I’ve said before that Christmas on ships is a very odd circumstance, just when you think you’ve got a wisp of the edges of it, something usually pops up to distract you and then poof it’s gone again. With our own celebrations becoming things that are slid carefully in between the celebrations we provide for the guests, Christmas runs the very real chance of simply becoming another working day – albeit with a lot more decoration.
The old adage: “What happens in show business when a holiday comes along? You put on an extra performance.” Is no less true out here than it is on a ‘normal’ stage.
But there are times, small times, when that changes, there are times when it feels like Christmas.
One of those times is first thing Christmas morning, when we all gather in the show room – even those of us who aren’t scheduled to be there (myself and Amras for example, both there, both wearing Santa hats and eagerly accepting egg nog), along with basically every child on board, even the teenagers. Once the hour strikes 10 and everyone is gathered, the first ship-wide announcement goes on.
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, this is the officer of the watch speaking from the bridge. We have detected an unidentified flying object which seems to be moving through the sky directly towards the ship. We do not at this time anticipate any danger, but we will keep you appraised of the situation as it develops.
Following announcements declared that the object in question was in fact a sleigh drawn by nine reindeer – bearing Santa to the decks of the flagship.
They call the children by ages groups, the youngest going first, but the one that always touches me is when they open the opportunity up to anyone, of any age, to come and have their picture taken with the man in red himself; and you see grandmothers and teenagers up there smiling unbelievably wide smiles. Reminding you that Christmas is not just for kids in adorable pajamas.
The rest of the day passed in a blur, I was still teaching, Amras was still playing. As I’ve mentioned before, our Christmas is in between everyone else’s. But that does make you appreciate the little things though; the long distance phone call home while you open your presents, Christmas movies on the crew channel, and the organized chaos of the crew Christmas dinner they give every season.
It never starts out as chaos of course. One entire ride of the buffet restaurant – the one not open to crew regularly – is barricaded off and set with full formal tables. Everyone dresses up and meets for cocktails before being escorted to sit down for a full four course meal. After that the orders always get mixed up and sometimes forgotten all together, but no one cares, because we’re family out here, and family is always a little bit crazy.
Santa doesn’t normally visit the crew, but there are always little gifts exchanged (“I give you a tie, you give me a book”), little things between friends. I got one of my closest cast member friends – Claura – a copy of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, which caused her to squeal with joy before she handed me a beautiful wrapped miniature music box that will always be a jewellery box. Mum and Dad sent me a beautiful new Pandora charm in the shape of a Christmas tree.
And I did get one massive present that I wasn’t even remotely expecting from Amras,
So do you want me to see a picture of what it is you’re going to be receiving in the mail?
I’m torn, I want the surprise, but if I get it too late you won’t be phone-able for my reaction
True, okay. Sit.
Are you sure?
Yup. Sit.
This…is the guitar you will be receiving.
My guitar! He found my guitar! And not just any guitar the guitar. The Epiphone Emily the Strange guitar. We saw it in Brazil last year, and had to walk out without it – which I have been kicking myself about ever since. It’s a collector’s item, and remarkably hard to find, I have no idea how he managed it! What I said at the time, when we were in Brazil, was if I had that guitar, I would learn how to play.
So now I’m going to need to put my money where my mouth is and learn a new hobby! Which I am abnormally excited about.
But it wasn’t about any of that. Not at all. Christmas never is. It’s about the feeling that you get when you’re with family, no matter how far apart you are or how much you sometimes disagree; you’re still family. I am lucky enough to often get the “Dolly in the Corner” but I have never forgotten – and never will – that it’s all about the oranges.