Top Tips for working on board Cruise Ships

 

By Guest writer Bomi H. Patell, CEO of Bompat Recruiters Pvt Ltd

Luxury passenger vessels have always held a kind of fascination in the minds of the young and the old alike. Many people dream of taking a world cruise and others like me, dreamt of working onboard!

With the current scale of expansion of new vessels with ultra modern facilities, ease with which newer Cruise Line Companies are being formulated the world over, the opportunity to work on board is HUGE compared to the 1960's or 1970's!

The world is however awash with information overload and with so many search engines available to source information, much of the content leads to a dead end or a train of costs. So how does one successfully prepare to fulfill that dream of working on board? What is the best advice that you can follow?

If you are a professional with a specific trade your task is easier, as you already know which position you should target to work on board a Cruise Ship. If not, identify you your area of specialization that compliments your skills and experience, then work towards development by looking at the following areas…

1. English is a highly important requirement. If you are weak in the language develop it, if you are strong, fortify it.

2. Learn a Foreign Language. At least the basics! Google is a good place to get your translation instantly. Listen to the radio or a music video. On board the ships, Spanish is the second most important language you are likely come across. Italian and German are also important.

3. Attend a Sea-faring course called STCW 95 and PSF, which are an absolute requirement to have in advance for many Cruise Lines. These courses are available in all major cities of India and the same is true on a global scale. Some of them are approved by the Ministry of Surface Transportation, these should be your choice of completing your courses.

4. Once you have the above courses, the next step is to apply for a Seaman Book or CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate). Home CDS's are preferable, but you could get one with a Bahamas, Panamanian or Marshal Islands. Again addresses and procedures can be found on search engines, to apply for one.

5. Physical fitness is very important. Get into shape. The work is intense and always under a pressurized and confined space environment. Your human body and mind will adapt to this, however you need to simulate the experience wherever possible, get fit and work in confided spaces. You will enjoy the sites, sounds and fragrances of the most beautiful places you'd visit all over the world and that part is for free!

6. Remember whatever or wherever you you worked before, the job at sea has its own set of Rules. Find out about them in advance, so you know what you are getting into. Do not take them lightly and follow them; this way you will be a prepared happy person. Over the years the management of Cruise Ships have figured out how things should be done, so the system is fail proof, hence all you need do is trust and follow it!

7. Complete adherence to Safety procedures is a must. Remember each crew member on board is responsible for not only himself but a set of passengers too. In an emergency the crew member is the one who will guide passengers to safety or keep them away from harm.

8. Discipline at sea is a key factor that must be developed. Self-discipline is a crucial factor for success at sea. Remember, a passenger liner at times can be considered a kind of glorified prison. You have everything that could spoil you, hence your self -discipline levels will be called into effect every step of the way during your life at sea.

Work on board, see the world, develop yourself to be a person of empathy and educate your family about the far out places that they too, have been dreaming off!

Bomi H. Patell
CEO
Bompat Recruiters Pvt Ltd
BRJ Mehmood Chinoy Complex,
404, 4th Floor,
Parklane,
Secunderabad - 500003 (A.P) India.
Tel : 91 40 27721547 / 40021547
Mobile : 91 98480 45299
Email:  bompat@satyam.net.in

How to manage Home Sickness on board

One cold harsh reality of working on board a Cruise Ship is that gut wrenching feeling of missing home. If it’s your first contract on board, try to imagine that you will be a long way from your home in a strange place without any family or friends that you grew up with around you. It is important to consider this reality before attempting to embark on your new Cruise adventure. Failure to do this could result in regret.

SYMPTOMS

Home sickness normally strikes in those quiet moments on board, whereby you could potentially feel a little upset, somewhat lonely and at times even frightened in unfamiliar surroundings trying to get to grips with a new and challenging job. Some people experience a burning emotional feeling rising up inside with the sensation of just wanting to go home no matter what. These are the classic symptoms of Home Sickness, which many in the Cruise Industry attribute to be worse that Sea Sickness. Home Sickness can be discouraging and at the same time depressing, so if you experience the above mentioned symptoms once you embark its important to take immediate action and get control of the situation.

PREVENTATION

An ounce of prevention is always better than cure. With a little advance planning your adventure on board a Cruise Ship will generate unforgettable memories and experiences that you will remember forever. Here are some preventative measures you can take…

• Remember to take photos of family and the people you love to display in your cabin.
• Put pictures of family and loved ones on your Mobile also.
• Bring some sample familiar objects from home that are likely to give you comfort in times of need.
• Create a free GMail (recommended) account to keep in contact with friends and family back home. This will allow you to keep up to date with home news, exchange photos, music or videos to feel connected. Do this in advance and remember to keep the contacts of all your friends online in addition to your Mobile.
• Set up a free Skype account so you can talk to friends and family without cost (apart from Internet connection, which depends on the Ship you work on or the Ports you frequent. Establish in advance a potential a time to call home at least once a week, so you will have something else to look forward to.

CURE

There is no simple or “Silver Bullet” cure to Home Sickness. However there are a number of positive action points you can implement on board to alleviate the feelings and emotions associated with Home Sickness. Here below is the top list of tangible things you can do to make things feel better…

1. Appreciate that if you are experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms you have Home Sickness. Once you have identified the cause of your feeling and emotions, admit it, understand that it’s perfectly normal and start to take action.
2. Have faith in the knowledge that once you become more familiar with your new Shipboard working environment life will start to become easier.
3. Focus your efforts on positive actions that you can take, rather than becoming depressed by dwelling on negatives.
4. Do not question your original choice to work on board. Instead focus your attention on more productive endeavours such as the reality of experiencing travel that many people only dream of. Moreover, whilst you are travelling, you are earning an income which is likely to be far greater than you would ever be able to do at home, so you are making a life for yourself.
5. Note down your disembarkation date in your diary and consider it an important event to look forward to. Look at your Diary just once a week and as you see the weeks pass you will realise that you are getting closer.
6. Try to live in the Now on a day to day basis. Do not dwell too much in the Past or even the Future as the most important thing in our lives in Now.
7. Make new friends on board and talk to them. Express your sincere feelings and emotions, as it will release some stress.
8. Maximise the space in your Cabin however small and make it your own.
9. Write your very own personalised journal to record the highlights of your exciting adventure. Do not be afraid to write down your feelings and emotions.
10. Focus all your energy on positives and solutions. If you think of problems you will get problems. On the contrary if you think of positive outcomes and solutions they will happen. It’s called the “Law of Attraction” and whatever you think will be, so think the best!
11. Remember that “Life is Life” and your Work Life and Private Life are just sub-divisions of life itself. So enjoy whatever you do and fill up your day with a busy work schedule and an active private life, which includes visits ashore however tired you feel, because this will give you a different perspective and new energy.
12. Open your mind to sample new things like learning a new language, participating in any voluntary Training and by speaking to people from other cultures.

Above all cease the moment on board, tae control of the situation and feel safe in the knowledge that Home Sickness in nearly every single case passes with time.

Bon Voyage