shiplifecardgame

But that would mean they'd have to hire video techs that can actually run something like that. Unfortunately, Royal puts all it's entertainment $$$ into gear (and onstage "talent"), and none into people to run the gear (the techs are grossly undervalued). They've actually had to dumb down their tech offerings massively over the years (especially Broadcast), because they simply won't pay enough to get experienced techs capable of properly operating the gear they spend fortunes on.

Actually, I was caught one week by the port security guards. They were like "hey...you're here every week!" They made me a deal. If they let me onboard, then I would have to steal food from the buffets for them and their families. So, every week, I'd show up with an empty backpack, they'd let me on whatever ship was in and then, a few hours later I'd come back with a backpack full of food for them. I did that for about a year! Nobody on the ship ever stopped me for anything. I actually had a crew member on the Sun Viking let me into crew areas and show me around!

In 1984, I was a little kid living in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and I used to sneak on cruise ships when they'd dock during the day. I snuck on the Starward a bunch of times!

I used to have boxes of old cruise brochures.

I remember back when the photographers would dress up and photograph guests in the MDR. i don't think I've ever seen so many angry people all on one photo wall, haha. I don't think anyone liked the photographers doing that...including the photographers.

...back when they were called "Pursers". Haven't heard that term in a LONG TIME.

I was only 9 years old in 1983, but I was obsessed with cruise ships as a kid. I would go to travel agencies and get as many brochures as I could, and then I would draw the ships. I chased my dreams and started working on ships in 2000. I finished my shiplife in 2021 during COVID, and have a normal life on land these days. I've still never actually taken a cruise. One day!

I was going through some old boxes and found this 40 year old Royal Caribbean brochure.