings off in a row and then a whole day off so looking forward to a bit of sanity time...

Making Our Way Across the Atlantic...

As expected, a quiet cruise.  But on the plus side, have enjoyed getting off the ship in some new ports.  Spent a couple of hours off in Malaga, Spain.  Had an awesome tapas lunch.  Sooo yummy.  I was supposed to be out shopping for some weights for the gym but a girl has got to eat...I did look for the weights (after lunch) to no avail.

Enjoyed a day off  yesterday in Madeira, Portugal.  Another yummy lunch (piri chicken) but not as good as the tapas.  Also managed a quick dash to the supermarket for some supplies.  Enjoyed some sunshine (at last!!!).  Will definitely be visiting Portugal in the future.  Madeira was quite pretty and a lot cheaper than the rest of the Med so hoping the rest of Portugal is similar as I add it to my travel list...

Looking forward to my last day off for the cruise tomorrow in Tenerife in the Canary Islands..  Although am unable to leave the ship until about lunchtime as we have boat drill in the morning - the joys of living/working on a ship.  The sunshine will be worth it once I get off I'm sure...

I work solid then until we hit the Caribbean next week, with 5 sea days in a row.  Hoping they're not rough sea days though - will have to wait and see what the weather delivers us for the final leg of our crossing...I will then enjoy 2 half days off - 1 in St Maarten and the next in San Juan, Puerto Rico (which will be our base for the next 18 weeks) - so will have a 1/2 day off here for the next 18 weeks.

Enjoyed an awesome dinner 2 nights ago in The Normandie - the a la carte restaurant onboard.  The food and service was excellent - was wonderful to be treated like a regular person eating in style for a night.  It was one of the girl's birthdays so it was a real treat.

Tomorrow we suddenly say goodbye to one of our girls in the spa.  She is being transferred to another ship as an experienced girl has requested to come back to this ship.  She only found out yesterday.  Demonstrates that nothing is certain onboard - even I could be transferred at any time.  Will be sad to see her go especially before Christmas.  It is like a little family onboard but am sure we will all be missing our loved ones as the holidays draw nearer...

Loving the extra space in my new cabin.  Hoping to find a Christmas tree tomorrow for my room.  Managed to get some tinsel and Christmas lights yesterday - just need to get them up!!!  Need some tape...hopefully tonight...

Well I have no idea when I will actually be able to post this online as the internet has been down all day and doesn't look too promising - so this news may be a little old by the time you all read this...

Love to all...Alex

This is my ship and my home - The Celebrity Summit.  This is the only pic I have at the mo - I have been quite light on with pics so far.  This was taken in Naples a couple of weeks ago.

Cabin 1306 - my first cabin onboard.  Note the size of the room and they're are 2 of us living in this space!!  Makes you appreciate your space at home...However, in a bigger cabin now and despite the teething problems with the bathroom flooding, we are enjoying our extra space.  I will have to take a pic of my new room to show you the difference in space (and the new lights)...No guarantees when that will be though...

Have internet in my cabin...finally....

Finally managed to get an internet cable last night so now have access in my cabin...very dangerous as it is no cheaper - just much better to be emailing in the comfort of my cabin (if you call it comfort) and on my own laptop.

Yesterday was my first rough sea day.  The good news is I didn't get sea sick.  I had a couple of iffy moments.  I had some ginger ale and crackers and slogged through it.  I also had acupuncture - I couldn't look at the needles in my arm and leg but it did seem to work.  I'm still getting over the shock of having acupuncture...We had to close the treadmills and the ellipticals in the gym as it was not safe with the ship rocking so much.  I am still struggling to comprehend what would possess someone to come to the gym to walk on the treadmill when they are unable to walk around the ship without holding a handrail...Quite a few of the therapists had to leave guests in the middle of treatments to throw up.  Not a successful sea day all round for the spa.

We are currently in the process of docking in Naples.  I can hear and feel the vibrations underneath me as I sit in my cabin typing this.  We are here overnight now instead of overnight in Civitavechia tomorrow night.  Due to the rough weather, our itinerary changed.

Teaching my first Pilates class this afternoon.  To date, have had noone sign up to these classes so need to go and refresh my memory...Better get back to work...

Cannot believe this is my 5th week onboard already...

So onto cruise number 3 already. In some respects it feels like it's gone quick but also feels like I've been here forever. It is now normal to get up in the morning and put my hair in an upstyle and do my makeup. In fact, I rarely go without makeup these days!! A stark contrast to home. Also normal to get in the elevator to go to work. Also normal to pay 60 cents for a beer in the staff bar...(although that is on special). I think it's normally about $1. Definitely going to struggle going back to regular prices on land...whenever that will be...

We will have 3 new girls coming at the end of this cruise as 3 of the girls are finishing their contracts, so will no longer be one of the new girls in the spa. Will be exciting to get some new people but sad to see others leave. We lose another 2 after the crossing so in the next month, there will be 5 new girls in the AquaSpa.

Went to the movies last night - yes there is a cinema onboard that crew are also allowed to go to - saw The Bee Movie. Very cute although I must admit I was falling asleep as I had a big day yesterday. Was a successful sea day for me, meeting my sea day target. So have made more money this cruise already than I did in the entire last cruise. The rest of the spa is struggling but I have managed to get a few guests in for personal training and sold a few detox packages yesterday. Am bounding with positive energy once more. Last cruise was a downer and I must admit I did let it get the better of me towards the end of the cruise, which was not good.

Looking forward to my day off tomorrow in Kusadasi. May do a little shopping. Supposed to be quite good. Although trying to save my pennies still at the moment as I haven't accumulated masses of money as yet - saving that for the Carribean....

Anyway, off to enjoy the rest of my 2 hr lunch break. The Spa made target last cruise so we all enjoy a 2 hr lunch break this cruise rather than 1 hr. Definite perks to hitting targets...

Love to all back home...

Trying to get the girls in the spa motivated to exercise before the Carribean so am doing a circuit class for them tonight. Should be a lot of fun.

Need New Passengers...

Second cruise nearly over. One more port day tomorrow and then new guests the day after...YEAH!!! This has been a very slow cruise and have made next to no money. Have only one more here in the Med and then the crossing to the Carribean. Cannot wait to leave here and start earning some serious money. We also go onto 7 day cruising, which means things should be much faster pace and turnover of guests every week, so really looking forward to that.

Have explored a little more of the ship in the last couple of days. Went to another of the bars upstairs - the Rendevous - kind of like a lounge bar. In passenger area so have to wear my name badge but still managed a couple of cocktails and kind of felt semi-normal. Later went further upstairs to Revelations, the "nightclub/disco" onboard. Was a fun night. Although was spied by guests who were quick to highlight that they'd seen me there the night before in the gym the next day. All good - body getting used to hardly much sleep now...Overrated when you live on a ship!!

Not off to a great start this cruise...

Only time for a quick update...

So my second cruise now. Haven't been quite as successful as my last cruise but only halfway through so hopefully make some sales the rest of the week - otherwise that means no money for Alex :(. And although drinks are super cheap onboard for crew they still add up. Although I did a BCA on myself this morning (A BCA is a Body Composition Analysis - this is the test we do to tell you how toxic you are, how fat you are, metabolism, etc.) and alas I am getting more toxic. Also getting fatter. Damn ship!! So I plan to slow down at the crew/staff bar and train like a spartan warrior until I hit the Carribean in 5 weeks time (but who's counting?).

Did enjoy my last day off in Naples. Had a wander around the city. One of the girls almost got pickpocketed as we crossed the road but didn't manage to get her wallet out of her bag, which was lucky. Had an awesome pizza - getting off the ship to eat is a real highlight let me tell you...Our last overnight in Civitavechia, 8 of us left the ship for Chinese for dinner. Those of youat home will know how much I love Chinese (detect the sarcasm here) but I thoroughly enjoyed my dinne out - anything beats mess food really...

Anyway, be be back to work. Doing a yoga class for the spa girls tonight and hoping noone is in the gym this arvo so I can sneak in a bit of a workout...

Talk soon...Thank you to everyone who's been emailing. I love hearing from you all back home...

One cruise down...

Well I managed to get through one full cruise and although I didn't make my sales target, I did do the best out of the team, which now means I get 2 hour lunch breaks this entire cruise (except sea days). Expectations are high though this cruise and unfortunately so far, I am off to a slow start...But aiming for a big finish!!!

My day off yesterday was a non-event. We tendered in Villafranche. This means we weren't docked to the shore but a tender (a small boat) comes and takes you to shore. Unfortunately due to the crappy weather, there wasn't enough tenders to allow crew off the ship. So I had a whole day off onboard. I did manage to catch up on some sleep, which I needed after a 3:30 am night in the staff bar, watched a couple of Sopranos episodes and checked out the basketball court but that is as good as it got, unfortunately.

Someone asked the difference between the staff bar and the crew bar - basically staff bar is nonsmoking and just chairs, pool table, dart board, etc. Crew bar is more club like - smoking and DJ and dancefloor. Crew bar doesn't come alive til after midnight. Have had a couple of fun nights in the staff bar losing at cards the last few nights.

My half day in Barcelona was nice but short - felt a bit like Cinderella having to get back to the ship by 12:30 pm for embark. The city was just coming alive as I made my way back to the ship to work. So no photos. Will have to put some of the few photos up for viewing - I haven't really taken that many. Will try to do so on my next day off in port.

Next day off is Naples and desperately wanting to get onshore and eat some regular food especially since I missed out yesterday although one of the singers and I had dinner upstairs last night at the Waterfall cafe - we're allowed there in the last half hour of service in uniform or dressed up - and he got me a sirfry (salon staff not privileged enough for stirfry, singers have more privileges) so I did manage to eat something different yesterday.

Have another hour to kill for my lunch break. I think I may spend it in my room reading a book...Catch you all soon later...

On board for over a week now...

Long time, no post. Getting used to life on board now. Very overwhelming at first I must say. The ship was one big maze. Slowly getting my bearings now and starting to get out and about. The first couple of days all I knew was the gym, my cabin, the mess and the staff bar. I have since progressed to dressing up one night and seeing a show, the Martini Bar, the coffee shop, the Waterfall cafe, the crew bar, the crew mess (only cause there was a fire in the staff mess one night).

I have had 2 days off and ventured into Athens on my first day and yesterday Civitivechia where a couple of the girls and I consumed quite a few bottles of very cheap but good red wine. Had full intentions of making one of the crew parties last night but alas didn't have the stamina to make it through til 11:30pm. Probably a good thing though as it was my turn to open the gym this morning, which means a 6:30 am start. The other fitness instructor and I alternate days.

Things are quite slow at the moment as it's the end of the season here in the Med. We're all looking forward to the crossing and the Carribean. Everyone keep saying we will start to make more money and be really busy once we start there on 7 day cruises. I hope so - I do spend a lot of the day wofting (a Steiner term - translation waste of f**cking time - in other words trying to make yourself look busy).

Had one of the hairdressers do my hair yesterday - definitely one of the perks of the job along with the staff discount for all products - and this morning I discovered that the discount covers all of the shops onboard as well. So not only do I get duty free but then I get a reasonable percentage off that price as well...Very dangerous...but need to start making some more dollars first before I take advantage of that.

I have internet onboard but it is not the cheapest so my contact will be a little sparse. I need to suss out wireless onboard yet and see whether that is cheaper. I have to head back to work as this is my lunch break. Hello to everyone back at home - miss you all...

At Heathrow Waiting...

This will probably be my last post for quite some time as I sit here waiting at Heathrow for my flight to Venice via Munich.  I am nervous, excited and every other emotion you can think of at the moment....I have no idea what is in store for me really...I think it will really hit me as soon as I see my ship...The beautiful Celebrity Summit.  Check out www.celebritycruises.com to have a look at my ship - it is absolutely amazing online - I imagine it will be even better in real life...

I am traveling to the ship with a beauty girl from Ireland so am glad for the company and also nice to not be the only new girl onboard.  Today I hit the ground running.  We arrive in Venice at about 2:30pm and expected to make our way to the ship and then start working straight away after putting our bags in our room.  No idea what the other fitness instructor is going to be like and am assuming I will be working with a male (pretty safe assumption in this industry I think)...

Good luck to everyone else in my class - thank you all for making my time in Watford so much fun...Special goodbye to my roommate Bonnie...I will miss you heaps!!!  See you in 8 months time unless our ships cross paths...

Alex

I HAVE A SHIP!!!

What a day!!!  I don't think I have fully comprehended what I am about to do....I finally got my details today.  I am going to be working on the Celebrity Summit.  A very nice ship by the looks and sounds of things...Although I am going to be challenged by my clientele (sorry guests) apparently - my demographic is well-educated - doctors, lawyers, CEOs, etc.

So I am off to Venice on Saturday.  I will be cruising around the Mediterranean until the end of November.  My itinerary is as follows:

Venice, Italy

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Athens, Greece

Ephesus, Turkey

Naples/Capri, Italy

Rome, Italy

Florence, Italy

Nice, France

Barcelona, Spain

Not bad at all.  At the end of November, I do a transatlantic crossing:

Barcelona, Spain

Malaga, Spain

Madeira, Portugal

Lanzaroate, Canary Islands

Teneriffe, Canary Islands

La Palma, Canary Islands

Phillipsburg, St Maarten

San Juan, Puerto Rico

and then spend the next few months in the Caribbean (until April I think), when I make my way back to Europe and do it all over again.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Phillipsburg, St Maarten

Roseau, Dominica

St George's, Grenada

Kralendijk, Bonaire

Oranjestad, Aruba

I remember saying before I left home that I would love to do the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and a transatlantic crossing - seems the universe has delivered exactly what I put out there...Amazing!!  I cannot wait to really start this adventure...My trainer's instruction tonight was go out there and just SMASH IT!!!   So, that's what I intend to do...

Time for sleep...if that is at all possible...

Before I go would like to say a big thank you to Mike and Liz for the awesome dinner I had at your beautiful home - hope to catch up with you again in 8 months time...Enjoy your travels in Ethiopia.  I will be thinking of you tomorrow when I'm into my little goodie bag...Thank you again.

Love to all...Alex

The Torturous Wait...

So here I am sitting in the corridor of floor 3 of the Watford YMCA on my laptop.  The last 2 days have been quite torturous.  The fitness group is just not the same with half of us gone.  On the upside though I have been a model for the last couple of days and have had a deep tissue massage both days plus I also had a colon massage and scalp massage today, which I strangely enough enjoyed.  You should have heard my colon start up as soon as they started massaging with the algae.  Amazing - I think the whole room could have heard it grumbling!!

Have a new roommate - a hairdresser from France.  I don't think she likes Bonnie and I though - too loud and too messy, us fitness instructors!!  I have now been in the room the longest so it is definitely time to go I think...Some details come out on Wednesdays but Thursday is usually the big day so hopefully Thursday will be my day!!

Missing you all at home....Alex

Training Officially Over...

So I have made it through my 3 weeks Boot Camp.  A very intense 3 weeks...And now the wait is on.  Six of our group got their details yesterday so they will be leaving the folds of the YMCA in the next couple of days to start their contracts.  Very exciting but a little sad that our group is breaking up.  I have made some awesome friends while here - has been a bit like the Big Brother house in that I am with these guys day and night and have formed some close bonds in a short period of time.  So next week there will be 8 of us making our way to the Academy every day for retail training.  Hopefully more of us will be leaving by the end of next week - even better if it is me...

Anyway I'm going to enjoy my first weekend off in 3 weeks and go have a shower and wash my manky hair, head to the gym for a much needed workout and get ready for a night out with the rest of the group...A well-deserved night out might I add...

Alex

Training Almost Over...

Tomorrow is officially my last day of training. Although I may be here longer yet...Some of us are leaving on the weekend apparently - will find out tomorrow - the suspense is killing all of us I think. Will be exciting even if it's not me as it signals that my time is coming soon as the rest of fitness leave the folds of the YMCA...Have been lucky to train with an awesome group of people.

Have had an upset tummy today - I think my immune system is pretty trashed with not enough sleep, my usual clean diet non-existent over here and a severe lack of training...Hoping to get into a routine once onboard my ship.

Our trainer gave us the night off tonight so about to head off for a pint (I think that's the English way of saying it) - hopefully my tummy is up to it...

Alex

2 Weeks into Training...

It has been a while since I've posted anything. Not that I don't have anything to write about - quite the opposite in fact - more that I haven't had the time to do so. I am now 2 weeks into my training - has gone fast in some respects but also feels like I have been here forever. Have packed so much info into my brain in 2 weeks...who would have thought I could get that much in there in such a short period of time...

My favourite days to date have been yoga and pilates by far. The last 2 days of tai chi have been quite torturous however - I really hope my ship does not do tai chi as I think I would struggle to teach it. Just not my thing - way too slow - I need to MOVE!!!

Had a night out with the rest of the fitness group last night remembering to get home by our midnight curfew. Definitely needed a night out though - was a lot of fun just relaxing with a couple of drinks after 2 weeks straight of training with no days off. Our first day off is next Sunday - looking forward to that if I'm still here.

Hoping to be gone by then or at least get my details next week but who knows...it's a bit of a waiting game once you've finished your training...Hoping my wait is not long enough that I have to do tai chi again - I think it'll do my head in!!

Alex

Finally Here in London...

So I've made it here to London. Very weary at the moment after a super long flight. It's 1:15 pm and I know it's best to stay up til this evening but I'm thinking a nanna nap is the go for a couple of hours before dinner. I have tried my best to stay awake...but it is definitely getting the better of me. I have the fattest ankles right now - I don't think I've ever ballooned this much ever after a flight...Time to rest them I think...

Found my way to the YMCA in Watford very easily. Have 2 other room mates who are at the academy and 1 other spare bed in my room, which reception indicated would be full by the end of the week. I guess I will meet my room mates when they come back this arvo. Everyone seems to know I'm a Steiner - haven't figured out whether that's a good or bad thing yet. I have a curfew here - at my age - who would have thought hey?

Not really sure it has quite sunk in yet - Maybe Monday when I start my training...Hoping to catch up with Julia tomorrow.

Alex

Last Post from Oz...

So, this is really happening now...I leave in less than 2 days. Still got stuff to tick off the list and am afraid to say that I will be leaving stuff for Mum to tick off the list like address changes. Sorry Mum.

Starting to learn my 24 products that I need to sell onboard - ingredients, benefits, when to use them. There's quite a few different types of algae in body products...who knew?

My detox presentation is almost ready to go...I am not looking forward to the additional 5 seminars I have to write, learn and present on the 2nd and 3rd day of my training - I kid you not. I foresee some late nights in London the first week.

Thank you to everyone who came to my last classes over the last week - I only have 2 more to teach now. It was great to see you all before I left. Keep stepping and pumping!!

Packing cont...

Progress is being made...slowly...

Picked up some more last minute bits and pieces today. Still have a few things to sort out though...It feels like it's neverending right now...but I know the end is looming closer every day...

Looking forward to sitting in on another yoga class this afternoon - have surprisingly being really enjoying yoga and have noticed some improvements in my flexibility (although there's plenty more to go). I've even been doing it in my sleep (and I also slept through the meditation in Monday night's class so works both ways). Looking forward to learning how to instruct yoga when I get to London. Pilates is take or leave it at the moment - maybe it'll be better when I get over there and spin - well it just hurts!! Learning to instruct all 3 will push me in different ways...

Saying goodbye to my class participants has been hard this week. I have some awesome regulars who have supported me since I first started instructing. I certainly wasn't expecting the feedback and little pressies and flowers this week. I will miss you all!! These are pics from my biggest class I have ever instructed - 150 at Carnivale at UQ Sport 2 weeks ago - so much fun!!!

I must also say a HUGE THANK YOU to my parents this week who have supported me through this chaotic time and are now buying my car to help me out. What would I (or Zooropa) do without you? I will miss you both while away...

Anyway, signing off for now...

Alex

Packing has commenced...

Quick update before I rush off to say goodbye to my Tuesday night steppers...

Packing has officially commenced. I must say I am not enjoying this part of the process at all. Very difficult to condense your stuff to a mere 20 kg!! I have a new appreciation for all of my friends who have done this...Not easy!!

Have had a successful couple of days getting things ticked off my list - the 4 pages I wrote on the weekend is over half completed - I like ticking boxes!!

The last really big ticket item is selling my car...Nobody seems to want my baby :( - I'm sure it'll work out somehow...

So here we go...

I have absolutely no idea about blogging. I have only discovered the world of Facebook. But since I am about to be cut off from the world as I know it, this is the best I can do to keep in touch with the outside world while cruising the seven seas...

It is now under 2 weeks until I leave Australia for life's next adventure...Over the last 18 months I have been through a series of stepping stones to get me to this point. Deciding to follow my passion, health and fitness, was the first step (and the biggest step). The qualifications and experience just followed from there. So, here I am, about to work on a cruise ship as a fitness instructor.

No, I've never been on a cruise ship, have no idea what I'm in for, where I'll end up - but excited by the prospect...And no, I don't get sea sick!!