Formal Pictures
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Barcelona 2009 Home Barcelona Day One Barcelona Day Two Isle of Capri Day Three Evil Map of Rome Day Four
Florence and Pisa Day Five Nice and Eze Day Six Marseilles Day Seven Who Went Formal Pictures
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1 -  THE EVIL MAP OF ROME 2 -  THE ROMAN FORUM 3 -  ROME REBORN 4 -  LOST IN ROME
The Fabulous French Riviera Nice and Eze Monaco Fast Lane Grace Kelly Cote d'Azur
   

Rick and Marla Archer

Jean and Kurt Wind

 

Ann and Mike Harrah

Patty Harrison and Joe Lachner

 

Mara Rivas and Bruce Hanka

Steve Gabino and Vivian Gustafson

 

Cher Longoria and Robert Goins

Ken Landgren and Maite Rombado

 

Gus Donnell and Fran Zandstra

Jack Myers and Jo Wilson

 

Pat and Jess Carnes

Nick and Belma deBerardinis

 

Wendy Weston and Susan Arevalo

Joan Korpal and Albertin Gharcheghah

 

Gay and MG Anseman

Sandy Upchurch, Leroy Ginzel, Sandra Schneider

 

Sharon Michaels and Dave Rolando

Christine Skagerberg and Denny Morse

 

Justin Sullivan and Phyllis Sullivan

Sherry Thornton, Jack Myers, Mary Cioffi

 

 

Dana, Frank and Mary LeDoux

Ken Landgren and Nancy McCormick

 

Margie Ortega, Deborah Ebner, Jeff Goberli, Claudia Cruz

Ann McKenzie, Greg Hatchett, Becky Bratton

 

Eileen Kondor and Imre Kondor

Marla, Patty and Mara

 

Linda Wade and Jon Monteith

Wendy Weston and Jim Felker

 

Nancy McCormick, Rick Archer and June Singh

Mike and Jan Davis

 

 


INDIVIDUAL PICTURES NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE

Robert Bratton
Rhoda Sheskin
Alfreda Lewis

Stacy Margules

Anne Fry
Marsha Sprague
Kimberly Gilmore

Melissa Davis
Linda Ausmus 

Donna Kyle
Mike Manuel
Heather Bell
Paul Broadbent
Shannon Broadbent
Martin Hogan
Lorraine Cull
Mary Griffith

Rick Elizondo

Maggi Dodds
Patricia Davenport
Pat Salinas
Joan Recht
Renita Oko
Mackie Deese
Doug White

Millie Cagle

Valerie Baum

Carolyn Novogradac
Jim Ruark
Linda Conwell


(Rick Archer's Note:  I took a picture of everyone I could chase down on Picture Day and the day after that too.  However, just because I didn't put a picture up on the first go-round, there is no reason why I can't add one later.  Just email me a photo you like to dance@ssqq.com  or hand me a CD at the studio.)


THE STORY OF GROUP PICTURE FOR BARCELONA 2009

Rick Archer's Note:  I hope you like our Group Photo.  We had to work really hard to get it! 

Frankly, we had more headaches getting this group picture taken than on all the previous trips combined. 
Actually, that's a stupid thing for me to say.  Now that I think about what I just wrote, I realize we have never even had a problem before.

Did you know they charge us to take this picture?  I think it is $75.  The whole process takes 15 minutes or less - that works out to a cool $300 an hour.  Then they turn around and charge us to buy the picture... another $20-25 or so.  They used to take the picture for free, but this amenity disappeared about two years ago. 

Marla and I don't mind paying for the picture.  The Group Photo is an important symbol of our trip.

What we do expect for our money, however, is a little bit of cooperation, something that was sadly lacking in this instance.  The point I am making is that since we are paying them to help us (which in turn helps them as well), we don't appreciate being made to feel like they are doing us a favor in the process.  

To help me explain that this story already had a history before we even made it to the ship, Marla sent me her month-long email exchange.  Based on how the emails had progressed, something definitely didn't feel right.

Typically, scheduling a group photo is as easy as ABC.  It goes something like this:

"We have a large group on this sailing.  We would like to schedule a group photo." 
"Great.  When do you want it?" 
"Before or after dinner on Formal Night." 
"No problem.  Let's do it before dinner on Thursday at the large stairway in the Atrium."
"Excellent. We'll see you then. Thank you!"  

The way I see it, we have four things going for us. 

  • As a large group with enormous purchasing power, the SSQQ Group is usually the darling of every trip.  People hear "90 people" or "144 people" and their eyes grow wide.  Groups as large as ours are "special" in the cruise business.  They really hope we will come back!
     
  • Second, since Marla and I make it a point to be polite to everyone we meet regardless of their status or station, the cruise staff enjoys helping us. 
     
  • Third, since we fork over an extra $75 for the service, the photography department has a responsibility to help us. 
     
  • Fourth, and most important, we have found the people who work in the photography department seem to enjoy taking pictures of any person who appreciates their skill regardless of the money.

Consequently, we are used to having the photography department more than willing to accommodate our simple request to take a group photo.  I suppose there will always be an exception.

Here are the emails.  It is fairly boring reading, but it gives you a rough idea why Marla was very apprehensive about this event before we even got on the ship.  To save time, I will highlight the interesting parts.
 

EMAIL ONE – MARLA INQUIRES TO VOYAGER SHIP COORDINATOR ABOUT GROUP PHOTO

09/04/2009 03:33 PM
Subject: Group Picture

Hello Again,

I don't know if you can arrange for this or not, but I would like to request a group picture to be scheduled on Monday, Sept. 28th at 6:30 pm in the Centrum area of the ship with the onboard photographer.

I usually wait until I get on the ship to handle this, but I thought maybe this is something that can be booked ahead of time. Please advise.

Thanks!  

Marla Archer
SSQQ Dance Studio

 

 EMAIL TWO – SHIP COORDINATOR REPLY TO EMAIL ONE

Sent: Tuesday, September 08, 2009 10:47 AM

Subject: SSQQ DANCE STUDIO - Group Photography Photo Session

Good Day Marla,

I believe this is something we can arrange in advance, however, I will confirm with the ship.  Will you need the photographer for just one hour, or do you think you may need more time?  Kindly let me know.  As always, if you have any additional questions or concerns, please let me know.

Warmest Regards,
JP
Voyager Shipboard Event Coordinator

 

EMAIL THREE – MARLA’S REPLY TO EMAIL TWO

Subject: SSQQ DANCE STUDIO - Group Photography Photo Session

The group photograph typically takes only 15 minutes.   We just want one shot of the total group, not individual pictures.

Thanks!  Marla

 

EMAIL FOUR – SHIP PHOTOGRAPHER REPLY TO MARLA’S EMAIL TWO

Subject: 09/27/09 SSQQ DANCE STUDIO  Group Photo Alternate Time Suggested

Good Afternoon Marla,

Please be advised I just received the following message:

We would be very happy to do the group shot although it will have to be at a different time.

The group is requesting it on Day 2 which is a formal night and the only place we can accommodate to do such a large group shot would be in the Dining Room which means it will have to be done around 5.00 pm before they start their evening. 

(Rick's Note: dinner time was at 7 pm.  Who wants to start their Formal Evening two hours early?)

Once they confirm, we can seek permission from the Maitre d' for the same.

N
Photo Manager
Voyager of the Seas

 

EMAIL FIVE – SHIP COORDINATOR REPLY TO MARLA’S EMAIL TWO

Kindly let me know if this time is ok, or if you would like me to request another day and time.  Thank you. :)

Warmest Regards,
JP
Voyager Shipboard Event Coordinator

 

EMAIL SIX – MARLA’S REPLY TO SHIP COORDINATOR EMAIL FIVE

Subject: SSQQ DANCE STUDIO - Group Photo alternate time suggested

We have always done the group picture in the Centrum area on the stairs.

This is our 9th SSQQ group onboard a RCCL ship, but our first on the Voyager.

Typically we have btw 40 and 100 passengers in the picture.

We would prefer the shot to be done on a Formal Night. That is when the ladies look their best and are in the mood for showing off.

Is the photographer available around 6:30 pm on the second formal night or following dinner around 9 pm?

Sorry to make you the middle man!

Marla Archer
SSQQ Dance Studio

 

EMAIL SEVEN – SHIP COORDINATOR REPLY TO MARLA’S EMAIL FIVE

Subject: SSQQ DANCE STUDIO - Group Photo inquiry

Good Morning Marla,

I have since received another response from the Voyager Photo Manager:

As you will note from all photos, both Rhapsody and Radiance class have a different Centrum and Staircase. Voyager Class Centrum is completely different and cannot accommodate 90 passengers. The only other place we can do that large a group is on the La Scala Staircase although that fits only 60 guests. Any more and it gets a bit squishy.

The Dining room times are different on the European itinerary and the times requested are very busy hours and it is not possible to arrange a large group shot with too many guests trying to enter and exit the La Scala theatre.

We can alternatively do it in Studio B at 7.00 pm once the ice show is over and if the guests are happy with that location, I will need to confirm with the Studio B Manager about the same.

The vessel is working on trying to obtain approval for the group photo in Studio B.  While this is not a guarantee, we are doing what we can to accommodate your request outside of the Dining Room.

I would like to thank you for your continued patience.

Warmest Regards,
JP
Voyager Shipboard Event Coordinator

 

EMAIL EIGHT – MARLA’S REPLY TO SHIP COORDINATOR EMAIL SIX

Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 12:43 PM
Subject: SSQQ DANCE STUDIO - Group Photo inquiry

Thank you for all your efforts in trying to get this wrapped up.

I really need the group shot to be done on one of the two formal nights.

We would like it to be either prior to our 7 pm dinner or following-- don't care where the location is. If the pic can't be done prior to dinner, how about either at 9:30 pm on Monday or 9 pm on Thursday.

Marla

 

EMAIL NINE – (8 DAYS LATERMARLA’S SECOND REPLY TO SHIP COORDINATOR EMAIL SIX

09/17/2009 11:40 AM
Subject: SSQQ DANCE STUDIO - Group Photo inquiry

Hi J,  Any word from the ship's photographer yet regarding date/time/location for my group pic?

Marla Archer
SSQQ Dance Studio

 

EMAIL TEN – SHIP COORDINATOR REPLY TO MARLA’S EMAILS EIGHT AND NINE

Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 10:01 AM

Subject: SSQQ DANCE STUDIO - Group Photo inquiry

Good Day Marla,

I apologize as it appears there was an error in sending the confirmation. On 09/14/09 I was contacted by the vessel with the following:

Day 5 - Thursday at 9.30 pm. - Studio B.

Please have your guests ready at the Studio B entrance at 9:15pm.  This allows for time to get set up by the Photographer and to make sure every is there on time for the photo shoot.

I will send another Amenity Report for your review.  Thank you and I apologize you did not receive the confirmation sooner.

Warmest Regards,
JP
Voyager Shipboard Event Coordinator

 

EMAIL ELEVEN – SHIP COORDINATOR MESSAGE TO WARN MARLA OF CHANGES

Good Morning Marla,

I just received a message from the ship concerning your Group Photograph on Day 5.

Due to schedule changes we will not be able to accommodate your group in Studio B on Livorno evening (we have on ice show that evening).

The only evening I could see this working is on day 6 Villafranche evening

I do apologize, however, this is the only time that is available.  I wanted to let you know as soon as I found out the information so you would be able to notify your guests.

Warmest Regards,
JP
Voyager Shipboard Event Coordinator

 

EMAIL TWELVE – MARLA’S REPLY TO SHIP COORDINATOR EMAIL ELEVEN

Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 8:34 AM
Subject: Re: SSQQ DANCE STUDIO - Group Photo - Time Change

Thanks for the update.

I will communicate to the guests once on board . . . several have already left for Barcelona.  I leave tomorrow.  MA

 

Group Photo Story Continued

 

Since twelve emails failed to get the job done, Marla had no choice but to resume negotiations once we got on board.  Early on the cruise, Marla asked me to accompany her to meet the photo shop manager (who shall remain nameless). 

Based on the emails, Marla was deeply concerned this was going to be a real headache.  Her intuition, sad to say, proved to be correct.

The lady wanted us to do the photo shoot inside the ice rink known as Studio B.  This meant we would all sit down in chairs in the auditorium-style setting. 

Marla said that was not a good idea.  Marla did not want her ladies with their beautiful dresses photographed sitting down!  That didn't seem very elegant.

The lady countered this was common practice on this ship. 

Marla said maybe so, but on her previous 14 trips, we had always had our group pictures taken "standing up" so she was pretty sure it could be done. 

Fourteen previous trips?  That gave the lady reason to pause for a moment. 

Nevertheless, the lady wasn't going to be dissuaded easily.  She countered by saying our group was much too large for any other venue on the ship.  Studio B was the only practical place for our picture to be taken!

What this lady didn't know is that I had already scouted the ship for the place I wanted the picture to be taken.  That's when I turned and pointed out the long sloping La Scala staircase.  Even though it was one deck up, it was visible from where we stood.

La Scala was the theater where the shows were held.   The staircase in front of it was lovely.  Why not use this lovely stairway?   It seemed perfect for our picture.

The lady shook her head.  Absolutely not!  Our group was much too big. 

She said the staircase was not approved by the engineering department to hold 90 people.  She could not guarantee its safety.  It was out of the question.

I was incredulous.  First of all, I didn't believe her.  A modern staircase is more likely to be required to hold double the amount of people that can physically stand on it. 

However, I'm no engineer so I preferred not to challenge her on that assertion just yet.  I was willing to argue this point, but first I decided to try some finesse instead.

I had studied the emails.  One email said, "
The only other place we can do that large a group is on the La Scala Staircase although that fits only 60 guests. Any more and it gets a bit squishy."

Armed with their own words from the email, I tried an end run on this woman's position.  I pointed out that the staircase would not actually be holding 90 people. 

First, I estimated 10 people wouldn't show. 
Second, 10 people could stand on the floor. 
Third, 10 more people could stand on the landing above the staircase.
Fourth, 10 more people could stand on the two secondary staircases (pictured).

At this point, the lady had her arms crossed and a frown as wide as the Mediterranean.  She didn't like where this was going.

I didn't blame her.  I had just set her up for the coup de grace.

After subtracting 40, that would leave the remaining 50 beautiful women for the narrow staircase.  Surely the staircase could support 50 beautiful women without straining?

Then I added that our ladies were unusually slender.  I was fairly certain they would be well within the legal weight limit. 

Even better, thanks to their lovely figures, I imagined they would be able to fit gracefully within the tight configuration as well.  And then I smiled. 



(As you can see from the picture, this is exactly how it worked out.  The men stood on the landing above while our slender ladies fit comfortably on the stairway).

Stair Wars

The lady knew she was beaten on this issue.  But she wasn't finished, not by a long shot.

Now it was her turn to throw us a curve ball.  When would we like to schedule this?

Marla said the natural time was either before or after dinner on Formal Night. 

The lady smiled politely and said that would not be possible. 

Now it was time for Marla and I to cross our arms.  Those were fighting words. 

Okay, let's hear it.  Why were neither of those two times acceptable?

The lady stated she was the only one with the training sufficient to take this difficult picture.  Unfortunately, at the times we wanted, she would be busy filming the important Captain's Reception.  We would have to work around her schedule.

That argument didn't fly for me.  I suggested perhaps one of her dozen staff photographers could do his or her best to fill in for her.  In fact, I had met just such a man at her photo shop a day earlier.  While I purchased a camera, I had discussed the picture.  I explained he had told me he would be happy to take our group picture.  I added when I spoke to him he seemed confident he could handle the job. 

Perhaps so, but all her photographers would be needed to photograph the many individuals on board who would be lining up for special photographs in their formal attire.  She could not possibly spare one of them. 

Besides, at the times I suggested, use of the staircase would be prohibited.  These times were much too close to the beginning and the end of the evening's show inside La Scala Theater.  In addition to the elevators, this staircase served as the major artery to the rest of the ship. 

Although it was true that using my configuration she now agreed we could use the La Scala staircase, doing so would mean our group would effectively block the entire staircase.  At the time I was requesting after dinner, the people leaving the show would be forced to divert around our group.

We would not want to inconvenience them, now would we?

I stared at the woman incredulously.

We were passengers on this ship too.  Did we not have an equal right to use the staircase for all of ten minutes? 

I imagined we could finish before people exited, but even if we didn't, would it be too much to ask people to wait just a moment while we finished?

I felt cornered by her latest argument.  I sensed we were on the edge of a deal, so I suggested a compromise.  What if we cut dinner a little short and used the staircase while the show was in session?

The lady frowned.  She said that might work, but she would might not be able to get free at that time.  She would have to get permission to let another photographer besides her to handle the important Captain's Reception.

I wasn't willing to give her a way out of this deal.  I now had permission to use the staircase and I now had a time slot.  All I needed was a photographer.  Now it was time to play my ace card.  I told her if she was unavailable, we had a member of our group who was a professional photographer (Steve Gabino).

This was only a partial bluff.  Although I hadn't actually spoken to Steve, I figured in a pinch he would help.  The point was that I had to make my best play immediately.  It was now or never.  If I was convincing enough, I figured the lady would fold. 

I was right.  With the threat of her commission slipping away, she gave in and agreed to photograph us.   Now all I had to do was talk the group into skipping dessert, no easy task in itself.  

This had been an incredibly stressful negotiation.  Patience is not my strength.  It took every ounce of my will power not to lose my temper and chew her out.  Every word out of her mouth seemed to hint at how unreasonable or inconvenient our requests were.

From where I was standing, I felt very uncomfortable being forced to beg her to help us. I knew from experience that if I let her force us into an unpopular time slot, many people would simply skip the photo shoot.  Furthermore Marla and I had no way of communicating last-minute changes to our group. We needed to get this picture taken either immediately before or after dinner to get maximum participation, especially an "unscheduled photo shoot".  As it was, I was forced to make a serious time concession that I wasn't very happy about.  I didn't think I had much choice given her negotiating posture.

As far as I was concerned,
there were ninety of us and one photographer.  Wouldn't it have been a lot easier for one photographer to adjust her schedule for ninety people than to ask ninety people who had no access to instant messaging to adjust their schedule for her? 

Besides, wasn't this her job?  Why was she making this so difficult for us? She was being paid by us to take a picture, but she acted like she was doing us a favor. 

To her credit, let me at least say the lady was unfailingly polite. 

 

The Big Night Arrives

That night as people began to stroll in for 6:45 dinner, I informed them we had a photo shoot scheduled at 8:45.  That's would be about the time people get their coffee and dessert. 

As
I surmised, no one was pleased at this last-minute development.  They had just finished a long day on the French Riviera and they had forced to rush to get dressed for this early dinner.  In fact, most of the people were up to 15 minutes late.  Now they just wanted to relax and enjoy their meal.  So naturally they complained about this early time slot.

I didn't blame them a bit.  I didn't like it either.  I simply said that if they only knew what hoops Marla and I had jumped through, they would understand we had done the best we could.

I personally rushed through dinner.  I got up early enough to make a round of tables one more time to let them know I was leaving for the photo shoot and that I would see them there.  In reality, after the kind of looks I got, I expected only half the people would show up.  I had a really bad feeling about this.

I got to the La Scala staircase about ten minutes early.  I was met by the anxious photographer who looked at her watch and reminded me she was on a tight schedule.  Would the people be coming shortly?  

I said that people were just beginning to finish their meals and were right behind me. They were on their way as we spoke.  Fortunately Robert and Cher did magically appear just as we spoke.  Their presence helped quiet this deeply skeptical woman for at least a few more minutes. 

Making the best of the situation, I began to take pictures.  Guess whose picture I took first?  After I finished taking Robert and Cher's picture, some more reinforcements arrived.  At the time we were supposed to take our picture, I would estimate about 20 people were milling around. 

Now the lady was angry.  She came over to me for the second time to demand to know where everyone was.  Had I given them the correct time?  I promised her I had given them the correct time, but people were reluctant to rush through their meals.  After all, they were tired from a long day and, besides, this was their vacation.  They felt like they deserved to move at their own speed.

The woman walked away in a huff.  I was really worried. I felt that she was quite capable of saying she had shown up as scheduled, we had failed to appear, and now she was obligated to be somewhere else. 

In desperation I pulled Robert aside.  I begged him to go back to the Dining Room and encourage people to please hurry up.  I concluded my statement by saying I really needed his help "because this
woman has an attitude you wouldn't believe."

From the staircase above me, the woman barked at me, "I heard that!"  

OMG!  Where did she come from?

I immediately cringed.  This was terribly embarrassing.  When I spoke to Robert, there was no one in sight.

I had no idea the lady had climbed to the level right over my head! 

I had not spoken in a loud voice, but apparently she had heard every word I said.

What was I supposed to do about my mistake?  I decided to simply continue to take snapshots. 

Besides, if anything, maybe that was something she needed to hear...

Interestingly, from that point on, things seem to magically click.  People started to show up and the lady began to organize them.  I frowned.  Where was she going to put them all?

I noticed the lady had one very clever idea.  She had brought some wooden boxes along for the men to stand on.   Obviously she was still worried about the staircase being able to support the load.  These boxes were a way to create a second level for the men at the top of the staircase.  All six men in the picture are standing on a box.

That second level made a big difference.  Otherwise I am not sure where the extra six men would have been able to fit into the picture.  As she had predicted, even though our women were undeniably slim, the picture did turn out to be a very tight fit. 

What was her word?  "Squishy".  I guess she knew what she was talking about.  Thank goodness for the boxes.  I smiled.  Maybe this lady wasn't so bad after all.

I counted heads.  So we were missing twenty people from the picture. 

Oh well.  Considering how these people had to forgo their desserts to participate, I think getting 70 out of 90 people to make a sacrifice of this magnitude should be considered a minor miracle.

I had expected ten people to skip the picture anyway.  That's about par for the course.  I blamed the extra ten missing people on dessert temptation.  After all, as one person whispered, the desserts were really good that night.  In fact, one woman had specifically told her roommate, "There's no way I am going to skip dessert for a stupid picture!"

Maybe it was a good thing the extra ten people didn't show up. In retrospect, the group picture was so tight I don't know where we would have fit them in.  Besides, if we had all waited for dessert, the ladies' bellies would have swollen. That would have made fitting onto the "squishy staircase" practically impossible.

So in the end the photo shoot worked like a charm. The uncooperative woman heard something she needed to hear, there was barely enough room for everyone and the missing people got their just desserts. 

God has a plan for everything. 

Amen.

 


Rick's Note: As you have read, taking the Group Picture was a huge ordeal.  Consequently many people scattered at the first possible opportunity when we finished. The following people do appear in the Group Picture, but did not stick around to get their individual pictures taken.

Robert Bratton
Alfreda Lewis
Stacy Margules

Anne Fry
Marsha Sprague
Kimberly Gilmore
Rick Elizondo
Mike Manuel
Heather Bell
Paul Broadbent
Shannon Broadbent
Lorraine Cull
Mary Griffith

Donna Kyle
Pat Salinas
Joan Recht
Renita Oko
Millie Cagle
Carolyn Novogradac
Maggi Dodds
 


No Group or Individual Picture  (But it is never too late!  Just email me a photo you like to dance@ssqq.com  or hand me a CD at the studio).

Rhoda Sheskin
Melissa Davis
Linda Ausmus
Martin Hogan
Jim Ruark
Linda Conwell
Mackie Deese
Valerie Baum
Doug White
Patricia Davenport
   
Barcelona 2009 Home Barcelona Day One Barcelona Day Two Isle of Capri Day Three Evil Map of Rome Day Four
Florence and Pisa Day Five Nice and Eze Day Six Marseilles Day Seven Who Went Formal Pictures
Precruise Information Capri - PreC Rome Reborn Florence - PreC  
1 -  THE EVIL MAP OF ROME 2 -  THE ROMAN FORUM 3 -  ROME REBORN 4 -  LOST IN ROME
The Fabulous French Riviera Nice and Eze Monaco Fast Lane Grace Kelly Cote d'Azur
SSQQ Front Page Parties/Calendar Jokes
SSQQ Information Schedule of Classes Writeups
SSQQ Archive Newsletter History of SSQQ