Leo, Santa and his helpers out and about onboard on Christmas morning.
Christmas morning saw Seabourn Odyssey heading due east out into the Tasman Sea leaving Flinders Island off the South east coast of Australia behind us.
39 17S 150 47E
The claggy grey skies that hung over Melbourne and Port Phillip bay have dispersed somewhat and a suggestion of blue skies lie overhead the ship. The sea is undulating due to swell running up from the deep South West and another comes down from the North. Both are indications of “disturbances in the Force” many miles away from our present positions. We shall be keeping an eye on both with interest. The forecast for tomorrow and the 27th is not that flash but we shall see.
Onboard the mood is jolly and the crew are buzzing about making Christmas morning special for our guests. The crew Pursers, Bjorn and Bernie, were out and about last night distributing chocolates and presents for each crew member wrapped in a stocking or a red Santas hat. The officers served the crew their lunch in the mess room and I held a small get together to thank the team in my conference room. I also had the chance to wish one of our Able Seamen a happy birthday. He was a Christmas Day baby and we presented another with his 10 year long service award from the Company.
Each and every crew member is away from their families and loved ones. Yet here onboard we are a family and even though behind the doors of our cabins we will spend time with our thoughts of wives, son, daughters and partners back home, out among the guests the smiles and chatter and festive spirit prevails. Of course I wish I was home. Who would not? But if I could not be, among this bunch of people is exactly where I would want to be. That is Christmas at sea for crew in a nutshell.
Our day was rounded off very nicely with a Christmas Dinner served to the crew by myself and the officers in the Colonnade Restaurant. Santa visited. Or a very hot Security Officer Mark Neale in a red suit. There was also a competition to make a christmas tree from recycled materials. 11 entries had to be judged and they were all simply amazing. Three were picked as worthy winners and they will all be displayed in the public rooms for the guests to look at. I will leave you with a few photos of the evening. Merry Christmas.
Santa full of Christmas cheer.
Leo and I serving behind the buffet.
Christmas trees made from recycled materials waiting to be judged.
A great night was had by all.