I can’t believe it. I only have 4 weeks to go before I’m home again. In some regards this contract has gone really fast, however it seems like years ago that I signed on my first ship of the contract. I haven’t loved everyday out here for sure, but in typical fashion I’m starting to love it right before it’s time to leave. It really is a strange life out here. You get dropped into a new place with new people and pretty much a new job on each ship since none of them are exactly the same. Just as you get settled in to a good routine and make some friends, it’s time to leave. That was especially true this time since I switched ships half way through.
It’s not a lifestyle I would wish on anyone, but I’ve had opportunities and experiences I would not trade for anything. It’s pretty easy for those of us out here to become unhappy with our lives and then we take a look back. I had left my state less than a dozen times when I graduated from high school. I didn’t get my passport until I was in college. And my first flight came after my college degree. I never wanted to go to summer camp because I didn’t want to be away from home. Even now, when I’m home, I’d rather stay there instead of going out and doing something. But for some reason God decided to show me the world. And I’m grateful.
Right now I’m on my first cruise from Tampa, Florida. Last cruise was a 14 night repositioning from Boston to Tampa- with stops in 6 islands. They were all ports I had been to, but it was still one of the best cruises of my contract. I went snorkeling in St Lucia on a catamaran tour. I went back to the Boatyard in Barbados where I jumped off the pier several times and used the rope swing a few more. In St. Thomas I visited the worlds largest cruise ship and had lunch with a friend of mine who works there. I love reconnecting with people I have worked with before. That’s part of the life I wouldn’t wish on anyone- you meet amazing people, become fast friends, share incredible experiences, and then never talk to them again. It’s really quite horrible. Thankfully that wasn’t the case for us. We were able to reconnect and it was just like old times.
Our last port was Aruba and I went back to the water park I had visited on my last cruise on my last ship before I was transferred. It was great to go back with a whole new group of friends and act like a kid all over again.
There was lots going on on board last week too. They let the crew use the kids pool and water slide so I got to slide on the ship fully clothed! They also had a Pirate Party for us on the Mooring Deck.
This cruise is short and fast, but a lot of fun. I’m back in Mexico for the first time in a few years and enjoyed yesterday in Cozumel and today in Costa Maya. I have family visiting in less than a week and I can’t believe I’ll be home one month from today!
