Life in the time of COVID-19 with Royal Caribbean’s Nicola Bolton

This week, we caught up with dancer Nicola Bolton, who is currently performing on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, to find out how she’s been faring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are you reading?

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza.

What are you watching?

I currently have a subscription to Disney+, so anything Disney.

What are you listening to?

A podcast called Shameless – two Aussie gals talking about pop culture.

What are you cooking?

Nothing – ship life! I am provided with all meals on board, so no cooking for me.

How are you staying fit both physical and mentally?

I’m currently on Quantum of the Seas cruising out of Singapore, so I am performing and dancing for guests five days a week. The show is physically demanding, so it keeps me fit.

To keep mentally fit, I read, relax, watch Netflix and just chill in my room.

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit?

An increase in contact with family and friends from all over the world. It gave me so much time to catch up with people that I hadn’t spoken to in a long time.

There has also been a big increase in people taking time for themselves and putting their mental health first.

What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis?

I’ve discovered that I’m not quite finished travelling the world just yet, and I still have so much to see! Though it will have to wait, I look forward to the world returning to the new normal where we can just step on a flight to an exotic location.

What’s your advice for others in the industry on coping with the crisis?

Things WILL return to normal and we will all be back doing what we love sooner rather than later. It’s important to keep that in mind, but also have other things going on in your life to stimulate you while things return to normal.

Where is your favourite domestic travel destination?

I love going to Cairns when I’m home to visit one of my best friends, and you can’t beat the tropical weather all year round!

What is the one international travel memory keeping you going through this time?

Fortunately, I’ve been to Spain and Italy many times, and I remember all the delicious pasta I ate and all the Aperol spritz I drank – all while I sat next to the ocean.  It reminds me that one day we’ll be able to do that all again.

Where do you want to travel to once international travel restrictions ease up?

New Zealand is on my list (yay, travel bubble!), but I would love to visit Montenegro soon. My boyfriend is from there and we had plans in 2020 to travel together, so I can’t wait to visit his beautiful country one day soon.