I’ve put in two days this weekend as a part timer for a cruise line that is home ported in Port Canaveral. As an agent for the company, I check in hundreds of passengers happily anticipating a world class cruising experience. It starts the moment the doors open, when they stream in, boarding pass in hand or fumbling for it, eager to have it stamped with a checkmark that represents exactly that. They’re now checked in as an arrival on the ship’s manifest.
And because it starts the moment they enter, we are “on” with bright smiles and happy chat as we process their travel docs and send them on their way to merriment and fun on the high seas. Their cruise experience begins with us.
It’s fun”work” that lets me meet folks from all over the country and the world.
I see babies and children brought along for a family excursion. I win when baby, toddler, or four-year-old connect to me with a smile. The parents love it, proud to show off their little princes and princesses.
I take note of veterans who silently wear the badge of wartime brotherhood embroidered on a ball cap. The more I learn about war, the deeper my appreciation for those – especially in my generation – who fought alongside others whose names are etched in a DC memorial wall.
It’s always an impromptu “fashion” show all the way to the gangway, and we never know what the day’s parade will feature. The kinds of people who seek fun, respite, and new experiences aboard our ships come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, clad in bright tropical garb or skin tight Spandex. I’m told (I wasn’t there) that a young woman recently entered the terminal wearing fishnet. Head to toe. Absolutely nothing — NOTHING — underneath.
Long fingernails artfully painted and decorated with tiny rhinestones, pearls and charms are a “thing” with many women. Each nail is a singular (but impractical) work of art. I truly wonder how they don’t hurt themselves with these designer talons (IYKWIM).
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Heard a ship’s whistle just now, signaling its departure from Port Canaveral to fun in the sun in the Bahamas. The national anthem is played as another one of six ships glides out of port, “Oh Say Can you see…” carried on a breeze.
Speaking of breezes, it’s early spring here. Oaks are bursting with new green fuzz-like buds, growing and spreading new branches. (FYI – Pollen counts are high). Hibiscus are in bloom, and palm trees offer up new fronds.
We’ve set our clocks ahead and are now in Daylight Saving Time, giving us an extra waking hour of daylight to enjoy. There’s quite a bit of debate over the clock changes every six months. I understand the argument on both sides, but my preference falls in with the Spring Ahead, Fall Back way of keeping time. Summer days should be long. Winter is the time for early nights and sleeping.
This spot in the late afternoon / early evening breeze relaxes and recharges. And after this week’s back-to-back working days, my stamina flagging, I am recharging, while a lowering sun bathes the world from my porch with a golden glow.
