Today we were in our homeport, Oslo. I still hadn’t been off yet; every time I have tried something has stopped me from weather to sanitation. I had no hope for today either, because we are having specially hired “GI experts” come to sanitize the entire ship. The day started off with my shift in the mess, and then I went to help my roommate sanitize our room. A ridiculous task, because it’s not crew that has the virus yet they take the precaution and mandate we wipe with bleach and their chemicals.
We all gathered in the theater at 9 am, to learn our tasks. We were sent up to sanitize the SEEL and then return back for more instructions. I don’t understand why we needed to sanitize before the sanitizers, isn’t that like cleaning before the maid comes? But what do I know; I’m just a dancer. Anyways, we were walking back to the theater and saw our facilities workers using the new machines. It looked like a vacuum machine with a large hose, like what firemen use. They were spraying inside the shops. I got a little worried about what we were breathing in when were just casually walking by their spray. Felt like a scene out of Erin Brockwich.
When Jade addressed that concern, the cruise directors told us it is harmless to breathe, but it’s very hot that’s why we have to stay clear from the actual target shot of the spray. It is supposed to sanitize the air. Hmm….ok. I feel like there are so many things wrong with that answer, but I’m going to do my job and get back to my cabin. We were dismissed for a lunch break until 12:30, but that is because they didn’t know what to do with us yet. After three code reds, this ship is still not organized. We have all this manpower, meaning we could sanitize the ship thoroughly and diligently if we weren’t herded around like lost sheep or left to wander around like headless chickens.
This is when my frustration comes in; things like the scheduling of our Windjammer or mess shifts that directly affect and oftentimes prevent us from leaving the ship, yet when we are up there helping we watch the on-duty servers standing around talking while we take their places. Or like now, there is no clear communication with the hired professionals to our supervisors, so we just have to wait on stand by and rush to aid. I have no problem with helping, but I can’t stand that the captain has no battle plan and doesn’t send his troops out strategically, but rather gathers up forces and wastes time. Our time. Everyone’s time.
For example, after lunch we were told to help housekeeping. We were given a floor, with the instructions of walking around asking who needed help. Well since the professionals had done the SEEL, the shops, the theater, and the other large areas first, we had to wait on the machines. This put the housekeepers drastically behind schedule. And we couldn’t do anything about it until the machine had reached your floor. Like I said, waste of time since we were all sitting in the halls playing “name that tune”. Finally the machine hit deck 2, Jade and I were assigned to deck 3 but the management there said it didn’t matter what your level was, just help anywhere. We were on the floor pulling sheets out to be washed and sprayed, folding all the towels in specific patterns, and placing the soaps and toilet paper in the bathrooms.
Eventually, crewmembers started disappearing. I think some honestly didn’t know what to do after their floor, but most just went back to their cabins after only a few minutes. Jade, Maude, Michael, Cristain and I finished up deck 2, basically on our own. At one point, Cris called for the cast and found Stephany in her cabin. He requested her help; I’m not sure if she ever came looking for us. Cris, Jade and I moved up to 3, and it was a mess. By this time we had a system and worked quickly. We had no sense of the time, until Benny, the hotel director, came over the
Intercom and granted shore leave. It was 4:00! We had two hours allowed off ship, crew onboard at 6. The three of us helped the final guy with his soaps and headed to our rooms.
I felt awful leaving because it was clear they were still behind. Again, no communication because Benny should have called to housekeeping and checked if they still needed the help. I just couldn’t do anything more, I was spent. My back was aching from leaning over to fold, and if I saw another stateroom I might have thrown up. I needed air. Jade, Sam and I hurried off the ship and we walked to TGIF’s to grab some real food as a treat. Sam had been working upstairs on the windows and in the suites. I was in an even worse mood when he told me Stephany and Brandon were PAID by one housekeeper to vacuum. But, bitterness wouldn’t get me anywhere, so I had to swallow that down with my potato skins.
I distracted myself from the long day, enjoying the city of Oslo. Where we are docked seems to be a very large shopping center, and I hope I can explore it more in the future. I freaked because Norway’s currency is Krons, so my meal consisting of potato skins and water cost 89 Krons!!!!!! But, that is like $8.90, which I figure is about right, maybe a little bit more expensive. Jade and Sam’s total bill from two cheeseburgers was around 300!!!! No wonder Oslo is the most expensive city in the world! Lucky we are here when the exchange rate is pretty good.
It was nice to finally touch land in Norway, and to get off the ship after that fiasco. Little treats like fresh air and real food will keep my sanity these next few cruises if we are still fighting GI (which, I think we will because nobody listens to me-GI is a virus, not a bacteria and therefore CAN NOT BE KILLED WITH HAND SANITIZER!!!!!!!) These gross guests need to wash their hands!!!!!! Ok but, enough of that. The conclusion of the story is; Oslo saved my mind today so THANK GOD IT’S SATURDAY.
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