“You’d think after all these years, I’d stop getting nervous,” I mutter to myself, lifting my hair to keep the mic from tangling. One quick tap on the headset— “on” —and it’s ‘Edutainer’ showtime.
The theatre is slowly filling up, and I can’t help but feel grateful for every single bum in a seat. These folks could be anywhere on this floating palace—lounging by the pool, relaxing in the solarium, tucking into their second breakfast at the buffet. (Let’s be honest, who’s counting?) There are so many activities on board, from trivia contests to art auctions, and yet here they are, choosing to spend their precious time with me.
And time—it’s the most valuable currency we have, isn’t it? I remind myself of that every time I stand on stage. These people could be napping off their jet lag, sipping cocktails in hot tubs, or, let’s face it, devouring more shrimp cocktail than they ever dreamed possible. Instead, they’re here, sharing an hour with me, and I’m blessed by their presence.
The hum of the ship, the vastness of the sea outside those grand windows—sometimes it’s hard to believe this is my “office.” Everywhere I look, there’s something to do, something to see. The sheer magnitude of the ship never fails to amaze me, from its marble staircases and glitzy chandeliers to its endless decks of entertainment. And the food… my goodness, the ‘food’. I’d like to say I have self-control, but if you’ve ever faced a cruise ship dessert buffet, you know it’s a losing battle.
As the last few people trickle in, the Activity Director arrives and my nerves settle. This is my happy place—sharing my thoughts, stories, and learnings – being an Edutainer – with new friends from all over the world. There’s something so special about the energy in a room full of travelers, each with their own adventures, curiosities, and reasons for being there. We’ve all chosen this journey, this pause from the chaos of the real world, and somehow, we’ve ended up in the same room, at the same time.
Gratitude washes over me as I take a deep breath and smile at the crowd.
Here we go. Time to make new friends, share a few laughs, and maybe inspire someone to see the world a little differently. It’s moments like this that make the delayed flights, misconnections, navigating thru Uber and Grab apps – and the inevitable buffet coma worth it. I’m thankful—so very thankful—that even on a ship where the ocean stretches endlessly in every direction, these people have chosen to spend a small piece of their journey with me – todays Cruise Edutainer.
