When it comes to ship life, as lovely as it is most of the time, sometimes i feel as though i'm stuck in a prison. Now, what i mean by that is simply that i cannot leave the ship. Sure, i can get off and explore the ports, i can take off for the day and futz around in Long Beach, but when 4:00 rolls around, i better be back on that ship. I'm getting more and more pangs of homesickness and nostalgia for land-living. Yes, it's only been three weeks, but then again, i feel certain that this is just about the time when most crew newcomers start to feel this way.
And i'm also quite certain that it will run it's course. It will pass. It will get easier. I know all this, and you know what? In the timeless (and quite poignent) words of GI Joe, knowing is half the battle.
On the bright side, I've finally gotten a sense of what I must do with my voice in order for it to keep functioning at the top (or at least on the upper rungs) of it's game.
On the ship, I play anywhere from 1-5 hour sets 6 afternoons/nights a week. And the way I typically sing, that can take a toll.
What I've been doing lately, however, is dropping songs 1/2 steps, playing a lot more guitar and singing a lot less. I'm lucky enough to take a 20 minute break to every 40 minutes that I play and I utilize that. When my alarm goes off for my breaks, I'm out of there.
So today in Long Beach I discovered the Public Library. I got myself a library card and now I am able to use free internet every Monday and Friday. This is an excellent thing, seeing as how the internet on the boat is $20 for 200 minutes. I think I've already spent an entire paycheck on internet fees...so the library is a godsend.
As far as friends on the ship, I've met (and continue to meet) a ton of really great people. Every cruise is new and different and each group of cruisers has their own energy seperate from the cruise prior or following. It keeps things interesting and enjoyable. And the crew is fantastic as well. I think I'm finally coming into my own here on the Paradise. People who I work with are finally starting to call me by name without looking at my nametag first as well as (at least it appears) starting to understand my humor/happiness/m.o./love for life and passion for my career.
Apparently I've been getting good reviews as well, because just recently I was asked by the Cruise Director to play a crew event in May, which should be a lot of fun.
I think what it boils down to is that no matter how lonely I get, how much I miss home, how I wish I could leave the ship sometimes, I'm able, blessed and lucky enough to balance that out with the fact that I get to do what I love for my living. I get to sing. I get to play guitar. I get to be onstage. I get to meet new people every day.
It's the yin and yang of cruise life and slowly but surely, I'm getting the hang of it, and I'm finding the delicate balance, as i hope you are with your own push and pull :)
So thanks for reading and until next chapter,
Allegrasings
Oh man, I can totally see how the ship would feel like a prison! There was one day that I was sea sick and I would have done anything to sit on still land for just 15 min! On the other hand, you are doing what you love, so keep that in mind and when it gets hard just think of serving tables. That ought to do the trick :) Miss you, hope you have a great week!
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