cruise lines and a/v and carnival cruise lines and royal caribbean and norwegian cruise line and dps velocity and editing and videos and royal olympia and c-deck and a/v room

Radu Camarzan shoots with a Sony DSR250 DVCAM as his Carnival ship, the Glory, approaches the Panama Canal in Central America.

Your journey has been great so far, but into every trip a little rain must fall. Luckily, as the weather turns foul you turn on the plasma display and curl up on a cabin sofa to watch your favorite movie or video program. As you look out your porthole you notice it's almost time for dinner, so you click over to the online menu and pre-order your entrée. To check on ship operations, you use your remote to turn your display to the bridge camera channel. Sound like something on the Starship Enterprise? Would you believe it's typical on today's modern cruise ship? The approximately 180 cruise ships sailing today are all using video in some form helping to change the face of ocean travel.

One of the fastest growing segments of the travel and resort industry, cruise lines are using video for everything from in-cabin television and inhouse training to closed-captioned TV (CCTV) security and telemedicine. Many can offer passengers an optional custom video of their cruise vacation. Most ships have onboard TV stations keeping the passengers up-to-date about ports of call and the ship's activities, as well as providing movies, TV shows, and news they can watch in the privacy of their staterooms. The major theater showrooms where Las Vegas-caliber headliners perform also use a large amount of A/V gear. To staff these facilities at sea, the cruise lines regularly hire broadcasting and video production specialists, and purchase independent television programming to satisfy their passengers' hunger for daily communication, information, and entertainment.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is a research and advocacy service for the majority of cruise lines. Based on recent research, almost 10 million passengers will take a cruise this year alone. “Each year, the industry offers travelers new ships, itineraries, onboard amenities, and shore excursions, as well as the latest information technology: Internet cafes, in-room web access to in-cabin phones with long-distance capability, fax services, and CCTV or custom and satellite television,” says Bob Sharak, CLIA's executive director. “For those vacationers who need to feel connected, the cruise lines are responding with communication breakthroughs.”

The demand, for both workers and content, has never been greater. Between now and 2007, according to recent reports, a total of 33 new ships will be in the construction or design stage for the North American fleet alone. Each new cruise liner will need media content and professionals who know how to create and distribute it.

Carnival Cruise Lines, with 19 ships, is considered the world's largest cruise line and is part of the larger Carnival Corporation, whose 70 ships include: Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, and Windstar Cruises. CCL ships cruise from the United States to the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, and Alaska, with the sister lines sailing worldwide.

The ship's showroom theaters are multi-functional venues equipped with Barco ELM R12 projectors that under show conditions, generally run an SDI video source from Adtec Soloist units because CCL production shows need high quality images run from timecode. While each lounge and bar has varying amounts of A/V gear, the biggest venues are the theaters with up to three Barco multi-source projectors, plus remote cameras with a central control of all matrix functions. In the ship's discos, as many as 600 monitors surround the dance floor in banks of video walls.

“We need multi-skilled professionals to help run all this,” says Nigel Stables, Carnival Cruise Lines A/V media manager for 12 years. “Someone who has a bias for either postproduction work or technical broadcasting knowledge, but is prepared to do both. Performing the wide variety of daily tasks for up to 2,800 guests and crew takes skill and good judgment to keep our systems operational and provide the best programming and video services for our passengers 24/7.”

To help get the job done, Carnival's tool chest reads like a catalog of the digital video industry and rivals any small shore-based TV or production studio. For shooting, the Sony DSR250 DVCAM camera is a standard shipboard issue. “We also have some fixed position ParkerVision robotic cameras and an Ikegami camera on a Stanton Video [Jimmy Jib] pan tilt-head boom,” says Stables. “For video and audio editing, the Leitch Velocity NLE on a Windows PC is used on all our vessels because the system is nicely priced, the support is excellent, and they don't break down. Plus its ‘go live’ features allow us to do live on-air work with all the bells and whistles of a much more expensive package.”

The future of video onboard Carnival ships is bright, according to Stables. “We expect that we'll totally move away from tape products within the next two years as digital DVD duplication systems become more viable. Right now, we simply can't get enough output in the last days of a cruise so the final video product will be ready in time to hand a DVD to our guests,” he explains. “The investment would be high to make up to 400-plus copies in less than five hours, which we can now do using VHS tape.” By the time you read this, CCL will be offering a new service for passenger weddings where video is shot and edited to DVD by the onboard video staff.

“Interactive TV is something new for us. As a floating resort hotel, we try to offer the same or more than on land, so we may go fleet-wide with this. We have two classes of ships already fitted and working really well with the new interactive video technology,” said Stables. “We also run interactive plasma touchscreen kiosks on some vessels to help passengers get the information they need anytime they want. The central control for this is powered by Scala software because its open architecture always offers us maximum flexibility.”

Royal Caribbean International is one of the largest players with 19 vessels, including some of the largest cruise ships in world. Each Royal Caribbean ship has its own full-service TV station complete with a production crew. In addition to keeping the preproduced programming on schedule and pulling down live satellite feeds, the ships' video technicians edit highlights of daily entertainment and other onboard activities for broadcast.

Royal Caribbean was one of the first companies to create original videos and also custom package existing network shows for its ships. It even recently won three national Telly awards — two for original programming for the ships' TV network and one for an inhouse corporate training video.

Royal Caribbean has also created and programmed five custom shipboard TV channels. “These are exclusive to our cruise line and offer a variety of shows, including classic TV shows on RCCL's Retro TV channel, current sitcoms and dramas on Family TV, classic movies on the Royal Classics channel, and E! and related entertainment programs on XYtv. We also recently launched a new channel called Venus TV with programming geared toward women. For those that are hearing impaired some of our programming is closed-captioned,” says Motley. Each TV also receives music through the DMX audio network. Royal Caribbean uses Adtec's Edje units to broadcast programming on these exclusive in-cabin TV channels.

Designed in conjunction with Allin Corp., the interactive TV systems utilize a Microsoft Windows interface that allows high quality images and MPEG-1 video (for promo ads). Viewers can even access the Web. While passengers currently make selections via a traditional remote control or wireless keyboards, it won't be long before touchscreens and HDTV flat panel TVs are designed for passenger staterooms.

And when the sun sets on a great cruise, Royal Caribbean passengers don't leave empty-handed, but can purchase a custom-produced video shot on various digital video formats and edited onboard the ship. “[Royal Caribbean] broadcast technicians videotape many of the activities on each voyage, and then rapidly edit a customized video of that particular cruise. Guests can purchase the Cruise In Review video for a small additional fee,” says Motley.

Norwegian Cruise Line, based in Miami, is an international travel company and industry innovator that currently operates a fleet of nine ships sailing to more than 150 ports around the world. According to the company, NCL has pioneered a number of firsts: offering the industry's first web access on the seas with Internet cafes; providing remote wireless Internet access (also known as WiFi) to its guests; and offering an inhouse, video-based safety training program for ship crew members.

“Video production has always played a big part in the entertainment of our guests at Norwegian Cruise Line,” says Keith Cox, vice president of entertainment and passenger programs. Responsible for the creation and development of all onboard live entertainment, educational, and TV/radio programming, Cox joined the company in January 2001 after spending fourteen years with Princess Cruises as a cruise director. He's seen video become a nicety from the front row.

“With broadcast equipment becoming smaller, more compact, cost-worthy, and more readily available we have the opportunity to produce high quality television while at sea,” he says. “Gone are the days of requiring a 5,000-square-foot room to house your video facilities. All that's needed now is a digital video camera, the proper software, and a laptop to produce broadcast quality video that can go from a computer to air in no time flat.”

All NCL guest staterooms are equipped with a TV, as are most public areas throughout the ship. Onboard broadcast facilities use satellite dishes or players for inhouse-produced video to furnish eight to 16 channels of shipboard television at all times.

“Our onboard broadcasting abilities are really no different than your local TV station, but on a smaller scale,” he says. Depending on the capacity of the ship, NCL may have either one or two broadcast technicians running the ship's TV and videotaping events during the cruise. Some productions are edited, and some go directly from tape to air. “All our ships are equipped with Canon MiniDV video cameras, Mac computers, and Apple's Final Cut Pro editing software,” Cox explains. “On our newer ships, the broadcast centers have also been equipped with DVD Studio Pro and DVD recorders, which allow our people to produce DVDs for our venues while at sea.”

With a history of media innovations, NCL will undoubtedly continue to try new technologies for the benefit of passengers and crew. “The future of onboard video includes interactive television, DVD, and hard drive playback and capture abilities. It's the way of the future for productions and television on cruise ships,” he says.

The larger American-based cruise lines are not the only ones using video in various ways onboard ships. Royal Olympia Cruises, headquartered in Greece, is a medium-sized cruise line sailing around the world and specializing in European waters, the Greek Islands, Baltic Sea, and a very popular cruise that circumnavigates South America.

“Our itineraries and enrichment programs, of which video is a growing part, offer passengers both fun and education,” says Gabriel Diacakis, VP of sales and marketing at Royal Olympia Cruises. “We have seven vessels, each with some video facilities. A growing number have in-cabin television with 24-hour programming. Our passengers can also document their Royal Olympia cruise with a special video highlighting events and ports of call. The ship's videographer records events and then edits a video that passengers can purchase at the end of their cruise.”

But ROC ships, like those of most of the other cruise lines, don't just use video for entertainment and vacation videos, but also for safety and security. “Video usage on Royal Olympia vessels is not just for fun,” Diacakis says. “It's also used for CCTV surveillance because keeping our passengers and crew safe and secure is our number one job. We also use educational videos at the marine muster stations for the mandatory passenger safety drills, which happen at the beginning of each cruise. All in all, video plays a very important part in keeping our passengers secure as well as entertained and informed.”

Across the board, cruise lines are using video surveillance technology. “CCTV is also used for security on Carnival vessels and our video surveillance covers public areas onboard, as well as remote locations on the vessel such as the ship's engine rooms and storage spaces. Surveillance systems are also in place on the ship's gangways while in port for the security of all our passengers and crew members,” adds Carnival's Stables.

Indeed, video on the high seas is not all fun and games anymore. Not only can video help with security, it can even help in times of medical crisis. On some of the high-end mega-ships from Radisson, Princess, and Holland America, global telemedicine video conferencing systems mean that medical crews at sea can tap into the expertise of doctors at major hospitals to provide passengers with effective emergency healthcare. On some of the ships of Holland America, for example, the MedServe telemedical system allows the ship's physician to collaborate with shore-based specialists. They can transmit high quality X-ray images, ECGs, and live video images directly to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, where specialists can be involved in the care and treatment of the patient.

Overall, video helps make cruises more safe, fun, and informative. “We look for a variety of programming options that will appeal to all age groups and nationalities, with perhaps five different languages, and in some cases is gender specific,” explains Noelle Sipos, manager for cruise activities and programming at Royal Caribbean. “We're looking to achieve a balance between entertainment trends in the television market and developing brand awareness with our own inhouse programming.

“The number one thing video brings to a passenger's cruise experience is that broadcast television allows our guests to remain connected to the outside world via satellite feeds, while our custom videos allow us to educate passengers on all the exciting experiences available to them, both onboard the ship and in our ports of call,” she says.

The cruise industry is expanding rapidly with dozens of new ships and a growing need for qualified A/V staff and independently produced video programming. By using the latest in video, audio, presentation, broadcasting, CCTV security, and telemedicine technologies, today's cruise lines are helping their passengers have the vacation of a lifetime while keeping them informed, entertained, and secure.

Special thanks to Bob Rio with NCL, Erik Elvejord with Holland America, Richard Joseph of Princess Cruises, Doug Jones of Sixth Star Entertainment & Marketing, and Roy Yates with Openwide International for assistance with expertise, ship access, and photography.

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Ready to Ship Out?

The TV control room onboard Radisson�s Seven Seas Mariner.

The leading employment agency in the rapidly growing cruise industry is located a thousand miles away from any ocean, yet it places hundreds of workers on ships at sea each year. Video Systems sat down with Jimmy Chickey, senior partner of C-Deck, at their office in Las Vegas to talk about video jobs aboard cruise ships.

VS: What's the demand for video jobs in today's cruise industry?

Chickey: Cruise lines are always in need of qualified technicians, including videographers. In fact, I'd say that demand is higher than ever as the equipment is getting more difficult with each new ship. With cruise lines, it doesn't matter if the vessel is half full or running at full capacity, the A/V department is expected to give the same quality product. For that reason, I don't usually see the numbers of onboard technical staff changing with a downturn in the economy.

VS: Is the currently depressed economy affecting things?

Chickey: The current trend is actually to have more specialized technical staff on board, thus increasing the number of positions. For instance, 10 years ago there may have been one tech to run the sound and lights of the showroom and also run the onboard broadcast center. Now with the newer mega-ships, you might have over 30 technicians, with one hired just to run audio in the main showroom.

VS: How did C-Deck become the leading placement agency for placing A/V staff?

Chickey: At C-Deck, we've created a niche by concentrating on hiring technical staff. This has helped us to become the premiere placement service that cruise lines depend on, year in and year out. Though we do hire at all points of the experience spectrum, most of our techs already have extensive experience on land and sea and are ready to jump into any situation worldwide.

VS: How many video professionals do you place each year, and what is the average pay scale?

Chickey: Our cruise ship division hires between 50 and 100 technicians a year, with an average monthly salary between $2,200 to $2,600. This pay usually includes all travel costs, room and board, and insurance. As a placement service, the C-Deck technicians are hired by the cruise lines around the world and enjoy all of the benefits that come with that distinction.

VS: What are some of the basic responsibilities?

Chickey: Along with video positions, most cruise lines also hire audio, lighting, and backstage positions. Running the video broadcast center on a smaller ship might mean walking around with a DV camera and editing the footage on a computer in Adobe Premiere. On the bigger ships, the videographers have broadcast quality Betacam SP/DVCAM cameras and realtime Avid nonlinear editing suites.

VS: Is video also used in theaters for Broadway style shows?

Chickey: Yes, on Celebrity Cruises for example, video takes a leading role in the theater showroom with some ships boasting a video wall that spans a good portion of the stage. With the addition of a recordable LaserDisc system, a Sony editing system right in the booth, and a complete Dataton show control system, technicians are able to run an automated program of all the elements of a major theater production. The shows are truly amazing!

VS: What does the future hold for video technology at sea?

Chickey: With so many emerging technologies making their way to cruise ships, the work can only get more exciting from here. Keep up with technology. One of the reasons that C-Deck was created was to help put a stop to watching millions of dollars of new equipment collect dust because the technician hired to work the gear didn't have a clue.