At Sea – Observations and Once Around the Ship

We left Cairns and are making our way up to the top of Australia. We are now out of the Coral Sea and into the Arafura Sea heading to Darwin in the Northern Territory. 

Now seems a good time to talk about our days on the ship. Seabourn Odyssey began service in 2009 and has been a part of Carnival Corporation and its luxury Seabourn brand since then. Recently, it has been sold to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines in Japan and they will begin to operate this ship starting in September, so we are on some of her last ports of call with Seabourn. We have a lovely cabin on the 8th deck of Odyssey. Our room is spacious (for a cruise ship) and has a living/sitting area adjacent to our balcony with two chairs and a table so that we can enjoy the outdoors from our room. We have a king sized bed, ample cabinets for our belongings and a good sized bathroom with a double sink, shower, toilet and full sized bathtub. We are very comfortable. This might be a good time to tell you about our closet. Joe is afraid of it and calls it “the vortex”. He is uncomfortable stepping inside it’s tight area and compares it to a rabbit hole. He can often be seen gazing into it wondering where his clothing is. The same is true for the cabinets he’s been assigned (by me) for the rest of his belongings. I have made a concerted effort to try to familiarize him with what is where. He is finally starting to “know” where to find items. Packing for 80 days was no small feat and we have utilized every square inch of the space provided. A place for everything and everything in its place is the new mantra. I think I finally know what it is like to live in a tiny house. It is amazing how quickly things can become a mess if everything isn’t put in its place…even with twice daily maid service. 

This brings me to staff/crew. Our suite host, Ephraim and our suite attendant, Melissa, see to our every need. They stock our bar with our favorite beverages, replenish bathroom items we might need and make us feel welcome in our home away from home. We are always greeted with a warm smile from each daily. Passengers can opt in or out of their services by hanging a sign on the door that says we are relaxing or a sign that says we are exploring and this is the invitation that allows them to access our suite. A recent evening there was a block party that invited you to open your door and meet your neighbors. We met some lovely people and the highlight is a fellow that lives a few doors down that spends the majority of his time onboard in his bathrobe. We get the biggest kick out of him. He stayed true to form and appeared to the party in his robe. After a bit, he excused himself and said he was headed to the spa to have his hair colored. Good information…for me. I hadn’t realized this was possible as I hadn’t read that was available in the salon. He appeared the next day poolside, and was sure to pull me aside to examine the results. That day was a caviar and champagne party and you guessed it…he attended in his robe. We just recently viewed him in the hallway with regular clothes on for the first time! 

Having just mentioned the spa, I can talk about that next. I enjoyed a wonderful massage in this luxurious space this week. What a treat. On that same level and on either side of the spa is the gym. On one side is a room full of yoga mats and weights where they have regular exercise classes scheduled. On the other is a room full of ellipticals, rowing machines, treadmills and exercise balls and weights. This is where I get my walks in given the summer rains we have been experiencing. Towels, water and tv’s line the mirrored room. 

The Grand Salon is another place we frequent to enjoy the evening shows, special events and educational speakers that are onboard. There are a wide variety of choices each day for those interested. Today, we attended a presentation from Peter Hillary about his adventures growing up with and following in the footsteps of his father, Sir Edmund Hillary. We both left inspired. Now…not enough inspiration to climb Mt. Everest but his family story is certainly awe inspiring. We have seen a dance show, a comedian and a concert so far. Joe just returned from a speaker that talked about The Projection of Power in the South China Sea. I returned from my workout and asked how it was and he said, “I fell asleep for a bit, but was otherwise interesting.” I guess having it right after lunch was risky.

The onboard restaurants have been such a nice surprise. The food choices change on the daily and are printed and delivered to our room each evening for the next day along with a brochure that lists by hour a variety of offerings whether at sea or in port. Anything you can imagine is available from bridge, arts and crafts, dance classes, afternoon tea, putting contests, shuffleboard, ping pong and more. Each sea day Joe and I are participating in team trivia. Our team “Just for Fun” is finally moving up the ranks a bit. We finished third two days in a row behind “Ship for Brains” and the “Shy Teds”. Add an Aussie accent to those two and they become quite funny. 

As passengers onboard for the entire Grand Voyage we have been invited to a few special events. A hosted cocktail party with the Captain, a special lunch hosted by the head chef of the  Seabourn fleet that is onboard for only a few weeks and some lovely in room gifts that are extras other passengers are not receiving. With each passing day we are settling in more and more and getting used to our home away from home. 

I’ve written enough for now but, would like to add here that my gratitude level increases everyday. I have spent a good majority of my life in service to others (by choice). Being a wife and mother after a career as a flight attendant have been an absolute joy. Now I’m learning, for the first time in my lifetime, to revel in the fact that there is no obligation to cook, clean, do laundry, grocery shop or any of the tasks that have shaped my life and let someone else take care of me. And, I get to discover many parts of the world while doing so. What a gift! I am beginning to miss you all and think of you and the gift you have been to me.