Goodheart World Cruise 2009

Goodheart 2009 World Cruise


January 28, 2009 – End of second full day:
First we feel so fortunate, so blessed to be on this amazing trip, going to places we have never been and only dreamed of going and being on a ship where service is number one and everything from tips to all alcoholic beverages are included. My duties are actually less than I anticipated, and mostly I will be doing Sunday services. Today I received a name tag to wear about the ship that says “Rev. Donald Goodheart” and has the Regent logo on it. No one asked me what I wanted on it, nor did I know that I was going to get it, and it is a departure from our Episcopal sensitivity to the fact that Reverend is an adjective and not a title. However, I am trying my best to be “the Protestant Chaplain” and not “the Episcopal Chaplain,” something the placement agency made very clear is my job.
By now we have some feel for the ship: where things are, the cruise director’s approach, how poorly the internet works, where to go for food, and some of our new BFFs. We already turned in our prioritized excursion escort requests for this first leg, including Brazil and Argentina. As escorts we work as head counters, wear a Regent shirt and carry a first aid kit. We will only both go if we agree to be with separate groups, but again, given the opportunity, we are okay with that requirement.
Some things stand out in my mind. The ship is so much smaller than the large Princess ships, and it is only half full for this leg of the trip. There are only around 80 passengers who are doing the full world cruise (we were invited to a reception for those during the full cruise, although there are some events we cannot attend). Many of those 80 have done world cruises many times before, and know the staff like the back of their hand. One group that we had drinks with last evening are three couples who have done no less than eight world cruises together. They frankly don’t much care where the ship goes. The important thing for them is being together (one of them said that being on the ship together for this extended time is “the closest thing to heaven” that she has experienced).
Being on a smaller provides more intimacy, more rocking and rolling (less stability in choppy waters, and it has been choppy with nine foot waves), and less competition for the reservation only restaurants, lounge chairs by the pool or seats for the evening entertainment in the large theater. The lectures have been good (the ones today on hurricanes and astronomy were excellent) but poorly attended. This same cruise last year was apparently packed full, so the economy has definitely had an impact. The downside of the smaller ship is having fewer resources (e.g. one pool, smaller exercise room, fewer shops, etc.).
What about the passengers? They are people like any other group of people, coming in all shapes and sizes, with all types of personalities. I have not found them to be pretentious or overly demanding. Most of the world cruisers truly love this ship and think it is the best. Some of our new bffs are truly fun to be with, and anyway part of my job is to be “out and about,” meeting and greeting people. I enjoy that anyway. We have become friends with the Roman Catholic priest, “Father Tom,” who endeared himself to us and others at our table the first night when he told us to please just call him “Tom.” The Jewish Rabbi became sick before the cruise and is unable to be here. The Cruise Director (an engaging young Brit named John) still hopes he will arrive in time for Passover, but some of the passengers who know the rabbi say he probably will not make it. Because he was not here, the Cruise Director decided not to include Tom or me in the introductions of his staff on the first night as he usually does. At first I was disappointed because I thought the exposure would be helpful, but, as Ronnie said, to be introduced as part of the entertainment team might not be the best thing for the clergy.
I have joined a trivia team, meeting most afternoons at tea time for a trivia contest against other teams. It is not only fun, but usually a lot of laughs. Ronnie does craft activities and we both have been using the gym on most days. This evening we had dinner with a couple from San Francisco in one of the reservation only restaurants, Prime 7, and the setting was beautiful, but the food not that much different from the main dining room except that the portions were larger (we appreciate the smaller portions).

January 29, 2009 – Early Afternoon
Went on our first shore adventure this morning, leaving about 9:30 for Gustavia, St. Barts. It is a charming little island, and we walked to the fishing village of Corosso. The tourist info lady told us not to, but that seemed to make us and the craft teachers we were with even more determined to do so. The narrow road with few sidewalks and many cars and trucks whizzing by made it a challenge, but we made it there and back without incident. The highlight was a little lady selling hand woven baskets by the side of the road (yes we bought one for $6). Back in Gustavia, we looked at most of the shops, mostly selling very expensive merchandise at very high prices. We ended up having a light lunch at a little café selling French crépes. We each had one and they were excellent! We returned to the ship and rested before dinner, which was a reservation only affair at one of the premier restaurants on the ship. The food and service were excellent, but the portions so large that we felt a bit overwhelmed (and stuffed). Finally we enjoyed the first big production in the main theater, “Broadway in Concert.” Good group of singers and dancers. Our neighbors, Igor and Natalia were part of the cast and did a beautiful job.

February 1, 2009 – Sunday Evening
Then next day we arrived at a small island called Dominica, and the village of Roseau. It is a very poor country and as we left the boat we were besieged by taxi drivers wanting to drive us around the island (for a price, of course). We were trying to decide what to do when we saw a couple on a corner looking equally confused. We went up to talk with them and they had an offer from a cab driver to drive them, but if they found another couple it would reduce the price by ¼. We had wanted to go to a place called the Emerald Pool, and they did as well, in addition to going to the native Carib area. We all agreed and had a great day. The Emerald Pool was amazing and to get to it we walked through part of the rain forest. I walked behind the waterfall and got some amazing photos from there.
The Carib Indian territory is very poor, with most houses constructed of corrugated metal thrown together to create a shelter. Of course the climate is tropical, with temperatures mostly in the high 70s and 80s year round. We stopped at some roadside stands where the native people were selling mostly basket wares. Our companions bought some fans with some pretty color straw, and by the time I saw them they were none left. However, the lady (with one tooth) was in the process of making one, and while the others were waiting for me, I watched her finish the fan for me. I know it is hand made by a true Carib Indian!
We also stopped at a fruit stand where you sample the fruit for free and give a donation if you like it. The grapefruit and coconut were delicious! We met a family there who were travelling by sail boat from Connecticut and homeschooling the children on the way. Later we drove by a place where they were making a kind of bread in a big metal pan over a large open fire. Our driver bought us some and it was quite good, with a grainy but soft texture. Then we stopped for a few moments at another house and saw some of our driver’s children. He is a “Neg,” the term they use for blacks who are descendants of slaves, and he had married a native Carib, so his children were mixed race, and quite adorable. He told his wife had “given him trouble,” so he was separated from her and had a place of his own in the port city where we found him (Rousseau). He provided a wealth of information on the history and politics of the island, including the great appreciation they have for Chavez, the anti-American President of Venezuela, because he has provided less expensive oil and other aid for the country.
Back at the port, we looked around at some of the shops and market stalls before getting back on the ship, but saw nothing that really interested us. We had a late lunch by the pool deck and a late dinner. We have been pretty faithful about exercising in the gym and we did so before dinner. That night we were entertained by a “singing juggler” who was fun.

February 3, 2009 – Tuesday Morning
I will try to catch up on the last few days. Our last port day in the Caribbean was Saturday, January 31, and we were in Bridgetown, Barbados. A good 20 minute walk from the port to downtown, where we saw an Anglican cathedral and lots of people crowding the main shopping streets. As in Dominique, we stood out as two of the few white faces in a sea of black and brown. Quite a contrast between the hustle and bustle of the street that catered to the natives (a closed pedestrian street), and the more upscale Broad street which was comparatively deserted. We did like the small market on the walk back to the ship which specialized in native crafts. We bought a small glass fish crafted by the a native artist. By the end of the day, we felt ready to leave Caribbean.
The next three days were sea days, today being the last. I did my first worship service on Sunday, February 1, attended by a disappointing dozen or so people. I had done a lot of prep work, and am doing a sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer. Sergei, the pianist from the band, led the hymns, but did complain about the early hour (since he was up late the night before). I had prepared bulletins, which were somewhat mangled by the ship’s copy machine, but much to Ronnie’s delight, the whole service was done in about 40 minutes. Half the people were Anglican, at least one Baptist and a couple of Presbyterians. Even some Roman Catholics showed up, but left early when they realized they were in the wrong place (the Roman Catholic Mass was going at the same time). Later I saw Father Tom at breakfast, and when I told him I saw that he was doing an evening Mass, he said that was news to him. It was in the ship’s bulletin, so I am sure he did it in the end.
We love the lectures on sea days, with people who give us great information on the history and politics of Brazil in particular, as well as other subjects ranging form Leonardo Da Vinci to Astronomy. Most speakers are quite good. I also have participated in a number of the ships games, from a crazy mini-golf even down stairs, to standard shuffle board tournament. I never miss my Team Trivia group, and we now have a five day winning streak under our belts. We have Americans, Brits and Aussies in our group, and they are very competitive. I fit in well! Last night the entertainment was a comedian named Yakov Smirnoff, who had been on the Tonight Show and even performed for Presidents. We enjoyed his humor but were surprised about how emotional he became at the end when talking about the help his family received when coming to this country. Today I did my first daily devotional. At first cruise director John had felt it wasn’t necessary, but we had a couple of people ask about it, so we decided to go ahead. All of 2 people showed up. Some think it is because the ship is only half full, but also there has been only a small announcement in the daily bulletin. A little frustrating.