Yeah, or you could just hire NPCs in a bar, the old fashioned way. (With rum, laughter, singing and a giant headache when they wake up aboard next morning )
Granted, these will cost money but still: in a universe-sim some people have to earn their share to get food on their table. Not everyone is considered a "family member" or "friend in debt" who works for free.
At least that's how I get the +1 game package = +1 NPC aboard.
I know that a second character to try something different is interesting, but just taking the game packs to get unpaid wage slaves?