As my vacation is coming to an end, I'm now looking forward to meeting my new coworkers on Serenade of the Seas. I've wanted to get onto a Radiance-class ship for a long time so I now finally have my opportunity.
Although I was given an unusually long vacation (2 months is about average, but I got almost 3) I don't think I would have had any problem going back after 2 months. There's a limit to how much you can do other then rest, relax, see friends, and make a little money on the side. There is also a point when cruise ship crew learn that being at home doesn't mean all your friends at home will suddenly be able to stop what they're doing and hang out. Despite that you've been away for months, you'll probably only see eachother 2 or 3 times. Aside from those days here and there, it can get really boring.
Now it's getting close to the time where I need to start packing. One of the other realizations that apparently it's only possible to make after a first contract is how little you should bring along. I read over and over again from experienced crew on numerous websites exactly what I should have packed and yet I still went over the limit of what was necessary. Until you've worked every day for six months, it's just difficult to believe that you'll only need 1-2 sets of casual clothes and the rest just uniforms. I've learned that now though so I should be travelling a little lighter this time around. Another lesson: do not bring luggage that will not fit under the bed. You will be sorry because you will have to live with it in your cabin for 6 months and tripping over it constantly during that time is just frustrating.
Well, time to get on with enjoying my last week of freedom. I'll try to post again from San Juan next Saturday but if I don't get around to it, my next post will be from the ship.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Less than a month
Less than a month now until I'm back at sea! I hadn't realized that it had been so long since my last post; I guess it's easy to get distracted at home.
Right now I am in Fort Lauderdale FL for the last day of my 3 day training session at Martin Professional, which manufactures about 75% of the lighting equipment RCI uses in their ships' entertainment spaces. Actually getting my hands on some of the most modern equipment from Martin while being trained by their most experienced technicians has been a great experience. In addition to the Wholehog 3 training I got in April, I think I'm going to be set to really move forward with this light technician thing. My goal is to get a light tech position by the end of this year.
Only 3 weeks left at home. It's been a really nice extended vacation. After so long away, I'm starting to wonder what lies ahead for me this contract, 3 months is a long time to be away. I could get a call tomorrow to say they want to change me to a different ship, or maybe I'll get on Serenade and be told I'm being sent off somewhere else before the end of my contract. With a dynamic environment like a ship, you just never know. I'm sure many crew movements have been disrupted by the volcanic ash over Europe. Interruptions in crew travel, resignations, terminations, medical leave, these are all just a handful of the possible reasons that I could experience a surprise change in plans in the next few weeks.
Well, I better get over to Martin for my last day of training. Today they are going to "sabotage" the fixtures we were working on yesterday by creating one or more problems with the fixture and it's up to us to solve them. Oh, and did I mention there are also 2 light techs from RCI here for training as well? Always good to meet fellow ship-types. Of course, unlike them, I'm getting this training on my own dime.
Right now I am in Fort Lauderdale FL for the last day of my 3 day training session at Martin Professional, which manufactures about 75% of the lighting equipment RCI uses in their ships' entertainment spaces. Actually getting my hands on some of the most modern equipment from Martin while being trained by their most experienced technicians has been a great experience. In addition to the Wholehog 3 training I got in April, I think I'm going to be set to really move forward with this light technician thing. My goal is to get a light tech position by the end of this year.
Only 3 weeks left at home. It's been a really nice extended vacation. After so long away, I'm starting to wonder what lies ahead for me this contract, 3 months is a long time to be away. I could get a call tomorrow to say they want to change me to a different ship, or maybe I'll get on Serenade and be told I'm being sent off somewhere else before the end of my contract. With a dynamic environment like a ship, you just never know. I'm sure many crew movements have been disrupted by the volcanic ash over Europe. Interruptions in crew travel, resignations, terminations, medical leave, these are all just a handful of the possible reasons that I could experience a surprise change in plans in the next few weeks.
Well, I better get over to Martin for my last day of training. Today they are going to "sabotage" the fixtures we were working on yesterday by creating one or more problems with the fixture and it's up to us to solve them. Oh, and did I mention there are also 2 light techs from RCI here for training as well? Always good to meet fellow ship-types. Of course, unlike them, I'm getting this training on my own dime.
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