This is the fourth installment of our new bimonthly column Crews on Cruise, spotlighting the people who work behind the scenes of the world’s most memorable voyages—from bartenders and entertainers to ship captains and expedition leaders.
Tattooing is an age-old seafaring tradition, but if any modern-day cruise line can pull off running a shipboard tattoo parlor, it’s Virgin Voyages.
Known for its edgy, adults-only sailings, Virgin teamed up with veterans from World Famous Tattoo Ink to open a Squid Ink studio on every ship in its fleet. It plans to unveil a fourth shop this fall with the launch of Brilliant Lady, the newest addition to its rock-and-roll flotilla.
“Working with so many world-renowned artists, it’s impossible not to want their art on your body,” says Sokie Macareno Gomez, shop manager of Squid Ink and the crew member charged with running day-to-day operations of the forthcoming studio.
Originally from Baja California, Mexico, Macareno Gomez earned her sea legs working in the food-and-beverage department for Celebrity Cruises. Now on her sixth contract for Virgin, she serves as a liaison between passengers and the tattoo studio’s rotating cast of guest artists. She’s also a professional piercer, fielding requests for everything from tragus studs to nipple rings.
The Squid Ink stable includes more than 150 tattooists whose specialties run the gamut. “Our artists can do a full sleeve in realism, fine line, or trash polka,” says Macareno Gomez. “But they’re not above doing an infinity sign with paw prints either.” Some sailors, as Virgin calls its guests, are such big fans of Sir Richard Branson, they’ve gotten tattoos with the company logo—including one couple aboard the Valiant Lady who asked for matching Virgin Red tatts on their bums.
Inking someone on a swaying vessel doesn’t impact the quality of the work, thankfully. “Artists are so used to people clenching, squirming, and talking [during a session], the movement of the sea doesn’t faze them,” says Macareno Gomez, whose own collection includes a comestibles-themed leg with pictures of tacos, churros, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
We caught up with Macareno Gomez in Kavala, Greece last August to talk about crew karaoke nights, ship morgues, and the memorable passenger interaction that inspired her own ink.
Why did you decide to work on cruise ships?
“After graduating from university, where I studied culinary arts, I didn’t have anything tying me to home, so I was like—f*** it, I’m leaving, I want a twist in my life. I started as a yellow scarf [newbie cook] on Celebrity Cruises; it was back of house, the lowest position in the galley. But because I was fluent in English, I was able to move quickly to a guest-facing position. The hotel director, who is just below the captain on the hotel side, said, ‘Sokie, why are you hiding in the kitchen? I want you to cross-train for restaurant hostess.’ I got two promotions in 10 months on that first contract and had the time of my life.