Following text is a part of Cruise Ship Job Veterans’ Interviews
Username: rmpp7a
Country: Croatia
Gender: M
Company: Celebrity Cruises Inc. 1993-2004, 2012-2014 Oceania Cruises.
Position: Busboy, Head Waiter, Maitre D’
What were your expenses going to the cruise ship?
Reply:
It was a special story then … I gave 1.000 DM in Zagreb to ‘Santa Maria’ agency, just to get the chance for an interview.
Later I had to give 1.500 DEM for an air ticket and so-called services, 150 USD for C1/D visa, and medical certificate was 150 DEM.
In Zagreb I got the ”Letter Of Employment” on the basis of which I took a visa and then comes the icing on the cake. Dad of my current wife drove me to Munich. Flight was from Munich to Miami and before the flight, in some tavern, I had to pay 1000 DEM on hands in order to get the ticket. Basically, they ripped me off, but those were very difficult times for unemployed.
Has company helped you to feel welcome at your workplace?
Reply:
Well, to be honest, it was the system ‘that grinds meat’. So called ‘time-card’ and monitoring of working time was non-existent, we had to work up to 18 hours a day. Now it’s a completely different story, there is a ‘group’ that welcomes a brand new crew member, the operating instructions are written in detail. There is ‘Human Resources Department’, Team Development Manager.. All agencies prepare their candidates superbly. Interviews are conducted in Zagreb, everything is transparent and the person just has to show good will, learn the language better and follow the ‘instructions’. Today, to prospective workers all is beautifully served and packed. They work much less (shorter).
Would you like to add something that you consider important?
Reply:
No matter what way you feel when you start working on cruise ship, finish your first contract no matter how hard it is. ‘Leave the door open’.
Do not think that ‘it’s easy money’, use drugs, or gamble because it leads nowhere.
Think carefully how to organize life at home before you leave, pay for the life insurance.
I have been paying all these years sums towards my pension fond in Croatia, so nothing was interrupted when I returned. I think this is now even easier, seaman population has gone thru social reformation.
If you have a partner, go onboard together because separation is very difficult.