This picture is, as most will recognize, taken from the Bridge over the Corinth Canal, in Greece. This transit was always a spectacular happening, for Passengers and crew alike. The picture was taken by our ship’s photographer. But I had the opportunity to be with him that time, which was the only time I was allowed to do that. The “towing lines” you see on … Continue reading Corinth Canal.
Working on a cruise ship, is more than just pretty uniforms with a lot of gold stripes on your shoulders. The days can be very busy with a lot of stuff happening. And contrary to what urban myths tell you, Cruise ship offices need to take part in dozens of various job activities, which is not always that fancy. The pictures in this little blog … Continue reading A regular day on a cruise ship.
Relax, it was just a drill. The weekly drill all ships in the world must conduct, according to international maritime law. And the kind of drill should be fairly easy to guess. Yep, it was a Biohazard drill (or chemicals). It goes back to early 2000s when this was a real deal around the globe. Especially the scare and fear for these kinds of attacks. … Continue reading When the alarm bells are sounding.
I have over the years been asked many times about how it is to work on a cruise ship when bad weather sets in. Well, as I always would reply, it kind of depends of the ship’s size and how bad the weather is. But regardless of this we will notice the weather one way or another. It might only be some slight rolling (side … Continue reading When bad weather sets in.
The date is 19th of October, 1995 As I walked up the gangway on M/V Seabourn Pride, in Piraeus, I was greeted by the Second Officer whom I was supposed to replace (relieve) as he was soon going on vacation. But first we needed an overlap, or a “handover period” in order for me to understand what my new job on this particular type of … Continue reading The journey begins.
The “spy ship” Marjata, of one Norway’s most sensitive ships, will be maintained by Russians, after the sale of the Ship Engine company Bergen Engines. The Marjata is one of the Norwegian Intelligence Service’s important tools in regards to keeping an eye and ear on the Russian activity on Natos’ northern flank, reports the newspaper E24. The engines are delivered by Bergen Engines, which is now … Continue reading Russian company to maintain Norwegian Spy ship.
Todays picture is called “Ship Handling”. A former Captain of mine and myself thought we should have some fun, and we made two pictures, and called them “Ship Handling training”. And he sent the pictures to the Main Office, where most people thought it was funny, except one person. His immediate superior shoreside. I guess, we cant make everyone laughing. Here is the other. Surely, … Continue reading Today’s picture.
Today’s picture reminds me of a simpler time. Yes there were such things as simpler times folks. 🙂 I think the picture is taken on one of the many islands in Indonesia, and it might be around 1997. I notice that my “sports” uniform is not exactly according to the Company dress code. Working in the Cruise Industry those days, were less stressful than it … Continue reading Today’s picture.
To spend Christmas and New year onboard a ship as a crew member, is a very special time. This is something which only must be experienced to fully understand, because it is really something different. I will try to explain this feeling many crew members have during the holidays onboard, and post some pics from the years I spent onboard, far away from the family … Continue reading When the ship’s crew celebrate Christmas onboard.
Today’s picture is of myself and one of the ship’s deck hands, Mr. Ramon Cabugon. Ramon (from the Philippines) later on became the ship’s Bosun (Boatswain). The reason why I always remember this picture, is because it is one of the first ones after I went over to a new type of work (from the Navy to Cruise industry), where I seriously can say I … Continue reading Today’s picture.
The picture I want to show today, without to much explanation, is one of my absolute favorites. The picture was taken when we were in Alaska with my job, a cruise ship. This is what one call a perfect shot. Look at that color on the ice which was floating in the bay, in front of the glacier. Ice blue! Pictures like this, always remind … Continue reading Today’s picture.
I have been several times to Alaska with my job onboard cruise vessels. And one thing is for sure, when you look at the mega ships in the fjords and bays, you get a feeling you really are part of mass tourism. You observe the small towns from the deck and it is like a moving blanket over the town, which actually are 1000s of … Continue reading Alaska, worth visiting with smaller vessels.
Today’s picture is to illustrate that when you are an Officer on a cruise ship, you have a lot of roles to fill. Doesnt matter if you are educated and employed as one of the Navigators, you need to do other parts as well. I was part of one of the ship’s Fireteams for a few years as well. The picture of myself with this … Continue reading Today’s picture.
Thought I should write little bit about how the crewmembers socialize onboard a cruise ship when they are away from their homes for several months at the time. By the way, the feature picture in the Heading is a group of us crew members who signed off the ship in San Diego, California. We decided to take some holiday away from home, before we went home … Continue reading When a cruise Ship’s crew are socializing.
If you ever have been on a cruise, you will most likely know about the phrase “Tender Operation”. And you will remember this with not always the most happy memories. Although, many can find it interesting, by observing how the Crew perform this service. This can be the most smooth operation ever, or a very rough operation which will sometimes be stopped due to the … Continue reading When a cruise ship use the tender boats – Tender Operation.
Just a little listing of the ships I have worked on, over the past decades. They have been my homes away from home, and I have the last 25+ years probably spent 15 years away (onboard) and 10 years home (ashore). First one out, was the M/V Seabourn Pride, working for Seabourn Cruise Line. Next one out was the M/V Seabourn Legend. A ship that … Continue reading My homes away from home, my ships in my career.
Have collected so many pictures over a lifetime of travelling, and especially from work. So time to share some of them. A dream come through when we visited the Fiji Islands. It was exactly as I imagined it would be. When we did visit Fiji Islands, we had to anchor off the islands and beaches, and operate the ships tender boats to shuttle the Passengers … Continue reading Pictures from my travelling job, Cruise.
After a series of stories about my first years in the cruise industry, with a lot of positive comments. I thought it might be time to write something about the various jobs and departments one will find on a cruise ship. If you have no experience at all with cruise ships whether it is as a crewmember (or shoreside staff), passenger, or travel agent, you will … Continue reading Jobs and departments on a cruise ship, part I.
During all the years I have worked on cruise ships, one question which has come up again and again from friends and family members, is how it is possible to work on a cruise ship, and at the same time have time off to see the world. How is it that one can work full days, and still have the time and energy to be … Continue reading To see the world, while you work on a Cruise ship.
The picture was shot by Chief Engineer Arvid Joakimsen, and sent to me. In parts one and two, I talked about the Engine Department and the Deck department. And in this part I will write about the by far biggest department onboard, the Hotel Department. After all, as already mentioned, it is a hotel on keel. With all the different types … Continue reading The various jobs on a cruise ship, part III.
The Traveller 