Are you really cut out for living and working onboard a cruise ship? Here is a checklist we designed that asks 9 powerful but crucial questions, to determine whether or not you're suitable for life at sea.
Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to determine whether or not you're really cut out for this type of lifestyle. The questions cover 'worst case' scenarios you you can think through how you would cope in each situation. Of course, you may never experience any of these situations, but it's much better to know in advance what you might come up against, so that you're mentally prepared for the life that awaits you.
1. Could you work seven days a week, if necessary? - Of course you'll get time off to visit the many locations your ship will dock at, but there may be occasions where you'll be required to work seven days a week. One things for sure, this ain't no 9-5 job! So if you break into a cold sweat at the very thought, then perhaps this isn't the job for you?
2. Would it bother you if your cabin mate were of a different sexual preference to you? - Cruise lines tend to have a high population of gay staff (men and women) onboard. So, you may well find yourself sharing a cabin with someone of a different sexual preference to you. If the idea of this sends a shudder down your spine, then you need to either get over it quickly, or forget about working on a cruise ship all together.
3. How would you react to being told to start work, at a moments notice? - There can be many occasions when a ship has to change it's itinerary, usually for reasons that are out of the Captains control, including; hurricanes, medical emergencies, safety inspections. And you must be ready and willing to report for duty whenever required, with minimum fuss!
4. Could you be away from your family and friends for six to eight months? - Getting away from everyone and everything can sound very appealing! But be warned, even the toughest can find it hard to adjust at first and most people get homesick.
5. Could you live, work and socialize with your work colleagues 24/7? - This is easier said than done! I'm sure you can imagine that after a few months of living, working and socializing with the same people day-in, day-out, you can start to pick up on one anothers irritating habits and annoying personality traits!
6. Can you deal with fairly strict rules and regulations? - Probably 80% of the rules and regulations onboard cruise ships are in place for safety reasons. Remember you're stranded on a floating vessel, sometimes hundreds of miles away from any land, so safety is the absolute number one priority. For this reason there is a military-like hierarchy of authority that must be respected and obeyed.
7. Could you cope with finding your cabin mate in bed with someone? - With hundreds of male and female crewmembers living and working onboard, it's inevitable that people will meet partners and develop intimate relationships. We're only human, after all! But the problem can be a serious lack of space and privacy and it's likely that at some point your cabin mate (or you) will naturally want some time alone in your cabin with their partner. Again this is part and parcel of real life onboard and if you don't like the idea of this, then perhaps this isn't for you?
8. Can you keep your cool and continue to provide good customer service with often very demanding passengers? - Never forget that the only reason you're onboard is to service the demands and needs of those who are paying your wages - namely the passengers! If they've paid a lot of money for this cruise then they will naturally expect a very high standard of service from the crew, at all times.
9. Could you cope with cramped living conditions for 6-10 months? - You can probably imagine that living in a 12ft x 12ft 'box' with one other person, which also includes your bathroom facilities and two peoples entire worldly goods (clothing, toiletries, etc) to last them 6-10 months - might be 'challenging' at the best of times. And you would be right. But still, you need to be someone who can adapt to these small living quarters and manage without most everyday luxuries you're probably used to.
Now that you've read through these questions, you should realize that life onboard can sometimes take a little time to adjust to. And yes, it's not for everyone. But if after reading this you still think you have what it takes and feel that you could cope with pretty much any of these situations onboard, then you can definitely expect to have a rewarding and life-changing experience during your time at sea.
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