It's not easy to work long hours for months, isolated from land, friends, and family. This is what shapes you into the resilient, stronger version of yourself.

Very often, we get to hear crew members joking about how they're never coming back and that this is their last contract.

How often did we say that while working on the cruise ship? You know this phrase that's it for me; I am done with the ships...I don't want to work on anymore...

The bus arrived in front of the hotel, and it was time for a new adventurous departure in the mystery of the blue ocean. The accumulated cruise ship experience helped me remain calm and focused on the upcoming challenges. Maturity and years of cruise ship experience calm me before a storm.

The flight from Atlanta to Miami was delayed for a couple of hours. Tired and lonely, I finally got on the plane. Unexpectedly, I sat on my plane seat next to the two FBI agents and two prisoners who were probably transferred to another jail in Florida. I held a small prayer book and my wife and kid's pictures in my sweaty hand. 

I got the night off because I was nominated as an employee of the month. You know, that is a big deal because for the crew members every night on the cruise ship is Friday night and every morning is a Monday morning. 

Here is an attempt to explain one average working day onboard. 

Most of the time, after a few hours of sleep, I would wake up with only one question: Why am I still stuck here? Tired of unrealistically long working hours, I dragged myself out of bed. 

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a guest happy? The key is to understand the needs of others and always take pride in your job on a cruise ship. Indeed, we live in a society where time is money. Most people work around the clock to ensure their family needs are met. Sometimes, a lucky percentage of people can go on a cruise, capture unforgettable memories with their friends and family, and create a lifetime experience.

There is an enormous amount of pressure that crew members deal with every single day at sea. It is essential to maintain sanity and a clear mindset when working on cruise ships, regardless of the daily difficulties and high-stress levels that life on board the ship inevitably brings.

The key is to stay positive

An interesting story comes from New Zealand, as the country is facing nationwide fresh egg shortages leading suppliers and supermarkets to introduce a temporary limit on the purchase of eggs. Yes, you heard it right. New Zealand is facing egg shortages in the past month as a result of the ban on battery-caged hens which started a week ago. 

Carnival Corporation’s German brand AIDA Cruises announced that the company will implement several benefits for the crew this year, including an increase of the salaries to all shipboard employees by 5%. The pay rise will be carried out in two steps, with the first increase of 2.5% in February 2023, and 2.5% in July 2023. In a letter sent to its crew members, Aida Cruises said that the company employs about 15.000 shipboard personnel, which will see a pay rise in the coming months.