all aboard!

Remember the show The Love Boat in the 80’s? It’s a prime time TV drama set on a cruise ship my mom and I look forward to watching every single week. Then I would look up to her, tug her skirt and say, “Let’s go on a cruise in The Love Boat, mom!”

Who knew that we’d be in it a few years later! Well, at least it was the closest we can get to The Love Boat!

~ MV Crystal Symphony from a distance ~

~ The ship up close ~

~ looks like a tall building than a ship to me! ~

My bloggy friend, Stacey is in Dubai!! We finally met because she invited me over to see the ship! What an awesome experience it was for me, my mom and Pristine. Stacey and I met online through, how else but blogging. She writes about her work aboard the luxury liner and stories and photos of the their ports of call.

~ She is in a band and plays piano and very, very good at it! (left most) ~

I love travelling and I vicariously live through Stacey’s day to day life - she works aboard a cruise ship that goes around the world as a pianist/band master. You think that’s cool enough? She has literally been to places you can imagine (check out her blog). Fantabulous life, don’t you think?

 ~ Stacey with my mom and Pristine (can you tell she’s having a grand time? ~

~ Me, my mom and Pristine in the front bridge ~

She gave us a tour of the ship, which was more like a floating hotel. It was amazing. There are even elevators inside to easily accommodate the staff and passengers all through the 12 storeys. We arrived at 3 pm and it was unbelievably hot yesterday at 40C and more than 50% humidity. But who am I to complain? We were having a marvelous experience, never mind the heat!

Then we stayed longer to see the show with Stacey and her band. Live music miraculously kept the wriggly toddler on her seat. Pristine, who loves music and piano, was star-strucked with Stacey. What a wonderful show!

Thank you Stacey for the wonderful once in a lifetime experience. I pray for your safe journey always!