Embarkation - from the Inside
One of the popular spots for the ship's photographers was just inside the embarkation doors on Main Deck or on Restaurant Deck, capturing the moment when a passenger was returning to the ship after an exciting time ashore.
For example, with the passenger able to say “Here's me when I got back from seeing the delights of Copenhagen” he was probably guaranteed a sale when the photographs went up on the sales boards.
These boards were sited at various places on the ship, often in the Restaurant deck lobbies, so passengers could view them when entering or leaving their respective restaurant. This would mean a bit of research to ensure that the photo went on the correct board. There would be little or no point in posting a photograph outside the Sandringham if the passenger(s) dined in the Balmoral!
Other photograph display points would be the forward lobby of Main Deck and the starboard side Garden Lounge, near where the darkroom was sited.
[Left:]
James Loftus, a Master at Arms on the 1966 North Cape Cruise is seen helping a passenger back
aboard at the hatch on the starboard side of the Restaurant Deck.
In the background can be seen the hatchway which is swung open to the right. When closed, this
would have been very securely fastened with 8 large screw fastenings, like giant wing-nuts. The
decorative folding doors seen right foreground would be closed to hide these unsightly things
when Caronia was at sea.
[Photo: Courtesy of Emma Kinsella
from James Loftus’ Album]
One thing that I'd make a point of was checking to see if any of our passengers had been depicted in one of the photos. If they were, then this could be a good welcoming point when they next arrived at their table.
Usually, passengers would be greeted at the restaurant doors and then escorted to their table by the Maître D' or one of the Head Waiters, who would then come back to take their meal order before handing this to us waiters.
However, this wasn't always the case, especially if several passengers came into the restaurant at once. Then the onus was upon us to do the greeting, so mentioning their picture would be a very good ice-breaker for that repast. When serving the same passengers day in and day out on a long cruise, you needed all manner of ways to make them feel welcome.
If you can contribute any information, do please get in touch…
North Cape 
