Today we are somewhere between Equador and Columbia, soon we will pass through the Panama Canal and make our way through the Caribbean and then onto Miami to finish this 14 day cruise.
The oceans have been incredibly calm, today I looked out the window thinking we were at a port only to find the oceans so peaceful it was almost creepy.
Our show was yesterday, we did a double act with the ships quartet “Harmonix” we had a ball and the audience loved it, it was so much fun to dance again with Paul and for the Crystal audience. Crystal is renowned for being at tough audience but we were delighted to be met with cheers, screams and the odd whistle.
My thoughts turn today to this amazing lifestyle we are blessed to experience. Cruising is a pretty special experience but cruising with Crystal is absolutely amazing. They only have two cruiseships but the environment inside those ships is almost of a utopian paradise.
It’s a place where everyone looks you in the eye, not like a stare down but an acknowledgement of another living breathing soulful human being. And its not a piercing look, checking you out or anything like that, its what I believe we all wish for when we’re in the presence of others, the ability to BE with them, no pretense, no issues standing in the way, just be in their presence and be ok with that.
Being onboard a Crystal ship is a feeling complete safety and security. It’s amazing because some days we don’t see land at all and even the satellite TV gets lost. In the back of my mind, I know I am in the middle of the ocean but I am with an amazing group of people, surrounded by food, entertainment, laughter and luxury.
It’s easy to get lost in this way of life, you wake in the morning and the biggest decision you have to make is which restaurant, café or buffet would I like to eat at. Or perhaps the coffee shop that supplies free coffees, all day long? Even our beds are made for us, morning and night, with little chocolates on the pillows.
I always find it amusing when I hear people complaining on Crystal, I think to myself, wow, what a privilege it is to be here, everything is done for you, every last detail is taken care of, there is nothing to want, its all done. I laugh each time I hear a complaint and think, god, don’t let me ever get like that!
This blog is a personal account of the journey of Paul Zaidman and Cheryl Smith dating back to March 2005 when we first were recruited to sail onboard the QE2 as dancers, performers and teachers.
What started as a 4 month contract turned into almost two years as we progressed to the number 1 cruiseline, Crystal Cruises. This blog was updated regularly with photos and stories.
The latest updates are from the most recent cruises in January 2010
