What really goes on with the crew. Behind the scenes look at working on the Cruise Ship.
I worked on ships from 2003- 2004 and again from 2009 to 2012. Along the way I met the most amazing people. Who would have thought, with all of the Nationalities onboard, we always seemed to get along.
This is by far one of the harder jobs I had. It was also the most rewarding.
THE PEOPLE WE MEET AND HOW THEY CHANGE OUR LIVES
Words can’t describe the relationships you build on ships. Picture yourself on a floating city, with the same people for 6-8months at a time with one place to go, the crew bar. It is something that most “land people” never understand, the bond that we call ship family. I think it’s an understanding and mutual respect, I also think we all had that one passion to always talk about, Travel.
I have met people from all over the globe. We talked about our way of life back home, what we thought we would do when we finished working on ships and we talked about our love for adventure.
What do we do when we are not working
Well I would say the one thing we loved to do were the crew activities. Things like Trivia night, day time excursions or the number 1 thing, crew parties. There was always a theme and did we love to dress up.
Always Dressed for the Party
Every month each department would take turns being in charge of crew activities, camp crew (working with kids always had the best). Themed parties were always the highlight and most looked forward to. It was a great way to forget about the long days and just have fun.
Getting off the Ship
Not everyone got this chance. In my position I was able to explore the shore, it was the reason I took it. Some departments were not so lucky with that, I will explain that more later. Getting off the ship was relief. My first week working I was not able to get off and it was horrible. Not going to lie, the first time stepping on land I lasted all of 10 min and went back. I couldn’t understand why the ground felt like it was moving and my brain was telling me go back. But once you got your land and sea legs you couldn’t wait to feel solid ground. Exploring the islands was why I took the job and I made the most of it.
Not All fun and games
It wasn’t always about the white sand beaches or the night time entertainment. Working on ships I would say was my hardest job. Long hours, sleeping in a bunkbed cabin, the size of an average bathroom, with a stranger ( I was LUCKY, I had great cabin mates).
Guests what were never satisfied, a vessel that was in constant motion and working for 6-8 months straight, that’s right no days off unless you had a great director. Lots of training, boat drills, emergency drills, courses, lots and lots of courses. But you made the most of it to travel around and get paid for doing it.
Getting away from the Cafeteria Food.
There was never a big selection of food onboard. Again I was fortunate enough to be staff and I was able to eat in guest areas. But when I got the chance to eat off the ship I took it. Some ships have the Steak House and I will say this, if they have it, GO!!! But I love food and eating at hot spots wherever we were was a treat.
Hierarchy on Ships
There are three tiers on ships. You have the Officers, Staff and Crew. Officers have great cabins, most of the time alone and were male and not to mention, too good for most people. So of course if you were a lady on the ship you would try to “hook up” with one so you could have a great cabin. That’s no joke. Then you have staff. Those made up entertainment and youth staff (me). We were the fun bunch but very clique. Not everyone was that way but yes it did happen. Then you had the crew. Looking back on it now, they were the engine to the ship. They had the hardest jobs, the longest hours and the worst pay.
Why Would you Leave!!!
This is the most asked question since I came back home. I left because of my age. When you get over 30 you are looked at as old and trust me I felt it. Years of long hours, lots of drinking (almost everyday) and trying to keep up with the younger crowd, my body and soul had to move on.
Would I Recommend it?
Yes! I loved it, the friends that I made are for life. The places you see are amazing memories. With that said, you have to really be ready. Ready to leave your family, your way of life and most of all ready to work hard and party harder.
