I know, I know!!

Yes, I'm sorry I stopped posting!! I really wore myself out on the World Voyage posting for every single port.  And then I lost use of my blackberry for a while, and then I had family traveling with me so I was just too busy.....I know, excuses, excuses.  Well now I've finished up my contract, and am safely at home.  I will fill you in on a couple of the highlights of the end of the contract.   We got to visit a few favorite places again, had our favorite chocolate waffles in Belgium, went out to a jazz club on our overnight in Amsterdam, walked the city walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia, and had some amazing sunny days in the Med with some beautiful meals shared along the way.  I enjoyed having Ellie back as my fellow trombonist for my last 6 weeks, big band nights are always a blast with her there, and together we tackled "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" relying on each other for moral support.  I had a new roommate, Kat, who is a childhood friend of Nick's, and a great friend and roommate.  My mom and I got to experience Sardinia, Gibraltar, Rome, Florence, and Barcelona together.  We even climbed the very top of the Duomo in Florence together for the most spectacular view.  We stood together and saw Michaelangelo's David, something we had done with 40 years separating our two individual experiences, now experiencing it together.  It was a very emotional moment.  The finale of the voyage was a regal Sail-in to Southampton Harbor, with all the other Queens of the Cunard fleet, to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in our own way.  All the guests and crew were out on deck waving British flags, and the three ships came into formation together for some amazing photos via a circling helicopter.  My mom and I almost felt British....it was a very exciting atmosphere.

After I finished my contract I stayed in England 5 days.  I spent 2 of those with Nick's family, who took me to see Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral for an incredible day out.  I loved getting to know them all better.  Then I took a coach up to spend 2 days with my old friend James and his girlfriend and family in Luton, just north of London.  I love getting chances to catch up with him since we grew up together.  My last day I spent in London on my own, but not without getting to see a few friends from past contracts, and taking in Les Mis on the West End.  I lucked out because a friend of mine was playing Jean Val Jean in the show, arranged my ticket, and even gave me a backstage tour afterwards, and took me out for drinks with some of the cast.  I had a little too much fun and was pretty tired dragging myself to the airport the next morning via the Piccadilly Line, with all my luggage.  But I made it! So now I am home, taking care of all that business that has to wait until you are home, and then some as I try to get myself a house.  I am here until the end of July, my next contract starts on the 27th of July, and yes, I will be returning to the Queen Elizabeth.  And you are officially updated!!!

Changes

As we've just finished the World Voyage, we now transition back into a normal voyage schedule. All new guests every week or two, familiar ports. Whereas during the Worldie we never repeated a guest entertainer once, now we're starting to repeat them. Various ones we had at different points on the Worldie we are starting to see again.

We also have a new cast on board, which is perhaps the biggest change. They arrived on the 27th of April, and rehearsed on board for 5 days while the last cast performed their last voyage. Rehearsing and getting costumes fitted all day long, then rehearsing again after we finish and clear out from the show at 11:30pm or midnight. They are certainly working hard. So two days ago in Southampton, Cast 2 of the Queen Elizabeth officially signed off and went their separate ways, after an incredible 11 months on board. They had chosen to extend to experience the World Voyage. I had one cruise with the dancers of Cast 1, the very first cast, before they left, but the Cast 2 singers had already taken over. They have been on board since my first contract began last year, and it is very strange and sad not to have them here anymore. I've only ever performed the shows with them in the roles. They will all be missed!

But with a new cast does come a new excitement. They are so fresh and excited, many have never been on a ship before. The singers and a couple dancers are from the UK, while the majority of the dancers are from the Ukraine, Russia, Belarus. I get to practice my Russian a little more. They have been rehearsing for months with recordings, and had huge grins when they first got to perform with a live band. They are so appreciative of us, and seem really friendly. They are excited and fresh! Its going to be a great contract for them, so a big welcome to QE cast 3!
------------------