I know who I want to be when I grow up. Not "what" I want to be, who I want to be. I want to be Mama Lou.
Who is Mama Lou? She is HAL's most seasoned Mariner (our passenger loyalty program) with over 5,000 days over the last sixteen years! When her husband passed away seventeen years ago her kids tried to put her in a retirement home, but she was not going to have that; she is a spunky, feisty southern woman! So, instead of moving to a retirement home she sold her house, her furniture, etc, and decided to spend all her time living on a cruise ship! Now, I realize that I sort of already ran away to live on a cruise ship, but I have to do what the company says and go on the ships they tell me to go to. Mama Lou really just lives on board as a passenger.
I don't know a single crew member who doesn't know of and love Mama Lou (even if she has never been on a ship with them). To be honest, I can't imagine it is possible not to love her. She calls everyone "Baaaby" (like a said, a southern lady) and makes each person feel like he is her best friend. My favorite thing about Mama Lou is that she thinks she is crew. She has a name tag that reads "Ambassador" and she basically acts like a Goodwill Ambassador. She talks to all the guests and usually has a line of people waiting to talk to her! I first met her about a year ago when I was a passenger on the Ryndam. She has a uniform collection ranging from the old Bar Steward shirts to an officer's uniform with three stripes. She even bosses the Hotel Manager around and he putty in her hands.
Mama Lou says that she figures this is no more money than a retirement home and she "doesn't want to spend her time with a bunch of old fuddy-duddies waiting to die." As long as she is still healthy enough she wants to see the world and meet people. I really hope to have that much spunk, enthusiasm, and kindness when I am her age!
