Transfer?

We're back in San Diego and I've got a spiffy new haircut that supposedly fashionable (I think I look like a dog that just saw a cat) but all of the women in the spa are hot and bothered about it. As they are a fair representation of womankind I'll take this as a good thing. New glasses have finished off the new look and I look a few year younger.

This contract on this ship has been less than impressive from a financial perspective. There is a possibility they will transfer me to different and more lucrative ship. You see, Carnival is considered the "budget" cruise line, which translates to less money spent on additional services (i.e. the Spa where I work).

All of the other cruise lines are higher end and are likewise more lucrative for someone like myself. Also Carnival is a bit of an experiment for the acupuncture department within the spa company. I'm one of two acupuncturist on Carnival. Being on an older, less prestigious ship means everyone has been there, done that.

More as things develop.

Christmas at sea... we are not amused.

Well its Christmas and all that comes with it. The spa had a little party last night gift were exchanged and I suppose it was nice. I'm just the type that doesn't hang with people from work. Its even in my astrological chart! Nevertheless, probably what was affecting me most was the fact this was my first Christmas without living parents and that was just weird. I cannot say that I spent every Christmas with them by any means, but the fact it really isn't an option anymore is a bit hard to fathom.

Anyway, we're out here in Pacific Ocean and I'm bored and a bit lonely. I've not met anyone on the girlfriend front, at the same time I haven't made the time to do so. You know, one of the problems with relocating somewhere new is that you have a tendency to bring yourself with you...

Okay, I'm going to officially issue a Bah-humbug, etc. I hope everyone is having an enjoyable Xmas.

And We Float Home...

Egads, 10 days since my last post. Don't worry, I've been writing posts in Notepad, and will upload and back date accordingly.

Its been very busy this past cruise, I've seen a decent number of patients. I'm finally getting the advertising and marketing handled. There's still plenty to do, but I feel like I've at least rounded the corner of success. Its all fine tuning from here on out.

As to the title of this post... Well, let me provide some background about this cruise to put everything into context. Every 5 days the ship departs San Diego with Cabo San Lucas as our first destination. Departing around 5 pm, we hit the open seas and make out way down. We spend a day at sea as we make the 300 some-odd-miles to Cabo. After a lovely and warm day in Cabo we again leave at 5 pm and make our way back up north to our second destination, Ensenada, which is only about 100 miles south of San Diego. We have another day at sea between destination. The sea days are really all about having passengers spend money within the ship on important services such as acupuncture, etc.

The thing is, it doesn't take a whole day between ports. So what does the ship do with all that time? Well, at night they turn off the engines, save one and simply float home. They simply keep it pointed in the right direction and let the currents do the rest.

Before the current fuel price increases, they used to go in circles out on the pacific to kill time. Now they simply kill the engines, and goof off.

Waves Worthy of Mention

Well, as many you can tell from my previous posts, there are some stormy seas out here on the Pacific. Yesterday was no exception, with some of the most intense waves to date. However, upon talking to several of the crew who have worked on many ships, these were practically nothing in comparison. Here are some stories:

The Men's Locker Room steward recalled the time he was on the Carnival Triumph in the Caribbean at the height of Hurricane season. Apparently they were so deep inside the hurricane that he could see the black spiral clouds above. The ship itself listed to the side about 15 degrees, enough so that the swimming pool emptied out on the deck. He said that everyone carried their life jacket with them where ever they went on that cruise, convinced that they were going to sink.

One of the waiters recalls the time that the waves were so bad that none of the guest came down for dinner. The infirmary dispensed all of their motion sickness medication in one day. This too occurred in the Caribbean.

I guess I have it lucky in comparison.

Family Reunion (of sorts)

Today we docked in San Diego after a 5 day run to Baja. I met up with my Aunt and Grandfather who is visiting before his return to the Philippines. Since time was a bit short we all went to a sea food restaurant. I went with the squid sandwich. Interesting seems the best word for that experience.

It was great to see my grandfather, who is now in his 80s. He came back to the U.S. for hip replacement surgery. He's moving around so much better.

Here's a picture of the event:














Grandpa and Aunt Jill

Storm at Sea

Its about 4 am and we are having a proper storm at sea. The ship is being tossed about like a rag doll. Keep in mind, the cruise ships of this class are 84,000 metric tons. They are not small ships. Thankfully I do not get sea sick, I attribute this to my flexible Piscean nature. I woke up a few minutes ago as my books fell over on my shelf. Curiosity being predominate in my personal makeup, I got dressed and wander out on to the crew deck (Deck 3 by the way), and found the night shift housekeeping staff having their work cut out for them with seasick guests requesting cabin cleanups. At these times, its amazing how the tips the housekeeping staff have received to date affects their response time.

Going outside on deck 7, I could the see the massive waves crashing against the ship. Now, these are not the waves from movies that crash onto the deck as desperate sailors in rain gear try secure some object or another. I could not imagine how that must feel. We are only shifting about 5 to 7 degrees at a time, but it certainly feels like a roller coaster ride.

I've got the morning off so I'm going to watch the sunrise and see just what these waves look like. Perhaps some pictures later.

Of Boredom and Flying Fish

Today has found me with nothing to do as the guests refuse to move from the Lido (open air) deck, instead choosing to lay about the pool sleeping on deck chairs. The international crew shake their collective heads in dismay at the "Lazy Americans" who sleep their vacations away. What they don't realize is how much Americans in general burn themselves out with the hectic American lifestyle. There are certainly volumes to be said about this, but not at this time.

I find myself on the upper deck watching the flying fish of the Southern Pacific ocean. They seem to be attracted to the ship, and can be seen flying away from it for at least 50 feet. Its an amazing feat of evolution to have a fish that can fly out of the water for such a distance. I cannot think of a more unlikely combination of traits that evolution has brought forth, with the exception of Merv Griffin (of course).

Another Cruise Underway

We're on our way to Mexico yet again. I'm at the point where the cruise itinerary cycle has become normal. Strange, to think that constant movement is the new normal. Right now we are having some rough seas. I can hear the waves crashing against the bulkhead wall, the sounds of Cadillacs colliding. I've gotten to the point where I sleep through just about everything.

A few other things that I have gotten used to:

• Poor internet connection (though I doubt I'll ever get used to that).
• Many different languages spoken at once - in the spa alone, I hear Talag, Afrikaan, Dutch, Serbian, and Zulu spoken. I'm definiately the odd man out speaking only one language.
• Limited space isn't as bad as I thought it would be, I've found a few places to hide, which makes me happy.
• Being surrounded by beautiful women - now this is an adjustment that I'm glad to make.
• Making new friends of sorts. I'm not one to hang out with friends from work, but considering the nature of ship life, I find myself doing just that. Everyone in spa is quite nice, so it makes the whole process easy.

Aside from some adjustments that need to be made by either myself or to my surroundings, everything has gone quite smoothly. Its my hope to tell stories about ship life and the backgrounds of my co-workers which are all fascinating. I will wait for their permission before doing so, however.