So what is it like to live on a ship for an extended time you may ask? Well I am 53 days in on my 80 day cruise as I write this. We have crossed the equator, the international dateline and moved clocks back and forth on almost a daily basis. We are currently visiting our sixth country and I have seen some amazing sites including one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
There is a crew of over 600 on board the Amsterdam to attend to 1300 passengers. You get really spoiled on a cruise ship as my stateroom is cleaned twice a day, I have more options for food than I ever would need, pretty much I just have to ask and it will be delivered. The ship offers entertainment nightly, fine dining at four restaurant, 24 hour in-room service, casino when at sea, shopping, six bars, spa, fitness center, sports deck, library, ice cream bar (always a line), coffee bar, four different live bands nightly, two swimming pools and hot tubs, three dance floors, DJ, theater with daily movies, test kitchen with weekly cooking classes, paint classes, bridge classes and much more.
It may seem overwhelming but you get into a flow as days in port look different than days at sea. So in port I awake early to watch us arrive as each of these ports are new to me. I then leave for my excursions that I booked through the ship (if they return late the ship waits on you). I have late setting for dinner at 8 PM which works great as some of my excursions haven't returned till 6 PM or later. Dinner with my table mates is 5 star served by our amazing wait staff. We discuss our tours and share stories of our adventures. Some at my table are well traveled and I am the newbie. Dinner finishes at 9:30 PM and we then head to the Queen's lounge for the nightly entertainment.
Days at sea are needed and it seems everyone enjoys them. I awake early and head to the gym once completed with my workout I then go to the omelette bar where Hazel rewards me with an all protein omelette, so nice that they know your order as you walk up. I always take my breakfast out on the sea deck as I have yet to tire from seeing the ocean's beauty. Depending on the weather it may be pool time or to get cleaned up to attend a movie or to listen to one of the guest speakers on board. Some days you just find a great place to read the day away. If you need alone time you can have a DVD delivered to your room along with popcorn and snacks! Some days various new friends and I will run into each other and just enjoy visiting as our every need is taken care of or set on the deck and watch the sunset. We dress for dinner on the Amsterdam and will have a total of ten formal nights by the time we return to San Diego in December. We have a photo team on board that captures everything so it always fun after a formal night to go see the pictures, pricey but fun.
So blessed to have this adventure, I do miss being able to just pick up the phone to share a story with my family and friends but I will make up for that when I return!