Just when the ship is getting dreary and tired, and we are near to the mid-point of the cruise which always brings a slump, something happens that brings us all back to life.
We pull into Indonesia.
And half the crew gets to see home. And the energy level on the ship goes to an entirely different kind of volume.
There is really no explaining what it feels like to see the ship suddenly come alive with children, with families, when you suddenly hear tiny footsteps running everywhere and high-pitched giggles echoing down the hallways. They bring joy back to this ship, just when it is sometimes starting to go missing.
I have the highest of respect for my fellow crew-mates; most of whom complete much longer contracts and work much longer hours than myself. I consider myself beyond blessed to be in the entertainment department, and to therefore be only separated from my loved ones for four to six months at a time. For many, today will be the first time they’ve seen their loved ones in a year, sometimes more. I can’t imagine what that must be like.
What I do know, is I can’t really think of a better way to celebrate the fact that tomorrow is the halfway point of the cruise…
From here on in? it’s all a slow coast downhill….