Captain's log: "Saturday night was quiet with calm seas and a full moon. Excellent visibility with tons of fishing vessels in our way. Having problems with the new satellite TV system...if we can't fix it we may have to maneuver closer to shore to pick up the games. We will conduct a test of the de-superheater today."

The first day out to sea is always spent familiarizing yourself with the routine of shipboard life. Unlike a house, a ship is always alive with people and activities, motion and noise. It takes some getting used to..even for "old-salts". After months ashore,your have learned that when you put your coffee cup down on the table to do something else, it will still be there when you get back to it . At sea...it might be in your lap.

First time ship travellers will be in wonder at the sights and sounds of a ship at sea. Every sunset and sunrise are "Kodak Moments", the night sky was never this dark and you never noticed how bright the stars are. They will be confused about how to get from "here" to "there" and will have to get up on deck and look around to figure out port from starboard, the pointy end from the round end.But the confusion will soon pass and everyone will settle in a familiar and comforting routine. There is work to be done and places to go. Within a few short days, everyone will know their job and their place in the great scheme of things.

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