Love, Laughter & Lifeboat Drills: Finding Aloha on the S.S. Independence

How many times can one person hear the phrase, "You should really write a book," before they finally sit down and do it?** For this author, the turning point came when she realized her favorite dinner-party anecdotes were officially celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary. By day, she thrives in the corporate world of marketing research and consumer insights, spending her career weaving survey data into compelling narratives for clients. But when the inevitable awkward silences fall over long business dinners, she deploys her ultimate icebreaker: a treasure trove of stories from her wildly entertaining past. *But don't let the corporate day job fool you-this is absolutely not a business book.* Instead, this engaging collection trades the boardroom for the open ocean, offering readers an exclusive, unfiltered backstage pass into the chaotic and captivating world of working on a cruise ship. Long before reality television producers began scripting maritime drama, she and her eccentric shipmates were living the real thing. Now, after a quarter-century of serving as a surefire "party trick" to amuse unsuspecting colleagues, these hilarious, tried-and-true tales are finally being shared with the world. While the names of her former crew members have been cleverly changed to protect the innocent (and to satisfy the lawyers), the vivid descriptions, the laughs, and the unforgettable moments are entirely real. Featuring her husband and a colorful cast of seafaring characters, this book is a nostalgic walk down memory lane for former shipmates and a wildly entertaining journey for everyone else. Whether you are a seasoned sailor or a curious landlubber, prepare for a genuine, humorous sneak peek into a life at sea that no vacation brochure would ever dare print.