The MV Explorer

Now, it's about time I describe my new home, the MV Explorer. The ship is about 600 feet long and 83 feet wide, with seven decks. The first deck is for crew only, and the second, third, and fourth decks are primarily cabins, with the clinic and a couple classrooms on the second deck. The fifth deck has some faculty cabins, as well as the main reception desk, field office desk, and a dining hall, which has an outside deck for seating. The sixth deck houses the computer lab, the library, the Union (the biggest room on the ship where we have our Global Studies class and mandatory meetings), most of the classrooms, a piano bar which has a bunch of seating area, and a second dining hall that also has an outside deck. Finally, the seventh deck has the Wellness Center, with a hair salon, three massage rooms, and a sauna (all for a price, of course), and then a 24-hour workout room which is so tiny you have to sign up for a shift to accomodate everyone. It also has an expansive deck, partially shaded, with a small pool and hot tub, along with a snack bar.

 

When you walk into my cabin, on the third deck, there is a bathroom on the left and closets on the right. Past this, there is a desk on the left, and a small but tall corner dresser that has a TV on the right. The TV is closed circuit with six channels that play movies related to the voyage (for example, Master and Commander and Pearl Harbor). Then there are two beds on either side with a nightstand in the middle. I'm on the right side, and have covered my wall with posters and pictures. The alternative wall has a picture that came with the room. A Semester at Sea tradition is to write words of wisdom on the back of the pictures, and ours definitely came with musings of several voyages.

 

The crew on board are incredible. They clean our rooms daily, take all of our dishes directly from our tables, and keep the ship spotless. Plus, they are all very friendly and have a sense of humor, and it's great getting to know them.

 

Today was a beautiful day, calmer seas, 70 degrees or so, and partly cloudy. I was sitting out on the sixth deck, reading for one of my classes, when I saw an albatross sweep into view. I couldn't believe that a bird would be so far from land, just a tiny speck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Its body seemed tiny compared to its wings, and it never moved except to turn. It reminded my of my mom and Aunt Linda skiing, it moved in wide motions, slowly and under control from one side to the other, trailing the ship. I was transfixed by this motion. Soon, I saw another albatross in the distance, swooping far away. I kept spotting more and more birds until I finally saw FIVE ALBATROSS. It was amazing.

 

Although it's impossible to forget that we're on a ship because of the constant rocking, it is easy to forget that we are alone in the middle of the Pacific because the ship is so well accomodated. Only when I sit out on the deck or look out the window and see nothing but blue waves or sky do I remember, and appreciate the visit of avian friends.