New Zealand

Hello everyone,

I have had a GREAT time in New Zealand…what a wonderful place.  I never thought of ever visiting New Zealand but what a great place…I highly recommend it!!! Here is what happened for the first part of this cruise:

Sunday, February 13th once again…we spent it At Sea….I am starting to think that I'm becoming a pro at this whole…at sea thing. Once again, had the normal duties that we have on the sea days…trying to find things to do, so that I'm not bored out of my mind. One of the guests asked me if I knew how to play Chess and I didn't know how but thought, why not learn something new. Come to find out that its actually a very interesting game and makes your really think about each and every move that you make. I guess that I got pretty good at it because our fourth game that we played…I won…YEAH!!! At least I have found something new now that will pass the time on the boring sea days.

Monday, February 14th we were in Wellington, New Zealand. I felt bad for Lesley because she was on IPM and couldn't get off the ship. Also, it was Valentines Day and I wasn't going to be the third wheel with all the other couples in the cast…so I headed out into Wellington alone (missing those back home in the states that I love very very much). Took the shuttle bus into town and enjoyed just walking around….getting lost in the city. First, I walked into the towns shopping center that is right in the middle of the busy downtown area. I walked into the shops and made my way to a Borders books and browsed. After a little while I became hungry so I started to look for a place to eat. I found a Subway and I thought…why not have a healthy lunch, my stomach had been acting up and I thought that it would be good for me to eat there. Again, I was a little questionable withe Ranch sauce that they put on my sandwich but it was TONS better than the sandwich in Barcelona…gosh. After my very nice lunch, I decided to just get lost in the city…to walk around and just roam the city. Its a great feeling to just walk among the people of the city…seeing them work, enjoying a coffee at the cafe in the city, seeing kids play on the playground…all of this surrounding me, while I'm halfway around the world from my home. Its cool just to be 'there'….to experience that part of life (probably doesn't make sense, but it makes sense to me…haha). Instead of worry about all the problems in the world, the crap that we have / or think that we have to face in our lives…the busy busy busy schedule that we MUST lead….sometimes people forget to slow down…take a deep breath and take a look around you…to enjoy…LIFE. Well, while getting lost in Wellington and enjoying life…it started to rain…I loved that…haha. I rain into the closest place that was next to me and you guessed it….McDonalds…(truly taking over the world). This McDonalds actually had some free wifi, so I was in luck. I got a chance to talk to some friends and also my lovely Mom…what a great Valentines Day present. After a while, I decided to get up and get some Hot Chocolate…so I walked around the corner to a little cafe that I spotted on my adventure in the city. I had a great cup of hot chocolate while I watched the people walk around the city. By the time I was done with my hot chocolate…it was time to get the shuttle bus back to the ship…what a wonderful day that I had to myself in beautiful Wellington, New Zealand.

Tuesday, February 15th we were in Lyttleton (the port city for Christchurch) New Zealand. Unfortunately, I was on IPM this day and couldn't get off the ship. No one came to my duties…so I had a lovely day of just relaxing on the ship. Had a wonderful lunch up on the pool deck and I just enjoyed the pretty, sunny weather. The mountain line that surrounded this port was just breathtaking….very very beautiful. Once it was time for us to pull away from the dock…the whole gang came back and said that they were going to play some games up on the crew deck (apparently, they had a REALLY good time off the ship…haha). We went to steal a board game from the card room on deck 9 (another James Bond mission completed by yours truly) and we played the game 'Sorry' up on the top deck.  Do you remember that game? I use to love playing that game when I was younger so it was fun to relive that part of my childhood…in the middle of the sea…haha. After a little bit of time…the ship was out in the middle of the sea…surrounded by mountains on both sides…just stunning. Also, we had a whole group of Dolphins following the ship….as we headed out into the deep sea…with a wonderful sunset behind us…what a great sail away. 

Wednesday, February 16th we were in Port Chalmers (Dunedin) New Zealand. Again, I ventured out into the city alone…Lesley wasn't feel very good so I was trying to find some free wifi to Skype with my madre…haha. Once we made the 20 min. bus ride into the city…I thought that it was best that I find something to eat…so I walked down the long road with all these shops and restaurants. This place reminded me of a bigger, more populated Key West…it was nice. I made my way to a mall (I don't know why I have the skill of finding the malls…but I do apparently) and found the food court. For some reason for a while, I had a craving for Burger King (don't ask) and luckily this place had one. After my very healthy and nutritious meal, I made my way up to the street level again…on my mission to find some free wifi. To my shock (haha) there was a McDonalds on the road and I remembered my other day with the free wifi in there…and luckily they had some. I set up my computer and was reading e-mails and such…nothing to important. Once it was time to start my Skype time with my mom…I come to find out that this wifi wasn't strong enough to do Skype…GREAT. So I rushed out of McDonalds (thanks for nothing) and made my way up the street to a place that I thought would have internet. Walked into the place and said, "Do you have any wifi?" A Japanese woman said, "Yes, sit down at a computer" "No, no…do you have WIFI..for a laptop?" "No, you have to go to the other store down the street….go there…go there quick". Ummmmm….confuse me? First off….why do you have a separate place in town for a laptop wifi place, compared to your quite large computer shop that I'm standing in. Second, why must I go there quick? Do you know something that I don't? Should I be nervous? ANYWAY…I remembered that I saw another place when I was walking down the street earlier, so I thought that I would try my luck there. I have NO idea what this place was…a bank, a wifi place…I have no idea but the people were very nice and let me use their free wifi. I had a great time talking with my mom…I needed a good talk with her…I miss her very much. After a long conversation, it was time for me to go…because my computer was about to die…haha. I made my way over to the Starbucks that was across the street to get…you guessed it….Hot Chocolate (I'm such a big kid…haha). Walking back to the shuttle bus point…I made myself just walk around the city again…just to get a feel of the city…it was very nice. When I got back to the ship…I wanted to make sure that Lesley was okay…but she was no where to be found. I searched the entire ship to come to find out that she had left the ship; walking to come find me in Dunedin (some 25 mins away on a bus….whoops). I walked up this little port city…which reminded me of an old western deserted town…was funny…to a grocery store to get some snacks and food. Did my shopping and when I was leaving…guess who I saw, walking towards me…LESLEY. I asked her where she had been and she said that she had walked for a good 45 mins trying to get to Dunedin…but thought, HELL…I'm not walking this crap anymore and turned around. We went into the store for her to do some shopping and then we made our way back to the ship and had a great time for the rest of the night….watching the Apprentice UK…It is such a good and addicting show.

Thursday, February 17th we were in Stewart Island, New Zealand. The whole gang got off this day…to find that it was not a big, populated area. We had to walk up a STEEP hill to get to the other side. When we got there, there was a lot of fog around the town / marina and it reminded me of a shot from Sleepy Hollow or Dawson's Creek (yes, I know…two very different and random titles to say…but I couldn't choose which one it looked more like….so I said them both…haha). When I said that this place had ONE street, ONE department store and ONE hotel…I'm not joking. There was NOTHING to do….so we just walked around for a little while. We were all REALLY hungry, so we wanted to find somewhere to eat and FAST. Finally, we decided to go to the hotel, since that would probably be our best bet. Once we walked the 5 feet to the hotel, we found out that they had a limited menu and were only serving seafood (GREAT…ehhh). We all decided that we would come back to the hotel after we went to another little cafe to play pool later. I went to the cafe and everyone else went to a fish and chips stop that they saw coming into the town. I met them and we had a great meal outside…right next to a stupid bee hive….not a fun meal. Once we ran away, screaming from our lunches…we made our way back to the hotel and played pool for a long time. It was so strange to see that the pool table balls were much smaller than what we have in America. Everyone told me that they are that size and Cody and myself thought that they were joking. I guess that the American way to play pool is a lot different than the rest of the world. Learned a new pool game from Greg and then we all decided to go back to the ship, we had enough of playing pool. Before we left though, we wanted to go play on a playground that we saw before we made our way to the hotel. I made the comment when we were playing on it that…wouldn't it suck if we broke the only playground that these poor kids on this island have….haha….whoops. Luckily, we didn't break it and had a good laugh all going down the slides…what big kids we all are. On the way back to the port, I remembered seeing this sign for a place called 'Observation Rock' and I thought that it would be cool to go see the view (we were surrounded by some beautiful mountain tops on this day). Once we made it up the steep, STEEP hill we had a ABSOLUTELY stunning view…just breathtaking….it was defiantly worth the trip up the hill. Just standing there, made me appreciate what crazy opportunity that I'm experiencing and how I really don't have much time left on the ship. What a great way to end a wonderfully calm and peaceful day on Stewart Island and a wonderful way to say goodbye to New Zealand. 

Friday, February 18th we sailed through the Milford Sound and what an absolutely beautiful place that is. It is incredible what all the world can offer to us if we really take the time to appreciate it. Just a beautiful mountain landscape with stunning waterfalls and glacier formed rocks everywhere. It was too bad that the weather was so crappy but still, that didn't take away from the beauty that this true wonder of the world had. After we sailed in the Milford Sound for about an hour or hour and a half…it was out to sea for 3 long and CRAZY sea days ahead of us….more to come in the next blog.

The rest of our itinerary includes: At Sea on Feb. 19 and 20th / Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on Feb. 21st / At Sea on Feb. 22nd / Kingscote, Kangaroo Island, Australia on Feb. 23rd / Adelaide, Australia on Feb. 24th / At Sea on Feb. 25th / Geelong, Australia and Melbourne, Australia on Feb. 26th / Melbourne, Australia (second day) on Feb. 27th / At Sea on Feb. 28th and ending our cruise in one of the places I've waiting my entire life to go to…the wonderful city of Sydney, Australia on March 1st and 2nd. 

I will write about my Australian adventures soon….I can't believe that I'm finally here…a dream come true…I'll tell you that.

Until Next Time,

Jason

French Polynesia...stingray, sharks and sea days....OH MY!!!

Hello everyone,

Well, TONS has happened since my last blog…its been a good cruise from Papeete, Tahiti to Auckland, New Zealand. 

Here's what has happened:

Wednesday, February 2nd we were in Raiatea, French Polynesia but unfortunately for everyone else…they couldn't get off the ship due to the swell of the ocean. I walked upstairs on top deck to get a few pictures of the place before we left and I swear…the winds we blowing so hard that if I was holding on to the ship…it would have blown me over. It was very pretty there though….just a shame no one could get off the ship, so we had a impromptu sea day…wonderful…haha. Had another normal day of the duties of IPM and sea days…I'm getting really, really sick of these sea days.

Thursday, February 3rd we were in Bora Bora, French Polynesia and this day had to be one of my FAVORITE since my contract started. It was INCREDIBLE. We started off by driving around the coast (which is just beautiful) going to a bar called "Bloody Mary's" which is a very nice and famous restaurant because Hollywood Actors come there to eat when they come to visit Bora Bora. It was so cool inside because the floors were sand and you could walk around with your shoes off…so cool. We had a great meal and just enjoying our time off the ship. Lesley and I had scheduled to do a crew excursion to swim with stingray and sharks so we had to get back to the port quickly after lunch. Our taxi lady didn't come back when she said she would and we were both really nervous…that they weren't going to wait for us. Luckily another taxi showed up and we finally got back to the port. Everyone was there and hadn't left yet (thank the lord). We all got onto the ship that was taking us out to the place that we would be snorkeling with the stingrays first. Now, when you imagine paradise…with CLEAR blue seas….this is it. The water was SO clear…I would consider it bath water…it was just so clear. Once we got to the coral reef, about 10 stingrays showed up and the guide said, "Alright…get in". I sat there and thought….ummmm, you first buddy…haha. He also told us that we should be careful around them because they don't bite but they suck. He said to us, "Guys, you have to watch your chest and bananas with these stingrays….watch for sucky-sucky." I was just laughing so hard….could you just imagine the stories that man has with these stingrays? Anyway, getting into the water, surrounded by stingrays…was a little strange and takes a bit to get use to. The coral reef was absolutely BEAUTIFUL with all these colorful fish swimming right next to you..it was the coolest thing I've done. At one moment, I got the courage up to take a picture with one of the stingrays…cause when would I have this chance again…so I started petting the top of it and Lesley snapped the picture. They are so soft and squishy…not what I would expect they would feel like. Well, apparently this stingray got excited or didn't like me because it was so strong it started to push me over….and then swam away…gosh, scared the crap out of me. I thought for a second that it was trying to give me a hickey on my chest….good lord. After Lesley and I took some pictures and videos underwater…we were all asked to get back on the ship to go to where the sharks were…so we could swim with them. On our way there…we were given so fruits to snack on and I had one of the smallest bananas that I have ever seen…it was so strange…but still good. Once we got to the area where the sharks were….thats when the butterflies came out. They threw bait into the water and all of a sudden about 20 sharks showed up and that freaked out everyone. Again, the captain of the ship said, "Jump on in" and we all just laughed. Eventually, Lesley and I made our way into the water and that just freaked me out…I have NEVER thought that I would be swimming around with sharks. They would come close to you but wouldn't get too close…they were more scared of us, then us of them. It was very surreal watching them swimming around us and thinking of where I was (Bora Bora) and how many chances people can say they have done this. Was a WONDERFUL experience. After we all got back onto the ship…they brought us back to the port where Lesley and I went for a quick bite to eat and went shopping for some souvenirs. What a WONDERFUL day in Bora Bora, French Polynesia….

For the next 5 days, Friday February 4th - Wednesday February 9th (with us losing Feb. 8th to the International Dateline) we were at sea again. We weren't able to go to the Cook Islands on the 5th…due to the cyclone that was off our port side…the wind and swell was just too big….so we were going to add another New Zealand port on the 10th. This is our last LONG crossing we have for a while. The normal duties were done over the next 5 days and it was so strange to cross the dateline…trying to wrap the mind around the fact that you lost a day of your life just traveling on a ship…just strange. I also thought that it was strange that of all the days that I could have lost…it had to be the day that my dad would have been turning 50….was just strange. This crossing wasn't as bad as the others but I will say…I am getting sick of these long crossing….it gets overwhelming. 

Thursday, February 10th we were in the port that was added to the itinerary due to the loss of the Cook Island port…Tauronga, New Zealand. We all got off the ship as early as we could…so we could enjoy our day in our first New Zealand port. We all walked down the main street that everyone told us to go to…looking for some great food and some internet. Lesley, Jodie, Jen, Adam and I went to this place called "Med on the Mount". It has the freshest food and bread that I've tasted. I had a wood burned pizza and wow…what an incredible lunch. We all got up and walked down to the internet cafe and all took advantage of that. Lesley and I uploaded most of the pictures that we needed to upload (just for you, Mom). Afterwards, Lesley and I walked down the street, went into a few shops and then made our way to the ship for back on board. We both didn't want to get back to the ship…we hated the fact that we couldn't spend more time off the ship…always having to be back at a certain time…just gets a little tiring. 

Friday, February 11th (4 months left) we were in Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It was a beautiful and homey town that we spent the day in. We all got off and Lesley really wanted to have fish and chips…so we found a nice little cafe so she could have that meal. The lunch was really nice and we all just enjoyed the town. In the past two days with being in New Zealand, I have found that everything looks very new and everything is very clean. Its nice to be around that compared to some of the other islands and places that we have been to. Back to the day…after lunch, Lesley and I wanted to find another place where we could have some free internet and we found it. We spent about 2.5 hours talking to friends and family from back home. I got the chance to skype with my brother, sister-in-law and niece for about an hour. It was great talking with them and seeing my niece crawl around and try to type to me on the computer…haha. I can't wait to come and see her after my contract ends…which is exactly the day before Riley's first birthday. 

Saturday, February 12th we ended the cruise in Auckland, New Zealand for the next embarkation day. I had to work that day from 12:00 - 3:30 pm checking in everyone to get on the ship. I didn't feel very well this day…for the past couple of days…I have had really bad stomach pains. I hope that I can get over this soon. After doing my shift on embarkation day, I met Lesley outside where I went to meet her sister (which she hasn't seen in about a year). I went to Lauren's wonderful apartment and had a great time talking with her and getting to know her. After a little while, we decided to go down to the port and have a good lunch. We sat there and had a great time…I felt bad for Lesley that she had to leave her sister so soon…that she didn't get to have more time with her…I understood what she was feeling. 

We are now currently on our next cruise and here is the itinerary for the first part of the cruise: At Sea on Feb. 13th / Wellington, New Zealand on Feb.14th / Christchurch, New Zealand on Feb. 15th / Port Chalmers, New Zealand on Feb. 16th / Stewart Island, New Zealand on Feb. 17th / Cruising Milford Sound and Doubtful Fiord, New Zealand on Feb. 18th. 

I'll write a blog about the first half of this cruise and another blog for the Australian part of the cruise. I can't wait to get to Australia…something that is extremely close to my mom, brother and myself. I hope that everyone is having a great February thus far and I'll update soon.

Until Next Time,

Jason

And the World Cruise begins...

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone has had a wonderful end of January….I have certainly enjoyed mine. 

Here's what has happened since the last time:

Friday, January 21 - Wednesday, January 26th we were at sea…crossing the Pacific. It was the MOST boring time I have had on this ship in 5 months….I can't explain the boredom. The weather was crap so we couldn't go up on the top deck to just enjoy the sun to make the days go faster. The guests were a little older on this crossing (again) so they weren't out for us to go talk to…they sat in their cabins. All in all, it was the most BOR-RING time I've ever experienced…ehhhh.

Thursday, January 27th FINALLY on land in Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands. It was a cute and very quite town. We got off in the morning, even though being told that the town had NOTHING to do…that was okay…just to be off the ship and touching land…was enough for me. Once we got off the tender, their were the town natives in their costumes and singing songs….and they offered coconut juice and I tried it (and that will be the last….tasted like old medicine). Adam, Cody, Emily, Lesley and I all walked the beach down to the center of town. We were told that we should go check out this church….apparently it was very pretty. So we wondered over there and it actually was very pretty. The entire church was made out of wood carvings….so cool. We sat there for a while, just enjoying our time off the ship and talked for a while. It was funny…on our way back, we kept seeing guests and they would stop and be like, "Hey guys…..how are you?" and all of us would be like, "Fine….thanks" (and think to ourselves….you never once talked to us on the ship…you ignored us…haha) We got back on the ship and enjoyed the night…refreshed from touching the earth…haha.

Friday, January 28th we were suppose to be in Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands but the swell was SO big that they couldn't operate the tender service. The waves were really strong and high with the winds gusting up to 50mph….so needless to say…we had ANOTHER sea day. Which pissed me off to be quite honest because the next day…we were suppose to be at sea as well and you guessed it…we were. So Saturday, January 29th we were at sea AGAIN. Now, it doesn't seem like a big deal and everything that we are at sea…because we just sit in our rooms and watch tv…but the bad thing was….the internet wasn't working very well and the tv's were going in and out with signal….so we REALLY had nothing to do. We all were getting pretty tired of being on the ship…it really takes a lot out of you to be on the ship for that long….trust me…haha.

Sunday, January 30th we are in Rangiroa, French Polynesia….one of the prettiest places that I've been to. I had an early duty this morning…so I couldn't get off the ship early like I wanted to. I sat there (at shuffleboard…woo) waiting for guests to arrive….looking at the BEAUTIFUL beaches that I thought the cast were at. This man come up from behind me and scares the crap out of me saying, "Shuffleboard" to me…haha. I was like…"sure…haha". We played a few rounds and he asked me if I had been off yet and I said, "no but I will after we finish the game…no rush…haha" (I'm very happy to report…he took it well…haha) After the game, I ran to my room to get off the ship. Once I tendered to the island…the whole cast were waiting for me at a little cafe to walk to the beach together…they are great!!! Walking to the beach…thats when it hit me of how absolutely beautiful it was there…just amazing. We all got in the water and enjoyed the clear blue water…just gorgeous and of course the weather….it was SO hot this day.  It was so cool….stingrays would be swimming around…not getting close to us but just swimming around the lagoon…it was so cool. We played with this red ball that Greg has (we have named it Susan….don't ask…haha). It was great passing the ball around and then looking around and going, "really…are we playing with Susan in this beautiful place….haha". It will defiantly be something that I never forget. After a while, it was time to go back onto the ship so we had to leave….on the way back…we saw a pig in a crate and it was so cute. It kept coming up to us and we took a few pictures with the pig. Today was a great day!!!

Monday, January 31 we started the day in Moorea, French Polynesia and ended the day in Papeete, Tahiti for an overnight. In the early morning….Lesley, Greg, Jodie, Adam and I, all off the ship to get to a beach…since we were staying half day here. Seeing the mountains around us and the beautiful views…it was BREATH TAKING. After we got to the port, we decided to take a taxi to a beach resort, not knowing what we were in for. Now, think of the word 'paradise' or a 'paradise vacation' and what that means….clear blue waters, white sand beaches, huts over the water….that is EXACTLY what I was experiencing. Once we got to the GORGEOUS resort, we headed right for the water….it was GREAT. Again, we played with Susan for a little while (haha) and I was really looking around thinking, "Am I really here?" After a little while, we got out of the water…I could feel myself getting buried…yes, ME…getting burnt. We sat around and I just really appreciated it….I thought that the Caribbean was pretty….but it doesn't even come CLOSE to this area of the world…just beautiful. Later, we all started to get hungry so we went and had a lovely lunch in the restaurant…surrounded by paradise. I had a great club sandwich…one of the best actually that I ever have had and just enjoyed the company I was with. After our lunch, we went and swam in the pool that the hotel had. It was one of the infinity pools…where it looks like its falling off a cliff…into the ocean. It was such a cool time….I can't really explain what it was like…it was all WAY to surreal. We made it back to the ship, just in time for us to leave for Tahiti and to have Spirito up on the pool deck. When we arrived in Tahiti, I made sure that I came outside to see the sunset….I was told that this place has the most beautiful sunsets and holy crap, they weren't kidding. It was the MOST beautiful sunset I have EVER seen in my life. I ran down to get a picture of it…it was SO gorgeous. I stood there in amazement that I was actually there in Tahiti seeing this beautiful sunset…it was just an amazing experience. Later that night, we had a great show of Spirito on the pool deck and wouldn't you know, 5 mins after we finished the show…it started raining. Someone up there was watching out for us….thanks!!! That night, we all decided to go off and have a great time. We had a big group of us and wanted to go to a bar and have some fun. Well, it was a Monday night and nothing was really open and it started to rain so we kinda were upset and didn't know what to do. We eventually decided to go to a bar that we saw in the distance, so we all ran in the rain to this bar….it was one of the funniest experiences. All of us screaming because of the downpour of the rain. I kept thinking of my brother and mom during this time and that great moment in Forest Gump when he was talking about the rain in Vietnam….well, Mom and Ryan…this was big ol' fat rain…haha. Finally, we got to the bar and had a great time all together and danced the night away…such a fun group of people.

Tuesday, February 1st once again, we are in Papeete, Tahiti for our first embarkation of the world cruise. I have 7 more cruise until I see my Mom and Nene….I'm so excited!!!!!! I had to work a 2 hour shift that day…standing there listening to Tahitian music…lets just say, it was getting a little annoying…but to entertain myself because there was NO ONE around…I started hula dancing….haha, it was funny and yes, I was that bored. After my Hula performance, I got off the ship and had a great lunch at a french cafe. I understood NOTHING that they said to me but I enjoyed the food. Afterwards, I walked around…enjoying the day to myself. I was trying to find something to buy…to remember the place but there wasn't anything that appealed to me…so I didn't. After a while, I sat in a beautiful park…over looking the marina…just enjoying the day….it was a great, peaceful day.

We are now on to our next cruise and here is the itinerary: Raiatea, French Polynesia on Feb. 2nd (IPM) / Bora Bora, French Polynesia on Feb. 3rd / At Sea on Feb. 4th / Rarotonga, Cook Islands on Feb. 5th / At Sea Feb. 6 - 10th (but I lose Feb. 8th (my dad's bday) crossing the International Dateline) / Bay of Islands, New Zealand on Feb. 11th and ending this cruise in Auckland, New Zealand on February 12th. 

I hope that everyones 2011 has been a great one thus far and here is something that a guest said to me while he was leaving this last cruise, I liked it…"I wish you health, love, money and time to spend all of them"

Until Next Time,

Jason

Panama Canal Cruise part 2

Hello everyone,

I hope that you have had a great week since the last time. The LONGEST CRUISE…EVER is almost complete and I can't wait to start the next one. 

Well, here is what happened since the last blog:

Tuesday, January 11th we were at sea with the normal duties and movie watching. I actually got to watch the new movies "Easy A" and "The Social Network" which both were very good….I love the fact that we get new movies…so I can stay up on them but more importantly not have to pay the movie to see them in the movie theatre…haha. Today marks a very special day for the cast….it is our half way mark for our contract. I have 5 more months left from this day…a strange thing to say…cause I can remember someone saying, "We have 8 more months" and me thinking that I'd never get to this place. This next 5 months are going to be CRAZY!!!

Wednesday, January 12th we were in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala but OF COURSE…I was on IPM.  I went out for my duty of table tennis and I looked outside and took some pictures. It was SO windy here…I couldn't believe it. Of course, people come to play table tennis on the day that its SO windy and I have to explain to them, its too busy…haha. Oh well…..Thursday, January 13th was another sea day of course. Again, another day of duties and just trying to find things to keep us busy. I feel like this is why this cruise is SO long due to the fact that we have a sea day in between every port day….ehhh, come on lets get to the end of the cruise….haha.

Friday, January 14th we are in Acapulco, Mexico (where are those killings just happened….makes me feel safe). Lesley and I got off as soon as we could to be overwhelmed with the taxi drivers who didn't understand the word, "NO". They would keep going, "Amigo…do you need a taxi"…haha. Then there were people trying to sell us stuff and the saddest is the little girls that would follow us trying to sell us packs of gum. I don't understand why parents want to put their children in that sort of situation..hmmm. Lesley and I eventually spotted a grocery store, so thats where we were heading. I couldn't believe the prices there because 12 pesos in equal to 1 american dollar….so you could say that we stocked up a little bit. It was funny because we were looking for beans because Lesley has got me hooked on Beans on toast (a VERY English meal) and I thought, "we are in Mexico…they have to have beans". Well, we search EVERYWHERE in that grocery store for these beans and couldn't find them. I kept thinking, you have to be kidding me…there aren't BEANS?????? Finally we found them and we stocked up….made both of us happy. After that we walked back to the ship, put our groceries back in our room and then headed out into the terminal to grab some free wifi and some lunch. The place that we went to didn't have the best food which was upsetting…I was looking forward to some great mexican food. Oh well….then we went into the terminal where I bought something that I needed to get and then back on the ship for sail away. Lesley told me that she was told that today would be the best day to see Dolphins so I went to watch the sail away where….we saw NO dolphins. Funny thing actually…I've been on the ship for 5 months and not seen ONE dolphin or whale….like really? I just find that very strange….all in all, had a good day.

Saturday, January 15th was…you guessed it….ANOTHER sea day. It actually was EXTREMELY rocky today…probably the worst that it has ever been. I actually thought at one point that the ship was going to go on its side. We were having 65 mph winds and the sea was just as bad. We weren't aloud to go up on the open deck because the wind was the strong. Also, the security came into our cabin and closed our port hole because the sea was hitting the side of the ship so hard…they were just trying to be safe. I didn't feel so great so I stayed in bed because I couldn't get down….was WAY too rocky.

Sunday, January 16th we are in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico….somewhere I have always wanted to go to. We got off the ship REALLY early since we were sailing away at 1:00 today (so stupid). When we got to the port, we were greeted by a sea lion in the water….which was really cool. We walked around the port trying to find a great place to get something to eat breakfast / lunch. Finally we found a place and everyone had a GREAT meal. I had a BLT sandwich and nachos…its was REALLY good. Afterwards everyone went their separate ways because we only had another hour left. I walked down the boardwalk and took some pictures of some great hotels and stuff in the area…this is defiantly a place I would like to vacation someday…it was a beautiful day. The sail away from Cabo was beautiful and guess what….WE FINALLY SAW WHALES AND DOLPHINS!!!!!!!! It was so cool spotting the whales and actually seeing them hit the water with their fins..it was awesome. Then we saw about 50 dolphin come by our ship…it was so cool. I just find it so funny that I thought only 2 days ago that I haven't seen anything in 5 months and then 2 days later….I see everything…weird.  Monday, January 17th…AGAIN..we were at sea again….there isn't really much to report from this day…just the normal duties and laying in bed trying to figure out the meaning of life….haha….just kidding. 

Tuesday, January 18th we were in SAN DIEGO, CA…..HOOORAY back in America. The morning, I had shuffleboard so I couldn't get off that early. I was on the phone talking to my Grandma and was not paying attention to things around me…when I looked up and the HUGE seagull is sitting on the railing in front of me….like, I'm talking about I could have stretched my arm out and touched the bird…thats how close he was to me. SCARED THE CRAP out of me….holy crap. Afterwards, I laughed and thought…my mom would have really got a kick out of that. After the seagull debacle, Adam (the DJ) and I went out to the shopping mall that the free shuttle bus was taking us, to be met by Lesley later in the day. We walked around this mall, went into the apple store and some others and I'm very proud of myself that I didn't buy a thing. For lunch/dinner, we went to the Applebees that was across the street and had a GREAT meal. I don't think that I have eaten that much food in quite some time but boy, was it good. Afterwards, we walked off our meals and finally met Lesley. We went to a few stores where she could get some stuff that she wanted to get and I got a pretzel….I always do that when I go to a mall. It wasn't like the ones I'm used to…but I'll live. That night, we had to do late socializing and we talked for the last time with our temporary grandparents that are on the ship…they really liked Lesley and I. It was a big group of 22 of them…and I gave them my email and I hope that they keep in touch. The sail away from San Diego was BEAUTIFUL…actually one of the prettiest that we have seen to be honest….a great day today.

Wednesday, January 19th and 20th we are finally in Los Angeles, CA….WOOOHOOO. Unfortunately, I had to work in the terminal for 3 hours…just standing there…being bored out of my mind. Finally, I was done and could go out into the city. Cody, Emily and I went to Ralph's (a grocery store). Lets just say I stocked up for quite sometime haha. Afterwards, we got a really great lunch at In-n-Out, a famous west coast burger joint and boy, was it good…wow. After we took back the groceries to the ship Greg, Jodie, Adam and I went to a mall that was close to the ship. We had a great time just walking around and not being on the ship…it was a fun time. After about 2 hours in the mall, we cam back to the ship and all decided to go out for the evening for a nice meal and night out…since we were overnight in LA. I found this place called Utopia in Long Beach and set reservations for Jodie, Greg, Jen, Cody, Emily and myself. We had a GREAT meal at this restaurant and then we decided to go out on the town and have a great time. Kieren, Ashley and Cheryl came to meet us and we all had a great time….what a wonderful overnight to finally end the longest cruise EVER!!! The 20th was the second embark day and I was on IPM so I had to work all day long. We finally left LA around 7:00pm and now we are at sea for 6 days going to the French Polynesia (Tahiti). THE WORLD CRUISE HAS STARTED!!!!

The next cruise's itinerary is: At Sea Friday, January 21 - Wednesday, January 26th / Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Island; Thursday the 27th / Atuona, Marquesas Island; Friday the 28th / At Sea; Saturday the 29th / Rangiroa, French Polynesia; Sunday the 30th / Moorea, French Polynesia; Monday the 31st and we end the first part of the world cruise in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia on the 1st of February.

Until Next Time,

Jason

Panama Canal cruise

Hello Everyone,

I hope that you have had a wonderful week. I have had quite an eventful one thus far…

Here's what has happened:

Monday, January 3rd was a great day personally for me and thats all I need to write about it. I will remember it very well and happy that I had such a wonderful day :-) Even though it was the last time that I would be in Fort Lauderdale…at least it was the best Fort Lauderdale embark day.

Tuesday, January 4th and Wednesday January 5th we were at sea on our way traveling to Cartagena, Colombia. Did our normal duties and meeting the guests. This cruise welcomes back our WONDERFUL cruise director Fernando…which the entire cast is SO happy that he is back. He is an incredible cruise director, to the fact that he remembers EVERY guest's name…I really don't know how he does it but makes the guests feel good…so job well done Fernando!!!! 

Thursday, January 6th we were in Cartagena, Colombia. I made sure that I was outside for our sail into Cartagena…I was told that it was pretty and I agree it was. While we were sailing into the port…I kept thinking, "wow, I'm actually in South America….thats so cool". I still can't get over all the places that I'm getting to see and all the things that I'm experiencing. I keep thinking that I'm just a kid from Dayton, OH and people normally don't get to see the world like this…its nuts…this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Lesley and I got off the ship as soon as we could…but we heard that we might have some trouble getting into the city…they charge over $50 to just get a taxi…NOT WORTH IT. So we decided to just stay around the port…we were told by another guy later that the moment that he made it into the city..he was ushered into a brothel, where he had his choice to buy a girl and some drugs….yeah, I'm fine with staying at the port…haha. Lesley and I walked around, played with the parrots that were there…(stupid little thing kept biting my fingers…and it hurts). Then we went to get something to eat and I laughed because the lady that was taking our orders couldn't speak English…so I spoke complete spanish to her and ordered Lesley and I's meal. Lesley looked at me and said, "Alright Jason…what was that?" I can't believe that I did it either but I understood her and she understood me…thank you Baldwin-Wallace College for making me take Spanish….comes in handy when you're in Spanish speaking countries. Speaking of knowing another language…I have come to find out that Americans are really behind the times with knowing another language or requiring schools to teach 2 languages in schools. Other countries require there kids to learn 2 or more languages due to the way the world is….you will always meet someone that speaks another language. I feel that sometimes Americans feel that they don't need to learn another language and I feel, some people from other countries feel that Americans are stuck up and/or sheltered….I'm starting to understand this better….I'm going to keep up with my spanish and my italian lessons…I think that its important. Anyways, after we had our meal, we sat and upload pictures onto Facebook (I really needed to…haven't for a while) and then went back onto the ship. I watched the sail away this evening and boy…how beautiful that was. Again, I think that is one of my favorite parts of this…the sail aways. It is always SO peaceful and gives me time to wrap my mind around everything that is happening and thank my lucky stars of how blest I am to be experiencing this but also that I have a job doing what I love to do….perform. What a great night….

Friday, January 7th we were in San Blas Islands, Panama…and boy, was that an eye opening experience. This specific island that we went to was tiny but housed a lot of people. Getting off the tender (with Lesley) we were surrounded by kids and them trying to sell us their art projects or coloring pages that they did. That tore me up but I kept walking because I just couldn't see that…it was sad. Walking by the wood made huts…people were just sitting outside their houses, trying to sell things to you but did it in a way that wasn't pushy…just there to show you what they had. I looked in and saw that they slept on hammocks inside their huts. Lesley and I were just stunned by what we were seeing. Made me feel very blest to have what I have and to not take things for granted, so for now on…I will not take things or people for granted…we all need to be more grateful in our life, I feel sometimes. Sometimes, we need to be grateful that we have our health and even if we don't have that, at least that we have each other and live the way we do. Heading back to the tender to get to the ship…I spotted this little boy that had drawn a picture of the Silver Spirit and painted it quite nicely…for a little kid. It just broke my heart because I'm sure that he was SO proud of his painting and he kept trying to sell his picture, just so he could take the money back to his family to survive. So I walked over to the little boy and said, "How much for your painting?" He put up 4 fingers very shyly and showed me his painting. Me, close to tears said, "here's a five buddy…thank you for the painting". I shook his hand and off he ran, like he had won the lottery. I was told by a very special and smart person in my life that I should buy things in these places that I'm going to that will have a story…something that you can't buy anywhere, so you can always remember that day, that time that you were there. I remembered this when I saw the little boy with the picture and I thought…I have to get this…this is going to make me remember my time on this island. Thinking about it (and actually Lesley said this to me)…I will probably keep this painting for the rest of my life. Yes, its a silly like painting that this little boy did but there is more behind this story than I can explain…just a sense of…humanity, if that makes any sense. Hmmm…makes you think, doesn't it?

Saturday, January 8th we went through the Panama Canal…and boy, how excited was I. Yes, did I make a big deal about it…I did, I'm not going to lie…but I kept explaining that it was something that I had studied in school a lot over the years and never thought that I would see it and then to actually get to go through it…was awesome. It has REALLY cool history too…over hundred years this was created and the fact that it was thought about that many years ago is just….amazing. So yes…it was a big deal…for me…THERE. I woke up that morning at 7:15am to be greeted up stairs by a lot of the passengers on board and RAIN….coming to find out that it would rain on and off ALL DAY LONG…oh well…didn't ruin my day. Also, I would be bitten by mosquitos all day as well. Funny story about the mosquitos actually….Lesley and I were up on the top deck one time during the day…just enjoy the views of the rainforest, the canal and such and all of a sudden she said, "Ouch…these stupid midges…they keep biting me". Now first off…I thought that she said, "Ouch…these stupid midgets…they keep bitting me" to which I stood there looking at her, dumb founded but also looking around trying to find these mysteries midgets that were biting her but not me apparently….haha. So I said, "excuse me…midgets are biting you?" "MIDGES Jason…thats what I call a mosquito…haha". Holy crap…I think that I was laughing for a good half hour after this….it was SO funny…one of those, had to be there moments. ANYWAY…throughout the entire day, I would go up to the top of the ship (still looking out for these hungry midgets…haha) to watch us go through the locks for a while and then go back down to the room for a while and then go to a duty and then back up top to watch again for a while. It was a lovely day…something that I never thought that I would experience…but I DID!!!! 

Sunday, January 9th we were at sea filled with the normal duties and movie watching…quite a boring cruise this is with the guests….they aren't out doing anything so it makes it seem like a longer day…just boring and Monday, January 10th we were in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Emily and I got in the morning and had a nice walk around the city. It was very odd because there wasn't anything to do there…it seemed to be run down on one block and then a nice building would pop up randomly…just strange. What really caught me off guard was the fact that I could feel my fingers and ankles swell because the heat was that strong that day. I kept thinking how stiff I felt and I didn't know why…and when I said something later to someone, they told me the reason. After Emily and I walked around for a few hours, we were bored and so we went back to the ship. Lesley, Emily, Cody and I had a lovely meal up on the pool deck and then we all went up to the sun deck and played cards / got some sun. It was a great day. The cast is actually getting quite bored because we have had a whole week off of doing shows…we don't know what to at night…haha. I think our next show is not until Saturday….HURRY UP SATURDAY!!!!

For the rest of the cruise, the itinerary is: At Sea on Tuesday / Puerto Quetzal on Wednesday / At Sea on Thursday / Acapulco, Mexico on Friday / At Sea on Saturday / Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on Sunday / At Sea on Monday / San Diego, CA on Tuesday and end our cruise next Wednesday in Los Angeles, CA…the start of the 119 day world cruise….isn't that nuts. We have about 170 guests that will be cruising with us the entire 119 days…wow. 

Until Next Time,

Jason

Happy New Year / Last Caribbean Cruise

Hello Everyone,

Well, since the last day that I wrote my blog, we had Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years….what a crazy cruise. 

Lets not waste anytime:

Tuesday, December 21st was a sea day…traveling to Grand Turk for our last visit there. Again on the sea days…nothing too exciting happens, just watching movies and resting and doing the occasional duty throughout the day. That night we had the show of Rocketman and the crowd seems to be responsive despite the crazy face lifts….oh well…its going to be an interesting cruise. 

Wednesday, December 22nd we arrived in Grand Turk and of course…I was on IPM. Gosh, I hate IPM days…they are so boring. However, I did clean my room and sat outside for a little bit to just enjoy the sun. At around 3pm, I went up to the pool deck to have some lunch (when we are in port, we can have lunch up on the pool deck as long as we socialize with the guests). Got a good meal that day which was nice but the one waiter that was suppose to wait on me wasn't the nicest…he was actually quite rude. He said to another waiter, "I don't serve staff members". So instead of telling me, he made me sit there and ignored me until I heard this comment…to which I moved but that really really pissed me off. 

Thursday, December 23rd once again we are at sea traveling to St. John's, Antigua for the last time. Again, another lazy day of watching movies, napping and duties. Lately, I have been feeling really tired and I don't know why….oh well. Tonight we had the show of Jazz and what a funny audience we had. In one of the numbers, Cody and I do "Me and my Shadow" and at the end we have a little dialogue back and forth where we include the audience in for a little bit. Well, I say to the audience, "would you like us to do the end again?" And normally they are really responsive and fun. This group…was another story. So I say to them, "Would you like us to do the end again?" and you would have thought we were at a golf tournament or something…GOLF CLAPS EVERYONE - DONT EVERYONE CHEER AT ONCE. So I turned right around and was like, "wow….you make us really want to do it again…haha." to which they responded a little better but for the rest of the show…I was cracking up because it was just SO funny. Hahahaha…..

Friday, December 24th (Xmas Eve) we are in St. John's, Antigua which was a hard day for me. I knew that it was Xmas eve where my family would be meeting up and spending time together, doing our traditional things every Christmas. Also, at the same time…I was in 78 degree weather and there was no snow on the ground…granted I don't really miss the cold weather but its Christmas…you want to see snow. I spent the day on my computer getting the free wifi from the port…there wasn't anything else to really do. After doing that for quite some time…I went to Subway to get one last Subway before we don't come back there again…it was nice. Not the traditional food that you want on Xmas eve but I'll do…haha. All day, I keep thinking about my family and close friends back home and wishing I could be with them…I officially don't like being away for the holidays….at least I figured that out during this contract…haha. Later that night, we had a special Christmas for the guests and I sang a song dedicated to my mom (and recorded for her)…"The Christmas Song". (You know…Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…that song). After I walked offstage…I got a little emotional because once again, I started thinking about my family and how I wanted to be with those people that I love. After the xmas show, I stayed and went to Midnight mass on the ship and boy, that caught me off guard. That is the first time in a LONG time that I felt my dad's presences with me…which made me cry again. His presence was really strong and I think, that is what got me through Christmas day. What also caught me off guard was the fact when I was walking back to my cabin through the main bar area…there was an older lady sitting there all by herself. It was after midnight but she was all alone which was sad to see. After she noticed me, her face lit up and said, "Merry Christmas young man" and I said, "Merry Christmas Ma'am…you have a wonderful Christmas". When I walked away, I started tearing up again because that was just something so sad but special that night. I realized that family and those people in your life that you love….are the biggest thing and most important things that matter…and how I don't want to be alone for Xmas in my life. Not to sound rude or selfish…I just realized how important those special people in your life are…and not to take them for granted. 

Saturday, December 25th (Merry Christmas Everyone) we were at sea again which made the day go a little quicker. We had our normal duties on the sea day, which was sad but at the same time….made the day go faster…just sad that I had to work on Xmas day. After I skyped with my mom, nene, ryan, heidi and riley and had a little Christmas Skype (which was very hard but extremely nice to do)….it was time to go do secret santa with the cast. We went to the theatre and gave each other our gifts. Cody was my secret santa, to which he gave me a whole movie package (PJ bottoms, coke, chips and salsa and the movie, "Eat Pray Love" which means a lot to me). I had got a little gift for the cast (a $10 ITunes card) but did to the cast what my dad did to me as a child….scavenger hunt. It was cool to do this for other people…I appreciate that from my dad. Right after secret santa, was water volleyball and oh, this game a JOKE!!!!! Well, we get in the water and everyone (meaning the cast) had a good attitude about everything. We get in the water and this man was disagreeing with us from the start, saying that we didn't know what we were doing and everything. At one moment, he looked at me and said, "You're wrong…I know how to keep the score, you don't" to which I responded, "Well, sir…I've been doing this for 5 months and we have been playing it the same way each time…so I do know what I'm doing". Well, I guess thats all he needed…he started raising a fuss and said, "well, I'm not going to play then…I don't like you entertainers…you don't know what you are doing." I said, "Well, I'm sorry that you feel that way sir, but you have a wonderful day and oh, Merry Christmas". "Don't patronize me kid…don't you patronize me by calling me sir" he said…."Well, I'm just doing my job, SIR". "You come over here…I have some things I want to say to you"…"No, I don't need to come over there…I don't need to" and I took myself out of the situation…like you are suppose to do. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? I didn't know that we let Scrooge on the ship. The rest of the game…he sat at the bar staring me down and I made sure that I was very vocal and having so much fun…just to let him know that he didn't win. I had told my boss about it before this gentleman came and complained about me…to which I find out that he has been going around the ship (this scrooge man) and complaining about EVERYTHING and for some reason…had a vendetta with the cast…even though we didn't do anything to him. I found this to be funny and from that moment on…anytime I saw the guy…I made sure I gave him the biggest smile…which I'm sure pissed him off. The rest of the day was fine and I was surprised that Christmas wasn't harder for me. I hope that everyone had a great day with your family.

Sunday, December 26th again we were in Bequia…where the cast decided not to get off the ship. We were all EXTREMELY tired…and I don't remember doing a lot of stuff this day…just sleeping…I was EXHAUSTED. We did have the show of Euro 2010 that night…which all of us were fine to do…at least we didn't have to do the show on Christmas. After the show, it was the entertainment department secret santa giving. The person I had, I had never met before so I had NO clue what to get her. Apparently she liked my gift but at first, I could have sworn she didn't….we I DONT KNOW YOU…EH. From my secret santa, I got a $20 gift card which is one of the best Christmas gifts that I could get….I use them all the time. After the party, we all were exhausted and just went to bed…whoosh.

Monday, December 27th we are in Bridgetown, Barbados again FOR THE LAST TIME!!! We got off in the morning (I had to be back for a 2:00 duty…stupid, no one was going to be there) and we went to the Boatyard….I really enjoy this place and the food there is GREAT!! We had a wonderful lunch and then we decided to go lay on the beach for a while…it was nice. Eventually this creepy man was walking by with a BABY MONKEY with him. I got a picture with the monkey and he actually kissed me too and played with my fingers…it was SO cute. Afterwards, I went back to the ship to do the duty of shuffleboard….BORING…NO ONE SHOWED UP. After that…Lesley and I went back to the Boatyard, where I had taken off my wristband because I had to go work…well, the woman was really rude to me and said, "You have to pay again…there are RULES". Now normally, I wouldn't say anything because…I don't need to start anything with people…but this was the first time that I thought that she didn't need to be rude about it and I commented on it. "Well, thats fine ma'am but you don't need to have an attitude with me…you could have been a little nicer." I don't know whats gotten a hold of me but I don't like that people sometimes feel that they can just walk all over you just because you are younger than them…I don't believe thats right. After that, Lesley and I ate at the Boatyard again….I'm going to miss that BBQ Chicken Sandwich…one of the best I've EVER had. We stayed there until about 5:30 and then we had to go back and get on the ship again. We were both exhausted when we got back to the ship…we had been laying in the sun for sometime and whoosh…just wiped us out. No show that night…thank the lord. This night however, I did have the duty of Table Escorting where I met and talked with Adam Guettel (musical composer - Light in the  Piazza, etc.) and his mother Mary Rodgers Guettlel (musical composer "Once Upon a Mattress" and daughter of composing genius, Richard Rodgers). ARE YOU FRICKIN KIDDING ME??? I was so excited…I let them know what a wonderful honor it was the meet them and that I enjoy their music very much. They were very friendly and I would talk to them many more times throughout the next 7 days….what a wonderful group of people. (And come to find out, Michael Buble was on one of the sister ships during this cruise….REALLY? I mean…REALLY? AHHHHHH!!!!!!

Tuesday, December 28th we went to Castries, St. Lucia where Lesley was on IPM so I got off the ship by myself. It isn't a very nice place…very run down. I hear everyone always tell me that St. Lucia is so nice…well, this place isn't. I went to a cafe that we went to last time and got something to eat and had some wifi…a nice day I feel. Got back to the ship JUST in time before we headed off…going to Gustavia, St. Barts (which we never got to go to because of the swell of the storms in the area). I will give St. Lucia a bit of credit…it has a extremely pretty sail away. This night we had the Aquarius show and everyone seemed to like it…we got a standing ovation…I think thats a good sign. 

Wednesday, December 29th we were suppose to go to Gustavia, St. Barts but due to the swell from the storms in the area..we went to St. Kitts instead. Made no difference to me because once again…I was on IPM. What a boring, non productive day….I hope that I am not on IPM on days in the world cruise that I want to see…that would really suck. This night, we did Spirito out on the pool deck and it was a great show. Adam Guettel came up to me after the show and said that he was very impressed with me and asked me a few questions about where I am from, what I'm doing after the contract and if I had my equity card. AHHHHHHHHHHH…he is such a cool guy.

Thursday, December 30th we went to Tortola, BVI again instead of Spanish Town, BVI…due to the swells again. Lesley and I got off the ship and found a English Grocery store…so she was in seven heaven. Got some stuff and then we headed to a restaurant to have a nice meal…it was a good day. While we were waiting for the tender, Lesley and I were laughing so hard…at this bird that kept diving into the water to catch a fish. He was just flying around for ever and then…all of a sudden would just dive really fast…out of our sight (cause the side of the port block us seeing him enter the water) and all of a sudden we would see a splash of water. It CRACKED us up and we laughed the entire rest of the tender ride back to the ship.

Friday, December 31st and Saturday, January 1st we were at sea and celebrating the New Year traveling back to Key West, Florida. On Friday, the cast had to do our normal duties and then we had to decorate the ship for that nights party with balloons. We all had a fun time decorating the pool area with them even though we almost lost an entire bag of balloons…haha…oh well….they are environmentally friendly…haha. That night, we watched Mickki's show in the main theatre and Lesley and I actually got to sing with her in the last number…it was a great time and one of Mickki's best show. Afterwards, we all went upstairs and celebrated the new year on the pool deck. Its crazy that its already 2011…THE YEAR THAT I'M COMING HOME. I only have 5 more months left on the ship and that isn't a very long time if you really think about it. We had a wonderful time…celebrating the new year. I love my cast mates…I'm really going to miss this guys when we leave…I have become very close to them.

Sunday, January 2nd we were in Key West, Florida for the last time. This morning I had to work the immigration duty again and I swear, I never want to do it again. We get blamed for everything, even though we don't have anything to do with it….we are just nice enough to help out. The guests were suppose to fill out some green customs form and didn't have them for the guests and people were getting angry. One of the guests looked at me and asked what they were suppose to do and a guy next to her said, "Don't ask him, he's a f***ing idiot" To which I responded with, "No sir, I'm not an idiot…I'm not in the immigration department for the ship, I sing on board but you have a WONDERFUL day". Didn't really say it in the nicest way, I'm sure…it was 8:00am but I got my point across. Other guests made the guy feel bad because he did it very loud and they were like, "Jason, you are doing a great job…we understand that its not your fault". After, we came by me…I wanted to say to him, "Actually sir, I graduated college with honors….so no, I'm not an idiot" but I didn't think of that quick enough and it wouldn't had been the professional thing to do…I just let him know I wasn't pleased. Well, after that we all got off the ship in the morning and got a quick buffet breakfast…which I actually ate bacon and pancakes…I was hungry. After that…we walked around and then went to the Hard Rock to eat lunch…it was a nice meal. We got back on board and then had a boring night of socializing with NO ONE because everyone was packing…haha…it was funny to just walk around and have no one there. 

Well, I am officially done with the Caribbean part of this contract. I have done 2 of the 4 stages of my contract….on to the 3rd part…which is the biggest but most exciting part. I officially will be going to a new location EVERY day for 4 months…that is AWESOME!!!! Our cruises will become longer and since this blog was QUITE long…I'm going to try and update every Monday instead of the end of each cruise….I don't need to bore you with these long blogs. Next blog will consist of the following days: Fort Lauderdale on Monday / At Sea on Tuesday and Wednesday / Cartagena, Colombia on Thursday / San Blas Islands, Panama on Friday / going through the Panama Canal on Saturday (which I am SO excited about) / At Sea on Sunday and the blog will end on Monday, when we are in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. 

I hope that everyone is having a very happy and safe new year and I hope that everyone lives by their resolutions this year….try something new this year!!!

Until Next Time,

Jason

Merry Xmas Blog / How tight can your face get....

Merry Xmas everyone,

I hope that everyone's holiday season has been going well. I'm not going to lie…its been a little hard being away from home during this time but I just have to understand that its just a different xmas experience for me….no one likes change but change happens..can't control it. 

Here is what happened on the last cruise:

Sunday, December 12th in St. George, Grenada and I am of course on IPM where I can't get off the ship. I have to do duties all day long and just watch movies…its a quite boring day..oh well. Nothing more to say about IPM days…nothing really happens haha.

Monday, December 13th we are in Bequia, Grenandine Island where again I didn't get off the ship because of two reasons…there isn't really anything there and we have a xmas show rehearsal. I rehearsed my song (which I'm not saying what it is…its a surprise for my mom) and I'm really excited to sing it for the xmas show…I can't believe that xmas is just around the corner…doesn't feel like xmas because its hot and no snow is on the ground…hopefully that will help me get through the holidays. Tonight we had a good show of Rocketman…for some reason though every time that we do that show…the ship is ROCKING…haha, oh well. 

Tuesday, December 14th we are in Castries, St. Lucia (our first time to the island since coming to the caribbean. We haven't been able to come here because of Hurricane Tomas…so it was nice to come somewhere new). Lesley, Phedra, Jen and I got off the ship and headed into town. It was funny…the taxi drivers there are persistent in getting you in their cab. What made me laugh though were the people that stopped when we were half way down the street where ALL the cabs were lined up…asking us if we wanted a ride. I wanted to be like, "You think that we would have a cab by now if we wanted a cab…right…so why would we go in your cab….is is special?" We got asked about 7 times by 7 different people…just annoying. After we got into the city…it was NUTS!!! There were a lot of people and it was kinda run down. It was funny…one of the drunks walking around the town spotted us and said, "MAN YOU HAVE 3 GIRLS…YOU SHOULD SHARE THEM WITH ME…COME ON". It made me laugh…really hard actually. After the drunk man, we found a nice cafe that had internet; had a wonderful meal and I got to talk to some people…always nice to have free wifi. After lunch, Lesley and I walked into a homemade idea shop in the middle of the town…they are SO pushy with stuff…really wanting you to buy stuff…its crazy. Didn't buy anything there so we headed back to the ship. We sat in the back of the ship for quite sometime enjoying each others company and paying "paper toss" on the Itouch…yes, we are that bored sometimes…haha. Had a GREAT show of Jazz tonight…I love singing these songs….I'm enjoying it. 

Wednesday, December 15th we are back in St. Marteen….THANK GOD!!!! Lesley and I got off really early to go shopping for xmas…and I got some stuff that I wanted :-) It was raining all day off and on, so that kinda sucked. After we went shopping, we headed to the place that we ate the last time, Pirate Paradise…where they have free wifi….or they did. It wasn't working this day…that really blew. Had a good meal and then we decided to go on jet skis again…it was a BLAST!!! I love that…Lesley and I just SCREAM and LAUGH the entire time….its a great time…haha. Afterwards, Lesley, Greg and I went down shopping for some stuff and then we got ice cream…it was AWESOME. What a great day!!! I love St. Marteen a lot…too bad that its the last time we are there…thanks for some great memories St. Marteen!!!! 

Thursday, December 16th we are in St. Thomas, USVI (a place that reminds me of my childhood and many different vacations that I have taken throughout the years). Was all alone this day…which was nice to have some alone time and enjoy the day. Did some last minute shopping for xmas…I'm DONE!!! Went to lunch at a cafe and had the BEST lunch and actually couldn't finish it…believe me though, I did try…haha. It was also nice this day…I had phone service…so it was nice to talk to my mom and some other people. I decided to take the 3 mile walk back to the ship and just enjoy the day and being outside getting sun again. The walk back just reminded me of the time that I spent here with my dad, mom and brother on our first cruise that we did about 14 years ago…it was a great time to reminisce about those times. 

Friday and Saturday (December 17th / 18th) we were at sea on our way to Key West, Florida for the first time. Of course we spent the time doing duties and we had Spirito on the Friday night…which I always love doing that show…its a great show. Too bad that Lesley wasn't feeling well though…FEEL BETTER LES!!! Saturday night we had the show of Aquarius which is always a fun show…our favorite. I'm really enjoying performing with this cast…we have really got close during these past 5 months. We just have so much fun on stage with each other….I love it. Speaking of 5 months…I CAN NOT believe that I have already been on the ship for 5 months…that makes no sense AT all. I look back and think that I've already been to the Med and seen all of that stuff; gone to places that I never thought that I would EVER go…just crazy to wrap your mind around it.

Sunday, December 19th we are back in America in Key West, Florida…where I find out that my Grandma was in the hospital….ehhhh. She had broke her pelvic bone (which I was told can not be operated on…just a long recovery time). I got off the ship this day by myself…which was nice but wish I could be with someone and share this with someone…ehhh. Walked around the city all day, just talking to my mom on the phone…just trying to enjoy the day. It was FREEZING out this day….I had to go put on a long sleeve shirt and jeans….sorry those people that have snow on the ground…hehe. After I changed my clothes I went back and had a lunch at Hard Rock. It reminded me of the time that I spent in Cleveland at school (for some reason…thats odd). I'm really missing my friends from college…ehh, the holiday season is sucking being away. Oh well….afterwards I just walked around and got some Starbucks hot chocolate and a donut and sat in from to the ship. I started laughing during this because you could of swore I was Dr. Doolittle…the birds were EVERYWHERE. I was just cracking up…it was funny. 

Monday, December 20th we are done with the cruise and back for another BUSY embarkation day in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Today, I had the JOYOUS job of being Santa. WAIT WAIT WAIT A MINUTE…did I just say Santa? Me…Jason? A skinny, tanned Santa…oh yes everyone…I was santa. I was LAUGHING my ass off the entire 2 hours that I was dressed as Santa. Everyone kept coming up to me and taking pictures….I just felt like the biggest Hilljack Santa…EVER! The pillow that I had as my stomach…was square and it made me look like I had boobs. A woman santa? It wasn't a pretty sight…haha. After playing Santa I got off the ship VERY quickly to go get some essentials for the LAST CARIBBEAN CRUISE!!!! I can't believe that this cruise has finally arrived. So strange looking at the paper that I tick off each day that passes and seeing everywhere that I have been to thus far…just nuts!!! That night, as we sailed away…we do a show called, "Taste of things to come" where we do 2 dances for the passengers. Well, this is defiantly the cruise where we will play the game…how tight can your face get before its had enough face lifting. We have many Latoya Jacksons on this ship…its kinda nuts. During our one song that I sing, "Celebration" I couldn't tell if they were enjoying it or not…they were just sitting there looking at me…oh boy. 

December 20th….LATE LATE night….

The Lunar Eclipse was something else tonight. I think one of my new favorite things will be going on the top deck in the middle of the night and just looking at the stars. HOLY CRAP…I have never seen something so beautiful…ahh. I got those random tears again sitting there…just enjoying the view. I felt so overwhelmed with emotion….happiness and sadness. One of those moments where you can't explain what you feel. Overwhelmed  / in awe / happiness / sadness / loneliness / togetherness….again, doesn't make sense but it will defiantly be one of those moments that I wont forget…how I felt, what I saw…everything. What an incredible experience that I am having…even though its hard to be away from home for the holidays…this will never happen to me again…so I'm going to live every moment, being present in the NOW!!!

Like I said, I have finally made it to the last Caribbean cruise…I can't believe it. This currents cruise itinerary is: At Sea on Tuesday (Rocketman) / Grand Turk on Wednesday / At Sea on Thursday (Jazz) / St. John's, Antigua on Friday (Xmas Show) / At Sea on Saturday (XMAS) / Bequia, Grenadine Island on Sunday (Euro) / Bridgetown, Barbados on Monday / Castries, St. Lucia on Tuesday / Gustavia, St. Barts on Wednesday (IPM) / Spanish Town, BVI on Thursday / At Sea on Friday and Saturday (HAPPY NEW YEAR) / Key West on Sunday and then my last time in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, January 3rd. After the 3rd of January…I will be going to a new place everyday for 4 months until May 3rd…which will be the day that I have circled the globe…wow.

Until Next Time,

Jason