The Finer Things

I spend a lot of my time on ships doing things that are very out of the ordinary for a little semi-redneck from the home of NASCAR. I occasionally eat in five star, French restaurants. I'll sit at sidewalk cafes in France and Spain with sangria. I sometimes go to the wine and cheese events at the bow of the ship under the stars. These are the things I do occasionally that remind me I'm kind of a grown up, and a slightly cultured one at that.

However there is one event I often attend that deserves its own entry: our ladies catch-up sessions in the wine bar onboard, Cellar Masters. We ladies (and sometimes Franklin) make it a point to meet once a cruise for wine/champagne delivered by our favorite sommelier Dennis and simply sit and chat about our lives. We cover all topics from men, work, home, frustrations, promotions, celebrations and consoling. It is amazing to sit with a glass of Reisling (always my drink of choice) and be surrounded by women of all ages from all departments and be able to relate. I thought about this during our session last night.

Typically we have Grace the Acupuncturist, Fiona the Port and Shopping Guide, Jenn the Nurse, Liv the Gift Shop Manager, sometimes Olga the Cruise Director's Wife, and sometimes Martine the Financial Controller. The ages range from 23 (yours truly) up to 48. We come from America, England, New Zealand, Russia, and Scotland. We clearly work in all different areas onboard and some have been doing ships far longer than others. Some are ready to be done and settle at home, while others seem to love the life at sea too much to let go. It is an eclectic and fun group.

Often we break into smaller chatting sessions. For example, last night Jenn and Fiona got into Jenn's frustrations with work, while Grace and I began a deep discussion of religion and our upbringings.

I can't say I haven't felt completely privileged to be let in on wine catch-up sessions. These women are amazing and have all taught me things in one way or another. I've been let in on perspectives I never considered and feel much more enriched for simply enjoying the finer things, like a nice glass of Reisling and the company of, as Fiona calls it, "The Bitches of Eastwick."

Eclipsed Them All

As I'm coming to the last few weeks of this longer-than-normal contract I have to look back at the changes I've made. It's been so much more than changing of ship, scenery, and job. I look back at how my priorities have changed in the last few months. It used to be all about the ports and the shopping and the fun. Now I see myself taking the job more seriously (not too seriously, mind you). I like being in the office. I don't feel gutted if I miss a Barcelona here or a Vigo there. I'm happy to be productive onboard. Is that maturity I smell? Wait... maybe that was the tuna I had for lunch...

Anyway, I find I value my time on the ship just as much as the ports. Maybe it's this ship? Maybe it's this group of friends? Maybe it's just this time in my life?

I can't describe it. Things feel different. I don't have that anxious feeling about leaving. I will be sad to leave Jenn on the gangway. I will be even sadder if I have to leave Tim and Matt in the parking lot as they board the bus to the airport and I board a bus to hotel for my inevitable overnight. I will be sad to watch the Eclipse from the back window and I will of course cry as I say my goodbye. I feel good about it all this time, though. It's like I almost can't wait for that moment of standing on the pier, looking back with a giant sigh of relief and thinking "I did it."

I am ready to go home, though. So completely ready. As much as I'll miss my acapella guys and that British nurse that's joined at my hip, I'm ready to see my family. Ready to have a cider at McK's with Nicole, Mikey and Vonne. Ready for a night of Glee and Kraft macaroni and cheese. Ready to see my mom at the airport. Ready to see the beauty and filth of NYC again. Ready to spend time with my family in Bath. Ready to have Pirate's Booty and "Tiffy Drinks" with Leigh and Tiff. Ready to celebrate Allie's 21st! Ready to blame Rod for a night of too much drinking. Ready to hit up North Carolina for reunions with girlies and Elon homecoming! Ready to sleep a whole night with no phone interruptions. Sounds like a pretty fantastic vacation, right?

Then I'll be ready to start it all over again, with a holiday season back on the Celebrity Summit.

For now, though, I suppose I'll focus on these last few weeks of projects, ports and parties on the ship I opened, my baby, the Celebrity Eclipse.