Last Day In Ithaca

I decided the best way to keep everyone updated on my Caribbean adventures was to make a blog. So, after much fruitless deliberation on how best to incorporate any of the key words of my adventure (ship, cruise, caribbean, etc...) and/or self descriptors (Jesse, Willard, etc...), into a pun-ful blog title, here it is.

To start off, I guess I'll explain what my job on the ship will be to the best of my knowledge and we'll see how this description changes as my tenure progresses. I was hired as trumpet 2 of 2 in a 9 piece band that additionally consists of 2 trombones, a tenor sax, bass, piano, guitar and drums. Traditionally, in a big band that has 4 trumpet parts, the 2nd trumpet part contains all of the improvised solos, where the 1st part (the lead trumpet) contains all the high notes. I'm hoping this isn't as much the case in this band because improvising is to me, as swimming is to Samwise Gamgee. As I understand it, this is not the only musical group on the ship, but our particular roles include playing jazz sets to large audiences and in the lounges as well as accompanying the theatrical productions. This should add up to 4 or 5 hours of playing per day 6 or 7 days a week. I have been told that the band director isn't a fan of rehearsals, which is just berries for me because it means more free time at ports. I am the only new member of the band coming in right now. I can only imagine that the band has somewhat fast personnel turnover, so I'm hoping they take to new people quickly and nicely. Each cruise is on week long and stops in Cozumel Mexico, Falmouth Jamaica and George Town Grand Cayman, before returning to New Orleans. 

For those that don't know, the cruise line I'm working for is Royal Caribbean and the ship I am assigned to is The Voyager of the Seas. The ship holds about 3000 passengers, has 10 pools, 14 bars, clubs and lounges, has a rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, mini golf course, and, of course, a big-ass casino. It is  1,020 ft long, 157.5 ft tall, 138,000 tons heavy and can cruise at 22 knots. I know that I will have a roommate, but I don't yet know anything about him besides that he is in the band too. 

Well, I've got my trumpet and tux packed, 2 seasons of Mad Men, courtesy of Danny and I'm ready to head out. My flight out of Ithaca leaves at 1:51 PM tomorrow and I will arrive in New Orleans at around 8PM where I will be greeted by a Royal Caribbean dude and escorted to my hotel to enjoy a fine per diem-ed meal. I board the ship the next morning and begin what sounds like extensive safety training. I imagine I will be on the band stand by Sunday evening. 

Sorry for rambling on so much. I think all future posts will be shorter and (hopefully) more interesting. I tried not to make it flow like a stream of consciousness, but now my brain is feeling like a river of unconsciousness.  Please feel free and encouraged to comment on my posts because I am sensing some amount of loneliness in my future. Goodnight, friends. 

-Jesse