Settling Yourself Onboard The Ship
So you got the cruise ship job that you’ve always dreamed of. You have already signed the contract and are well on the way boarding the ship. So what you are supposed to do next? Well, it’s now time that you settle in the job.
But, settling in is not as easy as you thought. In fact, getting used to your new job is as tedious as applying for it. However, knowing what to do and expect on your first day can definitely help you begin your work in a relatively good way.
The very first thing that you need to be concerned of is getting there. Since this is a cruise ship that your are going to work with, you can expect that, unless you got a high position on board, the cabin that you are going to isn’t going to be really that large. In some cases, you may even end up sharing it with one or more co-workers. Thus, you need not pack several suitcases full of clothes. All you need are probably around one or two suitcases. Don’t worry about lacking clean clothes to wear for your six month contract, since the ship always offer offer laundry services at a very low price for crew members.
As for supplies of essentials like toothpastes, tissue paper and such other items, you can pack in only a few items and buy the other ones that you need at the ship’s store. Again, there are discounts for crew members. And in case you get bored when off duty, you can also bring in small gadgets like a radio or even a small TV for your use. Cellphones and probably a laptop are a must to keep in touch with the people back home.
Exploring the ship on your first week can be a good way to accustom yourself with your new surroundings. Be sure to remember all the important areas that are relevant to your work, such as the bridge, engine room or the captain’s quarters. Also take note of other places that you might find useful later on, such as the store or the gym. As a standard precautionary, be sure to remember the location of fire exits, extinguishers and other emergency equipment.
Also, during your initial work tour, better get to know all the working procedures. The more basic and written ones are usually explained to you during the orientation. However, you also need to ask other people around to know more of the unwritten rules that might be present in your work.
Your first week is also the time to get along with your co-workers. Since, as have been said before, you will be sharing your cabin with others, you probably want to get to know them first. Also it would be best to set a good rapport with your other co-workers. Chatting with them is an easy way to get their trust. You also need to get along well with your superiors.
Once you have settled in, it is now time to get to work. And of course, working is the hardest part cruise ship jobs. But since you have already laid the groundwork, it is now much easier for you to proceed with your day to day life aboard the cruise ship.
