Where's Waldo...oh..Where's Heather?

Life on the ship..

So, I wasn’t really prepared for what life on the ship would be like. I guess I thought it would be all fun and games, but sure enough I was wrong. (haha). My first two days was getting familiar with the ship. Which way I have to go in order to get to work, my emergency station, my cabin, and of course how to get off the ship. Sounds funny but it’s true. You could get lost for days on this ship if you don’t know where you’re going. I know a little overexaggeration never hurt anybody though. No seriously, it seems like a really big ship but I picked up the whole direction thing pretty quickly.

So on my first day I got to see my room or cabin as they say on the ship. Very tiny. Thank God that I only have one roommate. All spa room together in the same hallway. The other crew on board share with up to 3-4 other crew from different departments. You’ll be able to see the pictures on what the cabins look like. Cabins have a bunkbed and what we like to call the “Princess bed”. Only because it’s just a standard twin without another bed on top of it. You will be so comfortable sleeping on that thing because you don’t hit your head on the way in or out of the bed. As well as three tall closets, desk with tv and dvd player, and mini fridge. The bathroom is uber small! You can sit on the toilet, touch the sink and the know to the shower all at the same time. When you dry off you pretty much have to semi-straddle the toilet. No joke. Because i work in the spa we have someone come in and clean our cabins for us. Granted we do have to take care of our own stuff, but the vaccuum, bring us clean towels, get rid of the dirty towels, make our beds and change the sheets if you are using the ship’s sheets. Yeah, I know so luxurious, just remember you need to tip your stewardess. It’s ridiculous that they are cleaning up your crap and you aren’t being thankful by tipping them.

Enough of the cabins, life on ship as crew. Let me tell you that it’s not all fun and games. There are so many rules you will come to find that your parents weren’t so strict growing up. Step on the ship it’s a whole new world. You can’t do a lot of things. I’m not going to list them because I’ll be here for days, but I will tell you what you are allowed to do. You can smoke on the ship in designated areas, you can bring food into your cabin as long as it comes from the grocery store in a package that hasn’t been opened, you can mingle with the guests during work hours only, you can eat at the restaraunts on the ship when you get permission, and you can where whatever you want only when you are leaving the ship. Yes, that does include your sandals and tank-tops! That covers everything that you CAN do. (haha).

We do have a crew mess. It’s open during certain hours, usually during those hours I am working. I don’t eat there much. The only time I eat on the ship is during my PAX access (permission to eat at the restaraunts on the ship). I usually head to the buffet on Tuesdays, baked potato Tuesdays, and Wednesday, no special reason for that day. The reason those 2 days is because we are sialing during those times and I can’t get off the ship to go eat. Crew mess isn’t so bad on some days, but most of the time I’d rather make a sandwich in my cabin or heat up some soup out of a can.

What else could I possibly say about ship life. It’s hard, it’s long hours, and you eat, sleep, bathe, breathe, work, and associate with the same people day in and day out. It’s crazy. I keep telling my friends, if you like the military and would like to know one day what’s it’s like to be in prison..SHIP LIFE IS FOR YOU! To be really honest, it’s a lot to deal with but you make good money and you always have clients day in and day out. Sometimes it’s slow depending on what season but most of the time you are working your ass off to get paid.

I hope that this helps you in figuring things out if ship life is for you. Remember that if you’re not too sure do it anyway see for yourself, don’t live through me. My experience may be different from yours. Never let someone else’s opinion keep you from doing what you want to do. I’m just here to give you facts and a little input of my experience. If you think my experience are a joke to you..GREAT! That means you’ll make it out here on the ocean. Remember this is a 9 month contract and you get no breaks until that contract is over. No family, no friends, no boyfriend/girlfriend, just you and the 900+ crew on this ship trying to make a living in the world. Go HARD or Go HOME!

Goodbye Bay Area, Hello Hawaii!

Tonight is my last night in the Bay until September. I have serious mixed feelings. I have been crying over the past couple of hours, not because I’m afraid or nervous about my job and training, but because I’m going to be alone in Hawaii. No one to share my experiences with me or to give hugs. I’m just homesick and I haven’t even left yet. I’m really going to miss the Bay. All of my friends and family, over the years I’ve come to know who is there for me and who will always be there for me no matter what. I’m really going to miss everyone. I wish I could take all of you with me, but it’s not possible and life goes on. I know I will get used to being alone sooner or later so I shouldn’t worry.

I had such a great Holiday. My last Holiday in a long time, it was thee best ever! Seeing most of all my huge family. Spending lots of time with them, Black Friday shopping, movies, Turkey, all smiles and laughs. Lots and lots of hugs and kisses and most of lots of Love. I really enjoyed everyone who came to see me Last weekend at my party and have enjoyed spending some one on one with those who came to visit me during the week. I feel really blessed and truly loved. Thank you to all of you for all the love and support.

I will keep you all posted on my life out at sea. I’m not that far away so if you have the cash and in need of a vacation from every day life, Pride of America Hawaii is my ship. Come visit me! I would love to see a familiar face while I’m out there. It would fully make my entire lifetime! I’ll miss you all. I hope you all enjoy my blog. Please leave me comments, especially if you want to know anything about life on the ship.

Love you all!

Heather

Off I go!

I just got word today that I will be leaving the Bay Area on November 29th. I’m a bit overwhelmed with the fact that I have 2 weeks to buy and pack everything for my new lifestyle. I’m looking forward to meeting my new roomie Maggie. She seems like a cool chick in email. I’m looking forward to spending some time in Hawaii and getting away from the cold climate for awhile. I’m freezing my ass off!

I’m going to miss all of my family, friends, and my boyfriend! I really am. The whole reason for doing this job and doing this job this way is for my family and my own future. I love you all very much! You are my support, my rock to lean on and it’s going to be really hard not being able to see you whenever I want. Okay, this blog is for all of you! I will learn how to do this crap and post if not daily, weekly how I’m doing, what I’m doing, and how much I miss all of you. I will post pictures of where I am, what I’ve seen, and how I’m living. I hope this helps everyone while I’m gone. This and facebook will be my link to all of you.

I love you all and I hope you can follow along with me.