December 3 - Sailing in the Arabian Sea

Today is our last sea day of the cruise.  During the night we experienced some slight seas but nothing significant.  By morning it had moderated and we’re not doing any rocking or rolling.  Each day we’ve had partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 80’s.  It doesn’t feel too hot because we’re moving and in most places on the ship we feel a little breeze.

I have big news!  Today we played the last of our trivia games in which we were earning cumulative points.  Miracle of miracles!  We were the big winners despite never placing first in any of the daily games.  We finished close to the top enough times that we won overall.  I’m not sure what we won; they are delivering whatever the prize is to our cabins, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be a free cruise.  To celebrate we went for a team lunch in the restaurant. It was Mexican lunch day and we toasted with champagne to celebrate our championship.

The Champions of Useless Knowledge

Last night the show was the crew talent show.  I have to tell you the entertainers were absolutely fantastic.  The singers had fabulous voices and all of them missed their calling.  There was also a beautiful Balinese dancer and a member of the ship’s crew that deals with all our rubbish who did a breakdance that would put any people I’ve seen on TV to shame.  I think nearly every passenger on the ship was in the showroom and we gave them all thunderous applause.  It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of several hundred people to perform.

After the show there was dance music in the club and a dance party with a DJ at the pool area behind the club.  It was a strange arrangement because the two venues are back-to-back and they had the door open between them so there was competing music.  I stayed until close to midnight talking to a couple of the officers who were there.

This fellow was waiting for me when I got back to my cabin.

I’ve learned a lot  more about the workings of the ship on this cruise than I have on others. The majority of the crew work 6 or 8 month contracts and then go home for a couple of months before signing up for another contract.  Except for a few of the executive crew members who are paid year-round, the rest get paid the months they work but not when they are home. They have their air transportation to and from home paid by Seabourn and of course, while onboard they have no housing, food or uniform expenses.  There is no retirement plan even for mid-level managers.  Seabourn advertises that it is an all-inclusive cruise line so no tipping is required or expected.  I asked one of the mid-level people with whom I had dinner and who had worked for other cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation umbrella on which tips are expected if the pay for the staff here makes up for the “tipping not expected” policy.  She told me that it is definitely significantly better which I was glad to hear.

Sunset on our last full sea day

Okay, I’ve told you more than you ever wanted to know about employment on a cruise ship, but I found it interesting.  One of the things that makes these Seabourn ships so special is the crew.  They universally try to meet every request and always with a big smile.  They remember our names and what we like to drink.  When I go into one of the bars or clubs I sometimes find my drink waiting for me as soon as I sit down.  There are several waiters here from previous cruises I’ve done and they all have remembered my name and my preferences. That’s a special talent I wish I had.  It took me several days to remember all the names of my teammates and I don’t think I can blame it entirely on age because I’ve never been good at remembering names of people I meet casually.