Last Minute Booking - Transatlantic on Sky

 

We just booked!  We had been looking at this trip for awhile but we weren't ready to commit.

This week we booked.  It was too good a deal to pass up.

We booked with Neil and Monika Best of Best Dream Destinations - they are the Best to work with.  Very quick to respond and so helpful - especially for new cruisers.

This will be our first cruise as actual guests in two years.  We have sailed alot (160 days in two years) but it has always been as guest entertainers, and that is a very different cruise.

Now we are back as guests on Princess (with our elite perks).  And with the Premier package (which I still believe is the best package of all lines) and is worth it for us.  

So 16 days, leaving from Southampton and ending in Port Canaveral.

Now off to book air, hotel, transfers and tours.

Change of Plans and a New Future with a New Line

It has been a while since I posted a blog but felt today was a day to sit down and update everyone on things.

As many of you have known I have been working as a Destination Expert with Princess for almost 7 years.

In that time I have done numerous contracts to some amazing places.   I have been at sea for up to 9 months in one year!  And often the contracts are a minimum of three months lately and often longer.

It has been fun sharing my knowledge of the ports, meeting so many great people and best of all so many great crew that I have gotten very close with over the years.

However the past year has seen a big change at Princess in regards to Entertainment.  The Destination Expert role is still there and it has changed into more of a "crew" position.  Mind you a great role for a "crew".  

Cabin issues (bunkbeds in my last contract which just don't work for seniors like us).

After all these years I have changed too.

I really enjoy being at home and doing my thing here in this amazing community.  Bernie has started doing more volunteer work and we have a large group of great friends.

Although I retired in 2018, it never felt like I truly stopped working.  It was time to slow down.

I don't want to be away as much as before.  And because I was working so much on ships, the luster of cruising has really worn off.  I miss that excitement of being on a cruise and enjoying the ports.  It sadly had turned into a job where each port was just another port, with no incentive to even get off.  Most days and nights I spent by myself (cause Bernie couldn't always sail with me) and the job got lonely and I missed my partner.  And this job is really a department of one - and it was lonely.

I no longer was a right fit for Princess as a lecturer.

So I started looking at alternatives.  Last year I got to work with Holland America as an Enrichment speaker.  Then they had me again on the Volendam last month.  Both experiences were phenominal, from the shorter contract, flights/travel arranged efficiently, nice cabin, and amazing staff on board with no issues.

I was offered two more shorter contracts this summer - July and August and my gutt said - this is a better option for you.  So I agreed to those jobs.  Plus they want me in South America as an Enrichment speaker - I am not sure if I will be ready this year, but maybe next.

I have informed Princess I am working elsewhere and I am very thankful for all they have done.  So I will not be on the Majestic this Canada New England season.

Ok so you are all up to date.  

Enjoy this beautiful day - off to host a BBQ.

Yeah a Princess Lecture Contract

Happy to report that Princess has offered me a port lecture position on the Island Princess in the Mediterranean.

Will be happy to be back in Europe.  

My role on board is as a Port Lecturer. I will have to provide a lecture about each port and answer questions at the end. My previous role as a Destination Expert was a bit different.  Just happy to be working again with Princess.

Offered a Port Lecturer Position - But Guess Which Line?

After turning down the Sky Princess for the Baltic, I waited patiently hoping I might get offered one of the two ships that was sailing to South America.

But as August came to a close, I knew it was probably not going to happen.

I then started getting my name out and applying to other lines as a Port Lecturer and even as an Enrichment Lecturer.

Today I am happy to announce that I was offered a position as a Port Lecturer on Celebrity Eclipse! 

It is a 15 day cruise from Santiago (San Antonio) to San Diego.

We are both ecstatic and excited.

Neither of us has sailed Celebrity but we have always wanted to.

We are visiting ports we have travelled to numerous times and only three ports that I have to compose a new lecture for, although I have lots of material on them.

Stay tuned, as I will report here when I get offered something else.

My other question is, should I join the Cruise Critic Roll Call and introduce myself as the Port Lecturer? Bernie thinks I should and I am not sure - don't want to overstep, but want to build a following too.

Thanks for all the support.