Naples, Italy

Today I finally got off the ship for the first time since Santorini! Hooray! I wandered around Naples with a couple of drummers – Brandon (drummer in the celebrity orchestra, of which I am a part) and Tom (drummer in the jazz quartet onboard, also my band manager and supervisor). Brandon actually just finished his contract, and he’ll be replaced tomorrow with a new drummer. It’s a bit scary for us since we have no idea if the new guy will be any good. But that’s what happens every time, including when I signed on (Atanas said that if this new drummer is a girl, too, he’s quitting the band)☺. Tom is probably 45 years old, Australian, and knows his way around every port pretty well. Of course, being with two drummers meant I had to stop at every music store and wait while they banged on things, but hey – I’m used to that (right Tyler?) ☺

I saw a whole lot in our hours ashore, including St. Chiara, a church constructed in the 14th century. It was amazing to walk around and see so much history. I got to do some much needed shopping as well. We ate at an authentic Italian pizzeria, and since the menu was in Italian, I just picked one at random. It turned out to have an interesting creamy white sauce, mozzarella cheese, ham, and corn on it – and it was marvelous. Of course, I took pictures. I will post them soon!

Yesterday as a part of my training I got to see the bridge, and it was incredible. It was really neat to be up there and seee all the gadgets and control panels, and huge windows all the way around. It was an amazing experience. I know I'm a geek, but it made me think of the Star Trek and the bridge of the Enterprise....it was almost intimidating to be there, and I know I would never go uninvited! It was really cool. Well, thats all for tonight! Its the last night of my first cruise, I'm pretty much done with training, and life is good!

Pireus/Athens, Greece

Hello Everyone!

I have posted a couple of pictures on facebook: here is the link you can follow to view them!

http://apu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032532&l=0c5f9&id=56903845

Today I have the whole day off, which has been really nice. I caught up on some sleep I lost because of late nights performing and early mornings training. I also spent time on the crew deck, lying in the sun and reading. I had a leisurely dinner with some of the performing cast, and in a bit I'll go up top and watch the sunset. Sometimes I can't believe they're paying me for this. :-)

It looks like at the end of this cruise they will be transferring me to Marie's cabin (the sax player) since her roommate is leaving. I will be glad to be her roommate - she is great. Unfortunately she's sick right now, so I haven't seen her for a day or so. On a ship sickness can spread very quickly, so as a precaution contagious people are quarantined for a couple of days. They must stay in their cabin and meals are delivered to them. It seems a bit extreme, but its better than the alternative of everyone on board being sick at once.

I learned that crew members who are not on duty can sign up as tour escorts for shore excursions - in other words you get to go on tours ashore for free while you make sure the tour group stays together. Only one escort per tour - and everyone wants to do it, so you need to sign up in advance. Hopefully next cruise (which starts in just a few days) I'll be able to do some of that. It seems like a great way to explore the ports and see the sights. Pretty cool, no? I can't wait to start touring!