Ciao Napoli

Ciao Napoli

10^th July 2011

We were given an incentive during formal night. Whoever got the highest couple and table image count would get the day off in Naples. Checking the schedule, David, Zoran and I didn’t have work until 17.30! Zoran got the highest couple (studio) image count with me in second place. David got the highest table (ressi) count.

It was our last stop in Naples so David and I were determined to get off the ship (a must after two sea days) and have a wander around. During Hernan’s cabin party, more and more people were planning to tag along with us. There was going to be a nice little group of us going out and about.

Meeting up in the photographer’s corridor Camila, David, Whitney and Ashley, both from Spa, and I headed out into Naples. Luci was off to see if the post office was open which we seriously doubted after finding out it was Sunday. Fede and Sandra who were supposed to meet us had disappeared but we knew we’d probably bump into them at some point.

Armed with our cameras, we had a wander around and headed up to the fort near the port. We were hoping to go inside but unfortunately it was a "no". The place was closed! 

The idea of jumping on an open-top tour bus popped into someone’s head. It would’ve been a laugh but instead there were a few hungry people so we carried on walking. 

We were all snapping away on our cameras. Looking back at some of the photos, the Italian’s must have thought we should’ve been locked up! David was the main culprit of this but laying on the floor next to his star sign and climbing onto plinths and posing like a centurion. Maybe prancing around in the gallery last night as a Centurion has gone to his head?

Time was getting on and Whitney had to be back for two so we decided to head over to Antonio’s for pizza. Antonio’s is a favourite for crew, the owner (Antonio) previously worked on cruise ships. His restaurant walls feature numerous photos of different cruise ships, all are signed by the crew members. The atmosphere is excellent, the prices are a little higher than normal but the food is brilliant. The place was absolutely packed! Today there were four ships in Naples port compared to the usual two.

Luci, Fede and Sandra were already at Antonio’s. After having something to eat Camila and Luci went off in the opposite direction to use the internet. Whitney and Ashley headed off to the ship to get ready for work. It was just me, Sandra, Fede, David and Fede’s baby… the Canon 5D Mark II! A beast of a camera!! David vowed to save all his money to buy the camera… I’ll believe it when I see it!

After paying Antonio we gathered up our bits and pieces and headed off into Naples again. This time we went in the opposite direction to normal to see what else we could find. The answer, not a lot as it was a Sunday so everything was closed. Either way we were having a laugh walking around, taking photos and occasionally bumping into other crew members. 

With the sun beating down on us, Fede was determined to get an ice cream from somewhere and was whining like a small child until he got it! At one point we thought we’d found Naples’ Stadium. David was in his element until our great discovery turned out to be a shopping centre!

Things got even worse for David! Walking down the main shopping street he spotted a Foot Locker. David is able to sniff out a Foot Locker in any country!! Opposite was a sport shop selling about five pairs of trainers he wanted to buy. Unlucky for him, yet luckily for his wallet, both shops were closed. It was our last time in Naples and a Sunday… no shopping. With a mock crying David dragging his heels behind us, we decided it was time to head back to the ship. Fede had to be in the lab to print and it wouldn’t be long until the rest of us had to get ready for work.

With an hour and a half before my first stint in the gallery, and 30 minutes before guest’s all on board, I was tucked up in bed for a snooze. It’s a hard life… but someone’s got to do it!

Today was quite possibly our last in Naples as we are soon moving onto "Italian Season". Who knows? We could be back sometime whether it’s on another cruise ship, change of itinerary or on our own accord. 

Until then, Ciao Napoli! 

David, Whitney, Ashley & Camila

Camila (Brazil)

David being... The Dave!

Naples Fort

The Dave!

South African Whitney (Spa Girl)

Galleria Umberto, Naples (Italy)

Galleria Umberto, Naples

The South Africans - David, Whitney and Ashleigh

Bum Wash!

David at Antonio's Pizzeria

Sandra

Me - Lou

Sandra at Antonio's Pizzeria, Naples, Italy

David's Maserati...

Fede and Sandra

Fede

Alley Pimp Dave

Walkabouts in Naples (Italy)

Sandrita

The Dave

Looking Around Naples - David Window Shopping on a Sunday

Last Naples - Everything Closed

David Found a Foot Locker... and it's Closed!

New Outfit

Large, Little, Large - David, Me & Fede

David, Sandra and Fede

 Fede Finally got his Ice Cream :-p 

New Vs. Classic

New Vs. Classic.

16^th June 2011

Mariner of the Seas itinerary has changed slightly. Same ports of call, different order. Today we are in Naples and you know what that means – pizza!

Pizza chef was amongst the new costumes that were sent in from Image. So we had two pizza chefs on the gangway. Stu, the classic pizza chef, was dressed up in his "chef" pyjama pants and Italian flag chef’s hat again. Hernan was dolled up in the new costume. He didn’t have a pizza platter like Stu did but Hernan did have a moustache penned to his face!

Each pizza chef was working a gangway exit. Fabio and Stu were teamed up again while David was shooting Hernan. I was in between the pairs shooting the rail.  David was having a field day asking how many photos I’d taken “15 or 20?” he was shocked when I’d only been shooting an hour and got 30 images. The rail and ring are always recieved poorly, especially when there are costumes about.

I tried to smudge off the guests the costumes pulled in for a photo. Sometimes it worked and others it didn’t. Most were happy to have their photo taken as it was all new to them. Some looked at the rail with the Italian flag as if it was one of the most ridiculous things they’d ever seen. Who can blame them though? After having your photo taken with a pizza chef acting a prat, who would want their photo taken with a rail featuring a life ring and Italian flag?

We all finished work at different times. Stu and Fabio left at 10.30, Hernan and David at 11.00 and I was there until 11.30. Running onboard I jumped into the shower and got ready to go out. 

Meeting on the gangway a couple of us had decided to go out for pizza. Fabio knows a great place for pizza around the corner from the port. Antonio, the owner, used to work on cruise ships before opening a pizzeria in Naples. The prices are slightly more expensive than other places but the food and ambiance is great. Fabio left the ship earlier as he was dying of hunger and said he’d meet us there.

Stu and David had some fun getting their shore passes – South Africans need shore passes for pretty much every country. It’s just a piece of paper with a stamp on it but without it they can’t get off the ship. Finally sorted, shore passes in hand, Regina, David, Hernan, Stu and I headed out into the city of Naples.

While in Naples I managed to get two new sets of head phones – one with a microphone and the other to listen to music in my cabin.

The new girl has finally arrived. She seems sweet and friendly enough. Of course, in true style we took her up to SOB for a drink to welcome her to the team. Zoran already knows her from their training session in Croatia. At the moment Sanela is in the same boat as Sandra and Zoran -no pun intended. Sandra doesn't have all her uniform, while Zoran and Sanela have none whatsoever. Their uniform, apparently, got lost in the post – great excuse when they are paying $200 for it. There was a whip around within the team to get some form of uniform sorted out for her.

Heading back to the ship I managed to get 45 minutes sleep before going up to deck 3 for set up. Throughout the rest of the night we were rotating between studios and gallery work. To be honest, it was a bit of a blur. Sense was knocked into me when I found out we weren’t in Athens tomorrow… instead it was the night I love to hate… formal night!

Hernan (New Pizza Chef) and David (Shooter) on the Rail, Naples (Italy)

Classic Pizza Chef Stu, Naples (Italy)

New Pizza Chef Not Looking Too Impressed!

Pirates in Naples?

Pirate in Naples?

 16th June 2011

By the time I closed my eyes last night, it was time to get up. We had to be on gangway for 07.00. I’d completely forgotten I was shooting the rail and had to run down to the lab with ten minutes to spare, change the flag on the ring and lug it upstairs.

We are in Naples today, so Stu was decked out in his chef pyjama pants (although he swears they aren’t pyjama pants), Italian flag chef’s hat, and a silver platter with a photograph of a pizza selotaped to his hand. While on the gangway, Stu told me to go with him as Fede was helping Luci sort out the cruise DVDs. For the next twenty minutes or so, I was shooting the Pizza Chef, until Fede took over.

On the other exit of the ship Fabio was shooting Sandra, who was dressed up as a pirate. A pirate in Naples? We’ve used all our relevant costumes this cruise so they had to pull something out the bag to get the image count. It’s especially hard on the last day of the cruise. By the end of the cruise, people are sick to death of seeing us and our cameras, so in a way, we are trying to go out with a bang in a final chance to get as many photos as possible.

Zoran replaced me on the rail at 09.00h. I was scheduled to have 3.5 hours off but that went down the drain when Reuben told us last night that there was a red drill. Until a few weeks ago I held a green card (emergency cards) and we literally had a drill every cruise. Now that I’d been changed to red, there’d been a drill scheduled… just my luck!

The drill was at 09.30. There’s a new strategy for the drills; a group of crew members go around asking crew security and drill/evacuation questions. If you get some wrong, you’ll be sent for extra training. Luckily I didn’t get asked any questions… I was simply told to take my hands out my pockets.

Due to the questionnaires it was nearly an hour and a half before we second alarm went off to summon us to our muster station. In total the drill took two hours – much longer than normally.

Running back to my cabin afterwards I threw on some jogging bottoms before heading out with Fabio. David and Regina were going to meet us a little later.

Fabio and I headed to Antonio’s pizza place. It’s a place that Fabio goes to every time he’s in Naples and the owner, Antonio, is so friendly it’s untrue. It’s a bit more expensive than most places but the food is excellent!! I only had an hour and a quarter before having to return to work. David and Regina soon came along and we finally ordered. Regina and I were being “good girls” and sharing a pizza.

Running back to the ship with 15 minutes to spare I ran past Katie, one of the guests, who called me back. She wanted a photo with me and a cuddle. Not a problem! It’s guests like her that make you smile and the shit worthwhile.

Shooting off again and rushing through security, I dragged my uniform on and leaped up the stairs to deck 3. As soon as I got into the gallery Luci told me I needed to rearrange the photos from the second formal night, especially Ressi. Urgh!

Down Time... Finally!

Down Time… Finally!

30^th May 2011

These past couple of days have merged into one. Since embarkation, eight days ago, we have been on the go, working pretty much nonstop. Getting down time is hard at the moment, again, not just for me, but for everyone. Tempers have been flaring at little but it’s to be expected. As this is the first proper chance to sit down and type, I’m just going to type a review of the past few days, rather than a new entry for every single day. I can’t even remember what I did on certain days – it’s crazy!

Naples was obviously great, as usual. I went out with Luci for something to eat – pizza, pasta and cheese of course! Every time we are heading to Naples we fast, practically starving ourselves. When we arrive, we binge on pizza, pasta and cheese. What else would you do in Naples? Luci showed me another place that she goes to and I have to admit, the food was better than the regular place we go to.

Beforehand I had gangway. Reuben is letting me dress up in the costumes more and more – I love it! The shooter and I always get great counts which is a bonus. This time, I was a sailor. 

Rolling out of bed at 6 was hard, I was shattered and hadn’t been sleeping well. Things have been getting to me and everything is mounting up and getting on top of me. I need to do something about it, relax a little. Easier said than done.

Anyway, the outfit was pretty ridiculous. It was way too bit for me and Hernan’s hat was slipping off my head. Taking the hat off, Stu later came over and told me what I looked like – an idiot. Thanks!

During my 15 minute break I tied my hair up and put my sunglasses on before heading out for my last stint. Stu’s outfit was by far the best – Italian pizza chef. He even had a silver platter with a photograph of a pizza selotaped to his hand. He certainly looked the part which was more than what could be said for me! Anyway, Fabio and Stu were teamed up and David was shooting me. Altogether we got a good image count.

Pizza Chef - Naples, Italy

Cousin IT Sailor - Naples, Italy

Naples Sailor with my favourite Canadian guest, Daniel

 After lunch with Luci we did a bit of shopping and had a mooch around the shops. I needed to get a pair of sandals/flip flops for Athens gangway in case I'm the Greek Goddess again. I managed to find a lovely Greek style pair of sandals for 15 euros. I could wear them with anything – result. Luci also found a large, golden wrist clamp bracelet for 6 euros. Well, that's the Greek Goddess props sorted.

Just before heading off to use the internet I saw Fabio and David. Luci went off to use the internet near the port while I stayed with the lads for a beer. All in all, it was a great day – it’s days like this, that I love my job!

Fabio, Naples (Italy)

The Dave

Beeeeeeeeer!

On the third day of the cruise we had our first formal night which went pretty smoothly. My manager gave me two different studios to shoot in, the first two sessions were on a backdrop. The final stint was up on one of the centrums on Deck 5. I love the promenade centrum. The photos look absolutely fantastic – I wish I could post some on here for everyone to see. Shooting Ressi didn’t go as bad as usual, I got a much higher count than normal so it’s a sign I’m improving.

Here come the Greeks! Athens gangway was a royal laugh!! Stu was the Greek God and teamed up again with Fabio. I was the Greek Goddess and teamed up with Luci. Luci had to keep popping off for training so Paco, the AMS, would stand in for her.

We were just cracking jokes and having a laugh the entire time on gangway. I was first on gangway and getting most of the shots. Stu then changed with me so he was first but it didn’t have the same effect. Stu put me first in line saying “it’s the tits – people are stopping to have their photo taken because you’re a girl”. Basically as I was a girl, the guys were coming over for their photo and the girlfriends and wives were sometimes reluctantly joining them. After they’d stopped to have their photo with me, it was easy to smudge them onto Stu and Fabio. In all fairness, although we didn’t hit the almost impossible target, we got approximately 900 shots. We nailed it!!

Everything in general was improving and I was feeling better about myself. Everyone on the team noticed there was a chance and that I was generally happier. 

My BM certainly noticed the change as he pulled me into the office later on that night. As I was in a better “state of mind” he felt he could talk to me and ask what was up. To be fair, he didn’t get much of a reply. I didn’t want to talk about any of it.

Anyway, I’d had two bad comments – not one, but two! One came from the Naples gangway where I was dressed up as a Sailor. Apparently, the lady who complained (an American) didn’t want her photo taken with me as I looked too tired, shattered. She also said my outfit was way too big and swamped me leaving her confused as to what I was supposed to be dressed up as. Someone dressed in white, standing next to a ship, saluting – what could I have been dressed up as? 

The second bad comment said “Louise the English photographer was very rude and unhelpful”. Who the guest was, or the occasion, no one knows. I was left, not only baffled but almost let down. I hadn’t been rude to anyone. The main problem I have is that most Americans do not (strangely enough) understand my accent or my sense of humour. Although I try not to be sarcastic like I am to the English, I do try to have a joke with them when they are in the studio. It stops the guests from being ridged and feeling uncomfortable. So that could have been the case. 

Another could have been, sometimes people try and walk through my studio when I’m taking portraits. It’s incredibly annoying but I do ask people to walk around the studio, some people do not like this at all. 

The last thing I can think of which is when I’m in the gallery. Guests cut the line and pretty much tell me to serve them while I’m serving someone else (and there’s an obvious queue behind them). I point out the queue and say “I’ll be with you in a few minutes but there is a queue and I’m currently helping this guest”. To me, it’s not rude but the manager said that certain people would see it as rude because I’m not putting them first. What am I supposed to do? 

Anyway, Reuben told me to buck my ideas up and that I’m doing a good job. All I needed to do was carry on working hard, improving and “not fuck up”. That was the advice I was given. Reuben said he didn’t want to say anything during the last cruise as I’d been down in case it affected me or my work in any way.

Kusadasi was the next stop. During the morning I was on tour at Ephesus. It was a lot shorter than the previous but I was still dreading it. Having said that, although there were problems, it went much better than expected.

The tour guide told me to stay at the back of the group and keep everyone together. I explained that I’d do my best to keep everyone together but my main job was to take photographs of the guests as I’m the ship’s photographer. His reply: “just stay at the back”.

A little while later one of the Ephesus “photographers” came over. I say “photographers” because they are simply given a camera, not knowing how to use it and take over exposed or ever completely burnt photos which they try to flog at the end of the tour – somehow they managed to sell a few.

The tour guide introduced him to the goup. “This is our photographer so if you guys want a photo, this is who you come to”. I wasn’t best pleased. I got a couple to stand together for a photo and the bugger stood beside me and took the picture. The couple then walked off. I’d missed my shot – I was shocked he did it but then why should have I expected anything else? They were like pappazzi! He did it again, but this time he got in the way of my shot, partially blocking me. That was it! I was pissed! 

Leaving my group and went and stood by the library. There were three groups coming from our ship so I stood and waited. When they arrived I started smudging quietly and getting the shots. The “photographer” didn’t look too impressed. Good!

Ephesus Library

Later on he was taking a photo of someone, I don’t even think they were from our ship but I walked straight in front of him, and pressed the shutter release button. Whether the photo came out with the correct exposure, I didn’t know or care. He looked at me with a face of thunder – now he knew how it felt and how annoying it was. I did my “cute smile” as Luci calls it: a little closed smile where I tilt my head to the side slightly, before walking off. Needless to say I didn’t have any further problems there. 

I carried on walking to the areas which caused the most interested and simply waited to pounce. A lot of people said no, but I did get lot of good shots.

Once back at the ship I explained what happened. Ritesh also went on the same tour and only came back with 6 shots. I came back with 45 – although it’s not great, we normally have a tough time on tours, especially Ephesus who have their own photographers. It was great poking fun at the AMP for getting less shots than a P1. His excuses were so lame, you couldn't help but see the funny side  – including the AMP.

Dazed

Dazed

22^nd May 2011

It’s the last day of the cruise and we are in Naples, Italy. My schedule wasn’t allowing me any time off the ship which was a bit of a downer. 

Strangely enough, I woke up at 8.30 so grabbing my bag and laptop I ran to the café near the ship. After two sea days I had to get off the ship for a while. Sometimes it feels like you are stuck indoors at home or a hotel with no way of getting out. Plus, I wanted some time for myself.

Running off the ship Stu was dressed up as an Italian pizza chef and looked hilarious. He grabbed me for a photo – no makeup, hair not brushed and looking like I hadn’t slept for a week. Oh well, if it got the image count up a little further…

Today I would have quite happily have gone back to England and Spain to see my friends. Most of the time I’m happy where I am, doing what I’m doing. However I do get the odd days where I miss the real world, driving, green army banter, friends and just doing the everyday things people do.

Obviously the parents weren’t online due to the time difference between Italy and Uruguay. There wasn't much to do so to brighten my day I skimmed through the Daily Mail Online. After reading that tabloid you always think to yourself "Yep. My life isn't so bad after all". I swear the crap the tabloids print is getting worse! I’m getting to the point where I don’t know who half the people are. I guess that’s part of ship life – you have very little idea as to what’s going on in the real world. I had another go at my ImageU competencies. I had three to go but only managed to pass one out of two. The second exam I failed by one question scoring 7 out of 9. It’s a bit of a kick in the teeth when you keep failing by one question! I’ll get there in the end though.

For some reason I’d woken up completely dazed and felt almost jet lagged. I felt like I didn’t know where the hell I was at one point! To make things worse I was on a bit of a downer. Little did I know that things were going to get so much worse. More than I’d ever like to admit.

At 11am it was time to head back to the ship and get ready for my first stint in the gallery – 5 hours and there was no one on the ship. It was the last day so obviously everyone would be enjoying the last port of call before heading home. At one point there were five of us in the gallery with nothing to do, we’d displayed the new images and condensed the old. We were just standing around with nothing to do. We took it in turns for 15 minute breaks. At one point I ran down to David and Fabio’s cabin to watch 15 minutes of the Spanish Grand Prix. Vettel was leading by 2.04 seconds with Hamilton and Button in second and third.

Later, during the evening we all started our second stint in the gallery. All the photographers were there. Everything went pretty smoothly but there wasn’t a mad rush like we’d originally anticipated. Most people had come in to get their photos and frames during the sea days. We were closing at midnight and even at 23.30 people were still coming in asking for reprints!! It was crazy. Trying to tell people that it was a bit late for reprints didn’t always go down to well.

In the end I managed to sell three CDs with prints. The number wasn’t too bad. Stu sold four in one night! My three were during the entire cruise! By the looks of things he’s come out on top and sold the most. It’s strange, I’m competing in something where I do not earn. All the other photogs from P2 up will earn a team commission. Hernan and I as photog1’s don’t earn a cent. I guess I was just being competitive and trying to improve my selling techniques.

Stu and I finished at 23.30 while the others closed the gallery at midnight. I headed up to SOB for a drink and Stu popped in an hour or so later. I spent most of the night speaking to him about different things both personal and professional. Apparently people have been asking him if I’m okay. He’s just told them to give me some space and I’ll be fine. I’m having a bad time with guests comments, rejections and things are getting me down.

Tomorrow is a new day and the start of a new cruise. Things will be better – hopefully.

Doom and Gloom

Doom and Gloom

30^th April 2011

Hello from Naples – again! Today isn’t the greatest of days for a number of reasons.

Last night the team meeting was held in the photographer’s corridor (where our cabins are). Stuart had to wake me up and almost drag me out of bed. My shoulder was so sore after being prodded by the doctor. Jomar told Hernan and I at around midnight that we had training at 9am. We still had to get up to the crew bar, S.O.B. to welcome Fabio to the team with a few drinks.

Up in S.O.B. there was some serious drinking going on. Obviously, because of the pills the doctor gave me I couldn’t drink. To be fair, I wasn’t much fun and wouldn’t have been surprised if everyone was trying to avoid me! David was trying to make me laugh with his ridiculous facial expressions and it worked until the muscle in my shoulder just decided to stiffen up and throb. The pills weren’t doing much and neither was the “deep heat” type gel I was given. A few other things happened in S.O.B. that got a couple of us down but I won’t go into that… it can go down with the ship. Again, ship happens, I guess.

This morning I must have turned my alarm off because Luci woke me up at 09.00h. I ran around trying to get ready and bashing on Hernan’s door in my pyjamas. He didn’t open or pick up the phone. I got a pretty hefty bollocking when I walked into training 10 minutes late, luckily the trainer didn’t kick me out. What really annoyed me was Hernan was already there. For the past week or so I’ve been his alarm clock, waking him up in the morning for work and training or popping into his room to wake him up from a nap. The one time my alarm didn’t wake me up, he leaves without me and didn’t think to bash my cabin door down.

Four hours of non-stop training is pretty hard, especially when you’re tired and simply watching PowerPoint presentations. We had to have three breaks due to us all dropping off to sleep. Three of us, I’m included, fell asleep! One guy from Croatia fell asleep at least 3 times. The trainer in the end was furious and who can blame him? The Croatian tried to explain he finished work at 1am and started his next shift at 5am. The Yankie trainer wasn’t very lenient to say the least.

Training is finally finished and I’m sitting in my usual café using and abusing the wifi! Unfortunately the parents aren’t online and the weather here is dire! It’s cloudy, freezing cold and raining heavily. It’s strange how Naples still looks nice, even in the doom and gloom. 

I haven’t got long before I have to board the Mariner of the Seas again to help set up the studios. How the hell I’m going to help set up the studios, I don’t know. I doubt there’ll be time for a siesta but the tablets the doctors gave me are making me want to doze off!

Even though today is just a bad day, I wouldn’t say “no” to snuggling up in my old room at Avril’s house with a nice cup of tea and a book. Or snuggling up to Beaumont on the sofa watching crap on T.V. Plus I wouldn't mind speaking to my parents for a bit but I guess it'll just have to wait til next time.

No word from Image about my password. I've tried logging in from my laptop but the password's wrong. Just my luck!

Falling In Love...

Falling in Love...

 28th April 2011

Once again we are in Naples! The more I come here, the more I love it! 

I’ve been for a walk around and got some magnets stick a couple more photos on our cabin wall. By the end of this cruise I’ll have a magnet or two for each place that I’ve been to… a nice little bundle. Maybe I should send some to the parents when I finally find a post office? 

Now, it’s just me and Fede. We’re sitting in an internet café getting in touch with everyone we can. The internet is turning into a luxury. My days of using and abusing the internet are long gone!

Last night was part 1 of Lee and Rich’s leaving drink. Part 2 is tonight and they’ll be signing off tomorrow morning. Everyone is going to miss them, they are such a laugh and a real help to us newbies. Fingers crossed the people “replacing” Lee and Rich are a laugh.

When I dropped the camera equipment off in the lab I was helping Rich Photoshop a guest's photo. It was a family portrait but the lady had one of her eyes partially closed. Rich had done the main work of giving her a new, open eye but messed up the layers a bit. I took over quickly to fiddle around the with the photo, mess around with the layers and get the eyes looking as normal and natural as possible. Both Jeni and Rich gave me the thumbs up. Rich asked me why I wasn’t aiming to come into the lab. Since he asked, I’m now thinking about it as I enjoy using Photoshop and seeing how everything gets printed. Anyway, I have to get to P2 and start heading for Photog3 before I can do any of that.

I’ve finally started my ImageU. The only problem is the ship’s internet is very slow so it takes forever. Slowly but surely I’m getting there. Once I’m P2 and earning more, I’ll try and pay off as much (camera, uniform and security deposit) as I can and as quickly as possible. After that, it’s time to start saving BIG TIME.

I’ve fallen in love too… with Fede’s Canon 5D Mark II. He bought it when he was cruising the Caribbean and got it for a good price. Body, 2 lenses, camera case and 32GB memory card for US$3,000. Compared to what you’d pay elsewhere it's a bit of a bargain. I’ve used the camera a couple of times and the colours are amazing. The detail and image quality is unbelievable, especially when you compare it to my Canon 400D and Nikon D90. Then again, the Canon 5D is in a league of its own and I shouldn’t be comparing. Maybe one day…!

The ship is now starting to feel like a home. The team is fantastic – I know I keep saying it but it’s true. They are becoming a bit like family. At first I was a bit dubious but now I can safely say, I’m looking forward to the next 5 and a half months living on the ship.

I’ve tried uploading a few photos to Facebook and Flickr.com but the internet got cut off. I managed to upload a shot from Kusadasi, Turkey onto Flickr.com and a few onto Facebook. To see some of my images on Flickr go to: http://flickr.com/lou_tickle there’ll be more soon – hopefully.

My parents are finally back in Uruguay so it’ll be easier to stay in touch with them now. I miss them. 

Hearing from people back in England is always great but things have changed a bit by the looks of it. I guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Although I miss everyone, I wouldn’t change the way things are. The time will fly and I’ll be back before you know it. 

I’m determined to drive up and see Becks for a drink when I get back. It’s going to be great seeing her again and hearing all about the Caribbean and her travels.

So in short, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with a country and camera!! Life is great and we are all having the time of our lives! I still wouldn’t mind a cup of PG Tips though hahahaha.

Sleep Deprived

Not much has happened since my last update. Today Hernan and I had 3 lots of training. Once again I fell asleep in training, I’m beginning to make a habit of this. Last night I only had 3 hours sleep and an hour’s kip today.

Lack of sleep is really starting to take its toll. It’s not too bad as today was a sea day and we have another tomorrow. My timetable for tomorrow is pretty decent, more training and then work during the evening. Hopefully I’ll be able to take a siesta at some point. The clocks go back an hour today (we are heading to Naples, Italy) so that’s a bonus.

Luckily enough I don’t start work until 17.30h on 28^th April when we arrive in Naples. Photos, cheese, pizza and internet spring to mind!

Tonight was formal night, the third of this cruise. I wasn’t too impressed with my Ressi images. Having said that, when I took my equipment down to the lab I saw some of the images being printed out and they didn’t look too bad. My cropping still needs to be a little tighter but as Stuart said, it’s better if the crop is too loose rather than too tight. Loose crops can be fixed.

Everyone is shattered today and formal night is always a busy night. We were on our feet shooting portraits to dining room from 17.30 to 01.00h. There’s no wind down drink at S.O.B – our corridor is silent. No doubt things will change in Naples as it’ll be Rich’s and Lee’s last night.

Jomar, my BM (Business Manager), is going to give me my Image ID so I can start ImageU. However he said he wanted me to start ImageU once I’d finished my training. If I can, I’ll do them both at the same time. A couple of the other photographers have said they’ll give me a hand with ImageU if I need one.

Anyway, I’m rambling and my brain is slowing shutting down. Night night everyone!

PIZZA GALORE!

PIZZA GALORE!

17th April 2011

We’ve finally arrived in Naples, Italy! 

I’ve just finished my first shift – displaying the images from the formal night. I checked through my images now that they are printed. When you see the prints it gives you a better idea as to where you need to improve. 

My Ressi images need a lot of work but hopefully that will come in due course with a bit more practise and experience under my belt. The Bolero shots were great – some of them were absolutely fantastic! I was so pleased! 

The English couple with their baby came in today to check their photos. They bought their whole family along too. The lady spotted me, pointed me out and told the family I was the girl who took the photos of her daughter. She said she loved the images and that I’d done a great job. Giving myself a mental pat on the back, it's fair to say, this has made my day. Okay, so you are trying to please the managers etc. but the main people you want to please are obviously the guests as they are the ones who will buy your images. They are effectively your bread and butter. Being told you’ve done well by a guest is a real confidence booster!

One thing I don’t understand is, the English couple want their images put on a CD ($249.95) but they’d like to include one or two images of their parents and the lady’s brother and his girlfriend. They are all staying in different staterooms (cabins). The manager won’t allow them to put the few extra photos on to their CD for the same price. Now the couple are having doubts as to whether they should buy the CD or just prints which will come to $80 approximately. To me, this doesn’t make sense. From my point of view, we should just let them have the extra four images they want so we can get $249.95 rather than just $80. We’ll be closer to our target, the photographers get their commission, the guests are happy and everyone’s a winner. Money is money isn't it? Give the guests a bit extra and we take a bigger chunk? Lee’s going to talk to the BM again and see what he says but it’s probably going to be a "no". Seems a little Irish to me but that's company policies for you!

Later on today Luci and I are heading into Naples for lunch. She knows a place where “they do the best, best pizza”. If there’s pizza involved – I’m there... No questions asked. Luckily enough I have Luci as a cabin mate. She’s been showing me places to go when we are on shore and where the best places to buy things are. Everyone is waiting for Athens to go to Carrefour – that’s where everyone buys their stock as it’s much cheaper than Mariner of the Seas' crew shop.

Anyway, the sun is shining, it’s not particularly warm (19ºC) but Naples looks brilliant!! Right by the port is a huge fortress and the old buildings slope up the hill another castle/fortress.

At five I’m back in the gallery to try and flog as much as I can before the cruise ends. Hopefully, when we leave Naples and into the "tax free zone! I’ll be able to sell some folios. Get a bit of commission in my pocket. Hopefully it won’t be long now until I’m photog 2 and can start earning “team commission” from the prints.

Hopefully while in Naples I’ll be able to find somewhere to upload the blog updates and call the parents. I won’t forget my headphones this time!

**UPDATE**

We’ve just got back from walking around Naples. Luci took me to this small Italian restaurant and the food was amazing! Between us, we shared this enormous ball of mozzarella cheese with tomatoes and rocket. Next came the pizzas - so nice, unbelievable! It’s easily one of the best pizzas I have ever had. I’m so full, I feel like I’m about to give birth to a food baby or a ball of mozzarella! 

We carried on walking around and Luci was pointing out good places to go to eat or mini supermarkets where we can pick up cheap bits and bobs. As it was Sunday most of the shops were closed.

It’s quite surreal walking around Naples. It’s a mixture of small and large, run down and done up. The rubbish points where the best: there were 10-15 metre stretches of rubbish bags and containers. Something tells me there's a strike on.

When I used to live in Spain everyone said the Spanish were crazy drivers. After moving to England, I could see what people meant, but believe me, the Italians are far worse, especially those riding motorbikes and mopeds. They are insane! Even if there’s a crowd walking across a pedestrian crossing, people on motor bikes were trying to zip through. There were a couple of hairy moments while walking around. Especially in some of the narrower, cobbled streets. Luci said the area of Naples we were in was featured in the new Julia Roberts film “Eat. Love. Pray”. I’ve never seen but it's something to watch when I've finished my contract.

I managed to get online at a local café. They were swamped with people from our cruise ship so after 20 minutes the connection started running slowly before repeatedly disconnecting. I’ll try and get on to one of the ship’s computers to use the internet, it’s only 6 cents a minute.

Gaz posted on the group message we have going on Facebook. He’s recently returned to Miami, the lucky sod. He’s just finished his first cruise around Mexico and Honduras. Sounds like he’s having a great time. Becks hasn’t been in touch, I hope she’s okay. Knowing her she’ll have been caught up in a hurricane around the Caribbean.

I’m back on the ship now to relax alittle before work. At 17.00 I’m back in the gallery until 20.00h. I’ve got an hour break for dinner, not that I’ll be able to fit anything else in my bloated belly. Afterwards it's back to work. To be honest, I’ve got a relatively easy day today, or as Luci says "Good Life".

Even though I’ve only been working on Mariner of the Seas for 5 days I’m starting to settle in and come to grips with the way things work. I’m not going to lie, I still get lost in the maze of passages and stairs.

One thing I try to do is every so often take an hour out as “my time”. As I’m constantly surrounded by people I’ll often disappear for a bit to spend some time alone. I’ll put my headphones on, listen to my music, type up blog entries so it’s ready to be uploaded once I get online and just drift off into my own little world. For me it’s a way of staying sane, everyone needs their own space. Plus it gives Luci a chance to have time to herself. It can’t be easy living in a rabbit hutch with someone you hardly know. She might be used to it, but still.

Elvis (India) our AMP (Assistant Manager of Production), who works in the lab printing is signing off tomorrow morning. Tonight we’re all heading up to the staff bar to have a few drinks and give him a good send off. Any excuse to have a party!!

Starting from the next cruise which starts tomorrow I’ll be taking my camera out with me where ever I go. So no doubt they’ll be a huge amount of photos to upload if the internet connection will allow it. My Flickr account, http://www.flickr.com/photos/lou_tickle, is going to get well and truly used and abused!

I’d better get ready for my second stint in the gallery... So from Italy, Ciao!

**UPDATE**

Tonight was extremely busy in the gallery. While speaking to Luci afterwards she told me that the gallery wasn’t so busy!! It must be utter mayhem in there. The good news is, I managed to sell two IOCDs (All images on CD) and four folios. Unfortunately I don’t get commission on the CDs as I’m not a Photog 2 yet. At least I get a little something from the folios, even if it is just $1.

The Latin couple who posed themselves were the winners of the biggest stack of prints. They bought the IOCD (the prints from the display board are theirs too, if they bring them to the till) and 6 discs were needed. They have over 300 images!!! What would you do with some many images!? An extra 3kg was probably added to their suitcase weight. Mind you, I’m not complaining, the other photographers have earned their commission.

The English couple with the baby came looking for me to buy the CD. They asked if I’d get a commission on the images/CD saying I deserved it as the photos were fantastic. It would’ve been good if I had, but I guess that’s just the way things are at the moment.

Andy from Image (Miami) has sent through our login and passwords for ImageU. I can now start on my competencies and work my way up to photog 2. It’d better get my backside in gear and get it done and dusted with as soon as possible. I want photo commission, more money!

Right now the ship is sailing to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. I’m getting pretty excited about it, especially as Naples was something completely unexpected and a great place to visit. If you are going to Italy, stop by Naples, you won’t be disappointed.