It’s Wednesday again, our day off. However this week some of the crew, myself included, has to attend a Customer Service Seminar. The seminar is from 8:30am till 3:30pm, with one hour for lunch. It is going to be a busy day for me as I also have a new entertainer [MSOffice1] [MSOffice2] onboard, that needs me to help him with his sound test and another staff member will be joining later in the day. Since crewmembers have to go through lengthy immigration inspections when entering the country, there is no way of knowing exactly when he will arrive. So, there will be a lot of waiting around. I have got tickets to see Mamma Mia this evening at a local theatre, fingers crossed I will be able to leave the ship in time for the show. I am already looking forward to next Wednesday, when hopefully I wont have anything to do onboard.
[MSOffice1]
[MSOffice2]
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Golfing
Golfing is very popular on Grand Bahama. I am not a golfer, but my husband is a golf fanatic. Here is a little information about the Reef Course located in Port Lycaya. Many consider the Reef Course one of the toughest plays in all of the Bahamas. While playing to nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees, the Reef Course is not a course you can overpower, and ranks more as a shot-makers course where accuracy is rewarded. With water present on 13 of the 18 holes on this links-styled course, it's easy to get into trouble, but with epic views and masterful conditioning, the Reef Course, which opened in 2000, has quickly moved to the top of the wish list for golfers looking for the best of the Bahamas. The course is open year round and has a driving range and a putting green. It is recommended that you make your tee time about two weeks in advance. Rental clubs are available for about $45 and the rates vary from $75 - $130 depending on the time of year.
Horseback Riding
Something that a lot of people ask about doing while on Grand Bahama is Horseback Riding along the beach. There are a couple of places that you can go to do this, but the company I have used is Pine Tree Stables. They are located midway between the International Bazaar and Port Lucaya, which is about a 10 minute cab ride from most hotels. They offer two departures daily and you must make a reservation. You will be taken on a 2 hour guided ride from the Stables along a trail that winds its way through the endangered Pine Forest, past a Castle and through the Hardwood Coppice, along the Swash, over the Dunes, west on the Beach and into the ocean. Of course the ride along the beach and into the ocean is the highlight of this tour. The horses only walk and jog, so no experience is necessary. I recommend that you wear long comfortable pants and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet when you ride into the ocean. This really is a great experience and worth the $85 fee.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Smiths Point
Today I rented a moped and headed out to Smiths Point. Smith's Point is named after the Scotsman, Michael Smith, who served in the early 1800s as Commissioner of the island. It is the venue for what has become a Wednesday night tradition on the island -- the Fish Fry. The Fish Fry is an excellent opportunity to get better acquainted with both the native fish and local residents. The "Fish Fry" was started a number of years ago by the residents of Smiths Point, just outside of Lucaya, to help raise funds for their church. The fish is cooked WHOLE using local recipes. You will also find fresh conch prepared many different ways such as, salads, burgers and fritters. Smiths Point is quiet on Sunday’s so I just sat and had a soda on the beach before heading back to the ship. Since Discovery Sun doesn’t sail on Wednesday’s this is an event that I haven’t had the opportunity to experience. However, many of our passengers have and they always say they wished it were held more often.
Paradise Cove
We had almost 400 same day return passengers onboard today, all heading to Port Lucaya, the same beach I had planned to go to today. Since I was looking forward to a relaxing afternoon, I decided to head to another beach area called Paradise Cove. Paradise Cove has a secluded beach where you can relax without the crowds you find in Port Lucaya. Snorkeling is also available at the beach, with Dead Mans Reef right off shore. You can swim out to the reef and snorkel for as long as you want. If you don’t have snorkel equipment they rent it right there at the beach. The Red Bar, right on the beach offers refreshments and snacks that they cook up on the beach grill. So if you are looking to escape the regular tourist spots, head out to Paradise Cove where you truly can get away from it all.
Marriage Proposal
Well the weather has warmed up a little bit, but it was still quite cold early this morning. Just after the morning travel talk one of our passengers approached me and said he wanted to propose to his girlfriend at one of the activities. To my surprise, with the help of the ships security he had managed to get a balloon bouquet onboard without her seeing it. Now I have seen many marriage proposals onboard, but this one was quite something and one that I will never forget. The helium filled balloon bouquet had been filled with rose petals and the ring was placed in one of them. At the end of the Trivia game in the Tropical Lounge in front of around 100 passengers, he proposed. He presented her with the balloon bouquet and proceeded to pop them one at time, showering her with rose petals. The final pop showered her with the rose petals and as she held out her hands to catch them a beautiful diamond ring fell into her hands. At that point her boyfriend got down on one knee and popped the question. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, everyone was clapping and cheering and the answer was YES! YES! YES!…..
Cold Front
Brrrr…. What a cold start to the day. It was 35 degrees when I left home this morning and since I drive a moped, it was not a fun ride to work. I felt more like I was in England than South Florida. Fortunately when I got to the ship all of the AC had been turned off, but the areas with doors leading to the outer deck are still cold. Despite the cold weather, the passengers braved the outer decks and participated in the various deck games. One passenger was even brave enough to take off his shirt and show off his muscles in the Real Man contest. His bravery paid off as he won the contest and a future cruise onboard Discovery Sun. When we arrived in Grand Bahama it was still a little cool, but the sun was shining and passengers started to peel off some of the many layers of clothes they had on from this morning. About 30 of our same day return passengers went on the Beach and Shopping Tour and they too were happy to see the sun shining when we arrived. It will be a pleasant afternoon at the beach after all.
Day off
Well, I got my dates confused and I am not going to see Mamma Mia today after all, it is next Wednesday, so I still have that to look forward to. I have to go to the ship later today to show our new entertainer around. He isn’t joining the ship until next week, but he wanted to see where he would be performing. Right now our entertainer is a magician. The new entertainer is a singer from England who has a real passion for music and is also a great guitar player. He is only 24 years old and Discovery Sun will be his first ship. It has been quite some time since we had a male singer onboard, so it will be a nice change. He will be performing a 45-minute show in our main showroom every evening as well as hosting various activities. The rest of my day will be taken up by doing quite mundane things such as laundry, grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning. Of course I will also have to fit in time to go to the gym before the day is over, but that is a part of the day that I really look forward to.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Quiet Day
Well today isn’t a day to do much of anything. It is cold, windy and overcast. Fortunately the seas were not rough this morning, we had a really good turn out for the Deck Party and the passengers had a great time. I am not so hopeful for the cruise back this evening as 10ft seas have been forecast. I managed to go for a run this afternoon and I am pleased to say that I am up to four miles now. The wind made it quite a challenge, but I made it. I am off work tomorrow, which I always look forward to, but this week I am really excited as I am going to see Mamma Mia the Musical at a local theatre. I have already seen it in London’s West End and I have seen the movie. I loved both so much I can’t wait to see it again and I’m sure I wont be disappointed. I will let you know how it went.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Scuba Diving
I have never had the opportunity to learn to dive, but have heard that the courses are quite expensive. My husband loves diving and I often wonder what it would be like. I am a little worried about spending hundreds of dollars on certification only to find out I don’t really enjoy it. Today however, I discovered the perfect solution. UNEXSO (Under Water Explorers Society) offers a Discover Scuba Diving program. Grand Bahama is a popular place to Scuba Dive and apparently, even if you have absolutely no experience with this thrilling sport, you can do just that. The program that UNEXSO offers is a great way for just about anybody to get acquainted quickly with the ins and outs of scuba diving. They have special lightweight equipment that is especially helpful for people of smaller build. The program starts with a simple training course that gets you around all the complications of certification while still adequately preparing you for a completely safe dive. You spend some time in a classroom where you are taught the basics of how to safely use the gear, before you go out to a special pool where you can try on the gear for yourself and get used to the way it operates. This training in an actual underwater environment is under constant supervision and professionals are right next to you to answer questions and provide assistance. Next comes the chance to head out for some diving off the coast. A short boat ride out to a very shallow reef site, under the care of an instructor, you get a chance to explore an amazing tropical phenomenon. The range of different creatures living in a reef, I am told is absolutely stunning. Now all I have to do it build up the courage and then find the time to go. If I like it, I will go back to UNEXSO as they also offer the full certification courses.
Bike Tour
Well, yesterday was fun and games on the Robinson Crusoe Beach Party, but today I am going to be a little more active and try the Bike Tour. This tour is operated by Kayak Nature Tours and has some of the islands most experienced and insightful guides. We will be cycling along Grand Bahamas shoreline while our knowledgeable guide feeds us with Grand Bahamas unique history. We will have the chance to see the islands rich architectural styles and traditions, along with many of the fascinating elements of the islands ecosystem, such as: the costal rock formations, the mangroves and the beautiful tropical flora and fauna. We will also stop at Sanctuary Bay, home to approximately 16 Atlantic Bottle Nose Dolphins. I believe that we will also stop in Port Lucaya where we can do a little shopping. As I mentioned in one of my pervious Blogs, Port Lucaya has many duty-free boutiques and amazing craft stores. You will find many interesting local products like the Bahamian straw crafts, which are woven in styles passed on through generations of local residents. Of course no tour of the island is complete without a stop at one of the islands pristine beaches. We will have time to relax and have a dip in the warm Caribbean waters before heading back to the ship. This should make up for me not going running yesterday.
Robinson Crusoe Beach Party
We have a busy evening ahead of us, but most of the cruise staff is going on the Robinson Crusoe Beach Party this afternoon. As soon as debarkation is over we are off. The tour operator is going to pick us up directly from the ship and take us to Port Lucaya, where the Bahama Mama, Grand Bahama’s most famous party boat leaves. We have had rough seas the last couple of days so we weren’t sure we would be able to go on the tour today, but the weather is on our side and it is perfect. The tour will start off with 90 minutes of snorkeling above one of the most vibrant coral reefs in the Caribbean, with an unparalleled variety of marine life. Hiding amongst the gardens of brain corals, sponges, sea whips and elkhorn coral is the widest variety of colorful tropical fish imaginable. Hopefully the snorkeling will help to build up our appetites, as a fantastic Bahamian style buffet lunch is included in this tour. As well as lunch, unlimited Bahama Mama rum punch is served, after the snorkeling of course. We will have to give the Bahama Mamas a miss and stick with the fruit punch. We will top off the afternoon with beach volleyball and other games, or maybe just a stroll along the white sands of this tropical island paradise.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Parasailing
The weather wasn’t so good this morning. We had rough seas and a few of passengers were seasick. As we got closer to the Island the ocean was calmer and the weather brightened up a little. I was planning on going into Port Lucaya this afternoon with some of the cruise staff, but we have a boat drill so I can’t go. The drill is only for the fire team, but I have to stay for the announcements. The rest of the staff is still heading to Port Lucaya and I am sure they are going to have a great afternoon. They are going to Lucaya beach, which is one of the best activity beaches on the island and they are going to go parasailing. If you’ve never parasailed, you are in for a memorable experience: after you are attached to a harness and parachute, a speed-boat offshore pulls you 400 feet into the air for a 5-minute spin, then gently brings you back down. Not only is parasailing a thrilling experience, it is probably the best way to get an unobstructed view of Grand Bahama Island. You will also find parasailing and other water sport activities at Taino Beach and Xanadu Beach. I wish I could go with them, but there is always tomorrow.
Peterson Cay
Today I went on the Peterson Cay Kayak & Snorkel Tour. Peterson Cay, one of the smallest National Parks in the Bahamas is one mile off the southern shore of Grand Bahama. The Bahamas National Trust manages Peterson Cay National Park and all other national parks in The Islands of The Bahamas.
Access to Peterson Cay National Park is by boat only, hence the Kayak portion of this tour. As we approached Peterson Cay our guide lead us with extreme care so that we paddled through the shallow sandy areas away from coral reefs.
The snorkeling was excellent. The clear blue shallow waters are perfect for people that are either not strong swimmers or first timers While snorkeling around the coral and sunken rocks I saw schools of tropical fish, soft corals and sea fans. I even think I saw a barracuda.
After about 45 minutes of snorkeling I hit the beach. You can snorkel for longer if you wish, but I was ready to relax. After all, we still had to kayak back. There are very few shaded areas, so lots of sunscreen is recommended. You may also want to bring along some drinking water. I had both, so I laid my towel down on the white sandy beach and enjoyed 90 minutes of reading and relaxation on this little piece of paradise.
Before I knew it, it was time for Discovery guests to head back to the ship. Towels, books and any garbage we may have had were packed up and we headed back to our kayaks for the 30-minute kayak back to shore.
The passengers are disappointed to have to leave the Island and are not looking forward to going home. I don’t mind, as I get to do it all over again tomorrow. What a job!
Access to Peterson Cay National Park is by boat only, hence the Kayak portion of this tour. As we approached Peterson Cay our guide lead us with extreme care so that we paddled through the shallow sandy areas away from coral reefs.
The snorkeling was excellent. The clear blue shallow waters are perfect for people that are either not strong swimmers or first timers While snorkeling around the coral and sunken rocks I saw schools of tropical fish, soft corals and sea fans. I even think I saw a barracuda.
After about 45 minutes of snorkeling I hit the beach. You can snorkel for longer if you wish, but I was ready to relax. After all, we still had to kayak back. There are very few shaded areas, so lots of sunscreen is recommended. You may also want to bring along some drinking water. I had both, so I laid my towel down on the white sandy beach and enjoyed 90 minutes of reading and relaxation on this little piece of paradise.
Before I knew it, it was time for Discovery guests to head back to the ship. Towels, books and any garbage we may have had were packed up and we headed back to our kayaks for the 30-minute kayak back to shore.
The passengers are disappointed to have to leave the Island and are not looking forward to going home. I don’t mind, as I get to do it all over again tomorrow. What a job!
Weddings
I am off today, as we don’t sail on Wednesdays. I slept late and then went to the gym for a nice long workout. It was nice not having to get up at 4:30am to workout. I do still have to go to the ship this afternoon as we have a site inspection. There is a band that will be traveling with us in February and they would like to perform in one of our lounges. Discovery offers the use of audio and video equipment as well as conference facilities, reserved dining areas and more. Discovery Sun has hosted may private functions, birthday parties, family reunions and even weddings. Yes, you can get married right onboard. You can choose to get married on a one-day cruise or combine it with your honeymoon and stay at one of the beautiful resorts on Grand Bahama. If you would rather you can also get married on Grand Bahama Island. Picture yourself on a beautiful white sandy beach, the tide rushing in, as you exchange wedding vows. With Discovery Cruise Line, Grand Bahamas warm and hospitable people, colorful wild flowers, and good weather all year, you can have the wedding of your dreams at a really affordable price. As for the band, I am looking forward to meeting them. It is always a pleasure to have groups onboard, especially the ones that add to our entertainment program. I’m sure passengers sailing that day are going to be in for a real treat.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Duty Free Shopping
I was up early this morning for a good workout in the gym before coming to work. Since I went to the gym this morning I didn’t want to run when we got to Grand Bahama. I decided to take a taxi to Port Lucaya, about 12 miles from the Lucayan Harbour, to do a little window-shopping.
Effective January 1, 1992, the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas abolished all import duties on certain items. Perfumes, Crystal, Leather Goods, Jewelry, Fine Linens, Watches, Photographic Equipment and China, are now all duty free. Savings on these items are between 25% - 50% below US prices.
Port Lucaya Marketplace features numerous shopping and dining opportunities in a charming waterfront setting. Boat lovers love the luxurious yachts docked at the marina, an official port of entry. Port Lucaya is also home to Count Basie Square, which often features dancing and live entertainment by local bands in the evenings.
The Straw Market is also quite an experience. Mrs. George Phenney, wife of the then Governor of the islands, started the straw work industry in The Islands of The Bahamas in the 1720s. Straw markets began to spring up around Freeport with the development of Tourism in the mid 1960s, and the vendors have become a major contributor to the industry. Goods ranging from straw work, T-shirts, woodcarvings, jewelry and other arts and craft are sold.
I stopped by one of Discovery’s recommended stores Colombian Emeralds International. They have a wide selection of Gold, Silver and Gemstone jewelry as well as brand name watches. Watches are my weakness so that was the counter I headed for. Colombian Emeralds International offers a FREE 90 day insurance policy against loss damage and theft, as well as a certified appraisal with all jewelry purchases.
After spending about 45 minutes drooling over watches that I really can’t afford after a 2-month vacation I headed back to the ship with nothing more than a Subway Sandwich.
Effective January 1, 1992, the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas abolished all import duties on certain items. Perfumes, Crystal, Leather Goods, Jewelry, Fine Linens, Watches, Photographic Equipment and China, are now all duty free. Savings on these items are between 25% - 50% below US prices.
Port Lucaya Marketplace features numerous shopping and dining opportunities in a charming waterfront setting. Boat lovers love the luxurious yachts docked at the marina, an official port of entry. Port Lucaya is also home to Count Basie Square, which often features dancing and live entertainment by local bands in the evenings.
The Straw Market is also quite an experience. Mrs. George Phenney, wife of the then Governor of the islands, started the straw work industry in The Islands of The Bahamas in the 1720s. Straw markets began to spring up around Freeport with the development of Tourism in the mid 1960s, and the vendors have become a major contributor to the industry. Goods ranging from straw work, T-shirts, woodcarvings, jewelry and other arts and craft are sold.
I stopped by one of Discovery’s recommended stores Colombian Emeralds International. They have a wide selection of Gold, Silver and Gemstone jewelry as well as brand name watches. Watches are my weakness so that was the counter I headed for. Colombian Emeralds International offers a FREE 90 day insurance policy against loss damage and theft, as well as a certified appraisal with all jewelry purchases.
After spending about 45 minutes drooling over watches that I really can’t afford after a 2-month vacation I headed back to the ship with nothing more than a Subway Sandwich.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Taino Beach
Well, I didn’t arrange an excursion for today, but I did go running once we got to Grand Bahama. I was pleased with myself as I made it three miles today. The route that I take is quite beautiful so it is a pleasant run. One of the places that I pass is Tranquility Shores. This is a breathtaking stretch of Taino Beach, which I think is one of the most beautiful in the Bahamas. They have a variety of activities there including volleyball, paddleboats and snorkeling. I often stop there on my way back. Today I had a quick dip in the ocean; it was a little bit cool at first, but very refreshing. Usually I just find my own secluded spot, sink my toes into the white sand and relax for a few minutes before heading back to the ship. Oh, if you ever go there, make sure you try their lobster salad, it is delicious. No, I didn’t have any today; it would have ruined my run. But there is always tomorrow :-)
Kayak Nature Tour
Well, my Kayaking couple had a great time and were very excited to tell me all about it. Their guide, Mike was excellent. From the moment he picked them up, they said they were treated like family and were kept laughing the whole day. After some preliminary instructions they set off on an hour or so kayak ride. As they kayaked through the beautiful mangrove creek, Mike gave a lot of history of the island. They paddled though the mangroves to the stunning Gold Rock Beach where they had a light picnic lunch. After lunch they had about an hour to sit and relax. They then headed to the Lucayan National Park & Caves where they went on a nature walk and learned about some of Grand Bahamas stunning flora and the Lucayan Indians. They told me about all the different fish and interesting plants they saw as they Kayaked through the mangroves. As they both beamed telling me all about their trip, I was reminded how lucky I am to have the opportunity to enjoy these kinds of activities every day as part of my job. I think I am going to have to arrange an excursion for tomorrow…..Hmm…..I wonder where I will go???
Bingo
Hello again…We had a full room for the travel talk today which enabled us to play an extra game of Bingo with a great cash prize of $150. I spoke with the lucky bingo winners after the travel talk and explained in detail a few of the activities that I felt they would find enjoyable. They were seniors traveling on a budget, so the extra cash was really going to help make this trip special. They liked the sound of the Kayak Nature Tour, a peaceful yet exciting excursion that shows you a side of the island that is increasingly hidden by large-scale tourist developments. They are returning with us on Sunday and I can’t wait to hear all about their trip.
Karate Kid
Good day everyone……Yesterday was a glorious day on Grand Bahama. The weather was perfect and not a cloud in the sky. I sent a bus full of people on the Beach and Shopping Tour and as I waved them off, I wished I were going with them. But, as I said before I am feeling podgy after all my Christmas eating, so running in the afternoons in my priority. On the way to Grand Bahama I met a wonderful couple from Germany, with a really cute little boy. He was just a few weeks shy of his sixth birthday so was unable to stay alone in the Kids Club. Trying to convince us to let him stay alone, the little boy demonstrated his karate skills, which ended with him doing the splits. His father informed us that he had only been in school for six months, but had been attending English School for two and a half years. What an amazing child. Yes, we fell for his charm and welcomed him to stay and play the X Box Games, without his parents.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Back in the sunshine
So here I am back at work after a very long vacation in England. After being in freezing cold weather for 6 weeks it sure is good to be back in the sunshine. My first day back at work was a little hectic, but good. When we arrived in Grand Bahama I was happy to see one of my favorite tour operators waiting at the taxi stand to greet me. He runs the Bahamian Getaway Island Tour and is a very entertaining guy. After catching up with a few other Bahamian friends, I went for a run. All that great food I had over the Christmas holidays has me feeling a bit podgy, so I have to get back into my fitness routine. I only managed two miles, but I will build it back up to six in the weeks to come. We had quite a good passenger count on the return and the turn out for the Magician’s show was great. We arrived a little later than scheduled, but immigration and customs cleared the ship fast, so the passengers and crew were happy. There was a crew party that evening and a good time was had by all.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Tag! Over to you Sam!
Greetings, Gentle readers. ITMA.
Well, today Ladies and Gentlemen, once again we have had a great many passengers on board the Discovery Sun; well over a thousand, in fact! Once again two coaches had to be sent, and once again other team members other than I will reap the benefit of our bumper passengers by going on the tour. Man, I was looking forward to going on the tour today!
In a few days, I will be signing off the vessel for my vacation, and I have no doubt the reigns of the daily Blog will be taken up by the Cruise Director coming off her leave. Very soon, I shall be leaving the Sun drenched Island, with the beautiful white sandy beaches, the great tours and excursions, the Duty free shopping, and all the fantastic people that make up the Bahamas! I will be swapping sand for snow, Palm trees for Mighty Oaks, Sunshine for overcoats!
But I will also be swapping taxis for my own car, Capri Sun for Fanta and of course, swapping watching re-runs of Law and Order for being talked at by my Adele. And I know her Mom is really looking forward to me coming back. She and her two sisters have started cooking, ready for when I get back. And they are singing about it at the same time, apparently. Something about Hubble and Bubble, Toil and Trouble, who knows? Adele was telling me that she might be coming around though, she has made a little model of me, and she just needs a bit of my hair for the finishing touch!
I am looking forward to my own TV; my own cooking, (yes, that’s right ladies, I am the whole package!) and even baths instead of showers make a nice change. I set my hard drive recorder before I left, and so I have days and days of TV to catch up on… I do have to admit to being a TV addict, one in the Kitchen, one in the Bedroom, the bathroom (some guys like magazines, I like TV, what can I tell you?) and of course one in the living room. I even have a pair of those glasses so you can watch movies off your touch. I must admit to looking a bit of a Muppet on the plane, wearing my Cyclops type glasses, and earpieces, but I do get to watch what I want, and not what the aircraft tell me. A bit embarrassing though, when I am watching an episode of the Office, an American Workplace, and laughing away to my self, while the whole of the rest of the plane has been reduced to tears by Schindlers List!
It has been a pleasure sharing with you all some of my time onboard the Discovery Sun, and if possible, why not come aboard and say hi?
‘Till then, Gentle Reader,
Whoosh! Bye, bye, I’m out!
Best regards,
Rick
Well, today Ladies and Gentlemen, once again we have had a great many passengers on board the Discovery Sun; well over a thousand, in fact! Once again two coaches had to be sent, and once again other team members other than I will reap the benefit of our bumper passengers by going on the tour. Man, I was looking forward to going on the tour today!
In a few days, I will be signing off the vessel for my vacation, and I have no doubt the reigns of the daily Blog will be taken up by the Cruise Director coming off her leave. Very soon, I shall be leaving the Sun drenched Island, with the beautiful white sandy beaches, the great tours and excursions, the Duty free shopping, and all the fantastic people that make up the Bahamas! I will be swapping sand for snow, Palm trees for Mighty Oaks, Sunshine for overcoats!
But I will also be swapping taxis for my own car, Capri Sun for Fanta and of course, swapping watching re-runs of Law and Order for being talked at by my Adele. And I know her Mom is really looking forward to me coming back. She and her two sisters have started cooking, ready for when I get back. And they are singing about it at the same time, apparently. Something about Hubble and Bubble, Toil and Trouble, who knows? Adele was telling me that she might be coming around though, she has made a little model of me, and she just needs a bit of my hair for the finishing touch!
I am looking forward to my own TV; my own cooking, (yes, that’s right ladies, I am the whole package!) and even baths instead of showers make a nice change. I set my hard drive recorder before I left, and so I have days and days of TV to catch up on… I do have to admit to being a TV addict, one in the Kitchen, one in the Bedroom, the bathroom (some guys like magazines, I like TV, what can I tell you?) and of course one in the living room. I even have a pair of those glasses so you can watch movies off your touch. I must admit to looking a bit of a Muppet on the plane, wearing my Cyclops type glasses, and earpieces, but I do get to watch what I want, and not what the aircraft tell me. A bit embarrassing though, when I am watching an episode of the Office, an American Workplace, and laughing away to my self, while the whole of the rest of the plane has been reduced to tears by Schindlers List!
It has been a pleasure sharing with you all some of my time onboard the Discovery Sun, and if possible, why not come aboard and say hi?
‘Till then, Gentle Reader,
Whoosh! Bye, bye, I’m out!
Best regards,
Rick
Memories that will last forever!
Greetings once more, Gentile readers! ITMA!
It has been a real doozey of a day, today folks! We have had over a thousand passengers again, (second day in a row!) on the way to Grand Bahama! There have been safety meetings, (A subject we take very seriously, and my red nose and large shoes have to be left firmly at the door!) there have been issues to deal with, and there has been paper work coming out of my Ah, there’s my coffee!
A great deal of passengers means a great deal of passenger activity, and we had to send two coaches on the beach and shopping tour today, which meant I had to send another team member along, because we promise a team member to look after them on their coach. The shame is, I was going to go along today (I wanted to get my self a conch salad, a local delicacy) but because we had so many to disembark, I couldn’t go along. Sometimes, it is such a hard life! I had to go onto the lido deck instead and enjoy a nice cold Capri Sun in the hot Bahamian sunshine. Sitting in the sunshine, I started to reflect upon what we still had to do in the up coming days.
On New Years Day and on the 3rd of the month, we have Weddings on board. This is a real cool event that we have been doing on the Discovery Sun for the best part of a year now. I don’t do a lot in the ceremony, just sort out the music and blast the ships horn at the end. (On my last ship, imagine my surprise when the first wedding party came on board, and I was told I had to be beside the Captain, and had a participating role in the ceremony! Yikes! Mind you I have attended quite a few weddings…in a principle position…and I have heard the words more than most!) Discovery Sun can, if you wish, supply an officiate, and the whole thing can be taken care off right here on board! I am particularly looking forward to the ceremony on New years day, as it is taking place at 06.30, but don’t worry gentile readers, I will be prompt and not suffering from any ill effects of the night before, as I am not drinking any more. I’m not drinking any less, but I am not drinking any more! No, I will be honest, when I was younger I would mix my drinks, but now the grape soda and the Capri suns are always on different nights! I do have a feeling that New Years Eve will be a “got milk?” kind of night! Early mornings! Don’t you just love them? Then, after the wedding, they will head for a champagne breakfast in the Grand Bahama Grill, our posh restaurant! (Oh, just as an aside, for those who don’t know, posh stands for Port Out, Starboard Home, which is the way the upper classes traveled to and from India, back in the days of the empire! British, not Roman!)
The day promises to be a day full of memories for the happy couple. And I know they will talk about the photo’s, the cake, the romantic setting, the happy, smiling face of the officiate, but I know that secretly, the happiest memory will be the one of the deft fingers that sounded that Ships Horn!
Oops, I think I am starting to peel. Man, this December sunshine!
‘Till next time,
Rick
It has been a real doozey of a day, today folks! We have had over a thousand passengers again, (second day in a row!) on the way to Grand Bahama! There have been safety meetings, (A subject we take very seriously, and my red nose and large shoes have to be left firmly at the door!) there have been issues to deal with, and there has been paper work coming out of my Ah, there’s my coffee!
A great deal of passengers means a great deal of passenger activity, and we had to send two coaches on the beach and shopping tour today, which meant I had to send another team member along, because we promise a team member to look after them on their coach. The shame is, I was going to go along today (I wanted to get my self a conch salad, a local delicacy) but because we had so many to disembark, I couldn’t go along. Sometimes, it is such a hard life! I had to go onto the lido deck instead and enjoy a nice cold Capri Sun in the hot Bahamian sunshine. Sitting in the sunshine, I started to reflect upon what we still had to do in the up coming days.
On New Years Day and on the 3rd of the month, we have Weddings on board. This is a real cool event that we have been doing on the Discovery Sun for the best part of a year now. I don’t do a lot in the ceremony, just sort out the music and blast the ships horn at the end. (On my last ship, imagine my surprise when the first wedding party came on board, and I was told I had to be beside the Captain, and had a participating role in the ceremony! Yikes! Mind you I have attended quite a few weddings…in a principle position…and I have heard the words more than most!) Discovery Sun can, if you wish, supply an officiate, and the whole thing can be taken care off right here on board! I am particularly looking forward to the ceremony on New years day, as it is taking place at 06.30, but don’t worry gentile readers, I will be prompt and not suffering from any ill effects of the night before, as I am not drinking any more. I’m not drinking any less, but I am not drinking any more! No, I will be honest, when I was younger I would mix my drinks, but now the grape soda and the Capri suns are always on different nights! I do have a feeling that New Years Eve will be a “got milk?” kind of night! Early mornings! Don’t you just love them? Then, after the wedding, they will head for a champagne breakfast in the Grand Bahama Grill, our posh restaurant! (Oh, just as an aside, for those who don’t know, posh stands for Port Out, Starboard Home, which is the way the upper classes traveled to and from India, back in the days of the empire! British, not Roman!)
The day promises to be a day full of memories for the happy couple. And I know they will talk about the photo’s, the cake, the romantic setting, the happy, smiling face of the officiate, but I know that secretly, the happiest memory will be the one of the deft fingers that sounded that Ships Horn!
Oops, I think I am starting to peel. Man, this December sunshine!
‘Till next time,
Rick
Ninety nine Red Balloons!
Greetings, gentile readers. ITMA!
Well now that the Big Day is out of the way for yet another year, (Man, they go past so fast, it doesn’t seem like yesterday that I was getting my Secret Sam spy attaché case!) it is time to get ready for the Big Night! New years Eve is approaching with an amazing rapidity, and once again the excitement is building in the passengers, this time it seems to be the adults that are feeling anticipatory!
During the travel talk to day the excitement over spilled as a local cheerleader group all shook their pompoms at me…every one of them members of the “Over Eighties Rah-Rah For Miami!” club! I don’t know what on earth they were wearing under their uniforms, but man, it needed ironing!
New Year resolutions are another major consideration of course, past one’s for me have included giving up Butter beans, and to stop dancing with suitcases strapped to my feet. This year, my resolution is to try to have a better balanced diet. Now when I eat bacon sandwiches, I’ll have one in both hands!
Once again, the rambler in me seems to be making a determined effort to come forth, so I shall try to beat it down and concentrate at the matter in hand. Our noisemakers, hats and balloons are here, (The joy!) and now I am just waiting for the helium, still, to fill the balloons. Otherwise, I will have some very unhappy, and winded, team members. When I was a young entertainer at holiday villages around my home country, we had to blow up loads of balloons every Friday, and have them in a balloon net, ready to cascade down at the end of the night amongst grateful holiday makers, who then destroyed an hours work in about 30 seconds by stamping on them all while all the time giggling like school girls!
So the fact that they are helium filled these days serves two purposes, One, the team members of this day and age don’t have to sit for hours blowing up balloons manually, and Two, because all the balloons are on the ceiling, there will be no Passenger balloon popping! We are going to go on a cruise to nowhere, just into international waters so that means when we return, there will be no Homeland Security protocols to go through, which will be just as well, as I think there will be some very relaxed people, probably with balloons tied to their wrists, New Year hats askew, tie’s undone and high heels in hand! (And that will be just be the guys!) This New Year’s celebrations look to be some of the best out of the twenty-one (A-Hem!) I have attended; I will let you all know how they went on Jan 1st! I’ll bet you can hardly wait!
‘Till next time,
Rick.
Well now that the Big Day is out of the way for yet another year, (Man, they go past so fast, it doesn’t seem like yesterday that I was getting my Secret Sam spy attaché case!) it is time to get ready for the Big Night! New years Eve is approaching with an amazing rapidity, and once again the excitement is building in the passengers, this time it seems to be the adults that are feeling anticipatory!
During the travel talk to day the excitement over spilled as a local cheerleader group all shook their pompoms at me…every one of them members of the “Over Eighties Rah-Rah For Miami!” club! I don’t know what on earth they were wearing under their uniforms, but man, it needed ironing!
New Year resolutions are another major consideration of course, past one’s for me have included giving up Butter beans, and to stop dancing with suitcases strapped to my feet. This year, my resolution is to try to have a better balanced diet. Now when I eat bacon sandwiches, I’ll have one in both hands!
Once again, the rambler in me seems to be making a determined effort to come forth, so I shall try to beat it down and concentrate at the matter in hand. Our noisemakers, hats and balloons are here, (The joy!) and now I am just waiting for the helium, still, to fill the balloons. Otherwise, I will have some very unhappy, and winded, team members. When I was a young entertainer at holiday villages around my home country, we had to blow up loads of balloons every Friday, and have them in a balloon net, ready to cascade down at the end of the night amongst grateful holiday makers, who then destroyed an hours work in about 30 seconds by stamping on them all while all the time giggling like school girls!
So the fact that they are helium filled these days serves two purposes, One, the team members of this day and age don’t have to sit for hours blowing up balloons manually, and Two, because all the balloons are on the ceiling, there will be no Passenger balloon popping! We are going to go on a cruise to nowhere, just into international waters so that means when we return, there will be no Homeland Security protocols to go through, which will be just as well, as I think there will be some very relaxed people, probably with balloons tied to their wrists, New Year hats askew, tie’s undone and high heels in hand! (And that will be just be the guys!) This New Year’s celebrations look to be some of the best out of the twenty-one (A-Hem!) I have attended; I will let you all know how they went on Jan 1st! I’ll bet you can hardly wait!
‘Till next time,
Rick.
It drives you around the bend!
G’Day, mates! ITMA!
I enjoy driving. I enjoy driving a lot, maybe because I don’t get to do much due to the fact I am always on a ship, but when I am home, I love to drive! I drive fast on the motorway, (69 miles an hour officer, honestly) I have a comfortable car and I spend quite a bit of time in it when I am at home. More gadgets and gizmos than you can shake a stick at. Sat Nav, DVD player, blue tooth attachment for my phone you name it, it is in there. The car itself has been electronically limited to around 170 miles an hour and has a Low jack system fitted. “What has all this to do with your day in the Bahamas,” I can almost hear you cry, as with one voice! “Are you trying to sell us your car?” No, gentle reader, I am not trying to sell my car, but I just want to convey how much I enjoy driving! A lot. So when I got the opportunity to take part in the Bahamas Jeep Safari, I jumped at the chance!
This may not be for the faint of heart, but it is a real blast! First of all, as the Bahamas was once under British rule, ( Rule Britania, Britiana rules the waves!) all the driving is done on the Left, in jeeps with left hand drives. It makes overtaking very interesting, especially as a lot of the drivers from the US cannot seem to get their head around driving on the correct side of the road. There is nothing quite so terrifying as seeing a car heading right for you , while the driver of the other vehicle is convinced it is you that is the wrong! It makes life…interesting! You do need to be over 25 if you are driving, and because of my youthful demeanor, they did need to see my license! Once the uncontrollable laughter at my photo had subsided, (to be fair, the photo is from my days as a magician, complete with pony tail and moustache!) I was taken to my Jeep, and introduced to my victims, sorry passengers! One of them I recognized from my kayak tour the other day. Apparently, her arms were still feeling a bit sore. For some reason I can’t fathom, our Kayak was harder to maneuver than any of the others. I don’t know what she was on about I’m afraid. I was asleep in the back of our shared Kayak for most of the way back!
I opted for the Stick shift rather than the Automatic, which for some reason filled my passengers with some kind of apprehension, but I quickly assured them by telling them I always drive a stick, but I thought it best not to mention that the stick is usually on my left instead of my right!
We set off in convoy and we soon recognize Taino beach, a name that you will remember from an earlier Blog, and then leaping from the water at Sanctuary Bay, the dolphins come into view. I tried to see my dolphin friend, also from an earlier Blog, but I couldn’t tell which was which. Do you know, I haven’t had a call, an email or even a letter from that Dolphin! Nothing. Talk about Kiss and Run. Huh!
We had a break, and our guide, Randolph, had a chat with us about some local history and the story about Freeport’s founder, Jebidiah Springfield. Sorry, sorry I got confused he was called Wallace Groves, and he had a very interesting life.
Then came the off road bit. “Hold on tight!” I thought to my self, though in retrospect, maybe I should have given voice to my thoughts, as the convoy hurtled through the forest on its way to Gold Rock beach. Once there, I changed into my swim shorts and enjoyed lunch, as well as a well-deserved Capri Sun. I was very thirsty. I stood tall, knowing as I removed my Ray-Bans, that my driving skills were indeed a topic of conversation. I as walked past the group, slowly of course so they could all admire my manly physique, (Adele says I have TWICE the body of Brad Pitt! Hang on a minute; I have just realized she is calling me Fat!) On my way back, I had different passengers. I smiled at them all and asked why I had the pleasure of their company on the way back. “We drew straws,” one of them said. “And you won?” I asked. “No” came the firm, unsmiling, reply. “No, we didn’t”
Ah well, never mind. Time to go back. “Atomic batteries to power. Turbo’s to speed…Roger, ready to move out! Ye-hah!”
‘Till next time
Rick
I enjoy driving. I enjoy driving a lot, maybe because I don’t get to do much due to the fact I am always on a ship, but when I am home, I love to drive! I drive fast on the motorway, (69 miles an hour officer, honestly) I have a comfortable car and I spend quite a bit of time in it when I am at home. More gadgets and gizmos than you can shake a stick at. Sat Nav, DVD player, blue tooth attachment for my phone you name it, it is in there. The car itself has been electronically limited to around 170 miles an hour and has a Low jack system fitted. “What has all this to do with your day in the Bahamas,” I can almost hear you cry, as with one voice! “Are you trying to sell us your car?” No, gentle reader, I am not trying to sell my car, but I just want to convey how much I enjoy driving! A lot. So when I got the opportunity to take part in the Bahamas Jeep Safari, I jumped at the chance!
This may not be for the faint of heart, but it is a real blast! First of all, as the Bahamas was once under British rule, ( Rule Britania, Britiana rules the waves!) all the driving is done on the Left, in jeeps with left hand drives. It makes overtaking very interesting, especially as a lot of the drivers from the US cannot seem to get their head around driving on the correct side of the road. There is nothing quite so terrifying as seeing a car heading right for you , while the driver of the other vehicle is convinced it is you that is the wrong! It makes life…interesting! You do need to be over 25 if you are driving, and because of my youthful demeanor, they did need to see my license! Once the uncontrollable laughter at my photo had subsided, (to be fair, the photo is from my days as a magician, complete with pony tail and moustache!) I was taken to my Jeep, and introduced to my victims, sorry passengers! One of them I recognized from my kayak tour the other day. Apparently, her arms were still feeling a bit sore. For some reason I can’t fathom, our Kayak was harder to maneuver than any of the others. I don’t know what she was on about I’m afraid. I was asleep in the back of our shared Kayak for most of the way back!
I opted for the Stick shift rather than the Automatic, which for some reason filled my passengers with some kind of apprehension, but I quickly assured them by telling them I always drive a stick, but I thought it best not to mention that the stick is usually on my left instead of my right!
We set off in convoy and we soon recognize Taino beach, a name that you will remember from an earlier Blog, and then leaping from the water at Sanctuary Bay, the dolphins come into view. I tried to see my dolphin friend, also from an earlier Blog, but I couldn’t tell which was which. Do you know, I haven’t had a call, an email or even a letter from that Dolphin! Nothing. Talk about Kiss and Run. Huh!
We had a break, and our guide, Randolph, had a chat with us about some local history and the story about Freeport’s founder, Jebidiah Springfield. Sorry, sorry I got confused he was called Wallace Groves, and he had a very interesting life.
Then came the off road bit. “Hold on tight!” I thought to my self, though in retrospect, maybe I should have given voice to my thoughts, as the convoy hurtled through the forest on its way to Gold Rock beach. Once there, I changed into my swim shorts and enjoyed lunch, as well as a well-deserved Capri Sun. I was very thirsty. I stood tall, knowing as I removed my Ray-Bans, that my driving skills were indeed a topic of conversation. I as walked past the group, slowly of course so they could all admire my manly physique, (Adele says I have TWICE the body of Brad Pitt! Hang on a minute; I have just realized she is calling me Fat!) On my way back, I had different passengers. I smiled at them all and asked why I had the pleasure of their company on the way back. “We drew straws,” one of them said. “And you won?” I asked. “No” came the firm, unsmiling, reply. “No, we didn’t”
Ah well, never mind. Time to go back. “Atomic batteries to power. Turbo’s to speed…Roger, ready to move out! Ye-hah!”
‘Till next time
Rick
Up at the Kayak of dawn!
Good day to each and every one of you! ITMA. And a happy St. Stephen’s Day! Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, ‘tis the feast of Stephen, as immortalized by
Good King Wencelas as he looked out! King Wencelas was the king of Bohemia, which I think sounds enough like Bahama to make sense. The weather is poles apart though. The only thing that is Deep and Crisp and Even were the Chicken wings that I enjoyed at lunch during the Kayak tour that I took part in today!
Last time I went Kayaking, (or canoeing as it was known when I was a mere slip of a boy!) I was about 14 years old in the middle of the summer in a magical place called Lake Windermere. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Lake District, (as this areas is known!) you should imagine a Sun-Drenched area of the United Kingdom filled with lakes of various sizes, filled with water so warm and clear that they can only be compared to a Swedish hot tub! So, there I was, a 14 years old boy, grasping my newly acquired “Canoeing Charge” qualification, (I had just graduated that day!) and taking out two novices. (For those of you who were never in the Sea Cadets, this seems like a VERY big deal at the time!) Up the river we went, and long story very short, I should never had qualified that day. The whole experience left me never wanting to go up any creek again, especially without a paddle! It was a very painful experience. (For full details of this painful experience, please write your email address on the back of a $10.00 bill, send it in, and I’ll get back to you!) Any way, back to my day here in the present! Fortunately, the Guide had much more experience than 14-year-old Rick did, and the whole experience was very enjoyable. I sat in the back of the kayak, hoping that if the going got too tough, I could just coast. I know, I know, a bit mean, especially as I had been paired up with a 13 year old child, but she had much younger arms than me! Any way, there was no need to worry, ‘cos the going was very easy. Easy enough for me to have the memories of that long ago day to come flooding back and to look impressive, at least to my eyes, in any case. Although I suppose I should have warned my Kayak partner that I was going to see if I could remember how to do an “Eskimo Roll.” Who wears a designer shirt to go kayaking anyway? We Kayaked for about ninety minuets, (it is amazing how much sleep you can get in the back of those things! Must look in to buying a tandem when I get home) then we stopped for lunch at Gold Beach, and I thought I had better ring home. After all, I was sure Adele was waiting to hear what a great time I was having on the beach on Boxing Day! Turns out, she wasn’t that impressed. Something to do with the boiler picking the most inconvenient time to pack up, the car refusing to start, yet again, and her Mom having imbibed to much of the Christmas spirit and not being able to navigate her Broomstick safely to pick her up. So, she had to load our dog, (a ten stone (140 pounds) Rottie called Dolly-Mixture) and all the boxes that she wanted to take with her to the Gingerbread house, into a taxi and struggle through the cold and ice. So as you can imagine, me chuntering on about how, now that I had re-discovered my love for all things aquatic, that I thought our next vacation should be on a rapid strewn river, fell upon deaf ears! She said something about hoping that I enjoy myself and to make sure I put on an appropriate amount of sunscreen. At least that is what I chose to think she would have said if the signal hadn’t been suddenly lost. Must have been all those trees, I guess. I definitely heard her say something about sticking my sunscreen somewhere before the signal went. At the end of the tour, which included a really nice walk, and talk, through the National park and caves, the transport took everyone back to their hotels. I went to have a couple of Capri Suns; I was very thirsty after shouting out instructions to my Kayak mate, (“Paddle harder! Paddle harder!” things like that!) and then back to work. Lot of passengers going back to night, so the show should be a blast!
‘Till next time,Rick
Good King Wencelas as he looked out! King Wencelas was the king of Bohemia, which I think sounds enough like Bahama to make sense. The weather is poles apart though. The only thing that is Deep and Crisp and Even were the Chicken wings that I enjoyed at lunch during the Kayak tour that I took part in today!
Last time I went Kayaking, (or canoeing as it was known when I was a mere slip of a boy!) I was about 14 years old in the middle of the summer in a magical place called Lake Windermere. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Lake District, (as this areas is known!) you should imagine a Sun-Drenched area of the United Kingdom filled with lakes of various sizes, filled with water so warm and clear that they can only be compared to a Swedish hot tub! So, there I was, a 14 years old boy, grasping my newly acquired “Canoeing Charge” qualification, (I had just graduated that day!) and taking out two novices. (For those of you who were never in the Sea Cadets, this seems like a VERY big deal at the time!) Up the river we went, and long story very short, I should never had qualified that day. The whole experience left me never wanting to go up any creek again, especially without a paddle! It was a very painful experience. (For full details of this painful experience, please write your email address on the back of a $10.00 bill, send it in, and I’ll get back to you!) Any way, back to my day here in the present! Fortunately, the Guide had much more experience than 14-year-old Rick did, and the whole experience was very enjoyable. I sat in the back of the kayak, hoping that if the going got too tough, I could just coast. I know, I know, a bit mean, especially as I had been paired up with a 13 year old child, but she had much younger arms than me! Any way, there was no need to worry, ‘cos the going was very easy. Easy enough for me to have the memories of that long ago day to come flooding back and to look impressive, at least to my eyes, in any case. Although I suppose I should have warned my Kayak partner that I was going to see if I could remember how to do an “Eskimo Roll.” Who wears a designer shirt to go kayaking anyway? We Kayaked for about ninety minuets, (it is amazing how much sleep you can get in the back of those things! Must look in to buying a tandem when I get home) then we stopped for lunch at Gold Beach, and I thought I had better ring home. After all, I was sure Adele was waiting to hear what a great time I was having on the beach on Boxing Day! Turns out, she wasn’t that impressed. Something to do with the boiler picking the most inconvenient time to pack up, the car refusing to start, yet again, and her Mom having imbibed to much of the Christmas spirit and not being able to navigate her Broomstick safely to pick her up. So, she had to load our dog, (a ten stone (140 pounds) Rottie called Dolly-Mixture) and all the boxes that she wanted to take with her to the Gingerbread house, into a taxi and struggle through the cold and ice. So as you can imagine, me chuntering on about how, now that I had re-discovered my love for all things aquatic, that I thought our next vacation should be on a rapid strewn river, fell upon deaf ears! She said something about hoping that I enjoy myself and to make sure I put on an appropriate amount of sunscreen. At least that is what I chose to think she would have said if the signal hadn’t been suddenly lost. Must have been all those trees, I guess. I definitely heard her say something about sticking my sunscreen somewhere before the signal went. At the end of the tour, which included a really nice walk, and talk, through the National park and caves, the transport took everyone back to their hotels. I went to have a couple of Capri Suns; I was very thirsty after shouting out instructions to my Kayak mate, (“Paddle harder! Paddle harder!” things like that!) and then back to work. Lot of passengers going back to night, so the show should be a blast!
‘Till next time,Rick
The Big Day! The Big Day! Yahoo!
Hello everybody, and may I be the first to wish you all a very Happy Easter! Nothing like getting greetings in early!
Ok, so, what is Christmas day like on the Discovery Sun? Well, we had a lot of Round Trip Passengers today, people who decided to spend Christmas on a cruise to paradise.
A souvenir photo is produced on board from when our passengers come on board. Of course, when Scud…(that is my Nickname for Adele’s Mom, short for Scud missile…you know she is coming, but there is nothing you can do about it, you know what I mean?) came on board, it was noticed that she is a bit large. She is, in fact so large; they had to take her souvenir photo via Satellite!
Once on board, up went the gangway, and we were off! Sailing the ocean blue, slipping out of Ft. Lauderdale just after 08.00. the sea was calm and we made great time. One of my team members was a bit late for his duty at the Deck party as he had to dress up as (Warning, remove all children from this page at this time, until advised otherwise!) Santa. He then made his way to Club Discovery, (Children’ club) and spread cheer, good will and of course gifts to all the little angels that were waiting for him. There were screams of delight and a general rush towards the big man. There were a few tears, but I told him to pull himself together and remember they were only children; they weren’t going to hurt him! (Children my now safely return!) After Kriss Kringle had put in his appearance, then it was back to the festivities! The deck party games got a Christmas feel to them by the simple adding of Christmas to the name of the game, i.e. “…here we go with the Miss Discovery Christmas competition…” Very effective.
Also, a lot of people were traveling with us today to spend a week in Grand Bahama, and they were all so excited they could not sit still for virtually the whole trip, looking forward as they were to beach parties, Snorkeling adventures, Kayaking tours and of course just the realization that they were going to be relaxing in one of the most beautiful places on earth. When they disembarked, they were all ready in the holiday zone. That is one of the best things about using the Discovery Sun to start your vacation; we help start it that little bit earlier! The worst thing I find about vacations is some times the pressure to ensure everything is perfect makes the actual vacation hard to live up to. Using the Discovery Sun as a buffer, really helps people relax, and forget to be tense about flights, hotels etc.! It eases you in to a vacation mood, and when you arrive at your destination, you have already started to enjoy your well-deserved break without even realizing it. And on the way back, we continue the feeling of contentment with another relaxing cruise, which includes, amongst other things, dinner and a show! How can you miss?
So, all in all, Christmas on the Discovery Sun much the same as any where else as far as excitement goes, Gifts, Santa, glorious anticipation, but without the drama! No food to prepare, no worry about washing the dishes, all the hassle removed. It is Christmas . 1
I for one am glad that I experienced it.
‘Till next time,
Rick
P.S. Happy Holidays!
Ok, so, what is Christmas day like on the Discovery Sun? Well, we had a lot of Round Trip Passengers today, people who decided to spend Christmas on a cruise to paradise.
A souvenir photo is produced on board from when our passengers come on board. Of course, when Scud…(that is my Nickname for Adele’s Mom, short for Scud missile…you know she is coming, but there is nothing you can do about it, you know what I mean?) came on board, it was noticed that she is a bit large. She is, in fact so large; they had to take her souvenir photo via Satellite!
Once on board, up went the gangway, and we were off! Sailing the ocean blue, slipping out of Ft. Lauderdale just after 08.00. the sea was calm and we made great time. One of my team members was a bit late for his duty at the Deck party as he had to dress up as (Warning, remove all children from this page at this time, until advised otherwise!) Santa. He then made his way to Club Discovery, (Children’ club) and spread cheer, good will and of course gifts to all the little angels that were waiting for him. There were screams of delight and a general rush towards the big man. There were a few tears, but I told him to pull himself together and remember they were only children; they weren’t going to hurt him! (Children my now safely return!) After Kriss Kringle had put in his appearance, then it was back to the festivities! The deck party games got a Christmas feel to them by the simple adding of Christmas to the name of the game, i.e. “…here we go with the Miss Discovery Christmas competition…” Very effective.
Also, a lot of people were traveling with us today to spend a week in Grand Bahama, and they were all so excited they could not sit still for virtually the whole trip, looking forward as they were to beach parties, Snorkeling adventures, Kayaking tours and of course just the realization that they were going to be relaxing in one of the most beautiful places on earth. When they disembarked, they were all ready in the holiday zone. That is one of the best things about using the Discovery Sun to start your vacation; we help start it that little bit earlier! The worst thing I find about vacations is some times the pressure to ensure everything is perfect makes the actual vacation hard to live up to. Using the Discovery Sun as a buffer, really helps people relax, and forget to be tense about flights, hotels etc.! It eases you in to a vacation mood, and when you arrive at your destination, you have already started to enjoy your well-deserved break without even realizing it. And on the way back, we continue the feeling of contentment with another relaxing cruise, which includes, amongst other things, dinner and a show! How can you miss?
So, all in all, Christmas on the Discovery Sun much the same as any where else as far as excitement goes, Gifts, Santa, glorious anticipation, but without the drama! No food to prepare, no worry about washing the dishes, all the hassle removed. It is Christmas . 1
I for one am glad that I experienced it.
‘Till next time,
Rick
P.S. Happy Holidays!
Bright Light City
Viva Las Vegas! This place is slots of fun! I went to the Casino today, and what a fantastic time I had! The Casino in Port Lucaya is a great deal of fun, and a great place to spend an afternoon. When I was a cabaret act back in my long distant youth, I had a spot in the main room of a long gone casino in Vegas. I will always remember the room they gave me in the hotel had a mirror on the ceiling over the bed. I found it amusing at first, but when I woke up in the morning I was terrified to see what I thought was an overweight, naked skydiver heading towards me!
But once again, the rambler in me tries to take over! Back to this casino. When you enter, the first thing that strikes you is the size of the place, and the noise! There are so many slot machines! So many! There are banks and banks of them, each and every one of them twinkling invitingly. I decided to augment my wages by investing $5.00 in one of the machines, surely it wouldn’t be hard to quickly turn that into a few hundred, after all I had just seen an ageing octogenarian complete with walker and a tub full of quarters work those machines like she was taking candy from a small child that didn’t really like the candy anyway because it was something minty that smelled of almonds. I faced the machines, and that was my first dilemma. Where was the arm that I had to pull? What on earth were all these lights for? Bank, why do I want to put my money in the bank? I want my money out of the big slot at the bottom! A slot for notes? Are you kidding me? In less time than it takes to say Nudge, my $5.00 dollars had gone. As I walked away, I heard a wavery voice mutter “Smuck!” and I turned to see my octogenarian place a single quarter into MY machine, manipulate the buttons and dials with her knarled fingers and with a deft flick of her walker, she turned towards me, smiled and waited for the massive payout to stop it’s “ka-ching, ka-ching.” She handed me a five spot with a wink “It’s all in the waiting, honey!” she said, as she disappeared, admittedly at slow speed, toward the next bank of machines where disappointed people were leaving!
Feeling thirsty, I headed to the refreshment area, where the server asked me if I would like the specialty of the house. “And what would that be, young lady?” I enquired. “A Martini” was the reply, “but they are quite expensive” “Well!” I thought, “I have back my $5.00 dollars, hang the expense! “No matter the expense, my dear, a Martini it is, two olives, if you please” “It is going to be $2000.00” “Whaaaat? How about if I just have the one olive?” ‘Still $2000.00, I’m afraid” “You’re afraid? I’m terrified!” Yes, gentle reader, you read right! Allow me to spell it out, just so there is no confusion,
TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS! Just how thirsty would you have to be?
And so, grasping my Capri Sun, (complete with 3 olives, score one for me, the house does not always win, thank you!) I headed for the tables. There are around eight tables in the casino ranging from craps to roulette to three-card poker to black jack and all other manor of games. After watching for a while, my now diminished funds burning a hole in my pocket, I decided not to partake, as the money that was changing hands both ways made my remaining $1.25 look a bit silly. So I decided to continue my bag ’o drink outside. A quick quarter in a machine on my way out, the lights flashed, the dials span and you know what? My octogenarian was right! It IS all in the waiting! Unfortunately, I’m still waiting!
‘Till next time,
Rick
But once again, the rambler in me tries to take over! Back to this casino. When you enter, the first thing that strikes you is the size of the place, and the noise! There are so many slot machines! So many! There are banks and banks of them, each and every one of them twinkling invitingly. I decided to augment my wages by investing $5.00 in one of the machines, surely it wouldn’t be hard to quickly turn that into a few hundred, after all I had just seen an ageing octogenarian complete with walker and a tub full of quarters work those machines like she was taking candy from a small child that didn’t really like the candy anyway because it was something minty that smelled of almonds. I faced the machines, and that was my first dilemma. Where was the arm that I had to pull? What on earth were all these lights for? Bank, why do I want to put my money in the bank? I want my money out of the big slot at the bottom! A slot for notes? Are you kidding me? In less time than it takes to say Nudge, my $5.00 dollars had gone. As I walked away, I heard a wavery voice mutter “Smuck!” and I turned to see my octogenarian place a single quarter into MY machine, manipulate the buttons and dials with her knarled fingers and with a deft flick of her walker, she turned towards me, smiled and waited for the massive payout to stop it’s “ka-ching, ka-ching.” She handed me a five spot with a wink “It’s all in the waiting, honey!” she said, as she disappeared, admittedly at slow speed, toward the next bank of machines where disappointed people were leaving!
Feeling thirsty, I headed to the refreshment area, where the server asked me if I would like the specialty of the house. “And what would that be, young lady?” I enquired. “A Martini” was the reply, “but they are quite expensive” “Well!” I thought, “I have back my $5.00 dollars, hang the expense! “No matter the expense, my dear, a Martini it is, two olives, if you please” “It is going to be $2000.00” “Whaaaat? How about if I just have the one olive?” ‘Still $2000.00, I’m afraid” “You’re afraid? I’m terrified!” Yes, gentle reader, you read right! Allow me to spell it out, just so there is no confusion,
TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS! Just how thirsty would you have to be?
And so, grasping my Capri Sun, (complete with 3 olives, score one for me, the house does not always win, thank you!) I headed for the tables. There are around eight tables in the casino ranging from craps to roulette to three-card poker to black jack and all other manor of games. After watching for a while, my now diminished funds burning a hole in my pocket, I decided not to partake, as the money that was changing hands both ways made my remaining $1.25 look a bit silly. So I decided to continue my bag ’o drink outside. A quick quarter in a machine on my way out, the lights flashed, the dials span and you know what? My octogenarian was right! It IS all in the waiting! Unfortunately, I’m still waiting!
‘Till next time,
Rick
Where are the Golden Rings? "Fiiive Goat-Skin Drums!"
Well, well, well, what to do today? I think I shall take a trip to the Bahamas, always nice at this time of year!
Coming as I do from a country of colder climes, I always find it quite strange to be confronted with Christmas decorations whilst in temperatures up in the 70’s (not the years, Fahrenheit!) But the Island to day was as sunny as the passenger’s disposition! And the Christmas spirit was everywhere. (You have never heard “The Twelve Days of Christmas” until you have heard the Bahamian version!) I think what makes it weird is there is no adaptation for whatever country you are in when the Christmas period is upon us. If you are in Germany, for instance, Santa has a different name (Nicklaus) but he still wears a big Red furry suit. The same suit is in evidence throughout all of the European counties I have ever spent Christmas in, and here’s the thing, one of the hottest countries I have ever spent Christmas was Singapore, and there in the mall, was Santa, in his full suit, sweating his Santa’s little helpers off! There is absolutely no compromise dependent upon on location of the celebration! If Christmas is celebrated, then it is celebrated to the full extent! Trees, tinsel, ornaments, Christmas wreaths, holly, Mistletoe, the whole nine yards! And, as I say, a bit weird looking out of the window and seeing Palm Trees decorated for the season. Not weird bad…just weird! And here on the Island, some people go as far as to use fake snow in the windows. Fake snow in the windows! This from a population of people, the majority of who have never even seen snow! Fantastic. Even the cards all have a winter theme to them. Snowmen, Robins, Sleighs etc. The food stuffs seem to be very similar also, Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, but no sprouts! Sprouts seem to be the one thing that is peculiar to my own homeland! I was on a ship once where the chief didn’t prepare sprouts for the Big day, and one lady complained that she didn’t have any thing to leave on her plate, and it ruined her day!
Even I have allocated the big suit to a team member, and gifts will be distributed on board by Santa in very hot conditions, but you know what? No matter where in the world I am, the reaction to the suit is the same. It doesn’t mater how good or bad the beard set is. It doesn’t even matter how short or long the arms or legs are. And no one really cares about the gift they get. Next time you take a kid see Santa; watch their eyes…they are enthralled. So Christmas day here on board the Discovery Sun is set to be very traditional, Santa, Christmas dinner, crackers etc. The only thing missing will be my own Christmas Elf, and I will see her quite soon. Oh and her Mom, the Spirit of Christmas Pudding- Round with a prickly topping!
‘Till next time,
Rick
Coming as I do from a country of colder climes, I always find it quite strange to be confronted with Christmas decorations whilst in temperatures up in the 70’s (not the years, Fahrenheit!) But the Island to day was as sunny as the passenger’s disposition! And the Christmas spirit was everywhere. (You have never heard “The Twelve Days of Christmas” until you have heard the Bahamian version!) I think what makes it weird is there is no adaptation for whatever country you are in when the Christmas period is upon us. If you are in Germany, for instance, Santa has a different name (Nicklaus) but he still wears a big Red furry suit. The same suit is in evidence throughout all of the European counties I have ever spent Christmas in, and here’s the thing, one of the hottest countries I have ever spent Christmas was Singapore, and there in the mall, was Santa, in his full suit, sweating his Santa’s little helpers off! There is absolutely no compromise dependent upon on location of the celebration! If Christmas is celebrated, then it is celebrated to the full extent! Trees, tinsel, ornaments, Christmas wreaths, holly, Mistletoe, the whole nine yards! And, as I say, a bit weird looking out of the window and seeing Palm Trees decorated for the season. Not weird bad…just weird! And here on the Island, some people go as far as to use fake snow in the windows. Fake snow in the windows! This from a population of people, the majority of who have never even seen snow! Fantastic. Even the cards all have a winter theme to them. Snowmen, Robins, Sleighs etc. The food stuffs seem to be very similar also, Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, but no sprouts! Sprouts seem to be the one thing that is peculiar to my own homeland! I was on a ship once where the chief didn’t prepare sprouts for the Big day, and one lady complained that she didn’t have any thing to leave on her plate, and it ruined her day!
Even I have allocated the big suit to a team member, and gifts will be distributed on board by Santa in very hot conditions, but you know what? No matter where in the world I am, the reaction to the suit is the same. It doesn’t mater how good or bad the beard set is. It doesn’t even matter how short or long the arms or legs are. And no one really cares about the gift they get. Next time you take a kid see Santa; watch their eyes…they are enthralled. So Christmas day here on board the Discovery Sun is set to be very traditional, Santa, Christmas dinner, crackers etc. The only thing missing will be my own Christmas Elf, and I will see her quite soon. Oh and her Mom, the Spirit of Christmas Pudding- Round with a prickly topping!
‘Till next time,
Rick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
