Traveling in Big Brother territory

I was amazed when I read Arthur Frommer’s article about professional photographers using a background photo for pictures aboard his cruise [“A Seafarer’s Cry: Too Vast, Matey!” On a Budget, April 23].

Some of his quotes on mega-cruises are food for thought, especially when taken in light of thoughts previously written by, of all people, George Orwell. Orwell’s essay, “Pleasure Spots,” identified five principles for the future:

* One is never alone.

* One never does anything for oneself.

* One is never within sight of wild vegetation or natural objects of any kind.

* Light and temperature are always artificially regulated.

* One is never out of the sound of artificial music.

Frommer goes on to say, “Still, the constant sensation is that you are part of a crowd ... so totally enclosed without windows in many areas, that you have the feeling you are on land and not at sea.”

CRAIG FOX

Stallion Springs, Calif.