Cruise directors as pastors?

Just back from a wonderful 10-day Western Caribbean from Baltimore on the RCL Grandeur of the Seas. The co-cruise directors, John and Katrina Blair, conducted a Protestant worship service. Is this a first; I had never heard of such a thing.

BTW, Katrina has a license to perform weddings in California. . .

Very nice.

Keith

The co-cruise directors, John and Katrina Blair, conducted a Protestant worship service. Is this a first; I had never heard of such a thing.

Nice. This is much better than the video presentation on the TV that most ships currently use. There used to be real services where believers could gather together and worship.

Thanks for sharing.

DH attends Sunday services on ships when we take cruises. There is usually an officer to lead them. On some of our Princess cruises, it has been the cruise director leading the service.

Not the first time I've heard of it.

Last cruise a passenger was leading them and the Bible study, but he had really come prepared with slides and all sorts of stuff.

There's always a Sunday service when at sea, on P&O ships, taken by the captain, but with other crew members helping with readings etc. There's a peal of bells through the ship a few minutes before.

The service is non-denominational, but is the same as that used by the Royal Navy, roughly Church of England (Episcopalian) in order. The prayers are about travelling by sea, for safety and for the crew and their families. The last hymn is always the Sailor's Hymn- Eternal Father, strong to save.

If there is a visiting priest or leader on board, they can volunteer to say a short address, otherwise the captain might read something or swap an anecdote, or just stick to the written service.

Always well attended.

P&O also employ a minister (not necessarily C of E - it was a Baptist last-but-one time I was on) for Easter and Christmas. Last time round we had a service on deck at dawn on Easter morning.

On Princess, we have seen the Captain and the CD lead the Sunday service

We were on a 9 day with NCL and a casual Sunday service was lead by one of the comedians. He did a good job. We sang some familiar hymns and shared some verses.

On the Coral a couple years ago and John the assistant CD lead the service. He was very good. There were also Bible Studies led by passengers. Just off the Regal a couple of weeks ago but we arrived in FLL Sunday AM so no info on Sunday service.