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 Sphere: Related Content