Travel - A Taste of Italy and the Western Mediterranean - Working Cruise
Working Onboard Cruise Ships
So here I am again on the Ocean waves. For the next 3 weeks I will be heading from the UK towards the Western Mediterranean and Italy then returning back to the UK. As you are aware from previous working cruises I love working onboard and accept the contracts that are offered to me with gratitude.
Working as a Fitness and Yoga instructor on cruise ships does come with its challenges. Mainly being aware that the floor 'moves' at sea and at times unpredictably. This means that I have to pay particular attention to my sequences and exercise routines. For example any balance poses are not advisable so I tend to do mostly mat work and exercising from a chair. I work with the older generation so this does actually bode well.
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This, of course, does limit the type of classes I can do and the main priority for me is to keep passengers motivated to return to my classes each sea day. I tend to bring a lot of equipment onboard as this will also keep the motivation going.
The other challenge is the activity levels on cruise ships. There are many interesting events happening on the ship and many activities for the passengers to enjoy. In fact a few passengers do say that they need a holiday after a cruise. My classes have to be fun and interactive if I want the passengers to fully enjoy what they are doing and want to come back and stay fit and healthy for the remainder of the cruise.
Traditional Dress Code
One of the things I love onboard this cruise line is the traditional cruise highlight of Formal nights. It is an evening to dress up and attend the Captains Cocktail Party and enjoy fine dining by co-hosting an officers table. I really enjoy mixing with the passengers and I have made a few good cruise buddies over the years.
It feels nice when you board a ship at the start of a cruise and you see friendly and familiar faces, especially if they also partake in the activities I instruct or lead. They are also great at promoting my work onboard which helps my activities greatly, especially at the beginning of a cruise.
Another fabulous bonus to working on a cruise ship is that I get a chance to go on the ships excursions with the passengers. This is a big plus as you can see so much more with a guided tour. It is still working on my part as it is my duty to take care of the passengers and make sure they enjoy the tour. I am responsible for all the headcounts, hand sanitation if food is included on the tour and ensuring the guide is aware of any passengers that are struggling to keep up with the tour group. You do have to be first aid qualified to be an escort on ships tours.
Ship Entertainment
I have seen some wonderful entertainment over the years on Cruise ships and I consider this to be a fantastic benefit to working onboard. There are some wonderful shows performed by the resident cast onboard and some very talented musicians, so in many social areas on the ship you can enjoy a glass of champagne whilst listening to a classical ensemble or jazz trio.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Motown and Soul band 'Soul Satisfaction' during this cruise. The first night they performed in the Playhouse Theatre. The venue was completely full within 5 minutes prior to the show commencing. The show is a performance of the American Four Tops Motown show taking you back through 6 decades of Motown music, with songs such as 'Standing in the Shadows' and 'Loco in Acapulco'. The fabulous harmonies and energetic dance routines make this show feel like the real authentic Motown experience.
Highlights of this Cruise
Other than the activities to enjoy whilst cruising and the shows and entertainment onboard, there are the port days and exploration of the local areas close to the port. Every cruise has a Destinations Lecturer who presents a live lecture on local information for passengers who like to explore independently. The alternative option is to join a ships tour with a local guide. This is a chance for me to escort the tours and join the passengers as a representative from the ship. This is a 'working' tour for me and an opportunity to see the world. I thoroughly enjoy being with the passengers on a port day and mostly these excursions are a lot of fun and socialising time outside of my normal duties.
Port of Call - Cadiz
This is the first time (in 17 years at sea) I have had the chance to see Seville. This was a special day for me as it is a place I have longed to visit and explore. Seville the capital city of Andalusia is the soulful heart of southern Spain. Seville offers an array of history, with its Moorish style buildings, vibrant and narrow cobbled streets and Mediterranean style relaxed lifestyle. The first stop on the tour was a visit to Plaza de Espana, a semi-circular brick Palace overlooking a small canal. The day was warm and sunny, perfect for a stroll along the canal to admire this splendid Palace.
This was followed by a short drive to the Santa Cruz Quarter, formally the Jewish Quarter, an enchanting neighbourhood full of cobble stone, narrow streets, beautiful architecture and pretty balconies overlooking charming squares.
Finally a visit to Seville's Cathedral which was once a mosque under Islamic rule. This cathedral houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus and the Golden Alter (the work of Flemish craftsman Pierre Dancart), taking over 60 years to perfect. After the guided tour, there was some free time to explore the narrow streets and architecture of this beautiful city.
Port of Call - Palma, Majorca
The ship docked in Palma and from here I escorted a tour to Valldemossa. The first stop was the view point 'Mirador Sa Foradada' where the views of the Mediterranean sea were just breath-taking. Although a short stop there was plenty of time to take photos and just enjoy the panoramic vista. The coach then took us to the quaint village of Valldemossa. Here the countryside is mountainous, covered in lush greenery and the views seem endless. The streets are cobbled and hilly and there are gardens, museums and churches to visit. It's an extremely popular destination for tourists so it is very vibrant and energetic rather than peaceful and tranquil. There are many coffee shops and restaurants with outside seating so you can sit and watch the world go by. The final stop was Bellver Castle, again boasting panoramic views of the Marina and the City of Palma. I wasn't expecting such beauty and spectacular vistas which made this a remarkable visit to Majorca.
Port of Call- Portoferraio, Italy
What a little gem this destination turned out to be. Portoferraio is the largest town and main port on the island of Elba. It is a tender port and although logistically these ports can be difficult, there is something magical about sailing into a small harbour on a tender boat. The arrival is at a nice slow pace and almost photogenic in its approach to this natural harbour. Elba is rich in history and at one time being the home of Napoleon Bonaparte (albeit in exile). You will see many references to Napoleon all over the island as the emperor left his mark here in Elba. From beautiful beaches and lush greenery to small quaint villages and stunning ocean views, this is a must to spend time ashore exploring this stunning little island.
Port of Call - Cartagena
I put my name down to 'escort' a tour to Murcia. There were visits to monasteries, churches and an old casino on this excursion. As a rule, this is not really my type of thing, but the mention of panoramic views and beautiful architecture caught my attention. I am so glad I went as this was another highlight for me. The Monastery of the Virgin of Fuensanta was simply stunning with views of the city of Murcia, beautiful gardens and small chapels.
This cruise was magical for me, with a long time wish to see Seville, visiting the beautiful Tuscany islands and to see such mesmerising ocean and sea views.
I hope to join the ship to work again in August for another visit to the Mediterranean and Italy with some new ports of call to look forward to.
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