Our dear captain’s voice sounded so smooth and soothing when we pulled out of Portugal, advising that we were heading into a rough weather system, but that the seas appeared to be improving and that we would be able to avoid the worst of them. You could almost believe him. Almost.
In the meantime, there were inter-departmental emails zipping back and forth from computer to computer reminding the crew of the measures to be taken for code yellow heavy seas, advisory messages from the captain himself reminding us to make sure that everything in our personal areas, cabins and work stations was well secured.
And so we started our transatlantic crossing in rough water.
One thing you learn as a crew member is how to quickly gain and regain your sea legs. I’ve always prided myself on the fact that I really don’t get motion sickness. If anything, high seas usually just put me to sleep. That is to say, that’s how my body reacts on any other stretch of water than the open Atlantic Ocean. When it comes to the crossing, my system rebels and either puts me down for the count, or forces me to live on nothing but half-flat ginger ale, green apples and saltine crackers.
I advise anyone who is expecting to travel by sea to develop a taste for ginger ale, you may find you need it. Especially if you don’t like taking medication. I know there’s some kind of scientific explanation for why ginger-ale works to settle your stomach, I don’t know what that explanation is – all I know is that it does.
As for the crossing itself: we’re not on the “classic” run, which is to say we’re not running South-Hampton to New York, the line does offer cruises on that run (in fact there’s one big special Classic Crossing coming up in the next few months on one of our sister ships), but this particular itinerary doesn’t include it. Instead we’re on taking the Great Circle (which is supposedly the shortest way), from Portugal to Fort Lauderdale where we will dock and begin our turn-around process 5 days hence.
For the passengers, the crossing means five days to recover from the amazing ports we’ve had in Europe, to pack their souvenirs, drink their champagne and prepare for their arrival back home to friends and family. For us however, the crossing means 5 days hard slog. Sea days are a great deal more work than port days, with nothing else to keep passengers entertained, the crew has to be constantly on its game, even more alert than normal to every need, whim or possible complaint. We not only have to be in the air before the passengers say jump, we have to know in which direction they expect us to land, and possibly sprout wings to as not to land at all.
By the time we reach our final destination, and prepare to start all over again, we are well in need of a few days extra sleep.