The Only Way Is Norway

Ahoy there and welcome aboard!

In this blog I will document my adventures as a photographer on board P&O cruises, as they travel from port to port across Europe. My first cruise is to the Norwegian Fjords on board MS Azura. I will revisit Norway in early June on board MS Ventura, Azura's sister ship.
  

Me and the Azura in Andalsnes

I arrived at Southampton train station late at night on Thursday the 23^rd. I could have easily got a taxi to a friends (Dan) house where I was staying that night, but having visited before and knowing my way around (and trying to save cash) I lugged my bags up to the bus stop.

Having had a pretty rough sleep on the couch using my towel and hoodie as a pillow, I was ready for the off. We headed to the university campus through a gravel path shortcut and up a hill, not easy with a heavy suitcase full of photo gear. We said our goodbye's and Dan headed for his exam and I headed for the bus stop. The bus seemed to take longer than usual, me forgetting it was 9am rush hour. When I got off the bus I had no idea where the Cruise terminal was so I decided to get a taxi. As I walked towards the train station I could see all the people get in all the taxi's. I thought there would be none left for me. A woman was standing next to a taxi but she didn't get in. I asked the taxi driver if he could take me to the P&O cruises terminal and he said no! He didn't have a licence to go there or something but assured the next taxi arriving would take me. The licensed taxi turned up soon after but it would be taking two passengers, as the woman standing with me also happened to be going on the Azura cruise.

She was a tall, middle aged blonde with a red suitcase and thick South African accent. We discussed different cruise ships as the taxi took us to the wrong docks. In this time I go to know her more and I realised she was pretty darn cool. She said she was the accounts manager but her charisma was that of an entertainer. When I told her that i'm looking forward to going to Norway she filled with joy, as she in fact had no idea that the cruise ship she was about to work on was going there! We arrived at the cruise terminal and made our way to the crew pass office. She guided me through all the procedures I had to go through and was very helpful in the whole process. Everyone joining a cruise ship for the first time should have someone like her to help them out.

My roomate Simon

When I got on the cruise I met some fellow photographers. After a brief tour of the ship, where I remembered absolutely nothing about how to get anywhere I sat down for a cuppa with fellow photographer Izzy. Izzy was very warm, friendly and full of life. I definitely felt at ease when she showed me around the decks. After getting briefed on the basics it was time to attend the safety inductions.

Photographer and first day guide Izzy

All the newcomers to the ship were gathered in a room and briefed on the various safety drills and alarms the ship has. All very boring, but very important. Luckily the gentleman giving this presentation had put some life into them. Another man present in the safety presentation was the head of 'Muster Control'. He was a Jolly northern Irishman and I wouldn't be surprised if his nickname was the fat controller. Muster control is like the head safety department. In the event of any emergency they should be contacted and they will arrange for the appropriate party to attend to the emergency. Being a photographer, I also had to attend and participate in the lifejacket demonstrations for the passengers. This was due to commence at 4pm, but since there were delays due to an emergency landing at heathrow, and subsequently delays on passengers flights, it was held a little later on, after I had found the location of the drill!

Being my first day on a cruise ship, a massive 114,000 tonne, 291 m long, and 17 deck cruise ship, I got lost.

The main crew deck corridor, known as the 'M1'

I had a good half an hour before the lifejacket demonstration so I tried to find my way back to my cabin. For a sit down. Being a crew cabin it's hidden out of the way where a newcomer like me would never find it.

I went up some stairs, through 3 piano bars, out on the deck, past the south african lady, back through the same door I came through, through some more doors where steaming filipino faces glared at me and back out again. I somehow managed to find my way back.

At the lifejacket demonstration I was required to wear a yellow cap and my lifejacket. Wearing the lifejacket wasn't a problem, but the cap didn't quite fit my afro hair, so I simply rested it on top of my head.

Just like cabin crew on an aeroplane I was required to demonstrate how to put the life jacket on , the strap, whistle and light. This experience was terribly daunting for me, looking up and seeing a sea of tired faces watching my every move and me somehow putting my lifejacket on correctly for only the second time in history.

After yet more safety inductions, loud noises and large water tight doors, it was time to start taking photographs. I was thrown right in the deep end, not literally as this would be the English Channel, please shout 'MAN OVERBOARD'.

I was given instructions how to use a Nikon DSLR. Having got a Canon DSLR myself, everything was in the wrong place and I had to learn how to use my new camera ship sharpish. I was taken outside to take photographs of passengers looking near the pool area. Unfortunately it was raining heavily and the place was very empty. I had a basic knowledge of what I was supposed to do, how to compose the shot and greet passengers etc, but it was my first day and I was still very nervous.

 I now learnt that I was about to be thrown into the real deep end; passengers around the dining table. For this I had to dress smart and go from table to table taking 'Individual soft focus portraits' . After a few tries I sort of got the hang of it, in terms of framing. I feel that after a few more sittings, I'll have bags more confidence and accuracy. Printing of the restaurant pictures is very quick and before I knew it we had prints to hang up. The prints are put up in Gallery, and are ready for viewing the following day. It was a busy first day on the Azura and i'm very much looking forward to the rest of the week in Norway.

More blog posts to come shortly!

 Bye for now.

P.S  I promise they won't be as long as this one!