Cruise Ship Jobs: Why Training is Important

Posted on 25 January, 2020 by admin

Cruise Ship Jobs: Why Training is Important
Cruise ship jobs entail skills quite different from those required for similar shore-based jobs. With thousands of people in a relatively small space so far away from emergency services on shore, understanding passenger behaviour and knowing how to react during crises is extremely important.

Most cruise ships have their own on-board training programmes to ensure you are familiar with their in-house practices. However, some basic training is required before you take on cruise ship jobs.

One of the fundamental training programmes required is STCW – Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. This certification offers training in coping with emergencies on board, including fire fighting and preventing fires, personal survival techniques, elementary first aid, and the various personal and social responsibilities you must adhere to while living and working on board.

An STCW certificate is a prerequisite to joining the cruise line, and there are refresher courses to keep your certificates updated with the latest requirements every five years.

On board, each cruise line will have training programmes that orient crew with the specific workings of that particular vessel. You will need to know your way around the ship as soon as possible. Some courses give you information and tips on how to deal with guests in varied situations and what the hierarchy is when escalating a matter.
Emergency drills and safety training on board are the most important programmes cruise ship jobs put you through. These tips stay with you for life and can even assist you in situations back home as well.

Paying attention to on-board cruise ship safety training helps avert disasters, particularly since guests can quickly switch to panic mode. Young children and old people need to be given special attention.

Strictly following the protocol of your cruise line can keep everyone out of harm’s way, with the best chance of survival in case of disasters. Each department ensures that all its personnel are given refresher courses, and are allotted responsibilities that need to be fulfilled in various situations. Training is also provided in handling emergency equipment such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, life boats, hydrants and breathing apparatus if any.
All crew members will need to know the locations of various emergency equipment, where to locate life jackets during emergencies and how to help passengers with putting them on.

Cruise ship companies also hold leadership training to find crew with aptitude to control crowds. This programme teaches employees the right kind of communication to use while helping large numbers of people to safety while maintaining order and keeping them calm.

Such training programmes help cruise ship crew learn how to first stay calm themselves, and then guide others with clear, coherent instructions. Crisis situations can cause tempers to fray and conflicts to arise between passengers. With training, crew members learn how to recognise situations before they escalate and diffuse stressful scenarios to aid the smooth flow of crisis management plans.

Other equally important training programmes on cruise lines include tutorials on using crew devices for communication and information, getting staff oriented with processes and standard operating procedures specific to your line of work, awareness of HESS policies (Health, Environmental, Safety and Security), etc. Some of these, particularly orientation and policies, are often made available to employees before they come on-board for their cruise ship jobs.

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Embarkation and Disembarkation – The Busiest Days On Cruise Ships

Posted on 31 December, 2019 by admin

Embarkation and Disembarkation - The Busiest Days On Cruise Ships
Cruise ship jobs are known to be some of the most demanding out there. But things get even busier during embarkation and disembarkation. These are the days when passengers – often averaging around 3000 on ocean liners – come on board and depart respectively.

Embarkation is the process by which passengers are boarded and given their rooms, while disembarkation is when they are seen off the ship. On cruise ships, both happen on the same day when passengers from one trip leave, the crew make a quick turnaround, and a new set of passengers arrives on board.

It’s a tumultuous time, as guests are typically in a holiday mood and many are relaxed about instructions. All departments must work in harmony, and at full steam, to ensure that everything goes smoothly. The housekeeping department is especially busy.

Typically, guests are expected to have their luggage packed and ready for pick up the night before disembarkation. Many either forget or feel they can manage it by themselves. This can often lead to problems. Luggage picked up the previous night needs to be tagged and sent to appropriate holding areas before being unloaded and separated by zone number in the baggage claim at the terminal.
Many guests will wait until the last minute to leave their cabins, or will delay, causing housekeeping to back up and then work doubly hard to meet cleanliness standards before the new guests embark.

Staff have about four hours or so between disembarkation and embarkation. Within this time, each housekeeper will need to disassemble and assemble their entire section of about 15-21 double-bed cabins, including changing all the bedding, taking out the trash, dusting and vacuuming, washing the bathroom, filling ice trays and buckets and replenishing the mini bar.

They must also ensure that the stationery includes a directory folder with all the ship information, logbook, letters addressed to each passenger, emergency cards and cruise pass cards for each passenger, ID cards for children, and age-appropriate life jackets. In addition, the staff needs to bring the luggage of the new embarking passengers to the correct rooms.

To make it easier to handle the thousands of guests embarking on each ship, cruise companies offer online check-ins and staggered arrivals. This helps with crowd control and also allows the guests to experience shorter wait times.
Cruise ship jobs require staff to be polite, courteous and extremely patient, especially during embarkation and disembarkation. Guests can forget IDs, misplace documents or enter wrong information, despite receiving detailed instructions. Delayed waits can cause many to get upset, which increases the stress on cruise ship staff.

Cruise ship chefs are also under pressure to feed thousands their last meal before disembarkation and the same number of new guests arriving on board. Many who are embarking spend their time eating or enjoying a drink or two before they get settled in. Chefs try and take the opportunity to impress with high quality presentation, and waiters make their presence felt from the get-go so they can earn decent gratuities at the end of the cruise.

Guests requiring wheelchair assistance need to be attended to, while those who have pre-registered for early departures need to be given priority clearance. In addition, staff needs to be on hand at the photo gallery shop for last-minute purchases, as well as at the reception to ensure that all bills are cleared, any irregularities that can be settled immediately are looked after, and gift shop purchases held for safekeeping – such as liquor – are handed back to the guests.

Over time, cruise ship crew learn how to efficiently manage their time, but these crucial days remain the busiest and often the most stressful days on board.

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Arctic Cruise Tourism Unraveled

Posted on 13 December, 2019 by admin

Arctic Cruise Tourism Unraveled
The real distinction today is no longer in opulence but in novelty. For the high rollers, a luxury cruise in gorgeous tropical ports no longer holds much water. Here’s where the uncharted oceans of the Arctic and Antarctic come in.

Climate change is real, and according to experts, the ice-covered landmasses and chilly floes of the polar regions are on borrowed time. The spellbinding views offer what is increasingly known as ‘experiential’ tourism, and cruises to the earth’s wintry edges may be the travellers’ last chance to catch a glimpse of the landscape before it sadly melts away.

International territorial regulations are confusing in these regions and the cost of tickets, though high, are not a deterrent for this sort of cruise-goer. This means that cruise ship jobs on polar routes will probably be increasingly in demand over the next couple of years.

But, this does not mean that polar cruises are basic, expedition-like skeletons with rudimentary upgrades. Cruise-goers can expect Champagne on ice, king-sized beds, indoor pools and other amenities. Crystal Cruises’ Endeavor even features a casino – the only one currently on an expedition ship – with blackjack, slots and roulette.

This isn’t all, Scenic Eclipse and Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine cruises feature helicopters and submarines, which guests can use to scour the gorgeous landscape from the air and underwater. The Arctic Ocean is home to the rare narwhal, the angelic Beluga whale, polar bears, furry harp seals and gigantic humpback and sperm whales.

In the Antarctic Ocean, you can find emperor penguins, Weddell seals and Arctic Terns which migrate each year to their breeding grounds near the North Pole – 40,000kms in just four months. The Arctic land masses are also home to a wide variety of birds, and animals such as the Arctic fox, Arctic hare, Arctic wolf and snowshoe rabbit not found anywhere else in the world. Combined with the stunning and unforgiving landscape, these regions are mesmerising and jaw-dropping. The magical lights of the aurora borealis and aurora australis are also visible clearly in these regions.

Just a month ago, SeaDream announced a cruise that would let passengers get the best of both worlds. Its 88-day trip, that will kick off in 2022, will take them from Ushuaia in Argentina to a tour of the islands of Antarctica before creeping up South America’s eastern coastline. Then it breaks away to cross the Atlantic, headed for stops in Europe including London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Finally, it heads to the Arctic circle to check out the Lofoten islands and the ice-fjords of Svalbard before ending in Longyearbyen.

According to InsideHook, the world can expect polar-class vessels from cruise operators including Seabourn, Abercrombie and Kent, Lindblad Expeditions, Hurtigruten, Crystal Cruises and Quark Expeditions over the next two years. Compared to the US$2000 Caribbean trips, prices here are around US$12000 a pop – the SeaDream cruise ranges anywhere between US$56,536 and US$160,838 per person.

Cruise Industry News suggests 13 expedition ships to launch in 2021, including the ultra-luxury Seabourn Venture which promises kayaks, mountain bikes, Zodiacs for up-close exploration, two six-person submarines, as well as free-flowing Champagne and caviar available round-the-clock.

Cruise Planners admits that passengers look for top-notch service, despite the unpredictability of the harsh environment. They might brave extreme weather to go ice-fishing, glacier hiking and polar diving, but at the end of the day luxury and custom services are expected on the cruise – butler service, gourmet food tastings, spa treatments and saunas.

To offset its contribution to climate change – which is part of the reason why cruise ships of this size are now able to traverse these regions, the Norwegian Coastal Express announced the MS Roald Amundsen which is propelled by environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that allows it to reduce fuel consumption. It features private balconies and outdoor hot tubs with spectacular views, a beautiful observation deck, infinity pool, gym, three restaurants and a science centre at which guests can mingle with the expedition team. Its sister ship MS Fridtjof Nansen should be ready to set sail in 2020.

The latest technologies are helping to diversify the cruise industry, and offering stakeholders including cruise ship chefs with more opportunities.

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How To Deal With Seasickness

Posted on 25 November, 2019 by admin

How To Deal With Seasickness
For those with cruise ships jobs, the sea is their home. This means living on water 24/7 which can disturb the delicate state of balance that your body is used to. This can cause seasickness. But it does not have to be the debilitating feeling that makes you curse the ocean.

First off, you must remember that sea sickness does not affect everyone. Some may not feel it at all, and among those who do, the degrees of sensitivity vary. It’s important to note that large cruise ships are very stable on the high seas and motion is imperceptible.

Symptoms of sea sickness include dizziness, a general feeling of uneasiness and fatigue, headaches, excessive production of saliva, sweating, burping, nausea and vomiting. These can be from mild to serious, depending on the person and the range of motion being felt.

One of the keys to dealing with sea sickness is being able to predict motion – by spotting something on the horizon or looking at land. This might not be possible for people with cruise ships jobs, but other options are certainly available.

If possible, change to a position that makes you feel better – some people prefer lying down with their eyes closed, others prefer standing or sitting. Try getting some air. Go out on deck for some fresh sea breeze, or turn a few air vents or a fan towards you. Make sure you avoid cigarette smoke, engine fumes and activities such as watching television or reading from a book or electronic device as these can increase nausea.

Food is important too. Some people prefer to avoid eating, but a completely empty stomach might not be the best idea. However, it’s best to avoid heavy meals and greasy food as these are hard to digest. Look for light snacks, such as crackers, cereal or fruit. Apples and bananas are known to be great options for dealing with hunger during sea sickness.

One more thing to avoid is drinking alcohol. Some people also prefer to avoid heavily sweetened carbonated beverages, while others find soda, seltzer and ginger ale ease discomfort. It is possible that sweet soda pops which, like coffee, have caffeine can increase dehydration and worsen the symptoms.

That said, it’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you have been sweating and vomiting. Have small sips of water frequently. Alternatively, try chamomile tea, which is said to induce relaxation and relieve feelings of nausea.

There are a number of home remedies that people have found useful. Some of these include sucking on a piece of ginger before running into rough weather at sea or suppressing nausea and neutralising stomach acids by sucking on a slice of lemon.

A 1983 study even showed how B vitamins help ease symptoms of sea sickness. Your options are to either consume vitamin tablets or eat food such as fish, poultry, milk, meat and eggs. But this is a preventive measure and it would be wise to avoid eating these foods if you already feel sick.

All home remedies should be consumed only in consultation with your doctor, as herbals such as ginger or additional vitamins may have effects on medications like blood thinners. That said, people with cruise ships jobs who find sea sickness too tough to handle can always visit the on-board doctor. The shops on board also stock over-the-counter medication that can help.

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Dispelling Common Myths of the Dangers at Sea

Posted on 12 November, 2019 by admin

Dispelling Common Myths of the Dangers at Sea
The vast expanse of the sea can be overwhelming, especially for people like aspiring crew-members who are looking at spending most of their working lives sailing. There are many myths – from folklore or general disinformation – that could cause unnecessary anxiety. Here are a few:

A powerful rip current can drag you out to sea
Rip currents are strong, fast-moving currents that occur on the surface of the water and move directly away from shore. It is true that they are dangerous, but it is certainly untrue that getting caught up in one will land you in the middle of the ocean.
They occur close to shore, and while it may be a bit of swim back, it is possible to get back to safety. The key is to not fight it. The undertow – which is the force that can make you panic – is short. It drags you underwater but throws you back out quickly, so the important thing here is to hold your breath and relax. Always swim perpendicular to the current and away from it, towards the shore. Don’t tire yourself out.
This is an important point to remember for crew-members who spend some time off swimming at the beaches in port.

The deadly Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda triangle is located between Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico, well in cruise ship territory. Disappearing ships and flights gave rise to myths about the existence of an unexplainable force of destruction, with suggestions from alien abductions to magnetic anomalies.
Thousands of ships have safely crossed through the Bermuda Triangle with calm seas and beautiful skies. While it is still uncertain what caused those disappearances, they were likely the result of bad weather, human error or technical failures.

Sharks hunt down humans
These poor creatures have borne the brunt of the effects Hollywood fiction portraying them as serial killers of swimmers. The fact remains that while they are ruthless hunters, humans are not their natural prey.
If they turn up in waters popular with swimmers, it is because we are in their home. Most shark bites occur because sharks are curious and exploring what we are. Since they don’t have hands and have the most sensitive areas at their snout and mouth, they take a nibble.
Sharks are wild animals and must be respected and protected in their environment. Crew-members relaxing at beaches off work should heed any shark warnings and swim calmly since they are attracted to thrashing animals that are most likely wounded.

Urine eases jellyfish stings
Some jellyfish can be deadly, others not so much. But any poisonous jellyfish sting is likely to cause at least irritation, if not painful welts.
Myths abound as to the most effective and immediate pain relief when stung by a far-reaching tentacle. One of these is that urinating on a jellyfish sting, made well-known by popular sitcom Friends, can heal it. The fact is that urine could cause more pain rather than relief.
Instead, it is more effective to wash the area with saltwater – not freshwater, or better still vinegar.

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Cruise Ship Jobs: Laws On The High Seas

Posted on 18 October, 2019 by admin

Cruise Ship Jobs: Laws On The High SeasIt can be very exciting to get on with your cruise ship jobs – you’re in a luxury hotel far away from land and everything seems rosy. But what happens when things go out of hand. If someone commits a crime? There isn’t a police station for miles, and you’d have to swim for it!
On board a cruise ship, things are very different from a perspective of law. Jurisdictions are confusing since you have got people of different nationalities, the ship travelling to and from ports in various countries and in international waters, as well as the flag registration of the ship.
One of the main laws that all ships must adhere to is SOLAS (International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea), an international maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standards for merchant and passenger ships.
These include the number of lifeboats each ship is required to have, types of communication equipment needed for rescues and even certain specifications for ships plying in freezing seas. On cruise ships, one of the most prominent SOLAS requirements is the safety drill. You will need to know this and other safety information as part of your cruise ship jobs.
If your cruise ship job requires you to work with cargo (loading, discharging or securing it) or embarking and disembarking passengers, the law requires that you have certain approved training in passenger safety and cargo safety.
Most cruise ship companies ensure that these requirements are met. But the problem arises with issues such misconduct, assault and theft. There’s no one single rule of law to follow. One online portal offered the example of an alleged rape of a US citizen that took place in international waters on a cruise ship registered in Liberia but docking at Mexico during the voyage. While her case was registered in Los Angeles, she was told that there was nothing that could be done.
This is because the areas of jurisdiction differ and could come in conflict with each other. Internal waters such as ports and bays are governed by that part of the country, down to the state laws (which could differ from national laws in places like the US). Territorial waters stretch out to 12 nautical miles from the coastline and are governed by that particular country.
International waters start from 24 miles out where the ship is ruled by the law of the country whose flag it flies. So if a ship registered in South Africa is sailing 25 miles off the coast of the US, it will be subject to South African law.
In between the 12-24 miles is a contiguous zone which offers the country it is nearest to certain rights with issues such as smuggling drugs and sanitation. It still remains, however, that most cases of alleged misconduct on the part of an employee might take a turn for the worse for the crew member involved. There will be an inquiry during which time the accused can try to clear their name, but to be on the safe side, it is best to avoid situations that could be used against you. For example, skip the elevator that has only one guest in it, ensure the room is empty before cleaning it, and be polite and respectful at all times.
Often, cruise ship companies also take certain measures to protect their interests. Many tickets and cruise ship job contracts will include clauses regarding which countries, states or cities any lawsuits against the companies can be tried.
Most employees on US ships can avail the benefits of the Jones Act when it comes to accidents or fatalities on the job. Guests are governed by other laws. The Jones Act covers everyone from captains and support personnel to entertainers, housekeepers and cruise ship chefs. It helps them receive compensation in case of injury and could include covering medical bills, extended rehabilitation treatments, retraining for transitions to new positions and forms of ‘future damages’.
In all cases, it is important to read your contract carefully before signing it and ask questions if you have doubts. Signing up with reliable recruitment companies such as Kamaxi Overseas Consultancy can help clear any confusion.

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Why Indians are on demand on Cruise Ships

Posted on 18 September, 2019 by admin

Why Indians are on demand on Cruise Ships
The shipping industry looks promising for Indians overall. Employment of Indian nationals in the Merchant Navy grew 35 per cent globally last year, increasing from 22,103 in 2017 to 27,364 in 2018.

But this isn’t simply because the worldwide shipping industry has grown. It is also because Indians – and other South East Asians such as Filipinos – present an enviable employment opportunity for companies.

One of the main reasons that there is a growing demand for Indian cruise ship crew is their knowledge of English. English is the working language on board most cruise ships, partly because it is the language most crew from varying nationalities can understand and also because a significant number of guests come in from English-speaking countries.

Indians are adept at learning language and English is taught rigorously in school from a young age. This gives them an upper hand in the industry.

Cruise ship crew from India are in plenty, lapping up prospective jobs quite quickly. Applications flood in from jobseekers who have heard about employment vacancies from friends and family who already work on cruise ships.
Indians have an excellent reputation in the cruise ship industry, known for being hospitable and hard-working. Many cruise line companies have employment drives or are connected with reputed recruitment companies across the country like Kamaxi Overseas to get honest, loyal jobseekers.

It’s important to note that for many employees from Western countries, cruise jobs form a stop-gap position between careers or gap year experience. The number that sticks around is far fewer when compared with South East Asian jobseekers who mostly tend to look at cruise ship jobs as careers.

Many Indian cruise ship crew start from the bottom and work their way up. They are reputed for being loyal to the cruise line, which increases their demand. Cruise ship companies invest a lot of time and effort in on-board training so staff who keep returning for the next contract are valued.

The long contracts are also quite stressful and demand a serious commitment if the employee is looking at the profession long-term. Cruise ship crew from India and the Philippines are among those noted for their determined nature when it comes to holding down jobs such as these.

It may be tough to admit, but one of the main reasons why Indians are in high demand in the cruise ship industry is the salaries. Cruise ship crew are paid in dollars and the domestic economy is such that, when converted, even the salary of an entry-level job is lucrative.

According to Cruise Ship Jobs by Seamax, a utility cleaner who requires no experience and a basic understanding of English can earn up to US$800 a month. This roughly converts to Rs 56,700 per month, not including gratuities of any kind. Combine this with one’s saving on food, accommodation and transport, and the possibility of putting away a nest egg or supporting one’s entire family increases rapidly. This is certainly difficult to do in developed countries where the cost of living is much higher.

With commitment, dedication and loyalty, cruise ship companies are able to offer Indian employees well-earned increments as well as promotions through the ranks. Given the salaries, Indians are in a better position to stay on and give the job their best. So it’s a win-win situation on both ends.

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Why Clean Cabins are Important

Posted on 30 August, 2019 by admin

Why Clean Cabins are ImportantAs cruise ship crew, you will call your cabin ‘home’ for anywhere between six to eight months, depending on your contract. Based on your position, you will share your cabin – with one person, if you’re lucky, or up to three others. Single cabins are only available to superior officers. And just like your home, you will be required to keep it clean all the time.

Clean cabins play an important part in life on board, sometimes for reasons quite unexpected. Here are a few reasons why cruise ship crew need to clean their cabins.

Safety

On ships, safety comes first. Every cabin – whether a guest stateroom or crew cabin – is required to have certain safety items such as life jackets for every resident. These need to be accessible at all times.
Cabin inspectors do regular check ups and crew will be pulled up if anything is found obstructing access to safety items. Crew are also prohibited from cooking in their cabins as this poses a safety hazard. So any sign of a hot plate or other heating instrument and it could mean trouble. No food is allowed from the mess back to the cabins either. You must eat in the areas designated for the purpose.

To avoid disease

Cleanliness and hygiene is of utmost importance on board a cruise ship. Due to close living quarters, it is extremely easy for contagious diseases to spread rapidly and turn into an epidemic.
It is best to keep any eating or snacking out of cabin areas as this might create problems with your superiors. Even the slightest bit of food could invite cockroaches, flies or even microscopic germs that can cause disease.
Cleaning up after yourself is also important. Remove any food crumbs that may have caught onto your clothes and dispose them properly. Wash your clothes and linen regularly. A clean room is also less likely to trigger any allergies from dust mites.

To stay organised

It might take something to believe this, but putting effort into cleaning your room can make you more organised or efficient with your work. Right off the bat, you will spend less time getting ready for work since everything will already be in place.

You will start to put things away as soon as you are done with them, instead of waiting to clean up at a specific time. This gets transferred, often unknowingly, to your work space, where you will return items to the place you found them in. Everyone doing this helps the ship run like well-oiled machinery.
Illusion of space

A clean room makes your room seem bigger. It is well-known that cruise ship crew cabins are fairly small as space is minimal. With a mess, it will feel smaller and more cramped, which can make people irritable. A neat room will do just the opposite.

Positive mindset

Even as small a chore as making your bed can help you feel uplifted. An Indiana University study showed that clearing up your room can help you organise your thoughts. It can even leave you with feelings of pride and happiness that stem from a sense of accomplishment.

Happy cabin mates

It is the responsibility of all in the room to share the task of cleaning it. If everyone does their bit on time, there is less likely to be conflict over messy spaces. After all, both cabin mates will be pulled up by the inspector if the place is out of order.

You can share responsibility by dividing tasks fairly – each person does a specific set of jobs and swaps with the other every day or week. Or cabin mates sometimes get together and pay another crew member to do it for them.

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Common Illnesses On Cruise Ships

Posted on 29 August, 2019 by admin

Common Illnesses On Cruise ShipsThe last thing anyone wants is to fall sick far away from home and be forced to take leave. Despite high quality cleanliness and care, cruise ship crew need to look out for symptoms of illnesses they can contract on board.

SEA SICKNESS

Motion sickness is all too common for first-timers. Some may never experience it while others may take to it quite badly. Rest assured, the size and itinerary of a cruise ship renders it fairly well-balanced out on the high seas, such that you will rarely feel like you are even away from land.
However, if you do feel dizzy, heavy-headed, nauseous and tired, it could be a sign of sea-sickness. More severe symptoms include vomiting, excessive production of saliva and balance disorder.

ENDEMIC DISEASES

Cruise ships dock at many ports, exposing crew and guests to indigenous germs and viruses. Many, including malaria, yellow fever, cholera and tuberculosis, can spread quickly in confined spaces. Most cruise ships require crew to get themselves checked and vaccinated before they join each time, but there is a risk of a stray guest or two forgetting or intentionally avoiding vaccinations.
Some countries may have a different strain of the virus that is immune to vaccinations, so it’s important to be aware of the endemic diseases in the ports you will be visiting.

NOROVIRUS

This is akin to a bad stomach upset gone horribly wrong. It is caused by a highly contagious bug that leads to vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and muscle pain. The bug is easily transmitted through contaminated food and water, and coming in close contact with a person who has the illness or surfaces they may have infected.
On board cruise ships, norovirus is one of the most dreaded diseases as it travels quickly. The easiest way to avoid infection is to wash your hands and fresh produce thoroughly, cook seafood properly, dispose of bodily fluids carefully and disinfect contaminated areas.

CONJUNCTIVITIS

Pink eye or sore eyes is another common illness on cruise ships. It’s a more common infection for children as they are often not careful about washing their hands before touching their face. But it appears to be more prevalent at sea than on land since salt water in the air and from the spray of the ocean causes us to touch our eyes more often, thereby spreading the germs.
Symptoms include redness and itchiness in the eyes and tearing. You may also find discharge or crusting around the lids when you wake up. It’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible.

SWIMMER’S EAR & SWIMMER’S ITCH

Both of these can be caused by infections in the water. Many cruise ship crew relax by the sea during time off in port, and the sea water may carry parasites that irritate the skin. Sea snails can infect the ocean with parasites that cause rashes and blisters. Swimmer’s itch eventually goes away but can cause up to a week of annoying itchiness.
Swimmer’s ear is caused by parasites in sea water that get deposited inside your ear canal. This can happen when sea water gets trapped in your ear when swimming. If not checked, the infection can even reach your ear canal.

HEART DISEASE

This may not seem like an obvious issue but it is certainly on the rise in nautical jobs. Cruise ship crew are often exposed to long work hours and high stress levels. This, coupled with poor diet and almost no exercise, can lead to cardio-vascular diseases.
It’s important to make time for some sort of relaxation, by way of meditation, exercise, a hobby, etc. and also keep a check on your diet by focusing on clean, wholesome food at least 80 per cent of the time.

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Important Qualities To Succeed In Cruise Ship Jobs

Posted on 27 July, 2019 by admin

Important Qualities To Succeed In Cruise Ship JobsCruise ship jobs require certain capabilities, and not just those pertaining to the technical aspects of the position. To be successful, you will need to work on a number of soft skills. Here are a few qualities that are important when working on a cruise ship.

Team work

Hundreds of people work on board a cruise ship at any given time. And more than 99 per cent will work as part of a team. To be successful at your job and provide efficient service you should be proficient in working well with others. This means learning how to control your anger, being diplomatic when necessary, covering for others if needed, accepting and taking into consideration constructive criticism.

One of the best examples of teamwork is cruise ship chefs jobs. Without the help and skill of everyone from the provisions assistant and line cook to the utility help and waiter, no chef will be able to place a high quality meal before a guest. Everyone works in tandem for the best result.

Perseverance

Persistence can help a great deal in learning skills on board. There may be times when you are placed in a new team or expected to learn a new cuisine on the job. You may make mistakes as you go along, but the key is to keep at it. 

This quality will prove to management that you are a go-getter and that you will not rest until you are perfect at your job. It is a quality they are looking for when promotions open up.

Attention to detail

Cruise vessels follow a certain standard set by the owning company. For example, executive chefs set the menu down to the last detail – how a dish should be made and plated and what the final product should look like. The housekeeping department will have a certain way bed spreads are laid out, where the toiletries are kept and what shapes the towel origami will take.

Making sure everything is perfect is important as it shows consistency of quality to guests. This capability is evident after the first couple of months into your contract when you are used to the process and start doing things mechanically. This is when staff are likely to slip up if they are not careful. So pay attention every time.

Adaptability & flexibility

Working on a cruise ship places a lot of demands on crew. Issues crop up all the time and you should be able to think on your feet. If peaches are getting overripe, cruise ship chefs should be able to whip up a quick dessert to add to the buffet to avoid waste. 

It also means you should be able to work with different types of people with varied personalities and nationalities. Someone is always at the end or beginning of their contract which means that teams get switched up all the time. You should be able to adapt to a new person on your team and perhaps even in your cabin. 

Patience

Working with varied personalities from around the world and in big teams can test your patience. You will need to give new team members extra time to grasp the intricacies of cruise ship jobs and learn the ropes of working on a sailing hotel.

If you are in guest relations positions, you will need to have a lot of patience with guests. You may be asked the same question multiple times a day or have to deal with a rude guest. Keeping your patience will help diffuse the situation and lower the risk of negative feedback for you and your team. 

Time management

Cruise ship jobs also demand excellent time management capabilities. Crew join with prior knowledge of the long hours involved in their position. This proves that time management is vital to completing tasks and perhaps even gaining some extra time to yourself.

Time management involves being proactive and attempting to get the job done perfectly the first time, every time. It means thinking ahead and being prepared for the steps to come, correctly following hygiene and safety rules – particularly in the galley, and reporting to superiors before a situation gets out of hand.

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