We have only 5 ports before the crossing begins, and of those one – Barcelona – is a major turnaround port. After that we steam out to sea for the infamous seven days which will put all of us to through the wringer. About the only department that gets to relax during the crossing is ShoreEx because well, you can’t really take a tour in the middle of the ocean.
It’s not as bad as it sounds, most of the work is done as of tonight and thankfully we were able to get a volunteer bridge instructor (because Head Office didn’t send us one despite the fact that we’re a thirteen day cruise with a crossing. Personally I think the need for a bridge instructor should be measured by the number of sea days not the length of the overall cruise – but I’m not corporate so I don’t know what else is involved.
That said, my roomie and I went out today (after quite an unexpected morning nap, which I didn’t even know I needed) for the express purpose of picking up chocolate, Nutella (and digestive biscuits to go with the nutella) and oh yeah, hand soap since we were out (see, we were practical!). But seriously, you don’t do a crossing without chocolate, especially since these days we’re not allowed to drink cocktails. Seven days at sea is flat out stressful, even when it goes well, and at the moment, you can feel the whole ship subtly gearing up for it.
Once we get to the other side of course it’s fun, sun and margaritas for all as we leave the rain and chill of the Mediterranean fall behind us and slide seamlessly into the Caribbean season; but at the moment that seems a long way off – after all, we still have to survive getting there!