Swimming with fish and a dog.

I’m writing this new addition from the comforts of my cabin after a relaxing day on Princesses very own Island called Princess Cays (pronounced Keys). This was my first port of call since the 6 day Atlantic crossing from Europe to Florida. I’m very content just laying on a beach with the sand between my toes and the sun beating down. This really is paradise to me. There’s only a redheaded lady missing to make this a picture perfect paradise! So since my last blog I have lots to share with you. Whilst soaking up the tropical paradise, I had the opportunity to test out my new camera; it is an underwater one too! The best part of it is it didn’t cost me a penny! My name was entered into a raffle during a crew show and I was the lucky winner of an Olympus Tough, 14 megapixel with a water depth of 10ft. So far so good though. Perfect timing because a new camera was on my wish list whilst sailing around the Caribbean. I was a little reluctant to put it under the water at first…you know me, I never trust anything to actually do what its supposed to do…this must be a British thing, thinking its to good to be true. I was pleasantly surprised and snapped some fantastic under water photos. This may just be my new hobby! I’m going to be spending the next 4 months cruising around the Caribbean so I hope I can use this camera to capture the beauty of these islands. 

confused if Jessica had taken the photo of not.

The Ruby Princess finally made its way to 
Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday 6^th. After being at sea for 6 long days! I figured this was going to be horrible but the time sailed by (pun intended!) and I am now in all three production shows onboard! Still have a few numbers to learn in the Broadway Ballroom show and some more when the injured female dancer returns. That’s still up in the air so let’s hope she is back with us after dry dock.

is that fish really smiling at me?

I was lucky enough to spend an entire day in Barcelona with my Mum and her boyfriend David. He owns a place out there and since my mum has retired they spend three months living in Spain together and then head back to dismal England for a few months and so on! It all went to plan apart from trying to find a place to park for 30 minuets. No ones fault just a very congested city to park in. My mum isn’t the best of passengers and would point out every parking spot we missed! We silenced her quickly!!  David gets 10 out of 10 for driving and parking whilst dealing with the traffic and Mum! Anyway it was so good to sit and have coffee with them both. We caught up on all the gossip and shared photos back and forth. One thing I’ve learnt about my mum though, never pour her a warm cup of coffee…she likes it piping hot! Haha! David tried to explain that it is because she orders milk and this cools the coffee down!

Mum and David dropping me off at my ship.

Spent the day walking along ‘Las Ramblas’, it felt so strange to be there with them both and for only one day! It felt so surreal. Had lunch in a great little Spanish restaurant and at the same time skyped with Allison. The weather was the best it has been since I got onboard so that made it even better to be outside all afternoon. So as soon as they had arrived it was time to say our good byes! I felt very blessed that they drove 4 hours to visit me.  But really what else do they have to do now they are both retired! J This was just what I needed and it couldn’t have come at a better time.  Said my good byes and went up to the crew deck to sit in the Spanish sun. Although it had got a little colder the sunbeams were still warm. Had a little cry by myself and stayed there for nearly 2 hours! I miss my mum being around so much. Hopefully that will change soon!?

Also another exciting event happening in the month of November.. my school reunion! It’s been 10 years since I left Neville Lovett School at the age of 15 !! (I turned 16 two weeks later!) I can’t believe where I have ended up in these 10 years! I don’t think I ever could have imagined I’d be where I am today! Living thousands of miles away, kicking my legs for money, Happily Divorced and cruising the Caribbean! At the time when I graduated you think the people around you are the only ones who matter and care! This is not the case! There is a big big world out there where no one has ever heard of the little town of Fareham, in Hampshire. At 15 I used to think life was so complicated but as you get older you realize it is nothing compared to life right now! Wouldn’t you all agree? I’m pretty much still the same guy who left in 2001… just a little more mature and with a little more expensive tastes in life. Who takes advantage of being an adult and is still as silly as a school boy! I’ve learnt rules are there to be broken and you can only really trust yourself. I’ve gained the confidence to speak my mind and this isn’t always a good thing but I hate all the pointless small talk and I’d much rather just get to the point. Last but not least I’ve discovered a love for Gingers! So as you can see I won’t be making the trip back to England for the reunion. This really annoys me because I always told myself that if we ever did have one I would make the effort to go. So if any of you from the class of 2001 are reading this, have a wonderful time and know I will be at the 15^th I promise!! The school memories still surface now and then so none of you are ever forgotten. I would like to be there to catch up on all your lives and adventures. Have some drinks for me and I look forward to seeing some of the photos soon.

Yeah...you that's really me! It was a dare.

Trust me the hair was in fashion!

So this cruise takes me back to a favorite Island of mine, St. Thomas. This was always the port I’d look forward to the most. Sadly I’m having real mixed feelings about being back there because this was where I had the dreaded phone call that my Step Father John had passed away. Still over 3 years later that horrible phone call from my mum still plays on repeat in my head. We not only lost my mum’s companion but my best friend! He influenced my life more than anyone and I have him to thank for my strong character but sensitive nature. I miss him everyday! No one will or has replaced the void in my life. He was only with my mum and I for a short while but it was the best 13 years of our lives! I’ve realized he prepared me for life in a way no one else could. He gave me all the tools I needed and then his work was done and off he went. He taught me to enjoy life even if it’s a simple thing but still get enjoyment out of it. Also a sense of pride with anything I own or would like. To look after things so they last a lot longer…plus I share his love for music and watching movies! Nothing beats watching a good movie at the Cinema! Thank you John for everything.

My Father and my Step Father.

Well Halloween just passed and it actually wasn’t a bad one. I’ve only ever been to two Halloween parties…and if you know me all too well you’d know I am a sucker for dressing up in costume! Nothing changes! I’ve had a brilliant idea for a costume and finally got the chance to put it to use! I’ve attached a photo so it pretty much explains its self. Bad taste I know but as the celebration was on a Cruise Ship why not go with a seafaring theme. Well I got a good laugh out of it…and so did most people that night! I actually was short listed for a prize of $400! But I didn’t look as creepy as the winner…anyway no one in my department deserves to win money. Compared to what others earn on here it wouldn’t be fair. I was just happy to take part and make some folks laugh!

Ryan as a Smurf (I said his hat looked more like
a turban  so we called him Punjab Smurf)

I am slowly getting into a routine on here, although walking around the ship is still an odd thing to do by ones’ self! I’m very comfortable with my own company and I tend to enjoy my independence but at the same time would much rather be sharing the experience. I’ve had to accept that this is great for me and my soul but crap for my girlfriend and our love life! We knew what we had signed up for though so I can’t let myself be a hypocrite and say ‘this isn’t what I signed up for’… because it is! A difficult decision but really there is a light at the end of the tunnel…with a small dog sitting and waiting! Yeah!

Downtown in Lincoln, Nebraska, September 2011

I’ve been thinking recently if I should have just done this a year ago? Instead of leaving the show ‘Joseph’ and moving to Knoxville..?? I wonder? But at the time I hadn’t the opportunity or desire. After all I had to deal with in 2010, I think I made the right decision to stay and be a land lover. I would have felt like I was running away from it all and at the time I had so many things to sort out and tie up it would have been the wrong choice. I also had to spend ALL my money somewhere…I seem to find a lot of these places. Plus a certain beautiful redhead gal waltzed her way into my life (and I gladly accepted).

Adjusting to life with out my little dog Klause is not easy. I think of him as often as I think of Allison and my own family. But he is in good hands with Logan! Forever grateful to you, buddy. See attached photo of my boy.

My boy.

So for those of you who don’t know I will be cruising with Allison on the Grand Princess in December!! I didn’t want to write about this until now, just incase it didn’t work out but for mine and Allison’s sake it did!! My ship is going into Dry Dock December 11^th. This means it is out of service and will have any maintenance done to it that is needed. Most of the crew stay onboard but work very little and some disembark. This does mean I won’t be getting paid for 11 days but I don’t care if it means I can spend 9 glorious days with Allison. Out of my cast only three of the dancers are disembarking…two are going to New York and I am leaving a ship to go cruise on one! Mad!! In all my traveling I’ve never been on a cruise as a passenger…not sure if I would ever go if it wasn’t for Allison signing me on. I have been an employee for so long it kind of ruins the magic! But I will be taking full advantage as a guest onboard! No name badge, dress codes and safety drills! Just watching the shows and eating with Allison onboard. Plus I can eat at the Sushi bar whenever I want!! Yes!! And for only $15 a day this is going to be the best Christmas present ever! Looking forward to hearing Allison sing her face off in her shows, sleeping in her deluxe double size bed…I’m going to feel like a king after my Vacation…going back to my tiny room with bunk beds and a room mate! (Who is totally cool) (Incase he is reading this!!) So I get off of my ship on 11^th and stay over night in Ft.Lauderdale then fly to Curacao where I am being put up in a 4 star hotel courtesy of Allison Frenzel. She will be docking there early in the morning (the ship that is!! J) and will come and meet me at the hotel. The ports of call aren’t anything amazing but that’s not why I am going, she is! So we will be celebrating an early Christmas together…just a shame a certain little dog called Klause couldn’t be there! This cruise is going to be exactly what both of us need at this point in time…after the dry dock I only have just over two months left of my contract! Then not sure where we are going but I know for sure it will be together! Thanks for reading… 

Digging for bones apparently?