Quick one.. a tryout?

Few weeks ago I got the flu. Since I had no vaccine I got myself into isolation for.. wait for it.. 7 days. I’ve spent 7 days (168 hours) in my cabin. I live in a „single share”, it should give You a sense of privacy because You live alone in that room (1,5m to 1,5m to 2m) and share only the bathroom. It is a big word for a 0,5m to 1m space with the shower and the toilet inside. So, the first 4 days I almost slept through and something broke in me on day 5. In my mind status changed from „I will do 7 months contract and handle it good” to „escape mode”. When I “got let out” I couldn’t bare the possibility that it might happen once more and though I tryied it got me to a decision that I will use my probation period (90days) and resign. There is a difference between resigning and quitting. I resigned. At the end of next cruise I sign off and go.
The thing is, I do not „go back” or „go home” I „go to next point in life”. Something like a next/new checkpoint. What I left behind and had an opportunity to think through last 6 weeks, specially that one spent in a small room only having food brought to me and someone comeing one time a day to sanitize my cabin. No conntact with people at all. No talking. No outside worls. No sun. No fresh air. Almost no internet. That and the whole ship work and life experience changed me in some way.
Now I got used to the way You live here and am quite happy with that state. That is an experience everybody should try to have if thay can. I have met many new people I surely will keep in touch with, gained new work and „survival” skills, and now I know what life can be on a cruise ship. It is another world, something completely new. Maybe if I would not get contaminated I’d stay. Maybe this maybe that, almost like the word „but”.
Today I paid for my flight back to Poland. When I get back I will have 2 days off and start a big production of „Saturday night fever” at Muscial Theatre in Gdynia. I’m actually somewhere in between can’t wait to sit behing my Crescendo mixing desk and a bit sad I’m leaving. On the other hand I am sure I would not be walking around with a big smile if I had not knew I’m leaving Anthem of the Seas to do “my things”. I am eligable to re-hire, I thing I made a good impressio workwise here and as they say, You never know. I might be back on a cruise ship sometime in the future, if I get a 4 month contract, probably not in RCL though. I just can’t wrap my head around the thought of spending 7 months on a ship. That strange claustrofobic feeling in my head. I need more freedom at this point. That doesn’t mean I’m sad here, no, I get bored sometimes but it’s not that bad!
I’ve met some awsome people and had many days full of smile and sun.
Before I got the flu, type A I can add. I got a test for that, somethinig like a straw into my nose, 15 minutes – You have got the flu. Nice one. Got tablets prescribed and .. the rest I have written above.

Now we do cruise 1,5 half sea day – Orland (Port Canaveral) – Cococay – Nassau – 2 sea days – Bayonne. To many sea days!
I enjoy, not many do, Cococay – RCL private island. Nassay is quite dirty and we did two overnights here but it is highly not recommended to go out at night, it’s dangerous. One Orlando I was sick, the other had some duties on board, this week I am actually on duty so next Orladno I plan to visit the space centre. Enough of the written part. Some photos. 
Barbados for me was basically a visit to the beach. Nice one, probably if I had time I’d go somewhere nicer. Still besides beaches it’s quite dirty here.

Cococay, just an island, small one, that I enjoyed.

Besides “The Gift” and “We will rock you” I’ve also seen and heard LasVegas Tenors. Really entertaining show. Happy that I could squeeze a visit at the Royal Theatre somewhere in between my usual activities.

“Groovy Town” came back to Music Hall. It’s a 70s show with cruise staff dressed in that theme that are encouraging people to dance as much as they can with easy routines in it. For me – I can stand that for 45 minutes and usually it mean a early finish, 23!

Nassau is, I think the biggest city in the Bahamas, dangerous by night, dirty by day.

Usually there are at least 2 cruise ships with us In port. One of my colleagues here said that he was on every of them.. yeah, people do that for a long time. There are few things to do in Nassau, none of them is a must do for me, so I just spent time at the beach, quick lunch and internet time.
We do something called “Captains Reception” and “Captain Waves” at the beginning and end of each cruise as You might have guessed. It takes place at the Royal Esplanade.

My favourite view on Anthem is that one from Two70. As I am on duty and check all the venues in the morning (if the music is on) and am on call the whole day I was there each morning and took a photo each day. There is something calming me in it.

Running track, 8.30am.

Same time, next place. Seaplex.

Because of the weather conditions, to much wind (there is no such thing and I just wanted to have my kitesurfing gear and jump off) and Anthem did not stop at Cococay. I was probably the only one that was not happy about that fact form our division. We just passed by…

Again, 8.34 in the morning.
One more thing.. You can get married in Music Hall, generally on every cruise ship. There was a celebrity wedding this cruise happening. This is not the one from the photo, this one is an common one ;p and my dj setup for it.

Snap back to my reality. Next cruise is my last here.
I think about it as a quick tryout. Might get back sometime as well as never be on a cruise ship again. Now at least I know what I will be signing on to.. a bit..
Every ship is different. Anthem may have many sea days and a boring itinerary but it is a rally modern, big and nice ship to work on and what is even more important to live on.
Meanwhile..
Can’t wait for some kitesurfing and a ride on my Bandit!

Muahh!!