merry christmas

as i lay here tanning in grand turk on christmas eve cant help but wander where everyone is how how they ar celebrating their holiday season. I wish everyone an amazing holiday season filled of love,family,friends, food and good times. As i spend my holidays on the high seas and islands of the carribean i am thankful for my famiky and friends i have made here but definately miss my family and friends on land sending christmas love from the beaches of grand turk and the blue seas

as i sit hear at myfirst port of call and watch all the guests debark for a fun filled day ashore i cant help but wander what is it that brought me here. What is it im supposed to do. Where is it im supposed to go and who is it im supposed to meet. I live on a moving vessel where others may complain of the waves i believe they rock me to sleep. Where a muster drill has become second nature and an anchor dropping is my morning alarm. When i head outside everyday to go to work i have a differnt backdrop wheather itbe a sunny day at sea. A port day in thee everly growing puerto rico, the mountains of st thomas or the beach of grand turk. My commute is a minute by foot no cars needed.where it snows inside and entertainement is going on daily. But a place where people are constantly leaving and new are constantly replacing. Wether it be the guests, a friend, or even someone more. Its a constant life of hellos and goodbyes. A constant life of moving to new places and seeing new things. But in all the differnts thst you have its also a constant same. Knowing in a way no matter where you are or who is comming and going your daily motions are pretty much the same. Going back to miami yesterday and having lunch with a dear friend made me realize the hustle and bustle of main land is kind of overwhelming and though ship life very different now seems like the real normal life to me. I mean what is reality is it a persons daily activities, a place they they call home, or is it just their real life. The two times i have now been on main land when between ships and at lunch things just seemed hmmm different. I think reality is finally hitting me and now it may not be forever but cruising is my reality now. I received a text from a friend that was on my last ship with me, we were speaking when we were both home for a few days and realized even if only living shio life for a short period of time your judgement on reality clouds and you really have to sit and think what is real life and where is it going to take me. And as of now my reality will be taking me around the carribean.

familiarizing

So ive been on the Glory for a week and a half now and its good. Yes i miss the Fascination and the family and friends i have made there and even just the coziness and familiarity of the ship. But soon enough i will have it here to. Im finally settling in andbgetting to really know the front desk and systems they have there. The guest services staff is great im really enjoying them and the help theyve given me with work and just hanging after.The pasta monkeys ive met are great but slowly leaving. Which is the sad thing of cruising it seems thatbyour always saying goodbye to someone. I mean my roommate is leaving in two weeks and someone else will be taking her placebits like a revolving door. But its glreat life at sea is like nothing on land. Its a completely different animal. You meet people from everywhere who become like family. Your home takes you to diferent places daily and your living on the sea. One day horribly rocking the next day staring at an amazing sky full of stars listening to the calm lapping of the waves. You have comedy clubs and shows and bars all down the hall from your room. This ship does eastern and eestern carribean a nice run with a nu,ber of ports. Enjoyed grand turks beach a few days ago and some mexican food at an awesome crew bar in cozumel. Belize tomorrow isle roatan the day after then to cayman islands back to miami than eastern carribean again. Ahh life at sea

a month later

As i sit here and get ready to board my ship tomorrow i cant help but look back at the past month. Exactly a monthbago today i was so stressed out about starting my journey at seas what was it going to be like who was i going to meet was i goingnto like it...and now looking back at the journey i can say wow what a ride. This past month has definately had its ups and downs its fkown by as well as creeped by at times. But i can say its been overall great. I have met some amazing friends who ive had a great time with. An absolutely amazing man who i cant even begin to describe and have had some wonderful times. Life at sea is like nothing i have experienced and nothing one can explain, its a world of its own. I look foward to this journey i have ahead of me and all the people i will meet along the way.

Graduated

So today was the day that I found out my fate. After a month of classes working and learning I found out where I will be for the next 6 to 7 months. After hearing my fate a huge weight just lifted it is bitter sweet to be leaving these people that have become m family and this place that i now call home to start a new adventure with people that will become my family and a new place that will eventually become my home.
As of November 17th I will be signing off the Carnival Fascination and joining the Carnival Glory. The Glory will be going to the Eastern and Western Carribean. St Thomas, St Marteen, Belize, Roatan, Cozumel, Caymen Islands, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, Ocho Rios, San Juan, and leaving from Miami.
Now that this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders I am ready for the night. The staff will be celebrationg our graduation with us. Dinner a show and partying all night.

island time

so he hardest part is over i made it on the boat got my luggage on and met some awesome people. Today i am definately reeping the benerits of working at sea. As i am enjoying a few drinks at a beach bar in the bahamas watching a bahimian breaking it down on the dance floor. While i miss you all at home my adventure is just begining three days down eight months to go.....

almost time

as i sit here the night before i leave i cant help but think of the of all the great people Ive met and places Ive been. I leave behind an amazing group of friends that have become my family over the past few years, an amazing family that has suported me in everything I have done, and a little four legged child that means the world to me. While leaving all this behind and starting a new journey on my own I have such a mixture of feelings and thoughts running through my head. I have dreamed of this for years, waited for months and prepared for weeks and now it is finally here. To my friends and famiky I will miss you much, think of you often and talk to you when I can. Life is a journey and Im ready to embark on it.

Bon Voyage!

When you move to a new place with the passion to travel the world you are filled with inspiration! You are in your power and excited for the adventure ahead. Life is a journey! So what are we all waiting for....to settle down, to find a place to call home, or chase the experiences that we day dream about?

This blog is a gift, to one of the most wonderful people in my life. My first friend in a town I knew not a soul and grew to love. Melissa, you are such a great person, you inspired me to continue to chase my passion for traveling, you've helped me make new friends, and have been a constant reminder that a few true friends in life is really all you need. I am sad to see you leave Deerfield Beach but I know that a new chapter in your life is beginning....Go chase your dreams. Find the next path that will lead you to your next journey! Blog about your travels, your everyday life and the things that inspire you! We all want to hear about them. Cheers to an amazing sail.
Live, Love & Laugh. Maggie