Last week, I was so excited to dive into events that I didn’t realize—until after I hit send—that I probably should have started with a bit more backstory.
If you’ve read any of my earlier blogs, you know I worked on cruise ships—specifically with Norwegian Cruise Line—back when the S/S Norway was the largest ship at sea. She was older, but absolutely beautiful, carrying around 2,000 passengers and 900 crew (give or take). A far cry from the mega-ships you see today!
As I’ve mentioned before, I was part of the Cruise Director’s staff. While my main focus was working with kids and teens, my role extended well beyond that. I helped lead theme nights, taught line dances, worked the gangways, called Bingo, and supported a variety of onboard activities. We also hosted themed cruises—everything from 50’s and Country & Western to Bingo, Soap Opera, Universal and Sports cruises, including Hockey, Football, Ski, NASCAR, and more. Most weeks, we also had a professional athlete onboard as part of the “Sports Afloat” program.
This was really where I began to understand what it takes to manage events on the ships—handling themes, setups, crowd control, and even working alongside celebrities and professional athletes (which I absolutely loved). But more importantly, it gave me a deeper appreciation for the responsibility behind each event. That experience helped shape the work ethic I still carry with me today.
Starting small, we hosted weekly Sports Afloat Olympics, typically made up of three to four events along with the award ceremony at the end. The Sports Afloat Coordinator (or team), myself representing the kids and teens, a host or two, and our guest pro-athlete would serve as judges and scorekeepers. Organizing passengers into teams—especially when they didn’t come with one—getting team names and keeping everyone somewhat coordinated was no small task. That said, I can honestly say the kids and teens were consistently the most well-behaved group each week…go figure!
Each week, the pro-athlete would also visit the kids’ club to talk about their sport, their position, and what it takes to succeed—followed by a Q&A session. For many kids (and honestly, for me too), this was a highlight. For others, it was all about the autograph or headshot—sometimes more exciting for the parents than the kids!
When it came to themed cruises, the energy onboard was incredible. The entertainers, athletes, and passengers were all fully immersed, and while it meant a lot of work for the crew, it was also incredibly rewarding. Those are the moments and memories we still talk about to this day.
One of the most intense themed cruises I remember was the Bingo cruise. Every lounge, deck, and available space was packed with serious Bingo players—many of whom brought their own daubers! The Cruise Director’s staff would call Bingo from the Bridge so we could access the ship-wide intercom. Radios were essential, as we coordinated everything in real time.
Outside of Bingo, the passengers were relaxed and fun—but once the game started, it was all business. One host once tried to tell a lighthearted joke and quickly learned that this crowd was there for one thing only: Bingo. If someone won, they had to jump up and do the “Bingo Boogie” so we could identify them, radio in the location, and verify the numbers before closing the game. During play, the room was completely silent—but the moment there was a break, you had to flip the switch and command the room again. It may sound simple, but it required constant awareness, strong communication, and the ability to take control of a crowd at a moment’s notice.
From the Miller Lite NASCAR and volleyball cruises to hockey, football, and ski themes, the posters, autographs, and interactions still bring back great memories. But the 50’s and Country & Western cruises really stood out—featuring performers like George Jones, Tanya Tucker, Mary Wilson, and a few fantastic cover bands. Being able to catch even a portion of those performances made all the behind-the-scenes work more than worth it.
As I’ve said before, ship life builds a strong work ethic. If you weren’t in your cabin, you were working. If I wasn’t with the kids or teens, I was welcoming guests into the theater or lounge—and if I had a little time between activities, I’d stay and enjoy part of the show before heading off to the next responsibility. And yes, even playing charades with soap opera stars until 2 a.m.—only to remember that rules are rules, and it was time to call it a night and head back to the crew area!
I could go on and on about these themed cruises and the memories that came with them, but each one played a role in shaping my understanding of event management—from logistics and leadership to guest experience and working with high-profile personalities. It truly was an incredible introduction to the world of events and gave me a clear understanding of what it would take if I wanted events to be part of my future.
Favorite Quote: “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort.” – Paul J. Meyer
Next Up: Event and More…Bigger and Bolder
