Luxury Cruising

Have you ever wondered what it’s like working onboard a cruise ship? Below the passenger decks is a entire other world that we rarely see or hear about. Here we give you an chance to locate out what actually goes on down there…

Laura Fletcher, 26, lately returned from her position as shore excursion staff with Norwegian Cruise Lines. She has worked on the Norwegian Star, Spirit and Pearl on itineraries around Alaska and the Caribbean. In our interview, Laura tells us the good, the bad and the ugly of her time onboard.

How did you manage to get a job on a cruise ship?
With wonderful difficulty! I initially applied directly to the cruise lines, but received very little response. I then did a bit more research and decided that NCL was the corporation I wanted to function for, I then applied to an agency in Southampton that dealt with cruise ship placements, and they swiftly discovered a position that was suitable for me.

What was your position onboard?
I worked as component of the shore excursions team, so I was responsible for organizing and selling tours as well as ensuring the trips went smoothly and of course dealing with any difficulties that may possibly arise, which they typically did! My 1st contract was for 5 months in Alaska, followed by a 2 month break, then I flew out and joined the Norwegian Spirit in the Caribbean. My final contract was on the stunning Norwegian Pearl in Mexico.

What had been your first impressions of life onboard?
Boarding the ship for the first time was really daunting, I remember our coach arriving in the Port of Seattle, and seeing the Norwegian Star. It was the 1st cruise ship I had ever seen and initially I just thought about how tiny I felt against the 14 deck ship in front of me!

Once onboard, it was all extremely overwhelming. There was so considerably to take in and learn, ship safety procedures, destinations on the itinerary and tours provided all had to be learned inside out.
Before I left the UK, although everybody said it was tough function, I ought to admit, I thought my expertise would be about seeing the world, the folks I’d meet and some function, in that order.
At this point, the reality of the function kicked in! I think I had underestimated how a lot I would be doing and the responsibility I had taken on.

When the passengers arrived, and the tours began, I started seeing all the locations I had learned about onboard and experienced each and every of the shore excursions 1st hand. After a couple of weeks I had been on every single tour and explored each part of the destination by land, air and sea!

What was your accommodation like?
During my 1st contract, I got lucky and shared my cabin with just 1 other crew member. The cabin was fairly huge, en suite with my own drawers and cupboard space. When I began my second contract, on the Norwegian Spirit, I ended up in a top bunk in a much smaller cabin.

Does the accommodation vary depending on job role?
Yes, whilst all cabins are en suite, they do vary in size and numbers sharing every single cabin. For example, house keeping staff might share a cabin with 4-6 other people, whereas cruise staff get a slightly far better deal and will normally end up sharing with just 4-2 others. All had been comfortable and cabins had been viewed purely for sleeping in.

What happens at meal times?
Meals are accessible to crew at three set times a day, with snacks available in between. Food wasn’t poor, despite the fact that absolutely nothing like the guests had been being served! We would often make the most of the local food when we were on a break and in port, local delicacies and fresh fish beats the crew meals each and every time!

How a lot of days off did you get each week?
None! Crew members work fairly considerably every day of the week with a few hours off here and there. During my little no cost time I would be straight off the ship and into the port, or, if it was a location I had already explored I would use the time to do laundry or just relax. There was also a gym, a pool, games room and a bar for crew to make use of in free of charge time. We made the most of free evenings with crew parties and other fun events organized by crew welfare, this is when we would typically get passengers poking their heads around doors to see where all the enjoyable was truly happening!

What was the hardest portion of your job…?
Without having a doubt, the lengthy hours. It was hard work, but the job itself was wonderful, I had excellent days, when consumers thanked me for recommending great tours, and bad days, which made becoming away from house, buddies and family members so a lot harder. Each cabin had a telephone and we had calling cards, so there had been plenty of opportunities to call home when things weren’t going so good.
Having to remain polite when passengers were rude was also very difficult for me!

…And the very best component?
The locations you get to see! No other job lets you go kayaking in Dominica one day, then sunbathing in Mexico the next. Working and living with a great group of people means you build close relationships with individuals from all over the world.

Were there ever any crew – passenger romances?
No by no means! Any staff caught having a relationship with passengers would have been sacked. Funnily sufficient, it seemed to be the passengers trying their luck with the crew members following a few too numerous cocktails at the 70′s or 80′s party nights!

How did the crew get paid?
Wages were settled via finance and had been paid directly into my bank account back residence. For onboard spending we had crew cards which were linked to our accounts.
Depending on your position, you get paid distinct wages. Those who are in direct contact with passengers will get paid money guidelines in addition to their set wage. The crew who are not involved directly, such as laundry staff, do not get a share of the suggestions, and are on a a lot lower wage. These tend to be crew that can’t speak English to a high sufficient normal. This might appear harsh, but when you think about all food, accommodation and living expenses are taken care of by the cruise line, the income they receive is all theirs to maintain.

What abilities do you think somebody would need to have to do the job?
For my particular role, you surely have to be a men and women person to be able to interact with all distinct kinds of individuals. You have to be extrovert, sociable and know how to have enjoyable! It is also genuinely critical to be responsible searching soon after a group of people who are in a strange country away from property is a big job, so you have to have good leadership skills too.

So next time you go cruising, spare a thought for the “other world” onboard and the outstanding job they do which makes your encounter what it is.