A book for all those who're considering a job on a cruise ship!
When I first came across WanderingEarl’s guide on How To Get A Job on Cruise Ships, I was delighted for 2 reasons: the first being my blogging nickname is the same like his except mine’s Wandering Ying and the second being, my friends could finally stop harassing me on how to get a job on a cruise ship and instead of me sending them long and detailed emails on the application and what to expect out of a cruise ship job contract, I can now get them to buy the book!
Having worked on cruise ships for about 4 years now, I could honestly say, that the guide’s extremely comprehensive and informative. I liked the fact that Derek (Earl) Baron and Liz Aceves had actually listed the cons first before the pros because it clearly outlined what one should expect before applying. Most people would expect it to be working vacation but it isn’t because as much as waking up in a different country may sound glamorous and the perfect job for anyone craving a jet set lifestyle but the constant work, small shoebox size cabins and claustrophobia may actually put one off. However, if the potential applicant continues to read on despite the disadvantages then they are more likely to be a successful applicant who could actually finish their first contract without wanting to jump overboard after their first week. Cruise ship contracts usually fail to highlight the fine print that if should find the work unsuitable for you and would like to break the contract, you have to pay for your own flights home and may not return to working for the specific company again.
The book is written in a very legible way without cruise ship jargons and reader friendly sections. You can definitely get a lot of information about cruise ship positions including the approximate amount of salary depending on the positions, a summary of potential cruise ship companies to select from and the pre-requisite documents that new hires should provide prior to their embarkation.
However, it doesn’t quite explain what happens after you’re hired. The first day for a new hire may differ according to ships and companies but I think there are general situations to draw upon ie: meeting the Chief Crew Steward for the cabin keys, going to the Uniform Store to purchase compulsory costumes, etc which would help a New Hire from getting lost.
Other than that, I think the guide is well-written, useful and very practical. A cruise ship job definitely allows you to travel more and experience a whole new world of fun while working!
I only wished that it was written before I got my own cruise ship job!
