The last couple weeks on the ship have been busy. I've been running my usual program. I've been training my replacement. I've been returning to my cabin after work and doing more work, preparing for jobs back home that start only a few days after my return. I've been getting off the ship in every port, trying to still take full advantage of travelling. I've been going out most nights, trying to enjoy the company of people I would soon be leaving. After the glorious day out in Grand Turk, Jody and I went to Supper Club. (I just had to [View Full Entry]

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My last port day has arrived. Today we were in Grand Turk. A small island, not a lot there. But still very nice. I'd never expected to come back here again, after having been here last year while on the Legend. But, there I was. Jody and I went on a snorkel / beach tour. We went to Governor's Beach, part of a park, really close to the ship. The water in Grand Turk is extremely salty but it makes the water stunning blue and the sand very white. The beach was lined with - I couldn't get over it - [View Full Entry]

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Two weeks ago, when we had our charter cruise, the Liberty relocated our home port from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. Along with the relocation, the ship has made an itinerary change. We now rotate between two seven day runs - one in the Eastern Caribbean and one in the Western. With my contract extension, I get to have one cruise of each of the new itineraries, a nice little treat right at the end of my contract. The new Eastern run takes us to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Grand Turk and a new one for me: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. Half [View Full Entry]

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When I decided to return to ships for another contract, I made some clear goals for myself. Experiences I wanted to have that I could accomplish during this time at sea. The biggest one was getting my dive certification. Done. I also wanted to go parasailing. Also done. With less than 2 weeks left on the ship, there was one more I had to do: go horseback riding in the ocean. I rode horses as a kid. Took lessons at a farm up the road. Would ride at different friends' houses. Did a 4-H horse club. Tried to convince my dad [View Full Entry]

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Every week I always offer a teen tour as part of my program. A chance for the teens to do an excursion in one of the ports with other friends from the ship, supervised by me and no parents. I’ve run plenty in the past, but I just haven’t had teens sign up for any tours here on the Liberty. Until this week. It worked out quite well actually, seeing as my replacement (Vanessa) is here; she’s a new director, being trained by me and so we got to actually do a tour instead of just talking about it. We’re in [View Full Entry]

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This past week, we’ve had a charter cruise. A private company rented out the ship for their employees (a sales incentive prize) and so it was a private cruise for them all week. This group had ZERO kids onboard - so I had no teens all week! Basically, I was just cruising. There was some work to be done. My replacement arrives next week, so I’ve been preparing the handover. And there were technical things to take care of in the club. But compared to everyone else, and compared to my usual weeks, I was essentially off. It was really great. [View Full Entry]

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Today we’re in Costa Rica. Last time here. I love this country with all of it’s lush jungle. There was a crew tour organized for today - white water rafting. Lots of crew went on the tour which was pretty exciting. I was nervous. After nearly drowning in the Nile while white water rafting, I’ve got a bit of a fear of white water. But on the Nile we were doing class 5 rapids and today we were only going as high as class 3. My thinking was therefore it would be easier. My hope was today would help rid of [View Full Entry]

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Yes to another adventure! Today a group of us ventured to a spot in Jamaica known as "The Blue Hole". I went along with Ema (who until the start of this week was my roomie), Thahn (Ema's boyfriend who works in the Casino), Craig (social host), Danny (fitness instructor who sadly leaves the end of this cruise) and Eddy (the DJ). The Blue Hole is a spot that apparently only crew members usually go to. We asked the locals there if they get many people come out and they said almost only crew. The six of us were the only people [View Full Entry]

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I haven’t been diving since I finished my scuba certification in St. Thomas back in February. Seeing as I’ll be going home soon, I decided I needed to get out diving while I have the opportunity to. Getting myself out of bed this morning to go diving took a LOT of effort. I'm having such disrupted and anxious sleeps lately, plus I was up late, having a much-needed phone call with Laura. Plus I had to get up so early for the tour. I was really really dragging this morning. So tired. And really really nervous. Just because I hadn’t been [View Full Entry]

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The last 8 days have been incredible. My youngest sister, Melanie, and her boyfriend, Brad, have been cruising with me. And it has been so much fun! We’ve had great adventures in the ports, but also so much fun on the ship. Having family onboard, I’ve been spoiled in that I’ve been able to eat guest food all week! We had a table for four in the guest dining room. So I was able to eat with them every evening and then different friends of mine joined us. Jody, Liam and Jess all joined us on different evenings. For lunch, I [View Full Entry]

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