Right now I am one of the few people in the world that are quarantined on a cruise ship during the COVID-19 pandemic. When I signed my Disney contract back in July I did not realize just how lucky I would be eight months in the future. My parents sailed with me a month ago, and now they are back home socially distancing themselves in the Philadelphia suburb where I grew up. They are spending their time home from work going on walks, burning sticks, and catching up on Netflix. My mom loves Schitt’s Creek now and I’m so excited because it is the first time we are both following a series together since I was in high school when we watched Sex and the City reruns on TBS. Anyway, my parents are very happy and envious that I am stuck on a luxury cruise ship right now, since they have seen the beauty of it so recently. I am one of about a thousand crew members aboard the Disney Magic. Our last group of guests debarked two weeks ago. We are on what is referred to in the industry as a “ghost cruise”—no guests on board.
 |
| This normally lists our showtimes. |
Our crew has been practicing Social Distancing just like the rest of the world. In the dining and cafe areas all lines for food and coffee must be spaced out, no more than four people to a table, and social gatherings are discouraged. Disney is already a very clean company; the constant hand washing the rest of the world is encouraged to do is nothing new to us. But unlike the rest of America, each crew member on board takes part in a daily temperature check. This is to ensure that no crew member has a fever. If any crew member feels unwell they are to report to the medical center; however, this was the case even before the pandemic.
What is it like being quarantined on a ship with the most famous mouse in the world? The first week of our ghost cruise included a few trips to Disney’s island Castaway Cay. The Bahamas has since closed, and we are no longer allowed to dock there, so we have been spending our days anchored outside of docked at Cape Canaveral, but we cannot leave the ship. I really want to stage a “Cabin Fever” (Muppet Treasure Island) flashmob if it gets to the point where I have cabin fever. Right now because of Social Distancing my department is not allowed to put on shows for the crew. A thousand people gathered in a theatre is the opposite of what the government wants. Until Social Distancing is over my department has found other ways to stay busy. We are escorting Mickey and his friends on strolls around the ship so the crew can finally get those candids with the characters. I finally got mine.
Some wonderful things have come about because of this situation. I finally had time to finish the coffee table books I had been designing for four years. One of them is already printed and was delivered to my parents! I picked up a writing project that I put on hold when I left for Toronto, I am working on a new juggling trick, and I am working on a cabaret with my cast. I am learning more about the hidden skills of my fellow cast members. Amanda led a workshop in rolling out which I desperately needed, Rachel leads Alexander technique classes which I have always been curious about, Ralynne leads IntensiT fitness, Shelby is a certified yoga instructor, Stephen is giving voice lessons, KP is teaching photography, and Joe put together an Amazing Race style competition for our whole department. I work with some very talented people.
Here is a list of daily ghost cruise highlights:
Day 1: I filmed an “Into the Unknown” video with my cast as we sailed out of the Miami port into the unknown
Day 2: I watched Emperor’s New Groove on funnel vision
Day 3: I got free WiFi!
Day 4: I rode the water slides and watched our ship have a horn battle with the Disney Fantasy
Day 5: I watched a rocket ship launch from the Kennedy Space Center
Day 6: I prayed the Rosary with some of my cast, the same time as thousands of others across the world
Day 7: I did a photoshoot with the photography team in front of one of the funnels
Day 8: There was good falafel today
Day 9: Day 1 of the Amazing Race with my cast
Day 10: I ate an ice cream with sprinkles while watching the sunset and listened to live jazz and Disney covers
Day 11: I watched the first five Harry Potter films
Day 12: I looked at the stars for a very long time
Day 13: I had a photoshoot with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee
Day 14: I took part in a security drill aka played Hide and Seek around the ship with my cast and the security team for ninety minutes
Day 15: I sat quietly and studied the fish hawk that perched on our ship for an hour
Day 16: I had my first music rehearsal for the cabaret my cast is putting together. It felt great to be back in rehearsal.
I feel extremely fortunate during this very unusual period of time. Though I do not know how long I will be employed on board or when I will be able to perform again, I have great food and company, warm weather, and hand sanitizer. I am taking this time to practice gratitude. The content that artists have put up on the internet over the last few weeks is thrilling and makes me smile. I am hoping we can all take this time in history to pause, create, reflect, and take a breath. And learn to wash our hands.
