The End of the First Contract

May 25, 2012

Last night was the final night I would sleep on a ship for the next eight weeks. When I awoke this morning I had the right not to put on my uniform. However, there was still work to do and I wanted to run through the finish line. I had completed my packing last night so the morning routine was much as the same as it has been over the last 4 ½ months. After morning coffee and email I headed to SKY B to teach a Business Ethics class. With that complete I returned to my office to finish the paperwork associated with the class and began to ‘hand over’ the remaining tasks on my desk to my vacation replacement, Jackie. By then it was lunchtime and I knew that after lunch I would begin the translation to life ashore.

Setting my uniform aside felt a bit uncomfortable. I would now walk the ship looking more like a guest than a crew member. Or maybe not. I decided to travel in my suit with an open collar shirt. Since it was a very warm day in the port of Civitavecchia, near Rome, I was definitely overdressed to be a guest. But now the goodbyes needed to begin. Tim made our goodbye as simple as possible. He was going to his room for his afternoon siesta, so there would be no long goodbyes. He stopped at the door of my cabin gave each of us a hug with a promise to stay in touch, and was gone. We traversed the pool deck and bid adieu to crewmates who were working in a guest activity. We crossed Decks 5 and 4 past Café al Bacio, Bistro on 5, and then down to the Martini Bar to give hugs to many of our friends who were working. On Deck 3 we gave a wave to the Guest Relations officers who were as always busy dealing with guests. Finally, we began to walk the length of the I-95, stopping every few feet to say farewell to another crew member.

When we reached Lavern’s office, our Crew Administrator, to get my final sign-off paperwork the journey was near its end. Dwight and Lavern were both there and we took several final pictures before the HR team would change, again. With too many bags to carry down from Deck 6, one of our Celebrity Cleaners agreed to come up to our cabin and load our bags for the trip down the gangway. The last goodbyes were to the security guards and then with Lavern and Jackie as companions we headed off the ship and across the dock to the waiting car. It was unquestionably emotional for me. I told Jackie to take care of my crew, and then gave Lavern a big hug. As we finally got ready to close the door, Lavern dove into the car one more time to ensure a final embrace and then the door slammed and the car began to roll.

I didn’t know whether I wanted to look back at the ship or not. But I couldn’t resist stealing a final peak as we drove away. Our emotions and adrenaline were at full tilt, and Rosie and I began to talk rapidly about the experience, about leaving, about my returning. The conversation went on for several minutes as we kept our eyes focused on the road ahead. Words were spent and silence enfolded us, and in no time, we both closed our eyes and slept.

And the adventure still continues . . .