December 10 and 11

Into this trip long enough that all the days are running together and I'm loosing track of the days. I cannot get into my work email or teams right now. It has been hit and miss over the last few days, but now it is all out done.

Crossing the Equator

I save a few items for sea days like this when not much is happening.  We did cross the equator last night about  00:05 December 11.  Today is the ceremony for those who are crossing the equator for the first time.  I don't want to ruin it for anyone who has not doe it before, so that's all I'm saying about it for now. We all had certificates in our cabins the next day for the crossing. This isn't the first time I've crossed the equator,  but it is the first time I recall receiving a certificate.

More Crew Benefits

One of the benifits crew memebers have is to be able to bring their family aboard for a cruise.  The family member cruises for free. I believe there have to be empty cabins and the family member has to pay their own way to the ship.  This is done quite quickly. Our cruise director for example, was reposted to a new ship with 3 days warning and his wife was able to get clearance to join him within those 3 days. There are a small number of kids on the ship and most of them are crew kids  - so kids of one of the crew members. Of course these kids are extremely well behaved... or their Mom or Dad would hear of it.

I've found a wonderful grove of sitting and reading on my balcony in the afternoon with a couple of Corona. It's on the shady side of the ship and perfect. 

SWIRLS

One of my favorite spots on the ship... vanilla,  chocolate or mixed vanilla/chocolate soft serve cones. You can also get these ice cream monstrosity desserst. I can get 2 a day with my package, but I've never had a one. You can see a picture of one in the bottom right hand corner of the picture.