Hello all. First off I just wanted to say I am sooooo sorry for not keeping up with the blog this week. It has been a crazy yet exciting week here on the ship. To start off the week we went through the Panama Canal. This has been the highlight of the cruise and for many passengers the reason to come on this specific cruise. The day starts off as the ship sails towards the first set of locks(110ft wide by 1000 long). The whole operation is a very big deal starting with pilots (who actually steer the ship) coming aboard early into the morning. I woke up at 5:45am and began to wake everyone else up. We were supposed to begin the first set of locks at 6am but that’s of course an approximate. As you approach the canal many tug boats come and follow just in case they are needed. Then the ship hooks up to the famous "mules." These are locomotives that "hold" the ship in place as it is in the canal. Remember once inside the canal there is only about 2-4 feet on each side. For the bigger ships such as a "Paramax"(Maximum length and width for the canal), there is only about 6 inches really on each side. The first gate opens up and the ship enters. Gates close and then the water from the next lock empties and flows into our lock slowly lifting the ship up. This is amazing to see done cause lets face it, these ships weigh A LOT. Once to the proper level the gate opens and the process is repeated twice more. This set of locks on the Atlantic side is the famous Gatun Locks. It has the most set of locks with three and takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to get through. The total length of this area is less then half a mile. Lets just say its slow going. After you exit the locks you enter into Gatun Lake and travel towards the next set of locks. This take about 2 hours as well and is beautiful. Lush rainforests are all around with the occasional cargo ship going the opposite direction. I was hoping to see some crocodiles or alligators. Did I see any? Of course not, but they were out there and rumors spread that some people saw them.
As we were about a mile from the next set of locks we had to slow cause there was a cargo ship and a US Submarine that were coming the opposite direction. At this time it’s a one way "road" so to say and is an area called the Gillard Cut. They are in the process of widening the canal in places to speed up the process. You can see the construction throughout the canal. As we passed the submarine it was amazing. To actually see an actual in service submarine is pretty amazing. There were a group of sailors on top of it as well as 7 -8 security boats along side it. They were given a warm reception by our passengers as they passed. This was something that took your breath away. After the submarine we came across a Panama penitentiary that is still in operation. It looks like a set for a movie and lets just say I would not want to be housed in there. There are still commanders of high ranking government officials for crimes committed many years ago. As you pass you can actually see into the yard and see prisoners walking around. This was very interesting and sort of creepy at the same time. I was only able to get one picture cause it passes quickly.
As we travel further we finally approach the second set of locks, the Pedro Miguel Locks. This set of locks as the third set, the Miraflores Locks lower you down into the Pacific level of water. Unfortunately we had rehearsal right when we began our decent into the locks but it was still amazing. As you exit the Miraflores locks you begin to see Panama City to the south. A huge city with skyscrapers everywhere. We then began to travel to our next port. Besides a bad sunburn on my face and forearms it was something I recommend to everyone.
The next two days were sea days, the first, scenic cruising of Costa Rica. This was cool with the very high rainforests and dolphins swimming with the ship. This night the ship had a crew party. It was located on the top deck in what is called the Oasis. It’s an area teens can hang out with hammocks, a waterfall and more. Most of the crew turned out to free food, drinks and music. It was a perfect night with no clouds, warm weather and very light winds. Its nice to get to see all the crew hanging out. You get to see people that you rarely see and its fun to relax with them. Again most crew are from Indonesia and the Phillippines with the rest coming from the US (not many), England, Australia, South America, etc, etc, etc. The second sea day was due to a change of plans regarding porting in Nicaragua. Due to unsafe weather conditions we skipped that port. No worries though cause it was made up by the scenery. By that I mean the handful of dolphins and dozens of sea turtles that were in the water with the ship. The "show" lasted for approximately 90 minutes. The dolphins were so cute and they swam side by side in groups occasionally jumping out of the water for fun. There was also a baby with his parents...pretty adorable. The giant sea turtles would float by every couple minutes as they moved south. Their little heads poking up out of the water was a treat for all. We also saw some flying fish and one fish that was snake like, being very long and thin, but had electric blue fins that reflected the sun. We could not figure out what it was but it was cool to see.
As for now we are moving up the coast getting closer and closer to San Diego (Yay) by way of the Mexican Rivera. I will be sure to post some pictures of the past weeks adventures. I still yet to figure it out and do not have a fast enough internet connection to accomplish this.
Oh if anybody has any questions regarding the ship, shows, or life on the ship let me know and I will answer them. For now take care and talk to you soon.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Leaving Tampa 4-14-2008
Hello everyone...Today we are on the Sea traveling to The Grand Cayman Islands. We left Tampa yesterday for the last time in rainy weather. Today’s weather is cloudy with the sun coming through. We have a show to do tonight...Hits of Broadway. If you like Broadway this is the show for you. We sample most of the popular shows that have Broadway what it is today including some new ones as well. Nothing big going on today...just a trip to the gym.
As for our week, we are in Grand Cayman tomorrow and then Columbia on Thursday. On Friday we go through the Panama Canal. A lot of passengers on this 19 day cruise are here to see the Panama Canal. What better way to see it but by going through it and experiencing it how it is used. I should get some cool pictures when we are not rehearsing. Yes we do have rehearsals still but after next Monday our "Hell Week" which has lasted almost 3 months will be over. We cannot wait. Besides that there is not to much to report. I will for post more as go along this cruise. Hope all is well back home. See ya.
As for our week, we are in Grand Cayman tomorrow and then Columbia on Thursday. On Friday we go through the Panama Canal. A lot of passengers on this 19 day cruise are here to see the Panama Canal. What better way to see it but by going through it and experiencing it how it is used. I should get some cool pictures when we are not rehearsing. Yes we do have rehearsals still but after next Monday our "Hell Week" which has lasted almost 3 months will be over. We cannot wait. Besides that there is not to much to report. I will for post more as go along this cruise. Hope all is well back home. See ya.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Cozumel, Mexico 4-11-08
Good evening everyone,
Today we were in port in Cozumel Mexico. This has been one of our regular stops and has been a nice one. Many things to do for every type of person. Usually all we have time to do is go to one of the restaurants and hang out but today 6 of us went on another path...that of swimming with Dolphins. Cozumel has a couple locations and the one we went to is Dolphin Discovery located just a short taxi drive from the port. It’s located on a National Park with not just dolphins but many other fun things to do too. But for us it was about the Dolphins. We did the "Swim with the Dolphins" encounter. We were given a life jacket, snorkel and mask and told to follow our guide as he took us to the back of the park. Basically it’s right on the ocean but the park has put in "cages" where each group can be with the dolphins. Don’t worry there huge. In the middle is a big lagoon where other people can play with dolphins...its basically a sanctuary for these animals. As we walked down th steps into the water we met "Eva" our personal dolphin. She was wonderful. We each got to give her a kiss, a hug, ride her holding onto her fins, ride a boogie board as she pushed us by our feet and more. We then got to look underwater as she did some tricks underwater and then sang for us. Pretty cute. She ended by doing some jumps out of the water which were pretty incredible. I was not able to get pictures but I did get a DVD of the experience so when I get home you will have to check it out. I recommend this to anyone who wants to get up close and personal with Dolphins. Its pretty amazing.
As for right not Im relaxing in my cabin...about to shower and take a nap before midnight brunch......Well that’s it for now. We are headed back to Tampa for the last time. Talk to you soon.
Today we were in port in Cozumel Mexico. This has been one of our regular stops and has been a nice one. Many things to do for every type of person. Usually all we have time to do is go to one of the restaurants and hang out but today 6 of us went on another path...that of swimming with Dolphins. Cozumel has a couple locations and the one we went to is Dolphin Discovery located just a short taxi drive from the port. It’s located on a National Park with not just dolphins but many other fun things to do too. But for us it was about the Dolphins. We did the "Swim with the Dolphins" encounter. We were given a life jacket, snorkel and mask and told to follow our guide as he took us to the back of the park. Basically it’s right on the ocean but the park has put in "cages" where each group can be with the dolphins. Don’t worry there huge. In the middle is a big lagoon where other people can play with dolphins...its basically a sanctuary for these animals. As we walked down th steps into the water we met "Eva" our personal dolphin. She was wonderful. We each got to give her a kiss, a hug, ride her holding onto her fins, ride a boogie board as she pushed us by our feet and more. We then got to look underwater as she did some tricks underwater and then sang for us. Pretty cute. She ended by doing some jumps out of the water which were pretty incredible. I was not able to get pictures but I did get a DVD of the experience so when I get home you will have to check it out. I recommend this to anyone who wants to get up close and personal with Dolphins. Its pretty amazing.
As for right not Im relaxing in my cabin...about to shower and take a nap before midnight brunch......Well that’s it for now. We are headed back to Tampa for the last time. Talk to you soon.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Belize 4-9-2008
Hey there,
So I guess this blog will end up being every other day or every couple days. Basically we were at sea yesterday and not to much went on...just the usual...eating...gym and rehearsing. Oh ya, we had our show last night and it was pretty good. Due to the new dining situation they have going on, the theater was not filled to capacity as it usually is. Hopefully it will change and go back to normal.
As for today though...way different and way more fun. I woke up, had breakfast, quick trip to the gym and then off of the ship. Today we ported in Belize City, Belize. Its located to the east of Guatemala and is a costal country. The activity today was a crew tour ziplining. This was the first crew tour since we have been on the ship and it was insane. The ship had to tender today which means it cannot physically dock to land but has to anchor out in the sea. Once on land it was an hour and half school bus trip to the hills and forests of the country. There were probably 30 crew on this tour which made it even more fun. As you move out of the city and into the country the landscape changes. Its turns more desert like with scare vegetation like palm trees and mangrove clusters. It then turns into the forest like habitat which grows above the land. Paved roads turn into dirt roads snaking all over the place. We stop at a rest point about 15 minutes from the site to have drinks and use the restroom...which was nicer then our home bathrooms...go figure in the middle of nowhere (tile, wood, etc). From there we go higher passing a fenced lagoon with Crocodiles. I wanted to see some but did not get too..can I say sad face. As we stop we gather and walk into a huge cave opening into a bigger cave which opens into a canopy of trees a couple hundred feet up. Wait...this is ziplining and we are going above the trees so I start to wonder...how high are we going?
After getting into our harnesses and helmets...not the best of feeling...we start to follow our guides up the rocky path. We keep going for approximately 10 minutes when we stop under a tunnel of a cave. This is where our guides show us how to control ourselves on the "transverses," basically the cables going across the valleys in the rainforest. This is where I start to get nervous. I think to myself...we still are not yet to the start and we have gone pretty high already. We continue for another 50 feet where we come to the first set of 5 platforms. The tour includes 5 sets of cables to travel across. 1..2..3..Here we go. They quickly get each person on the cables and push them out. My turn. Lets just say its like floating at a high rate of speed across the sky. Its pretty awesome. You’re gliding through the air looking down to the ground and the tops of the trees. The first cross is about 75 feet above the trees and ground. The guide at the end says, "Look down on the next one," and smiles. Hmmmmmm. The next one is about 500 feet across. Not to bad but it’s the highest one, being approximately 350-400 feet above the tops of the trees..not to mentions the ground below that. A cross between fear and pure excitement comes out of your body..and the face to show it. I cannot explain how it feels to do this. Its pretty crazy hanging only on by two pieces of rope and a harness that high in the sky. Ahhhhhhh. We continue on some more pretty high crosses and then repel on two. Nothing like the feeling of free falling to the ground. Overall the tour is amazing and cannot be explained any other way. I suggest everyone try ziplining. I think it’s the best way to see parts of a country...in the air looking down on top of it. After that we headed back..tired and hungry to the ship to get ready for "Master Chef." MC is a special dining "experience" incorporating the singers, dancers, musicians, event staff, and chefs of the ship. Lets just say cheese. : ) Now its off to rehearsal for "Hits of Broadway." This is our show for tomorrow night. Hope all is well and come back for more in the next few days. Hope you enjoyed. See ya.
So I guess this blog will end up being every other day or every couple days. Basically we were at sea yesterday and not to much went on...just the usual...eating...gym and rehearsing. Oh ya, we had our show last night and it was pretty good. Due to the new dining situation they have going on, the theater was not filled to capacity as it usually is. Hopefully it will change and go back to normal.
As for today though...way different and way more fun. I woke up, had breakfast, quick trip to the gym and then off of the ship. Today we ported in Belize City, Belize. Its located to the east of Guatemala and is a costal country. The activity today was a crew tour ziplining. This was the first crew tour since we have been on the ship and it was insane. The ship had to tender today which means it cannot physically dock to land but has to anchor out in the sea. Once on land it was an hour and half school bus trip to the hills and forests of the country. There were probably 30 crew on this tour which made it even more fun. As you move out of the city and into the country the landscape changes. Its turns more desert like with scare vegetation like palm trees and mangrove clusters. It then turns into the forest like habitat which grows above the land. Paved roads turn into dirt roads snaking all over the place. We stop at a rest point about 15 minutes from the site to have drinks and use the restroom...which was nicer then our home bathrooms...go figure in the middle of nowhere (tile, wood, etc). From there we go higher passing a fenced lagoon with Crocodiles. I wanted to see some but did not get too..can I say sad face. As we stop we gather and walk into a huge cave opening into a bigger cave which opens into a canopy of trees a couple hundred feet up. Wait...this is ziplining and we are going above the trees so I start to wonder...how high are we going?
After getting into our harnesses and helmets...not the best of feeling...we start to follow our guides up the rocky path. We keep going for approximately 10 minutes when we stop under a tunnel of a cave. This is where our guides show us how to control ourselves on the "transverses," basically the cables going across the valleys in the rainforest. This is where I start to get nervous. I think to myself...we still are not yet to the start and we have gone pretty high already. We continue for another 50 feet where we come to the first set of 5 platforms. The tour includes 5 sets of cables to travel across. 1..2..3..Here we go. They quickly get each person on the cables and push them out. My turn. Lets just say its like floating at a high rate of speed across the sky. Its pretty awesome. You’re gliding through the air looking down to the ground and the tops of the trees. The first cross is about 75 feet above the trees and ground. The guide at the end says, "Look down on the next one," and smiles. Hmmmmmm. The next one is about 500 feet across. Not to bad but it’s the highest one, being approximately 350-400 feet above the tops of the trees..not to mentions the ground below that. A cross between fear and pure excitement comes out of your body..and the face to show it. I cannot explain how it feels to do this. Its pretty crazy hanging only on by two pieces of rope and a harness that high in the sky. Ahhhhhhh. We continue on some more pretty high crosses and then repel on two. Nothing like the feeling of free falling to the ground. Overall the tour is amazing and cannot be explained any other way. I suggest everyone try ziplining. I think it’s the best way to see parts of a country...in the air looking down on top of it. After that we headed back..tired and hungry to the ship to get ready for "Master Chef." MC is a special dining "experience" incorporating the singers, dancers, musicians, event staff, and chefs of the ship. Lets just say cheese. : ) Now its off to rehearsal for "Hits of Broadway." This is our show for tomorrow night. Hope all is well and come back for more in the next few days. Hope you enjoyed. See ya.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Key West, Fl 4-7-2008
Hey everyone. So I decided to start this blog to let all of you know what’s going on from a day to day perspective....hopefully day to day here on the MS Veendam. I got the idea from our new Captain, who also has a pretty nice blog website. You can check it out at Captainalbert.com. Anyways Ill try to let you know about what’s going on...where I’m at, stuff going on around the ship, Ports, and stuff like that.Ill also will try to put up pictures as well.
As for today we are in Key West, Fl. Known for its Duvall Crawl and the Southernmost home in the US, as well as lots more. Unfortunately I have to stay on the ship today. I have IPM (In Port Manning). IPM is where a select number of crew have to stay on board at every port in the case of an emergency. As for us Cast Members this will rotate every week or two. So Im on board today doing laundry and going to the gym. As well as getting some little things done that I have been meaning to do. Crazy but I do have a "To Do" list on the ship. We also have a late night run of "Street Singing," one of our shows that we will perform tomorrow night. After that tonight its off for a couple games of "Table Pog." Kristen (Event Staff) and I came up with a version of a game that combines pool and the classic hit of pogs...remember those? We are still working out the kinks and in the testing phase with other crew members, but I think we are on to something here and will try to get it looked at in the future. Crazy I know...Cop...Dancer...Game Maker...hmmmmmm. : )
This cruise is our last in the Caribbean and then...like I mentioned..we head off to Alaska through the Panama Canal. Stay tuned for more when that time comes...should be fun. Well friends..not much more to report about but write comments when you can. I miss all of you and cant wait to get home and catch up. Have fun and talk to you soon. Keep checking back for more.
As for today we are in Key West, Fl. Known for its Duvall Crawl and the Southernmost home in the US, as well as lots more. Unfortunately I have to stay on the ship today. I have IPM (In Port Manning). IPM is where a select number of crew have to stay on board at every port in the case of an emergency. As for us Cast Members this will rotate every week or two. So Im on board today doing laundry and going to the gym. As well as getting some little things done that I have been meaning to do. Crazy but I do have a "To Do" list on the ship. We also have a late night run of "Street Singing," one of our shows that we will perform tomorrow night. After that tonight its off for a couple games of "Table Pog." Kristen (Event Staff) and I came up with a version of a game that combines pool and the classic hit of pogs...remember those? We are still working out the kinks and in the testing phase with other crew members, but I think we are on to something here and will try to get it looked at in the future. Crazy I know...Cop...Dancer...Game Maker...hmmmmmm. : )
This cruise is our last in the Caribbean and then...like I mentioned..we head off to Alaska through the Panama Canal. Stay tuned for more when that time comes...should be fun. Well friends..not much more to report about but write comments when you can. I miss all of you and cant wait to get home and catch up. Have fun and talk to you soon. Keep checking back for more.
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