I always hear people say the would never want to work on cruise ship. It looks like fun to me I was wondering why nobody likes it
Unless you’re an officer you’ll never get to enjoy any of the amenities onboard. If the ship has a regular itinerary you’ll grow board after a couple of months. Other than that your whole day centers around kissing passenger asses.
[QUOTE=“Tim Coon;105830”]I always hear people say the would never want to work on cruise ship. It looks like fun to me I was wondering why nobody likes it[/QUOTE]
12 to 15 hour work days, 7 days a week, no personal space, same dumb questions from pax every day. Oh, and did I mention the low pay?
I’ve always considered myself a people person so I figured a cruise line would be the best combination of that and my affinity for the maritime industry. I was correct that a cruise line would allow for more interaction with people, but since I spent most of my time just cleaning up everyone else’s messes it was far less worth my time than I had expected. Maybe the company I worked for wasn’t the best either but I’ve gotten the feeling that things are not exponentially better elsewhere. More power to you if that’s what you want to do to but I think you’ll find that it’s a lot of unnecessary frustration and the money is hardly worth it.
As a bridge employee of a member of the PVA (Passenger Vessel Association) I can concur with the low pay side of things. But, there are some good reasons too. I’ve always been on small boats (200’ or so) and can’t speak about the large box ships. But, here’s an interesting read about the dark underbelly of the industry. By all accounts a fairly accurate view: http://www.thetruthaboutcruiseships.com/
Guys - Don’t let yourself get played by Tim Coon.
He’s trying to find another angle to promote his usmm.org website and get gullible wannabe’s to send in $37 for a DVD on how to live the dream.
Tim - Who are you really? You want credibility on this site? Then try adding something of value to an on-going thread. Maybe after you demonstrate legitimacy, we’ll feel better about bringing you on board.
[QUOTE=Jetryder223;105875]Guys - Don’t let yourself get played by Tim Coon.
He trying to find another angel to promote his usmm.org website and get gullible wannabe’s to send in $37 for a DVD on how to live the dream.
Tim - Who are you really? You want credibility on this site? Then try adding something of value to an on-going thread. Maybe after you demonstrate legitimacy, we’ll feel better about bringing you on board.[/QUOTE]
True. I didn’t realize it was the same person, that’s how much thought I gave that silly USMM thing. This guy is either a scam artist or so severely amateur he doesn’t even know which way the pointy end of the boat goes. Does gCaptain have a “blacklist” feature? After only two posts this guy is already working towards one.
Yes, go to your profile preferences and look for the ignore function. Type in the screen name, hit enter and done. I have one ignore, Southernborneohioraised - What an impersonator he was.
I dont work for usmm.com Im just a 20 year old looking into becoming a merchant marine and google dosent have much When I looked it up on youtube he was one of the first things I saw But now that found this site I dont really need him
[QUOTE=Tim Coon;105914]I dont work for usmm.com Im just a 20 year old looking into becoming a merchant marine and google dosent have much When I looked it up on youtube he was one of the first things I saw But now that found this site I dont really need him[/QUOTE]
Google can send you in a lot of wrong directions. Keep plugging that search function on this website hard and you’ll quickly come up with the information you need from old threads. Many, many, many souls have been in the very same seat you are now and if your story is true then I applaud you on your courage in joining a noble and storied industry. Depending on where you are from there is probably a union hall at the nearest port. That is exactly the kind of place where you should be asking questions about how to “get your feet wet” in the industry. Google “Seaman’s International Union” or “SIU” and find a location near you. They have an extensive training facility in Maryland that could be right up your alley.
You can also google the six maritime academies in the United States if you think you could bear four more years of college and are interested in becoming an officer. The six academies are: Maine Maritime Academy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, New York Maritime Academy (part of the SUNY system), Texas Maritime Academy (part of the Texas A&M system), California Maritime, and finally Great Lakes Maritime Academy. There is a seventh, the red-headed step child of the bunch, the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, but don’t waste your time with those amateurs. Some are better than others but look at all of them and find out what all this silly boat business is all about.
This is about the most explanation you’re going to get from someone on here because most people hate these threads, since there are so many of them. From this moment the rest is on you. Keep plugging away on the forum search function and be weary of what Google tells you. It can be your best friend or your worst enemy and you might never be able to tell which is which. Come back and let us know when you get a job afloat so we can all have a shot or a beer in your name.
[QUOTE=Tim Coon;105914]I dont work for usmm.com Im just a 20 year old looking into becoming a merchant marine and google dosent have much When I looked it up on youtube he was one of the first things I saw But now that found this site I dont really need him[/QUOTE]
first things first…it’s Merchant MARINER not Merchant MARINE!
second thing…passenger vessels ain’t REAL maritime or merchant marine. It’s a song and dance show for the guests and you’re the cast…just like as Disney World but afloat. You want to learn to be a seaman, get a job on a working vessel like a tug or osv! Oops, forget the learning to be a seaman on an osv…there are no seamen on them just run of the mill slugs with AB tickets!
20 years old and you don’t know SHIT from SHINOLA kid. Mind your manners and be quiet!
Thank you I’ll do that. I wanted to do The siu school but I cant because of my cavities. You have to be in perfect dental heath and I dont want to go to a four year college so the academies aren’t for me. Im going to look for ways to start at an entry level position.
Cruise ships are not ships. They are hotels that happen to float and go places. The question should be turned around to ask: Have you ever wanted to work in a hotel? That properly answers your question one way or another.
Heard a horror story a few years ago from a deckhand on a cruise boat, guess what wonderful things you find and see when they run the “Gay Transgender cruise’s” out of NYC, brings a new meaning to “Coney Island White Fish”…
[QUOTE=Tim Coon;105927]Thank you I’ll do that. I wanted to do The siu school but I cant because of my cavities. You have to be in perfect dental heath and I dont want to go to a four year college so the academies aren’t for me. Im going to look for ways to start at an entry level position.[/QUOTE]
WTF? why don’t you just go and get all those rotten teeth in your head fixed? You from Louisiana? Plenty of free dental work to be had if there is a dentist’s college nearby. You can also use splash zone or redhand for a little owner sweat equity!
You aren’t going to get hired with rotten teeth, companies check that. Why do you think SIU has a clean bill of dental health requirement anyways!?
Are you guys for real? Seafarers Union has a “No Cavities” policy? Do they have a dentist on call to check applicants?
I can see how being layed out for a severe toothache on an extended blue water crossing is bad - but damn.
I guess my New England upbringing has me under the mistaken impression that everyone sees a dentist every 6 months.
[QUOTE=Jetryder223;105952]Are you guys for real? Seafarers Union has a “No Cavities” policy? Do they have a dentist on call to check applicants?
I can see how being layed out for a severe toothache on an extended blue water crossing is bad - but damn.
I guess my New England upbringing has me under the mistaken impression that everyone sees a dentist every 6 months.[/QUOTE]
In my experience, by far the biggest reason we had to put guys ashore and get replacements was dental problems.
[QUOTE=c.captain;105919]20 years old and you don’t know SHIT from SHINOLA kid. Mind your manners and be quiet![/QUOTE]
Let’s rephrase that to ‘Mind your manners, be quiet, LISTEN and LEARN’
btw - Jetryder223 is 19, turning 20 later this month. Expect a lot of tough love from the old timers before being fully accepted . That’s just the way this business works. I try and keep my posts limited to the Scuttlebutt and the Academy categories. I read everything else but I know to keep my distance from those conversations because as C.Captain said - I too don’t know SHIT from SHINOLA. (but I’m learning)
[QUOTE=Jetryder223;105952]Are you guys for real? Seafarers Union has a “No Cavities” policy? Do they have a dentist on call to check applicants?
I can see how being layed out for a severe toothache on an extended blue water crossing is bad - but damn.
I guess my New England upbringing has me under the mistaken impression that everyone sees a dentist every 6 months.[/QUOTE]
Clean bill of dental health is only for acceptance to the UA program.