Every May, Norwegian Cruise Line gathered all of us Youth & Teen Coordinators (YCs) for summer training aboard the S/S Norway. Sally Evans, our fearless leader, hosted the week, and she had a way of making every single one of us feel both inspired and accountable. For returning staff, this week felt like a reunion at sea; for the newcomers, it was often their first taste of ship life—and one of the most unforgettable weeks of their careers.
I’ll say this now rather than waiting until the end: if you ever have the opportunity to bring your recreation teams together before the season starts—do it. Not just your interns, but your full-time staff. Whether it’s two days, three days, or a full week, that kind of training is money well spent. Having everyone in one place to connect, share experiences, and start building trust sets the tone for the months ahead.
For us, the week was about more than just learning policies—it was about bonding. Being together on the same ship gave us a chance to form friendships with people we might work alongside that summer, later that year or even years down the line. Those who had already worked on other ships shared their stories—some hilarious, some humbling, and some that taught lessons we’d carry with us forever. And while we were crew first and foremost, responsible and professional, we also had glimpses of passenger life. That balance—knowing when to be serious and when to let loose—is one of the reasons I’ve always loved being a “recreator.” We can dress to impress when needed, but we’re equally at home in shorts and T-shirts running beach games in the sand.
The training itself was a mix of hands-on skills, creative play, and serious preparation. We learned face painting (some of us had more talent than others—I could pull off palm trees and flamingos, but if you wanted a dragon or a shark from me, let’s just say you’d get a very unique interpretation). We trained for Circus at Sea, which meant learning how to juggle, balance peacock feathers on our noses, walk a “tightrope” laid out on the lounge floor, and—perhaps most importantly—how to tell a good kid’s joke. That might sound small, but having at least five solid, family-friendly jokes in your back pocket at all times is gold. They work in programming, in icebreakers, and yes—even during Bingo, where I’d always tell guests: “The more you laugh at my jokes, the luckier your card becomes!”
The highlight of the Circus came at the end of each cruise, when we hosted a showcase for kids and parents. The lounge would fill with laughter as children performed their new skills—juggling scarves, jumping through hoops, or trying their best “tightrope walk.” Parents got to see their kids shine, and the kids felt like stars. It wasn’t just entertainment—it was confidence-building.
Of course, the week wasn’t all fun and games. We also dug into safety, emergency protocols, and role play. These sessions were eye-opening. Some of us had never dealt with certain scenarios, and hearing firsthand stories from others was invaluable. We practiced one of the toughest skills of all: talking with parents. If you’ve ever had to tell a parent that their “angel” wasn’t so angelic during a session, you know how intimidating it can feel. One of the best lessons I learned was the importance of leading with positives. Every pick-up was an opportunity to share something fun the child had done before addressing any challenges—and in the beginning, managers handled the harder conversations until we gained the confidence to step in ourselves.
We also learned the importance of keeping leadership informed. If something happened, even something small, it was our job to make sure the Assistant Cruise Director or Cruise Director knew before a parent came to them. That way, no one was blindsided. This should be a golden rule for everyone: communication is key, and it’s always better to be proactive than reactive.
That philosophy carried into every part of our work. If a child scraped a knee and was back in the game within minutes, the parents still needed to hear it from us first. If two kids argued, we needed to tell the parents before the kids did. The last thing you wanted was a parent saying, “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Clear, honest communication built trust.
We also had to navigate rules parents didn’t always like. For example, older siblings were allowed in the younger program, but never the other way around—for safety reasons. Parents and kids often pushed back, but it was our job to communicate the “why” behind the rule and document it when exceptions were made.
One of my favorite tips came from something as simple as name tags. Each tag had the child’s name and either an “I” or a “+.” “I” meant the child stayed until a parent picked them up. “+” meant they had freedom to come and go. Parents made the choice, and many would start with “I” and later switch to “+” once their child felt comfortable on the ship. It was a brilliant system—kids loved the independence, and parents had peace of mind.
Another small but powerful practice was how we started each session. Before jumping into activities, we’d sit in a circle for a quick icebreaker. Each child introduced themselves and shared something they liked to eat or do that started with the same letter as their first name. “I’m Lisa, and I love to laugh.” With my strong memory at the time, I’d repeat everyone’s names and answers back to the group, which helped me connect with the kids right away. While we had their attention, we’d review safety rules in a fun, lighthearted way and preview upcoming activities. It set the tone: safe, welcoming, and exciting.
By the end of the week, we weren’t just trained—we were transformed into teams. Sally and the senior crew would spend hours deciding who would go to which ships and with whom. They had been watching us all week—who stepped up as leaders, who communicated well, who supported others—and used those insights to build teams that would succeed together.
We closed the week with teambuilding challenges: group jump rope (adding one person at a time until the whole team was in) and the Spider Web (where each person could only pass through one space, and touching the rope meant everyone had to start over). On a moving ship with the occasional swell, these games were even trickier—and even more rewarding when we pulled them off. The lessons in communication, patience, and strategy stayed with us long after.
Looking back, that week on the S/S Norway shaped the way I think about leadership and teamwork. Whether you’re running a program with two people or seven, communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about being clear, intentional, and making sure your vision is understood. Never assume your team knows what you mean. Share it, model it, and make space for collaboration.
For those of you running recreation or youth programs across multiple properties or ships, consider ways to keep that spirit alive throughout the year. A monthly Zoom call to share wins, challenges, role play and upcoming events goes a long way. An annual gathering for directors or coordinators can re-energize teams. And if you want to take it further, send them to the REC Net National Conference. Yes, I’m plugging it again… but only because I know firsthand how much this conference can benefit those of us in or going into recreation, entertainment, and hospitality!
The conference creates the same environment we experienced on the S/S Norway: people coming together to share stories, learn from one another, and build lasting connections. Not every idea will translate perfectly from one property to another, but hearing them sparks creativity. And recognizing colleagues and programs for their excellence lifts the whole industry.
This year’s REC Net National Conference will be held November 8–11 at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. For more information, visit rec-network.org.
Favorite Quote: “To effectively communicate we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” – Tony Robbins
Next up: Sharing Your Vision