Forget everything and go....

June 19

Seattle Embarkation

My ‘real’ manager is back on the ship today. I am a little nervous about meeting him. I have been told that he is very strict, but if you do your job well, he is very fair. I got to talk to him a little this morning before we setup for embarkation. We went over a few things that I had concerns about. I also explained to him that photography is what I went to school for and what I want to do as a career. I think working with him on this ship will definitely help me in all the skills I need to be a good photographer. I got to see how they shoot embarkation and helped out with the traffic directing of the guests coming through the terminal. The guests go through us photogs before they even enter the gangway. A few reasons why this is good... we keep the flow of people smooth so that there is little backup on the gangway and at security where they scan your card. At one point or another I thought some of these people were going to run me over. Worked in the gallery and also went out to the decks to shoot sailaway with another photog (training).

June 20

Sea Day – Formal

With me being new, my manager set me up in the gallery to shoot on a background with him and also work in the gallery. I got to see how he talks to the guests and how his flow is when photographing people. Formal nights are always long. Afterwards a small group of us photogs went to the nightclub on board “Northern Lights” for a drink or two and then up to the OB to hang out. I got to meet more people and ‘bond’ with the photogs. Lol

June 21

Glacier Bay

Another day here for me, it was actually a really nice day too. It is a really neat place to be and see all of the scenic views. For this day we are out shooting on the decks for a few hours. Unfortunately this cruise there were not many people outside. Instead they stayed inside drinking tea and looking through the windows, really? We setup our white studio for white nights. I was the first to shoot, but I couldn’t leave until I reached 100 shots. The first 45 minutes of my hour and half consisted of me talking to myself. Everyone that walked by didn’t want any photos. It wasn’t until about an hour into my time that I started to get big families and group to get some photos and they kept me quite busy for a bit. I got my 100 or more shots and then handed it over to the next photog. I was a little worried that I would be there all night long.

Cruise #1 done and done

My first view of the ship.

June 14

Glacier Bay – Scenic Cruising

Not as big as I was expecting, but quite beautiful. Shot on the decks with the printer and talked about some things to look for and what to expect. It was an interesting time on the deck getting the guests to take some photos. The way the ship was being steered was like a zig-zag. So once we got into position and started shooting, the ship would turn and the glacier would then be on the other side. Therefore all the guests would make their way there. I was surprised the ship didn’t lean to one side with everyone crowding around.

June 15

Juneau

Gangway in the morning with the other American. We had a person dressed as an eagle to take photos with the guests. It was a big hit with everyone on the ship and we had a good time. The guy was very outgoing and even chased some kids around trying to give them a hug. Afterwards I met up with the Zaandam people. Walked around with Whitney and caught up on the drama on the ship and how everyone was doing. Hung out at the Viking, with other crew from the ships and got to see some of the guys. It was a cool place for us people on the ships. Pool tables and bar.. free internet. Sadly I had to leave early and get back to work, but we have made plans for next Juneau we are together to go up the trolley to the top of the mountain. Good times should follow with these guys.

June 16

Sitka - Tender port

Have I mentioned that I dislike tender ports a lot. We had a bear this time and due to all the tours going on, our roll count was not where it should have been. It is so hard getting people to stop and take a photo when they think they are going to be late for a tour. They get very focused on their goal and don’t even notice me. Didn’t stay out due to the bear costume needing to be put back. I am not sure if I will see Sitka anytime soon. It is not worth it to go back to the ship and then back out… It just takes too long no matter how you do it.

June 17

Ketchikan – Formal

Gangway a little bit in the morning, but a lot of the guests got off the ship early so my roll count was not good at all. Lucky for me the printer came up for me to ask about how long they want me out there since there was less than 200 guests left on the ship. He agreed that it wasn’t worth staying out there too much longer so we came in and undressed the guys and put the costumes up.

I got to go back out and walk around for a little bit. I was in such a rush to get off the ship that I forgot my money for lunch. This port is the shortest port we have and I wanted to check it out before I had to go back to work. I got to hang out with a guest for a little bit. Now this man was on the Zaandam with me when I first started my contract and he remembered me on this ship. He is the funniest guy and always smiling. Also he adopted me this time around and hopefully we will run into each other again in the future because the ship circle is a very small one.

Sachquach (sp?)

June 18

Victoria - Last day

For the last day of the cruise I am in the gallery all day long with breaks. Its good to have a busy couple of hours and then go on a break to rest. I do enjoy working here. It has been a crazy week and believe it or not, I haven’t made it to the bar yet. I figured I would get myself settled and then go have some fun once I am more comfortable with everything on this ship.

Starting over again

June 11

Transfer to Seattle

It was kinda unreal when I left the ship and all my new friends behind. Traveling and flying feels like an everyday thing to me now. When I went through security at the airport the guy behind the xray machine looked at me as my bag went through the scan. I smiled and told hi it was a camera in my bag. He laughed a little and asked about it. It’s funny that my Hasselblad always makes the security people double check things in my bag. I explained that I am a photog on a ship and am transferring to Seattle to do the Alaska cruises. Its funny how I will start a conversation with just about anyone. While waiting in the terminal for the plane I had an older couple start talking to me. The funniest thing is they were on the cruise that just disembarked. I even remember them and talking to his wife about one of the ships they have been on. But of course they didn’t remember me. I think it has to do with the fact that I was not in uniform. Ran into some guys from the ship that were on their way home. It’s funny how small a world it is with working on ships. I am sure I will see all these people again. The flight from Boston to Chicago was a blur. I slept the whole way, but would wake up every now and then when my head would roll forward. Got to Chicago and had about 45 mins before leaving so I got a burrito for dinner. The flight was weird. Same plane for both of the flights, just had to re-board.

June 12

Seattle

Got to the ship before 9am. Had to drag my heavy ass suitcases up the ramp and then up some small steps… it was a tough job. I thought people would see me, girl, big suitcases, and maybe they would help… nope. I did have a guy help me with the heaviest one once I was half way up. Oh well. My arms are going to be sore tomorrow. Met the HRO and got some info while waiting on my manager. Once with my manager, we found my room (its just me for now) and then changed and headed to a meeting. Then lunch, then to the photo gallery for a tour and information. A long day, but I am glad that the manager didn’t throw me in the schedule right away. For this cruise I am mainly in the gallery until I can get familiar with the way it is done here. I will be doing gangway with the other US girls, which will be good. The team here consist of 3 Hungarians, 1 French, and 3 US. But one US will be going home in a couple of weeks and my real manager left for a week, then will be back next cruise. So far so good. The team is all real nice and one of the guys from Hungary was super excited to see my last name… I couldn’t stop laughing at his reaction. Long day, didn’t finish till 11:45pm. But I am getting more sleep now than I was on the other ship.. funny how that works when I don’t know anyone. But I am positive it will change soon and go back to a normal routine of bedtime at 1am. J

June 13

Sea Day

It’s a little rocky, but not too bad. Some of these guests think it is worse than they have had on the 6 cruises in their past. Ha! I just want to laugh. I have seen the ship so rocky that the front desk puts out green apples and puke bags. People are funny. This morning I got my id photos done and then to the gallery. Lunch time and then headed to another meeting to fill out more paperwork. Formal tonight and I will be in the gallery most of the time. I will also be doing the restaurant photos tonight. I am a little nervous because it is a new design on dinning room that I am not use to and here on this ship, the team is usually number 1 in everything. Not too much pressure there. (sarcasm included)

June 7

Ran some errands with Ken for the ship. Not much else exciting. Chinese food today, yea.

June 8

Sydney

Walked around a little bit. Got a touristy photo of me.

June 9

Halifax

Long morning today on the gangway. My manager got dressed with a kilt and all. Got some good photos together. Tried to have fun while we were out there waiting for the guests to come off the ship. Didn't go out today bc I needed sleep more than anything.

June 10

Bar Harbor Last day of cruise

Had to do immigration this morning at 9am. So no gangway for me, yea. Sat waiting for about 45 minutes bc guests can't get themselves together for their immigration. At one point we still had 10 people not there which was holding up all the crew. Finally got through and then had a drill to do. Fun times. Work tonight and some down time before bed.

Busy night in the gallery. Yea for making some big bucks.

June 11

Disembarkation for me

Up early this morning. Shower. Stuff my suitcase with the last minute things. Go sign out my hours. Help the photogs with their set up. When you leave the ship the security guys scan your id... well when they scanned mine, it didn't come up at all. :-( It is official... I am being kicked off the ship. Lol. Wanted to see about trying to come back on the ship for a little bit until I had to get to the airport, but was unlucky. Had to have more notice. So I am stuck in the airport updating my blog. Yea for you, right.

My last week on this ship

May 31

Just another day at work. Nothing to exciting to remember.

June 1

Back an hour today, but it didn't help much. I still crashed early after hanging out in the bar for a little bit.

June 2

Sea Day.

Yea! I get to sleep in an hour. Easy day for us photogs.

June 3

Quebec

Found out that we still are not able to go to Montreal due to high tides and the weather. With the high tides we can't get under the electrical wires. At one point we had 23cm clearance and were going to try and make it, but then the tide came back up. Looks like another overnight in Quebec and the club.

June 4

Embarkation Quebec

The guests had to be bussed from Montreal to Quebec due to us not able to go to Montreal. Late start for embarkation... started at 12 on standby incase the busses got here early. Well the busses didn't get here till 1pm... what a long day. Went out to the club tonight.. we are now regulars at the club. All the crew go to this one club which is really fun to see everyone outside the ship. I actually dressed up this time since it was the last time I would be going out. Ended up taking my shoes off near the end of the night.. those darn new shoes. Back on the ship with some take out food to get a couple hours of sleep.

One of our previous embarkations. I had the morning off and went to get lunch. They caught me. lol

June 5

Quebec again

Gangway this morning and was not feeling 100%. But I sucked it up and put on a peppy attitude and fooled them all even though I was hurting inside. In the end I was more peppy than the other photog I was working with and I only had 2 hours of sleep and no breakfast this morning. Went shopping for supplies, like make up and pants. Had lunch outside with a friend. Great creme brulee. (sp?) Easy night at work, but I was totally exhausted. Tried to watch a movie while eating dinner, but ended up crashing. Hour forward tonight, I hate it when they take my sleep time away.

June 6

Sea Day

Got to sleep in today and make up for some lost hours. Easy sea days.