Silver Cloud - nicolaedwards
This is my first cruise job, and I'm very excited!!! I'm a dancer on the Silver Cloud, which is part of the Silversea fleet. My contract is for one year, and in that time I will visit Northern...

Getting Ready To Leave
Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
Ok, so I've only got 19 days till I leave for a year! The time has flown by since I was called and offered the job on the Silver Cloud, in October.
I've only got 7 more nights at home, because I'm going back down to Tring, so I can go to Pineapple in preparation for the rehearsals. I was told the other day that the rehearsals are no longer in Florida :( they're in Antwerp, Belgium. Not quite as sunny and hot, but it'll be good because we'll be on the ship for a month before any passengers get on.
We're starting to get some more information through about what we'll be doing and rehearsals which is very exciting. I found out a couple of days ago that the other female dancers are called Yvette Rumney and Rachel Verity, so I know their names before I go!
written by  nicolaedwards on April 11, 2009 from Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: Silver Cloud

Last Day At Pineapple
Tring, United Kingdom
I had my last Pineapple class today, and it's starting to feel like I'm actually going! Only 8 days now! Getting very excited! I have to send off the form to get my Bahamas Seaman's Record Book, which is making it start to feel like a reality. I've also got my payroll form which hopefully will be getting lots of money put in it!
Tomorow I'm going to Nottingham to see Jenny and to say goodbye :( Also Chris and Joy organised a party for me to say goodbye to everyone,which will be sad but exciting!
written by  nicolaedwards on April 22, 2009 from Tring, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: Silver Cloud

Finally Ready
Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
Ok, well tomorow is the day that I leave! Mum,Dad and I are leaving at 6.45am ready to meet and get a tender boat across the Thames to the ship, which is attached to the HMS Belfast. We meet at 11am at the Millenium Tower Port and get a boat to the Silver Cloud. We have then got lots of meetings to find out emergency drills etc, and learn our way around the ship. We are then set to depart London at 5pm to set sail across to Antwerp, Belgium.
Can't believe it's tomorow, come round so quickly! But I'm so excited and I know I'll have an awesome time!
written by  nicolaedwards on April 29, 2009 from Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: Silver Cloud

First Day
London, United Kingdom
It's the end of my first day onboard the Silver Cloud! We got up bright and earlier at 5:50am, and Mum,Dad and I got the train down to London. We then met Kevin Pffefier and Heather, the choreographer at the Millenium Tower Pier at 11am. I then met Yvette, Rachel,Alana and Steven at the dock. We then got a tender boat across to the HMS Belfast where we carried all our suitcases onto the Silver Cloud. We then had a tour of the ship, which is a lot bigger than what we thought it was going to be! We saw the theatre, which is really cool! All the chairs are separate arm chairs, and quite close to the stage so it's very intimate. We then got th cards for our cabin, which I'm sharing with Yvette, from New Zealand. Our room in number 403, which is a passenger room with a huge bay window, with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom! We just had tea, which wasn't that nice! I had brocolli and bread! That's the only vegetarian thing there was! Hopefully it'll get better! Well I'm off to bed now, because I've got a busy day ahead of me tomorow! Night!
written by  nicolaedwards on April 30, 2009 from London, United Kingdom

Rehearsing
Antwerp, Belgium
Just had the second day of rehearsing! It's so tiring, but really good! We've started the show called 'Dancing Through The Waves'. We've learnt a dance to Moondance, a Flamenco dance and a jive called 'Jump,Jive and Wail'. They're all really good and Heather, the choreographer is really nice. We have a lot of fun!
The meals have got a lot nicer now, which is also good! Although we found out that they're never normally this nice, it's because it's the leftovers from the previous cruises, and it's because we're in drydock!
We have safety training, which is fun, but really scary and I really hope I don't have to use any of it! We have 5 sessions and then we have an exam! Argh! Scary! Next lesson is tomorow on what to do and how to survive in the water!
We move to dry dock on Monday, which will be cool because we're allowed to go down and see the bottom of the boat! Yesterday Rachel and I got taken to the bridge, which is where the captain drives the boat! Very cool!
written by  nicolaedwards on May 4, 2009 from Antwerp, Belgium

Costume Fittings
Antwerp, Belgium
Still having lots of fun! Heather (the choreographer) has got tonsilitus at the moment, so we had a day of costume fittings! We tried on basically all the costumes, which was very cool! They're all really nice! Pictures coming soon! Then we ran through 'Dancing Through The Waves' with the full sound system and mics. Brent (Heather's boyfriend) is the sound manager to get us set up, so he's done lots and is at the moment sorting out lights. So it's starting to feel more like a show, and I can't wait to begin the actual performances!
written by  nicolaedwards on May 5, 2009 from Antwerp, Belgium

Evening In Antwerp
Antwerp, Belgium
So, today we woke up and went to rehearsals and Heather's still really ill, but we started 'Fiesta Latina'. We learnt 3 dances, although Heather could barely stand up! So we had an extra long dinner break and then finished at 3pm. We thought as we had a whole evening off, we would go to Antwerp. We also walked around the outside of the dock, and could see the bottom of the boat, with the propeller's and stuff! Very cool! So Alana,Rachel,Yvette,Brent and I got a taxi to the city, and went out for supper! The town was really nice! All we can see from here is a load of boats and metal! Not the best of views! Then when we got back, we went and checked out the crew bar, which is tiny! Stayed there for a bit, and now I'm about to go to bed! Night!
written by  nicolaedwards on May 6, 2009 from Antwerp, Belgium

Day In Brussels
Brussels, Belgium
Today, we had the day off, so Rachel,Alana,Olga,Sasha and I went on the train to Brussels. We got a taxi to the station in Antwerp then the train, which was only 10 euros each! When we got there we wandered around looking at the sights. We found the little boy peeing, which Sasha found hilarious! We also saw one of those street performers who stand still then suddenly move, and we had a picture with one, and then he said 'Right, that's 2 euros each'! We were were like 'WHAT??', but we paid him because we felt bad!Then Rachel, Alana and I had these huge waffles which were sooo good, but really sickly! But we thought we'd better have one seeing as we're in Belgium! It was such a good day, and we had so much fun!
written by  nicolaedwards on May 18, 2009 from Brussels, Belgium

Embarkation In London
London, United Kingdom
Today was such a good day! I woke up bright and early at 7.20am to look out the window, and we were just going through Canary Wharf, so I quickly rang Dad and they ran from their hotel to London Bridge. I was quickly rushing to have a shower and then get up on deck 9 as we went through Tower Bridge, but I didnt make it :(. But I looked out my window to see Mum,James and Suzy on the bridge, about 30 metres away from me! And they could all see me waving in the window, and then I quickly rang Dad,who was stood about 100 metres down the wall on the side of the river! I then finished getting ready and organised with Dad that they would come across to the boat on the tender at about 9.30. So they came across and I gave them a tour of the ship, which they were very impressed with!
We then all headed across to London. We got a taxi to Covent Garden for dinner, where I had a huge pizza, which was soooooo good to eat Normal food rather than the food in the mess! I then frantically ran round getting various things which I desperately needed, and then headed back to the ship!
We then had a safety drill, where we have to go to the Panarama Lounge and count 18 people through the back door to go to the lifeboat.
I then had socialising, whiich is quite easy! We just have to wander round and talk to old people for hours! Not hard for me!
written by  nicolaedwards on May 30, 2009 from London, United Kingdom

First Day Of Work and Show Premiere
London, United Kingdom
Today was our first day of work! I got up early because I was on the early shift of Internet Assistance! Its pretty easy, you just have to sit in the Internet Cafe and help anyone that needs it! Then Stephen and I were on Morning Coffee socialising in the Panarama Lounge. This is basically just talking to people! I then did mileage pool with Anita, the International Hostess, and you have to go to the bridge and get the amount of Miles we've travelling since London, then people guess and the winner gets a prize. I then had the afternoon off, but helped some people with their duties so I knew what to do when it was my turn! Then at 6.45pm, I had the captains cocktail party, and I got to wear my long dress, and welcome guests into the Venetian Lounge for the Captains speech. Then quickly ran back to our cabin to get ready for Broadway Rocks, which started at 10pm. The show went amazing, we were so happy! And Heather, the stager, and Jean Ann and everyone was so proud! We then went to the crew bar, because there was a party going on, with an open bar! So we stayed there till 1am, and then went to bed to sleep very well!
written by  nicolaedwards on May 31, 2009 from London, United Kingdom

Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
The first day in Edinburgh, Yvette and I were on In Port Manning, which means we cant get off the ship :( so we did all the duties for the day so everyone else could have the whole day off. But the second day, although we had rehearsals from 9-4pm for Dancing Through The Waves, we managed to get off for some tea, which we had in a huge mall which was next to the port. I then sat in the window watching us leave Edinburgh, which was really cool, especially because we were moored next to the Britannia (Queens ship).
written by  nicolaedwards on June 1, 2009 from Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Londonderry
Londonderry County Borough, United Kingdom
Today was the premiere of Dancing Through The Waves, so we had rehearsals all day, but Rachel,Yvette and I managed to have 20 mins off the ship in a little village, where we anchored by, which was gorgeous! It looked like PS.I Love You! We were then back onboard, and getting ready for Waves, which went amazing! This is the ballroom show, which I think the old people really like!
written by  nicolaedwards on June 4, 2009 from Londonderry County Borough, United Kingdom

Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
Today was our day off from rehearsals, so we all had a bit of a lie in and then left on the shuttle bus for Dublin. After the first bus reversing into a huge metal bollard, we changed buses and got to town at about 11.45am. We found a cute cafe for breakfast and then wandered around looking at buildings and in shops. Stephen wanted his Guiness,and we were all really hungry, so we headed for an Irish Pub, were we all got what we wanted! We all headed back, and were ready to sail to Cork. But about 45 mins into sailing, we were told that a woman had had a heart attack, so we were going back to Dublin, to get her to hospital. Luckily she's ok though now.
written by  nicolaedwards on June 5, 2009 from Dublin, Ireland

Cork
Cork, Ireland
Today, was the premiere of Fiesta Latina! We also blocked the whole show on the pool deck, which was lots of fun! This show is meant to be done there, but we only do it in the theatre until the weathers warmer! Fiesta went amazing, and Jean Ann was very proud of us all. We then headed for the crew bar, because it was karaoke night, which was hilarious although there werent that many people there!
written by  nicolaedwards on June 6, 2009 from Cork, Ireland

Fowey
Fowey, United Kingdom
Today, we woke up to the best view so far! We had anchored in a little bay where there were houses all around, and they were all painted a different colour, and there were loads of villagers out to see us all, and even the town crier! Although we didnt manage to get off here, we felt like we'd seen it all from the ship, because it was so small!
written by  nicolaedwards on June 7, 2009 from Fowey, United Kingdom

Portsmouth
Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Today, we woke up to probably the worst view yet! All we could see was a Stone wall and if you peeked over the top, there were cars loading onto a ferry! But we had no time to get off, because tonight was the premiere of Lands! The show we all know the least and for Rachel,Yvette and I involves the Cancan and Riverdance, which kills us! After 3 runs of the show, we had tea and helped with Captains Farewell Party, we started getting ready! We were all excited/really nervous when the opening music started, but all went to plan and it was definataly the best we've ever done it! Cliff (Head of Silversea Entertainment) said Riverdance was flawless! We then talked with Jean Ann and everyone in the bar for a bit, and then sneaked Heather and Brent down to the crew bar, which ended an awesome night!
written by  nicolaedwards on June 8, 2009 from Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Arriving in London
London
Today, was our last whole day which Jean Ann, Howard,Eric,Heather,Brent and Corrina. We had rehearsals first though, starting at 11am for the openers, which we finished that day! We managed to block them and run them all in costume, before rushing up to deck 9 to watch us sail through London Bridge! It was amazing! We then all piled into my room and Jean Ann said goodbye, and wished us well on our first cruise!
written by  nicolaedwards on June 10, 2009 from London, United Kingdom

Saying Goodbye To Everyone
London
Today was a really busy day! Starting by getting up and Rachel and I going to hand in our forms to apply to go to the ballet in Russia. I then headed for the theatre and talked to Heather and Corinna for 3 hours, before heading across the river to do embarkation. I was really scared about this but everything was really easy, and I even got to see the canons being shot from the Tower of London for Prince Phillips birthday! Just as I finished my duty, Heather,Brent and Corinna came with all there suitcases, so I helped them to their taxi and after some tears saying goodbye, I headed back for the ship. Rachel and I quickly headed out to Tescos and Superdrug before the Sail Away presentation. After more socialising, Rachel,Alana,Olga,Stevo and I headed out to Whetherspoons for tea, which was soooooo yummy!
written by  nicolaedwards on June 10, 2009 from London, United Kingdom