I am getting caught up on the forum threads since I did two back to back cruises over Easter. I have not been on the oasis, but I did go on the Majesty and then the Liberty of the Seas, which is the next largest ship in the RC fleet. I did more adults than children on the Majesty and loved the small ship, although the promenade is so much better for face painting than the old-fashioned centrums on the smaller ships. Also found the inside stateroom to be smaller on the older ship..hard to believe but true. For the first time ever, I did not bring my makeup chair, and I was suffering for the entirety of the first cruise. I paint standing up and even when I had a bar stool on the Majesty, it was not tall enough, and my back was killing me from bending over. Also, this small ship has staterooms that can only be accessed by a special set of elevators and until you know which ones they are, I needed to cart my stuff up and down half flights of stairs, which added to the strain. I do tote my own table, which makes my set up very convenient, and mobile, usually. The adults really got into the fun, and I found my daytime sessions were mostly older ladies, looking for makeup to match their dinner outfits.
The Liberty was a different story. 700 + kids on board, and an adventure ocean club that didn't open until 7 p.m. at night, and then had activities for which all the kids needed to be painted by 8:30 or so. Crazy, I too had to do nearly 60 pirates in 90 minutes, with an occasional princess or mermaid thrown in. Also for the circus event, they asked me to do a 1 minute elephant, and I was stumped. If anyone has a speedy elephant face, please forward it along..as even my five minute elephant is not especially attractive, and the kids club counselors kept on telling me to paint faster and faster... Royal Caribbean is booking us more on board, compared to last year and the year before, and you do need to check your dining time and change it to late seating if necessary, and also be aware of excursions, even on the smaller ships. I worked 7 shifts on a 7 day cruise on the Liberty, with all of them being two hours and one an hour and one 90 minutes. Not nearly what I would have done to earn a free cruise on such a fabulous ship (but they do not need to know that). I did not put out a tip jar.but took cash if it was offered. Had a chance to bling up some ladies on formal night and had our pictures taken with fantasy makeup at every opportunity. On the Majesty, I was on a four day cruise and worked 6 shifts, including one that began right after the muster drill on the first day. However, in summary, I still say it is the best gig going, and if you truly love your job, this is the best way to see the world. Be careful about your spending though, as the excursions can really add up (as do the pro photograph purchases). And just think, they are launching the new Allure (sister ship to the Oasis) in December, so there is even more opportunity coming at the end of this year. Join the Crown and Anchor club on line, although you do not get credit for the sailings you are enrichment staff on, you can get for the PASHUR CRUISE in December, and your family can get credit if you get an additional stateroom like we do for all of us. Anybody else get gifts from Royal Caribbean the last night of the cruise? Now offering Balloon Twisters, Caricaturists, Glitter,Henna and Airbrush Tattoos, BODY PAINTING, Glamour Parties and Prenatal Belly Painting http://www.bellafacciapainting.com <http://www.bellafacciapainting.com/> Contact me today to book 973-252-9140 Let Bella Faccia make your event more magical! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Face Painting and Body Art Association." This is a PG-13 forum dedicated to the discussion of Face Painting and Body Art. This group is provided for the benefit of all and as such is not moderated. Our goal is to promote open and unrestricted communication between people interested in face painting and body art. We hope that you will be courteous to others and try to stay on topic. You are free to offer products or services related to face painting as well. Please address concerns with the original poster before contacting the management. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/fpba-assn
