Jewel of the Seas Adventures

Hey Y'all!
It's been a while since I've written here but, I'm ready to get back in the saddle! I am currently on board the Jewel of the Seas on our Caribbean run! It's been a crazy ride this contract. It's hard to believe that, after 7 months on board, we're down to the final 10 weeks!

To fill you in on what's been going on the last few months, the Production Shows on board are "City of Dreams" (A magical love story of two sould traveling through time and place) and "West End to Broadway" (A tribute to the great musicals of West End and Broadway). Once again, I'm performing "Summer Breeze" with my B1, Reuben Laurente, as well as "An Evening of Jazz" with Reuben, Porter Anderson III, and Simona Thompson. Reuben and I premired our Headliner Show, which consists of a little Pop and a little Country. We work with a nine piece orchestra for every show.

My favorite things to do (other than expolring the ports) is to be out and about on the ship, mingling with the guests. It's a lot harder to form personal, lasting friendships with cruisers than it was at Dollywood, but I try :).
Many of you have asked, so... I met an incredible guy! His name is Yurii and he is from the Ukraine. He is a sweet soul and, to Mom, Mathew, and all my father figures out there... Yes, he is the perfect gentleman! He's brillant and handsome too ;)

Well, that's an update of my life so far! Feel free to ask questions and I'll post them in the next blog! I love you all!

Hollie <3

"Aue, aue, We keep our island in our mind And when it’s time to find home, We know the way"

Hey Y'all!

Wow... we've made it. Ten and a half months on board the Rhapsody of the Seas. We've had our ups and downs, our good times and bad. Good outweighing the bad, of course :) I have learned so much from these amazing people. It's strange knowing that  I have said goodbye to people who have become my family, possibly for the last time.  As I sit here browsing through my albums to pick out the perfect photos to summarize my time as a Rhapsody of the Seas Production Cast member, I can't help but shed a few tears. This contract has been incredible. The places I've visited, the people I've met, the amount of growth I've experienced, all have touched my heart and made me realize how wonderful life can be if you're not afraid to get out there and live. 

Folks, there are so many amazing people out there to meet. So many amazing cultures to experience and learn from. If I have any advice from this contract to give, it's this: Don't be afraid to go places. Don't be afraid to say hi to a stranger. That stranger could become your best friend. I have met so many beautiful people from other countries, who have taught me some of their culture and  languages (sorry to my Russian and Ukranian friends for butchering your language...I butcher English too haha!!). 

Now, this group of goofballls below, are some of the most important humans I've met. They have kept me on my toes the whole contract! Incredible, incredible people. With hearts for others as big as their smiles. 

To those who have crossed paths with me, thank you <3 Thank you for all that you have taught me. Thank you for your endless support and kindness. 

And while my heart is aching for this ending, my soul rejoices for new beginnings! I am ecstatic to announce that I will be embarking on a new adventure as the Featured G1, on board the Jewel of the Seas! Rehearsals will start in May, so be on the look out for a brand new blog adventure! 

Thanks for keeping up with me on my incredible first contract on board the Rhapsody! Here's to many more adventures <3

Holls <3

It's Another Day! It's Just Another Day on the Rhapsody of the Seas

Hey y'all!

       I got a request this week to tell y'all about what a typical day/ cruise looks like.

We're in our ten and eleven day cruises right now. We will switch to seven after our crossover to the Caribbean. This was the schedule for last cruise:

Day 1: Venice, Italy

Day 2: Sea Day

Day 3: Corfu, Greece

Day 4: Sea Day

Day 5: Santorini, Greece (My favorite port we go to)

Day 6: Athens, Greece

Day 7: Mykonos, Greece

Day 8: Sea Day

Day 9: Kotor, Montenegro

Day 10: Zadar, Croatia

Then back to Venice

Day 1, we always do a boat drill. This is to make sure that our guests feel safe and know what to do in case of an emergency. We are the Muster Station Leaders. That means that we are in charge of all of the guests at our stations. We make sure that we give all of the information that they need and answer any questions that they have. I'm Muster Station 9 (the best one ;))

     The days we're at port, we get to get off and explore. I love getting off with my cast and making memories in countries and cities I never thought I'd visit. We'll be sitting at lunch somewhere and someone will say, "Guys... This is so surreal. We get to perform and travel all over the world". It's pretty humbling. 

On Sea Days, we do things like laundry, gym time, go over music and dances, and catch up on sleep. 

On show days, we have tech runs and notes at 9:15am. We share the stage with other Guests Artists, so we do tech runs to make sure that all of our set pieces, lifts, and cues work. It also gives us a chance to refresh ourselves with the show. Then we have a break from end of tech run till call, which is 18:00 (6:00pm). Our show times are 7:00 and 9:00. We have the hour before showtime to fix hair, makeup, preset costumes and wigs, and just be together. 

We perform our main shows three nights of the cruise, one per night. We also have sets that we do, in what we call, The Centrum. It's the center of the ship. Jake (B1) and I have a set called,  Summer Breeze". Tim (B2) and Chelsea (G2) have a set for 70's night. That night is a blast! That's when Tim and Chealse start the party with their set, a Cruise Staff Member will come out and teach disco moves, and then the entire Cruise Staff team comes out dressed up and it's a dance party! We also opened up our Baroque and Jazz Set this cruise!

At night, you can usually find us Back Deck. That's where we celebrate everything! Different Independence Days for different countries, birthdays, having a great day... everything haha! This is also where we get to see our friends that work in other departments! Rhapsody is a smaller ship and you get to make some pretty awesome relationships with those you pass on the I-95.

Then we do it all again next cruise! Keep those suggestions coming! And, thanks for keeping up with this Country girl on her adventures :)

Hollie <3

Adventure is Out There

Hey y'all!


I'm writing today from a cute cafe in Katakalon, Greece. It's been almost two months since we've signed on the beautiful Rhapsody of the Seas.

Isn't she a beauty? 

We've opened our shows: Ballroom Fever, Piano Man, and Pure Country (guess which one's my favorite. Hint: Dolly is involved) and are having a blast!

 Ballroom Fever

Pure Country

 My cast is great. Everyone is so supportive and kind. Which is great when homesickness hits you like a ton of bricks. They grab your hand and take you out for a great time Back Deck. Lots of dancing and laughter.

Here they are :) (Minus Fabio- He wasn't here yet... I really need an updated Cast pic)

The places we've visited have been amazing! We are currently in the Mediterranean sailing around Greece and Croatia. Santorini is my favorite place on Earth. If God allows us to choose what our Heaven looks like, I hope He lets me choose Santorini. I'll write more on these as we travel from place to place :)

Being here, I've realized that we take a lot for granted in the States. For example: free water. That doesn't exist here. Coke is 2,20 - 4 Euro, which is around $3-$5 in American Dollars. No free refills. Drivers do not like to stop... at all. Think New York Taxis, but worse. Eating is an experience. No rushing allowed. But really, who wants to rush while eating a Chicken Gyro or Greek Pizza? Certainly not me! Walmart and Target. Oh! This is HUGE for me... No Sweet Tea! I am constantly craving it and can't wait to get to Tampa in December to buy myself the largest Sweet Tea! 

That's all I've got for now! If you want me to write about anything specific, shoot me a message on Facebook. 

Hollie <3