We crossed into the eastern hemisphere today, and also crossed below the Tropic of Capricorn.
New Zealand is just a day away.
We go to the Bay of Islands tommorow, and im hoping to go on a kayaking trip.
Someone post some comments on these blogs. Im tired of seeing all these posts with zero comments
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A Day Lost In Time
Today October 29th we crossed the International Date Line, so tomorrow is Halloween. October 30th officially doesn’t exist on board the Millennium.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Searching for Oceanic Flight 815
Well it occurred to me today that as we near the international Date Line, we are a few thousand miles north-east of Sydney, the same area that the ill fated Oceanic Flight 815, from Lost, was said to have crashed.
I turn my eyes to the seas watching for a scary looking island, filled with mysterious Dharma Initiative stations and polar bears.
I turn my eyes to the seas watching for a scary looking island, filled with mysterious Dharma Initiative stations and polar bears.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Best day of the Cruise
Today was Bora Bora, and it’s easy for me to say that this was my favorite island and best day of the cruise so far.
We started by going to the beach a few minutes drive from the pier. It was a beautiful white sand beach that was protected by the reef so you could swim out for a long way, and the water was deep enough that you could swim normally but also stand up.
We stayed there for a few hours, but some of us had to leave early because we signed up for a crew excursion. Snorkeling with sting-rays and then snorkeling with sharks.
This was an amazing trip. There were about 25 of us and be boarded a small boat that took us around the island out to the edge of the reef that protects the island. The cruise out there alone was great, the scenery was spectacular, fun background music of the crew playing the ukulele and drums, and I was happy my camera had and 8 gig card because in total this day I took more then 300 pictures. The water is an incredible blue that is almost unreal.
Upon arriving at the reef, it didn’t take more then a minute for about 10-15 sting-rays to come floating in, and they knew exactly what the deal was. They would climb right up onto you if they knew that you had a fish to give them, and would follow and circle around you. Each one ranged from 3-5 feet wide and 3-5 feet long plus the tail making them around 6-8 feet long. They moved in lines when they approached us then they swarmed around trying to get food.
I’m happy to say that the crocodile hunter has got nothing on me as far as not getting stung by these rays, but I was definitely being careful about the tails. One of the girls on the tour has a nice scratch on the face from a ray. Touching them as they glided past was a great thrill, very smooth and a little slimy, but they were very calm about being touched. I bought an underwater disposable camera and I was careful not to use up all the pictures because I knew I was going to see the sharks next. But it was hard because the reef and all the rays made for some great pictures.
Well soon we had to leave and move on to the sharks, for which we had to go outside of the reef. On the way out we saw a few surfers hanging out at the outside of the reef, but the waves were not very big and the time they could ride was short because they broke upon the coral, so they had to exit out fast.
We stopped outside the reef, and the first thing we saw were hundreds of fish, a minute later the sharks started to appear. They were not huge sharks, about 5-6 feet long so the chances of getting eaten were zero, but they still could bite you pretty good if they wanted. I figure as long as there was lots of fish then there was no need to take a bite out of my hand. I got a bunch of good pictures of the sharks, but I didn’t have very many shots left on the camera. I swam right into the school if fish, and watched the sharks circle around. Truly an experience of a lifetime.
Unfortunately we had to go back to the ship or they were going to leave without us. We got back a bit after the official time that the crew was supposed to be back, but still before all the guests were due back, so I guess it was ok.
Today was a great day, and its too bad it had to end. But it’s only 2300 Miles to New Zealand.
We started by going to the beach a few minutes drive from the pier. It was a beautiful white sand beach that was protected by the reef so you could swim out for a long way, and the water was deep enough that you could swim normally but also stand up.
We stayed there for a few hours, but some of us had to leave early because we signed up for a crew excursion. Snorkeling with sting-rays and then snorkeling with sharks.
This was an amazing trip. There were about 25 of us and be boarded a small boat that took us around the island out to the edge of the reef that protects the island. The cruise out there alone was great, the scenery was spectacular, fun background music of the crew playing the ukulele and drums, and I was happy my camera had and 8 gig card because in total this day I took more then 300 pictures. The water is an incredible blue that is almost unreal.
Upon arriving at the reef, it didn’t take more then a minute for about 10-15 sting-rays to come floating in, and they knew exactly what the deal was. They would climb right up onto you if they knew that you had a fish to give them, and would follow and circle around you. Each one ranged from 3-5 feet wide and 3-5 feet long plus the tail making them around 6-8 feet long. They moved in lines when they approached us then they swarmed around trying to get food.
I’m happy to say that the crocodile hunter has got nothing on me as far as not getting stung by these rays, but I was definitely being careful about the tails. One of the girls on the tour has a nice scratch on the face from a ray. Touching them as they glided past was a great thrill, very smooth and a little slimy, but they were very calm about being touched. I bought an underwater disposable camera and I was careful not to use up all the pictures because I knew I was going to see the sharks next. But it was hard because the reef and all the rays made for some great pictures.
Well soon we had to leave and move on to the sharks, for which we had to go outside of the reef. On the way out we saw a few surfers hanging out at the outside of the reef, but the waves were not very big and the time they could ride was short because they broke upon the coral, so they had to exit out fast.
We stopped outside the reef, and the first thing we saw were hundreds of fish, a minute later the sharks started to appear. They were not huge sharks, about 5-6 feet long so the chances of getting eaten were zero, but they still could bite you pretty good if they wanted. I figure as long as there was lots of fish then there was no need to take a bite out of my hand. I got a bunch of good pictures of the sharks, but I didn’t have very many shots left on the camera. I swam right into the school if fish, and watched the sharks circle around. Truly an experience of a lifetime.
Unfortunately we had to go back to the ship or they were going to leave without us. We got back a bit after the official time that the crew was supposed to be back, but still before all the guests were due back, so I guess it was ok.
Today was a great day, and its too bad it had to end. But it’s only 2300 Miles to New Zealand.
Moorea
Moorea is a much smaller island and, the scenery was amazing.
The mountains and cliffs were insane, and the place where the ship was anchored had us slowing spinning during the day giving a nice changing view.
The beach that we were at was nice, but it was very shallow so it was more of a leisurely swim.
The area was nice to walk around with a few small corner stores selling basic food and drinks. A can of coke, by the way only cost 120 franks, or about $1.50. Not a bad deal for the prices in Tahiti.
There were a lot of locals with a tables set up selling their arts and crafts, I bought a small map of Moorena carved out of mother of pearl shell, and a t-shirt. Also a postcard from the corner store.
It was good to finally get into the water, and this water was so warm it was like a bath.
The mountains and cliffs were insane, and the place where the ship was anchored had us slowing spinning during the day giving a nice changing view.
The beach that we were at was nice, but it was very shallow so it was more of a leisurely swim.
The area was nice to walk around with a few small corner stores selling basic food and drinks. A can of coke, by the way only cost 120 franks, or about $1.50. Not a bad deal for the prices in Tahiti.
There were a lot of locals with a tables set up selling their arts and crafts, I bought a small map of Moorena carved out of mother of pearl shell, and a t-shirt. Also a postcard from the corner store.
It was good to finally get into the water, and this water was so warm it was like a bath.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Going Ashore
We finally arrived in Tahiti after 5 days at sea, (longer for me because I couldn't get off the ship when we arrived in Hilo because of a required pass i didn't have) we docked at 12noon and stayed for 12 hours. A group of us left the ship in search of food and beer. We found some really good panini’s and Tahitian beer. Though it isn’t cheap, it was worth it to be off the ship and eating something different. Also we were able to buy some good touristy items including a fridge magnet and postcards.
The ship was docked in the capital city of Tahiti, Papeete. It was a nice town but wasn’t the Tahitian experience most would imagine. That is more likely to be seen at the next two islands. Moorena, and Bora Bora. Although I’m sure if I took a car out of town it would look a lot more like the old days.
For those who traveled with me in Paris may remember how, just for a laugh, I would look for the most expensive price for a can of coke. The eventual winner being 10euros at a restaurant on the Champ de lese. Well that record was broken and because an unfortunate friend of ours, upon arriving back on the ship told us how she had to pay the equivalent of $20usd for a coke. Now its different then a posted price, because she was likely just scammed by a local, but it was paid none the less.
Tomorrow its on to Moorena, and some beautiful beaches.
The ship was docked in the capital city of Tahiti, Papeete. It was a nice town but wasn’t the Tahitian experience most would imagine. That is more likely to be seen at the next two islands. Moorena, and Bora Bora. Although I’m sure if I took a car out of town it would look a lot more like the old days.
For those who traveled with me in Paris may remember how, just for a laugh, I would look for the most expensive price for a can of coke. The eventual winner being 10euros at a restaurant on the Champ de lese. Well that record was broken and because an unfortunate friend of ours, upon arriving back on the ship told us how she had to pay the equivalent of $20usd for a coke. Now its different then a posted price, because she was likely just scammed by a local, but it was paid none the less.
Tomorrow its on to Moorena, and some beautiful beaches.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Trip Pics
Just an update on getting pictues onto this page.
Currently I am having some troubles getting my pictures to load in a slideshow format. I am going to try to use a link to the photo album that can be accessed by clicking on the photo to the right.
Currently I am having some troubles getting my pictures to load in a slideshow format. I am going to try to use a link to the photo album that can be accessed by clicking on the photo to the right.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Getting a Drink
The benifits of drinking on board for crew are flipped when compared to the guests. For the guests drinks costs range from 'expensive bar' to 'sports stadium durring the playoffs'. And even higher if you put it into a coconut.
But in the crew bar, the prices range from 50% to 75% discount.For example a beer costs $1.25, and a rum and coke, $2.25
Also staff are allowed to go to the guests bars like the Martini/Champagne bar, and staff discounts are still 50% off.
There are two different crew bars, a smoking one and a non, the non smoking bar is also the lounge area, with things like a big screen tv that plays movies each night, a foosball table, 2 pool tables (they dont seems to sway the balls about durring sea days, possibly gyro stabilized), and a playstation. This bar also had wireless internet, so most nights there are a lot of people with laptops.
The smoking bar is where the night owls hang out. A few of us were up until 5:30 am the other night (its nice to not have a set schedule).
Like the guests, drinks, and everything else are purchased using your crew pass. What this means is you don't know what you owe until payday. This leads to some very supprised people when they realize that a good percentage of that weeks pay went to the bar.But it is still nothing compared to the bills the guests have.
And on that note its quitting time for me, and im heading for the bar.
But in the crew bar, the prices range from 50% to 75% discount.For example a beer costs $1.25, and a rum and coke, $2.25
Also staff are allowed to go to the guests bars like the Martini/Champagne bar, and staff discounts are still 50% off.
There are two different crew bars, a smoking one and a non, the non smoking bar is also the lounge area, with things like a big screen tv that plays movies each night, a foosball table, 2 pool tables (they dont seems to sway the balls about durring sea days, possibly gyro stabilized), and a playstation. This bar also had wireless internet, so most nights there are a lot of people with laptops.
The smoking bar is where the night owls hang out. A few of us were up until 5:30 am the other night (its nice to not have a set schedule).
Like the guests, drinks, and everything else are purchased using your crew pass. What this means is you don't know what you owe until payday. This leads to some very supprised people when they realize that a good percentage of that weeks pay went to the bar.But it is still nothing compared to the bills the guests have.
And on that note its quitting time for me, and im heading for the bar.
Getting some exercise
Due to popular request from the comments section, I will give a rundown on the exercise facilities on board.
The best thing I have found is the stairs, due to the slowness of the crew elevators. Climbing the stairs is better then standing around watching the elevator go past me without stopping. So when I go to get something good to eat it usually involves climbing up 10 flights of stairs. And another 10 back down to the broadcast room. I estimate that in a day I climb 30-40 stories worth of stairs.
Besides that there is a crew gym, fairly small but it is something. Also there is a guest gym that can be used by staff, after 8pm and it is a very nice one with lots of good equiptment.
Later durring my contract, we will be in New Zealand, and I plan on doing my best Lord of the Rings impression by doing long hikes across the changing background of Middle Earth.
The best thing I have found is the stairs, due to the slowness of the crew elevators. Climbing the stairs is better then standing around watching the elevator go past me without stopping. So when I go to get something good to eat it usually involves climbing up 10 flights of stairs. And another 10 back down to the broadcast room. I estimate that in a day I climb 30-40 stories worth of stairs.
Besides that there is a crew gym, fairly small but it is something. Also there is a guest gym that can be used by staff, after 8pm and it is a very nice one with lots of good equiptment.
Later durring my contract, we will be in New Zealand, and I plan on doing my best Lord of the Rings impression by doing long hikes across the changing background of Middle Earth.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Crossing the equator
Hello,
Just a short update, we are on our 3rd of 5th sea day in a row as we sail from hawaii to tahiti.
We are currently at 00' 51.885 N, 152' 17.543 in other words a few hours north of the equator. We will pass over it later tonight.
To bad it will be after sunset so I wont be able to see the big red line. =)
Just a short update, we are on our 3rd of 5th sea day in a row as we sail from hawaii to tahiti.
We are currently at 00' 51.885 N, 152' 17.543 in other words a few hours north of the equator. We will pass over it later tonight.
To bad it will be after sunset so I wont be able to see the big red line. =)
Monday, October 20, 2008
Cruise Ship Food
Today I will talk about the food available to me on board.
First will be the ones that are always accessible to me.
Staff Mess: Nothing exciting here. Its open all day but food is only put out during certain hours. The food is served in a buffet style, and usually consists of a soup, a chicken dish, a fish, a beef, and pasta, with some other miscellaneous things. Also breads and cereals.
Also breakfast consists of standard eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausages, and danishes.
I have made some decent steak sandwiches, but usually it’s not worth going here unless you don’t want to change into a uniform to go eat.
There are 3 different messes for the crew. A crew mess, a staff mess, and an officer mess.
As far as places to eat that all the crew have access to, this is it. If this is the only place you can eat for 6 months, then plan on losing weight.
The other places to eat are guest areas that can be accessed by certain staff, and depending on your rank you can go to different areas.
As ITV manager my rank is Senior Cruise Staff, and it is the highest rank before the officer ranks.
Ocean Cafe and Ocean Grill: This is the best place to go for varied options. And it is where I have been having most of my meals.
There are many stations that serve various things depending on the hour.
Pizza station: Usually a good best for a quick snack, there is always a chef who is cooking various different pizzas that have been very tasty. The only thing is later in the night the pizza station is not very trafficked so they can be sitting under the heat lamp for a while.
Pasta bar: A nice selection of veggies and meats that are pan fried and mixed with various sauces. This is a good way to go for a dinner and it’s not too busy so it’s quick to get your meal. If you go there later in the night the chefs have time to do a really good job. They also have baked pastas that are buffet style.
Grill: This area is found next to the pool. Cheeseburgers, Hotdogs, sausages, taco, nachos, fries, and onion rings. Also usually a daily special like steak or fish. This makes for a nice lunch, but closes at night.
Buffet: A nice selection of changing items, on thanksgiving last week they were good enough to make the standard turkey, stuffing etc. Stopping by at various times in the day you will find some interesting stuff, yesterday a selection of mini sandwiches; make for a great afternoon snack.
Custom sandwich station: A good selection of breads, meats, chesses, and veggies, plus a paninni grill. Also they have a daily special sandwich. Only open at lunch.
Ice Cream Bar: A nice selection of ice cream, made on the ship, with a good selection of toppings to add to it, M&M, nuts, marshmallows etc.
There are also a few places to eat that a can access, but I need prior approval of my manager. Who since I am self managed it falls to the cruise director to approve. He is a fellow Vancouverite, so it shouldn’t be any problem.
The Sushi Bar: It's no Honjin, or Tojo's but it isn't bad.
Asian Stir-fry: Like the pasta bar, a nice selection of ingredients and noodles, usually busy, but never a line of more then a few people.
Casual Dining: Basically the same as the main dining room menu, but is set up in the Ocean Cafe at night. You have to tip a minimum of $2 to the wait staff, but it’s worth it for the food you get.
Specialty Restaurant: RMS Olympic Restaurant. The wood panels are the original panels from the RMS Olympic (sister ship to the Titanic, and Britannic, both of which sank) I guess the Olympic has the good luck. The menu is all top class, lobster and lamb, and everything you would expect at a 5 star restaurant. The difference is it only costs a $30 cover charge rather then the $100+ it would on shore. This is available to staff same as the guests, but it costs the same $30, no staff discount here.
Writing this list has made me hungry; I think its time for some pizza.
First will be the ones that are always accessible to me.
Staff Mess: Nothing exciting here. Its open all day but food is only put out during certain hours. The food is served in a buffet style, and usually consists of a soup, a chicken dish, a fish, a beef, and pasta, with some other miscellaneous things. Also breads and cereals.
Also breakfast consists of standard eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausages, and danishes.
I have made some decent steak sandwiches, but usually it’s not worth going here unless you don’t want to change into a uniform to go eat.
There are 3 different messes for the crew. A crew mess, a staff mess, and an officer mess.
As far as places to eat that all the crew have access to, this is it. If this is the only place you can eat for 6 months, then plan on losing weight.
The other places to eat are guest areas that can be accessed by certain staff, and depending on your rank you can go to different areas.
As ITV manager my rank is Senior Cruise Staff, and it is the highest rank before the officer ranks.
Ocean Cafe and Ocean Grill: This is the best place to go for varied options. And it is where I have been having most of my meals.
There are many stations that serve various things depending on the hour.
Pizza station: Usually a good best for a quick snack, there is always a chef who is cooking various different pizzas that have been very tasty. The only thing is later in the night the pizza station is not very trafficked so they can be sitting under the heat lamp for a while.
Pasta bar: A nice selection of veggies and meats that are pan fried and mixed with various sauces. This is a good way to go for a dinner and it’s not too busy so it’s quick to get your meal. If you go there later in the night the chefs have time to do a really good job. They also have baked pastas that are buffet style.
Grill: This area is found next to the pool. Cheeseburgers, Hotdogs, sausages, taco, nachos, fries, and onion rings. Also usually a daily special like steak or fish. This makes for a nice lunch, but closes at night.
Buffet: A nice selection of changing items, on thanksgiving last week they were good enough to make the standard turkey, stuffing etc. Stopping by at various times in the day you will find some interesting stuff, yesterday a selection of mini sandwiches; make for a great afternoon snack.
Custom sandwich station: A good selection of breads, meats, chesses, and veggies, plus a paninni grill. Also they have a daily special sandwich. Only open at lunch.
Ice Cream Bar: A nice selection of ice cream, made on the ship, with a good selection of toppings to add to it, M&M, nuts, marshmallows etc.
There are also a few places to eat that a can access, but I need prior approval of my manager. Who since I am self managed it falls to the cruise director to approve. He is a fellow Vancouverite, so it shouldn’t be any problem.
The Sushi Bar: It's no Honjin, or Tojo's but it isn't bad.
Asian Stir-fry: Like the pasta bar, a nice selection of ingredients and noodles, usually busy, but never a line of more then a few people.
Casual Dining: Basically the same as the main dining room menu, but is set up in the Ocean Cafe at night. You have to tip a minimum of $2 to the wait staff, but it’s worth it for the food you get.
Specialty Restaurant: RMS Olympic Restaurant. The wood panels are the original panels from the RMS Olympic (sister ship to the Titanic, and Britannic, both of which sank) I guess the Olympic has the good luck. The menu is all top class, lobster and lamb, and everything you would expect at a 5 star restaurant. The difference is it only costs a $30 cover charge rather then the $100+ it would on shore. This is available to staff same as the guests, but it costs the same $30, no staff discount here.
Writing this list has made me hungry; I think its time for some pizza.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Life on the ship
I have been abord now for almost a week, I have moved from the ship I was training on, and am now abord the ship I will complete my contract.
We are currently in Hawaii, and its cloudy!? Good thing too because I aparently need some sort of form to go ashore in a US port, a form that I dont have. So I will have to make do with the view from the ship.
The food is very good, because I am able to eat at most all of the places that the passengers can. I had some very good pizza last night.
Also I am enjoying being self managed, so i can go for a walk on deck, or for something to eat any time I want.
I found out by accident last night that The Daily Show is shown on CNN late at night, so if I am able to stay up I can keep watching my favorite show.
I share my cabin with someone who works in the broadcast office with me. He is the assistant broadcast manager. Usually they work mostly durring the evenings.
The ship I was training on passed throught the panama canal and I got some good pictures of us passing through the locks of the canal.
It was fun to be on that ship and I met some cool people but I am glad to be on the ship I am on now. The ports of call are better and they are mostly english speaking cities, my spanish wasn't much use to me at all when I had to fly out of coloumbia. Thankfully most people working at the airports spoke some english.
Thats all for now, I will try to keep updating every day, giving more info on my day to day life on the ship.
We are currently in Hawaii, and its cloudy!? Good thing too because I aparently need some sort of form to go ashore in a US port, a form that I dont have. So I will have to make do with the view from the ship.
The food is very good, because I am able to eat at most all of the places that the passengers can. I had some very good pizza last night.
Also I am enjoying being self managed, so i can go for a walk on deck, or for something to eat any time I want.
I found out by accident last night that The Daily Show is shown on CNN late at night, so if I am able to stay up I can keep watching my favorite show.
I share my cabin with someone who works in the broadcast office with me. He is the assistant broadcast manager. Usually they work mostly durring the evenings.
The ship I was training on passed throught the panama canal and I got some good pictures of us passing through the locks of the canal.
It was fun to be on that ship and I met some cool people but I am glad to be on the ship I am on now. The ports of call are better and they are mostly english speaking cities, my spanish wasn't much use to me at all when I had to fly out of coloumbia. Thankfully most people working at the airports spoke some english.
Thats all for now, I will try to keep updating every day, giving more info on my day to day life on the ship.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
