First Email Sent to Oceania Co-Workers (Jan 16th)

Hey Kids,

How are you all doing? Believe it or not, even though I am on an absolutely splendid vacation trip here on the Regetta, I am still thinking a lot about you all and wishing that we could have shared this experience together. I’ve worked for Oceania for a number of years now and after just the first day, I realized what an awesome product we have and what a wonderful way to travel cruising is.

The quality of the services onboard has been excellent and the food only gourmet. It’s been a little difficult getting used to it. The waiters remember your name and are always friendly and chipper. (It’s kind of creepy.) The chambermaid comes to clean your stateroom twice a day, once for daily maintenance and then again for nightly turndown service. (w/ chocolates on the bed) Room service is indeed available 24 hours a day and the selection is vast and quite filling.

Neither Amada nor I have ever experienced such luxury before and it is a little overwhelming. It’s so surreal and yet I am so happy to be able to travel on this amazing vessel.

12 hours after we left Miami, we docked in Mallory Square, Key West. I mean, right in Mallory Square! It was amazing. Okay, a quick breakfast, (And can you believe I am actually eating regular meals? Or perhaps I should say, I am eating regularly.) and then a hastened wandering around Key West. Amada and I had been before so no big deal, but we stocked up on Coca-cola and bottled water. (I think four 2-liter bottles of Coke should last me until Mexico. LOL!)

I am a terrible liar and blew my cover on the first day. Alcohol makes me stupid and there was a martini tasting program onboard on the 2nd night. We are nearly the youngest couple onboard and both have very loud, sociable personalities. I knew this was going to be a problem. The few people I did not inform whom I worked for Amada leaked too while I was away smoking a cigarette. She’s actually started trying to recruit people to come and sing karaoke tonight. It’s bad. We make quite an impression, whether we are trying to or not. She laughs loud, I laugh loud. I tell corny, terrible jokes and she’s a theatre major who can randomly burst out into song. Last night, she MADE me do my “Kermit the Frog” impression in front of an audience for Big “O” points. (These are points that you accumulate to win minor prizes onboard the ship. – Hats, tote bags, whatever.) But don’t worry, we are behaving and will not fall overboard, though the concierge cabin is amazing. (Thank you, Ed for that and the lovely fruit basket.)

We are having a wonderful time, though the seas had been rough over the passed two days. Sickness bags were conveniently laid out everywhere yesterday and a lot of the recreational activities had to be put on hold.

Okay. I’m running out of things to say…
Amada started a blog, it’s @:

http://geneandamadascruise.blogspot.com/

if you are interested.

Okay. I hope to write you guys again soon. My email address is chiange@bellsouth.net

Laters!

P.S. – I am not going to be able to send this out to everyone, so please spread it out amongst yourselves. Remember, it’s not that Daddy doesn’t love you or love you best, but how many time do you expect me to type __________@oceaniacruises.com?