Could I work on a cruise ship??

NO WAY!!!!!!

I spent 10 years working overseas which I absolutely loved, I started working for Virgin when I turned 20 and completed my last five years with Thomson. I worked hard to ensure I was given the best chance of having the first pick of where I wanted to live & work next. I changed destination 2 or 3 times a year and loved every destination I chose. I wanted to travel the world and live in the local villages, cities and towns to get a real feel of what life was like. I didn’t just want to see what the tourists see. I wanted to get to know the people, understand how different cultures and traditions worked, and be part of their world if only for a few months.

After reading our article last week ‘Eighteen Crew Secrets the Cruise Lines Don’t want you to Know’ I can safely say I made the right decision.

Having to share a cabin with up to 3 other members of crew

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I always had my own room, sometimes I lived in All inclusive hotels in a Junior Suite, and in some resorts had my own apartment, and always my own car so could go wherever I wanted.

No official day off – Even though we worked hard we also played hard. I always had one and a half days off a week which I chose to spend crashed out on the beach or many times our suppliers would let us use the attractions for free, swimming with dolphins, theme parks, shows, catamaran trips.

I would hate the fact that I was on a ship pulling into Rio and would maybe get the chance to have a couple of hours to look around, if I liked it I’d want to stay. The great thing about being in resort is that you got to try out all the excursions when you got there so you knew exactly what you were selling. Many places where I worked I often stayed on for an extra week so I could see everything I wanted to see just in case I never returned.

And as for the use of a staff pool which is the size of a postage stamp, I’m afraid I’ve been spoilt by swimming in some of the most beautiful pools around the world. crew-pool-900x600

In Brazil the pools were open till late at night which was fantastic for taking a late night dip whilst it was still warm.

Night swimming in Brazil

I love selling cruises, I think it gives people the chance to get a snippet of many different places in a short space of time but I’m glad I spent my twenty’s travelling the world, living in beautiful locations and meeting fantastic people.