For the last two months of my first contract as a Bar Waiter during the Antarctica season, I worked in Cafe Bar. It was a mess every day, working from 12 pm till 6 pm. From the moment when I arrive at 12 o'clock in the shift, I spend an hour and a half just clearing up everything from morning tours of coffee and dishes. 

Not long ago P&O cruise ship Oriana was sold to the new China-based Cruise Company Astro Ocean Cruises‬. After the ship was fitted with a new livery and logo during a technical stop-over in Greece the vessel was renamed Piano Land. The new Company has just entered the cruise market but they have strong support from their crew members who know the business due to the fact that most of them are former employees of other major cruise lines.

At Princess Cruises Line from the Bar Department, I was nominated 3 times for Consummate Host of the Month award. 

I met a lot of great people, made a few friends and the passengers were generous with tips. I met two writers and an amazing traveler form Brazil. 

I started a new contract in the fall, terrible heat of summer past me by. Working on an open deck in the sun is not an easy job. All the guests have a nice sunbathing, enjoying; wait on you to deliver water, juice or some alcohol.

One of the things that have always worried me over the past 6 years working on ocean cruise ships is; Will I get my suitcases at the airport and will the company agent welcome me. 

When searching for the best region for a cruise, you have many excellent options. There are tons of archipelagos around the world with stunning islands to visit. The Carribean, Greek and Portugese islands, and much of Southeast Asia are all incredibly beautiful. However, Southeast Asia is, to me, the ideal region for a cruise.

Work in the cruise industry is a wide topic, believe it or not. When deciding that you want to work on board, you should consider the following items. First of all, you need to choose which position you would like to work on board based on your work experience. You must have a minimum A2 level of English proficiency to apply for a lower position and a higher level of English for administrative positions on-board.

For all future crew members interested how to get a job on a cruise ship, and what awaits you once on board, you can find detailed accounts in the book “Living and working on-board a cruise ship” written by a former crew member. The author of the book Tamara Wolf describes her personal experience from the first day of her journey and everything she lived through during her contracts. There is practical advice on how to better handle everything and how to avoid the mistakes that she made.

In the last 12 years, the cruise industry has progressively shifted work-related mindsets related to crew members. This is quite apparent with the story of a girl who became pregnant with her partner while on board a cruise ship and made the decision mutually to continue her pregnancy while completing her contract.