Where am I now?

Someone reminded me the other day that I hadn't posted for a while...So a quick update as to where my adventure has led me now...

I enjoyed my time on St Maarten...Managed to get myself back together somewhat while getting plenty of sun and R&R. However, I figured I wasn't ready to head home quite yet so decided to head to London to try my luck there...

So here I am...in London. Been here over 3 weeks now adapting to the cold. Managed to find myself a job very quickly (within a week) and now somewhere to live. So moving to the south of London this weekend and looking forward to sleeping in a real bed again after a month on the couch...But have been very grateful for the couch...

Anyway, will try to post some more random thoughts soon. I have forgotten how much time work takes up though...

Alex

Feeling Alive Again...

Been here just over 2 weeks now and feeling like I am almost back to my old self again...Who would've thought that a ship could drain me of all my energy and positive outlook on life?  I had no idea what I was heading into when I left home but it has been an incredible journey and I know I have come away from it with some amazing friends and valuable lessons...

Starting to feel like locals here on the island...Still take each day as it comes with next to no set plans., which is kinda nice.  Going back to normality will definitely be a struggle.  Most of the people who have left the ship have struggled with this and I am guessing I may do so also.  It will be 6 months since I left home soon...

Relaxing in St Maarten...

I arrived safely in St Maarten and enjoying waking up to natural light, no pressure to get to the spa for 12 hours of boredom for no pay, seeing the ocean every morning from my balcony...this list could go on for quite a while...

For those of you who don't know anything about St Maarten, it is a small island in the Caribbean where half of it is governed by the Dutch (where I am) and the other half by the French.  My preference is the Dutch side but have enjoyed my 2 outings across the border.  There is the most amazing French bakery that does the best sandwiches/baguettes...Mmm makes my mouth water just thinking about it...

This afternoon, Jamie and I are heading to the Boardwalk to take in some sunshine and live music later this evening...and I'm sure some dinner as well...

Will check in sometime soon for sure...

A sense of freedom...

Watching the Summit sail away as I sat on the beach, I felt a sense of freedom again...A sense of taking my life back...Although I must admit, there was a little sadness as well.  But the sadness is saying goodbye to friends more than anything else and I know I will see them on Sunday.  I look forward to watching the ship sail in to St Maarten as I sit in my villa...

Felt like a semi-normal person this arvo as I went to the movies for the first time in probably 6 months...I had no idea what was out, just bought a ticket to the first thing that was showing...Changeling...enjoyed the whole movie experience - oh and the flick...

Looking forward to a shower tonight where I can actually move around and not be practically standing in the toilet.  Oh and the king size bed in my room is looking very inviting I must say...I cannot believe how exciting the small stuff is...

Anyway better go have a shower - 2 posts in a day...but I do have more time on my hands now...and internet's free here too...

I have left the Summit!!

What an adventure it has been...but it has come to an end.  I resigned on Tuesday night and here I sit in Aruba enjoying free wifi in my hotel room.  The whole experience seems quite surreal.  Not quite the experience I anticipated having when I left home nearly 5 months ago - but I know I will take something away from it all...

I am flying to St Maarten tomorrow and having a 6 week break before I fly home on 12 March.  Dad, I will arrive home on your birthday!!  One of the girls in the spa is resigning tomorrow and joining me for the break.  I need to get my head (and my body) back together again before I attack Brissie again...

I knew on Monday that it wasn't worth it anymore when I ended up in the ship hospital for half a day with a killer migraine (which I know are brought on by stress) and injected with blood thinners to get me back to normal.  And then my manager queried where I'd been and why wasn't I teaching my classes...My health is so not worth it...

The fitness I was recruited with in Brissie leaves his ship tomorrow for similar reasons - so we're starting to drop...If anyone is interested in working on a cruise ship as a fitness instructor, be prepared to make a living out of sales not fitness...

However, I know I will arrive home bounding with energy ready to go for 2009....I just need to determine my plan of attack...

Talk soon...Alex

I'm starving - need to source food - so used to walking down to the mess to eat something unrecognisable - not sure I remember what it's like to eat normally again...I'm looking forward to rediscovering...

Over a Month in the Caribbean Now...

A long time since I last posted and I must say a lot has happened onboard the Summit.  Where shall I start?

Christmas was crap - worked 12 hours for no financial return and our manager didn't even have the decency to give us a couple of hours off for lunch.  She on the other hand took 4 hours off for herself, which was really nice.  Not even a special Christmas dinner in the mess for crew - same old shitty food served.  So...a Christmas I wont forget but want to put behind me...

New Year's Eve was fun on the other hand.  Drank far too much but had an awesome night in Revelations (the nightclub onboard).  It is a guest nightclub but it was full off crew.  New Year's Day - worked another 12 hours - if you call it that - as I sat behind my desk for most of the day trying to recover from the night before.  A very tough day...

My birthday started by finishing working an 18 hour shift (I kid you not) - moving stock around for inventory.  No fun.  Then birthday drinks in the crew bar.  Worked my birthday - first time for everything - and finished with boat drill and a cake in the staff bar - thanks girls.

Have had a week of sickness in there as well - spent a couple of days holed up in my cabin like a vampire with no light.  A great way to recuperate...Not!!  Oh and did I mention that I had to use one of my days off as a sick day cause the doctor wanted to send me back to work with a bloody temperature...Crazy...

Had heaps of problems onboard with our manager - been doing some crazy tasks - like shifting 1.5 tonnes of clay from Deck 12 to Deck 1 with no safety gear in the middle of the day.  Fun stuff!!

Have had another girl go home after only 4 months of her contract and my roommate has been transferred so things always changing.  My group of girls that I spend most of my time with has rapidly dwindled since I got here and am thinking of joining the masses and abandoning ship also.  I am questioning whether the financial return is worth the sacrifice of being here.  The long hours, the never-ending moans and complaints from guests, the free classes I have to teach (which I think devalues what I do), and now not even getting a day off (punishment for not hitting our targets - and I thought not making money was punishment enough but apparently not)...

We go into dry dock in just over 2 weeks time, which means no guests and the boat gets repaired - apparently a lot of shit to fix.  Apparently we are required to go to work for training - hopefully not a 12 hour shift as we are only earning $12 a day - so $1 an hour if that is the case...Although that's better than some days - I can sit up there all day for absolutely nothing...I am going to get through dry dock and see what happens - I also get a new fitness to play with next week as Don leaves me at the end of this week...

Am struggling to stay positive at the moment but doing my best to have a laugh with the girls - the few that are left.  Looking forward to lunch at Subway today (am off til 3pm) - that's about as good as it gets at the moment...

Miss you all at home and you may be seeing me sooner than we all expected...

Love Alex

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