Low Counts and Cloudy Weather

Since leaving for Europe, we haven't had as many teenagers on board as the last couple of weeks when we were still in the Caribbean. The group for the crossing was wonderful. We actually got to know everyone who came to the activities and hung out with them as much as possible. It was the best group I have experienced so far. Fun, outgoing, international, and very, very friendly. It didn't matter what we were doing as long as everyone was participating. Now that we are in Europe, there are still not a lot of kids on board but since we have a lot more days we are spending in ports and everyone gets out to see sights, it takes longer to get to know the teens. And yes, with less teens I do have a little more free time to sleep, do laundry, hang out with my friends and go shopping when we are on shore. Since we've come to Europe the weather has been ok but not as warm as in the Caribbean. In Italy I didn't even want to leave the ship when I had the opportunity because it was raining. I hope it will get better though :-)

Some of the amazing teens from the crossing in the 'Living Room', one of the rooms the teens hang out and where I spend most of my time working/hanging out with them.

With some friends at a party, saying goodbye to Maria (white shirt). Most of the people from our Youth Staff Team have left because they either finished their contracts or were transfered to another Royal Caribbean ship. It is always sad to say goodbye to the new friends I make here but that's the ship for you.

In Piraeus, Greece

It was good to see something familiar in Greece.

Kusadasi, Turkey

The streets in Kusadasi reminded me a little of the streets in Jerusalem. They are selling the same scarfs there, too. And they are aggressive sellers as well, trying to convince you that you need their product in order to be happy. Never walk without a man when you're blond!

That was it for today. In a couple of days we will be in Alexandria, Egypt. I will have the chance to go see the pyramids and I'm very excited about that like you can imagine. After Africa it is Sicily and then back to Civitavecchia by Rome once again. Let me know what you are up to and what is going on in your lives.

We made it! Europe here we come.

So we safely made it across the ocean and it was a good 7 days we spent not seeing any land. The last two days were very rocky and I have to admit that I was seasick....I had to take some pills to calm down my upset stomach. Our first stop was in Tenerife where I had never been before. It is a beautiful island as the pictures show. After another two days at sea we got to Barcelona, Spain and today we are in Villefranche, France. My friends and I took the train up to Monaco and Monte Carlo which is the most expensive place in France. It is amazingly beautiful with all the old houses and the sea.

Tenerife, Spain

Andrea and I in Tenerife

Villefranche, France

Andrea and I in Monaco

An old cute lady in Monte Carlo

Sergio and I on our way back to the ship

DJ Anna, you better Belize it. And goodbye Miami.

This last cruise was very busy because we had about 600 teenagers. We had great kids and I enjoyed this cruise very much. Part of my job is to be a DJ for the kids. Every night we offer a dance club where the teens can dance till 2 am. After one of those nights some kids greeted me saying, "hey DJ Anna!" That made my day.

That same day we were in Belize City, Belize. There they are selling fun T-Shirts that say things like "you better Belize it", or "un-Belize-able".

Now, I'm pretty excited about crossing the Atlantic in only seven days. Our next destination is Tenerife, Spain. At the end of this cruise we'll be in Civitavecchia, Italy. That will be our new home port.

Belize City, Belize.

Andrea, Sergio and I enjoying Miami Beach for a couple of minutes.

The Caribbean (Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico)

I'm happy to tell you that I'm doing well and I finally have the opportunity to upload some pictures of the last three weeks. So less text this time ;-)

I'm enjoying my time on the ship and I'm planning to have another fabulous 17 weeks here.

So this is the Navigator of the Seas. The longer I live on this ship the more I love it. It truely has become my new and lovely home.

Labadee, Haiti. It was a very beautiful day, hot and sunny. Labadee is an island that is owned by Royal Caribbean so I don't know if you could really call it Haiti or Royal Caribbean...

A random house I saw in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Both times I was there it was hot, humid and beautiful. People are very friendly and open and easygoing. There is absolutely no rush when you are in Jamaica.

This is my room. Yes, messy as always. I'm sharing it with a girl from Canada. She will be done with her contract in a week and Andrea from California will be moving in.

This is the kind of food I get about twice a cruise. The rest of the time I eat at the staff mess which doesn't have that kind of nice food. I love sushi and cannot get enough of it.

I thought it was funny that they pack carts at a store called MEGA in Mexico for the costumers so they don't have to go through the whole store to get what they need but just have it all together at once! What a great idea. And very convenient for the costumers.

Andrea and I in Cozumel, Mexico.