“Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night” – (Transatlantic 04/23/2011)

I should note that the subject of this entry is by request and, since I’ve little else to do while I await the arrival of my after-mid-night room service, I’m open to fulfilling requests.

I mentioned that I had originally planned to blog about the final crew party, but that On Deck For The Cure had surpassed that desire in my mind. Now though, I find I have a day with little else of interest or inspiration to write about, and so..

Yes, there really are cosmopolitans on tap. Pre-mixed, and then they add vodka on top of that. Therein you see why crew parties are dangerous. Its not always cosmos of course, last time it was Lemon Drops, and no one can really tell you whether the alchol is already mixed in, or if they have to add it separately, and inevitably it turns out that you’re getting double dosed. Plus the fact that your bartenders are fellow crew members, who are also there for a good time…everyone feels a little delicate after a crew party.

Except me, because I have one drink and call it a night. I reality, I go to crew parties to dance, and to let my hair down. There’s really no comparison to a party that’s held in amongst several giant anchors, on a floor that is constantly moving, where you have to be careful what you lean up against because you might just come away with a permanent oil stain up the back of what was – until that moment – your favourite t-shirt. If you’ve ever been in entertainment, it’s somewhat similar to a cast party – at least in the level of tension release.

This was the final party of the World Cruise, it also marked the mid-way point of our current Transatlantic crossing, which, as you may have gathered, has not exactly been smooth – or at least wasn’t for the first few days. As a result of all this, there was a lot of tension built up, passengers – lovely as they are – can get trying, and in reality we are very seldom ourselves when we’re on duty. We’re a perfect imitation of ourselves, we hide flaws, disguise defects, when asked how we are we rarely give an answer less than “excellent” or “fantastique” – even if in reality we’re as far from that as you can imagine. Crew parties are a chance for us to walk away from all that, to just be ourselves, no matter how wild and crazy or dramatic that self may be.

Beyond the lines of the Mooring Deck, we all have rank and station, we have a respected pecking order and a line of command that is completely and totally sacred, but once we slide into true social mode, the Hotel Manager can be found chatting with the cabin stewards, and the cast members intermingle with the serving staff.

Of course…cosmos on tap is just a bonus.