Adrift

Chapter 1 - Delilah

"I am not afraid of storms, for I am leaning how to sail my ship."

― Lousia May Alcott

Chapter 1- Delilah 

"Delilah get your head out of the clouds your family is waiting for you at table sixteen hustle over with those drinks that kid looks like he might start screaming." Thea chastised me from across the kitchen.

I let out a sigh and willed my cups to fill up faster and displayed my 'I am so happy to be working today smile' on my face and head out across the dining room. I head over to my table and swiftly deliver their drinks and a basket of warm garlic cheese bread. The family perks up at this and starts to gain some light back in their eyes, there is absolutely nothing more wonderful on this cruise ship or maybe the planet than that bread, it could bring a man back from the dead just with its scent.

"Hey I'm Delilah and I will be serving your family just for tonight, but the wonderful Tony will be your server for the rest of the cruise. And Liz will be your assistant waiter. First of all, welcome on board the Seven Seas Artico Ship and welcome specifically into the Sunken Palace, it's my personal favourite restaurant. Liz will be along shortly with some more bread, but before we get started do you know how our dining system works?" I looked at the family sitting before me swaying in their seats they looked a little like they would rather be anywhere but here. Which was not uncommon for the first dinner seat on the first night of the cruise.

"Delilah what a beautiful name, we are a little new to this whole cruising situation, do the waves always come over the windows like that, it's a little disconcerting. The whole endless ocean view is also a little overwhelming, but the ship is so wonderful it's hard not to enjoy yourself. I really love the names of everything and the decorations, I've never seen anything so beautiful. Oh I guess I should introduce myself as well, I'm Paige and this is my son Luis."

"It's lovely to meet you! Don't even worry about the rocking you'll get used to it and the endless ocean view, it's actually really peaceful, it's one of my favourite views in the whole world. I'll let you in on a little secret; the boat is only rocking so much because we are pulling out of the port and are moving rather quickly and passing by lots of other ships, the rocking will slow considerably once we are in open water. But back to our dining situation, on the Seven Seas cruise line you have one head server and an assistant waiter who will follow you to all three restaurants you eat at: The Sunken Palace, Sunset Beach, and Sirene's. It's a cool experience getting to know your server and having them get to know you."

"Oh that is so unique, I have never heard of anything like that before. Some of our friends went on a cruise but they picked where they ate every night, and said the service was not very friendly. It is so exciting having a set plan and not having to worry about where to go every night. Plus, I know we are going to be getting wonderful service!" Paige smiled at me and I resumed by tirade.

"I should also let you know that some nights are casual attire, others are semi formal and some are fully formal; but don't let that scare you there is no obligation to dress up or look fancy some guests wear shorts on formal night and others wear ball gowns. It's really just an opportunity to have fun and be as fancy or as casual as you want. We also have a pirate themed night, which is super fun there is show up on deck eleven that is really amazing."

"Can we go to that please oh please?! Where is the best place to stand? Maybe we could get some snacks? Oh oh Delilah maybe you can find us a secret spot to watch where no one else is?"