Hi all,
So, about 5 months ago, I asked you all about whether or not I should take a photographer gig for a cruise ship.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/525852-career-advice-question.html
Well, I took it. While it has good points & bad points, I’m glad I did.
First off, I had no idea what to expect. Never been on a cruise before, so I didn’t know how I would adapt. Seasickness sucks. The crew is a bit blah. All they want to talk about is where you’re from (I was born in the Philippines, just like the majority on the ship), why I haven’t been back, & why I don’t speak the language that much (duh, I’m American).
I despise the crew bar. It’s quite possibly the most depressing place ever. I always went to the passenger bar because the people were simply more fun.
Anyway, despite 70 hour work weeks, I did make it a point to go out and have fun in the ports because I knew I wouldn’t be doing this again. I was lucky as a photog, I got a bit more free time than the rest of the crew…It still wasn’t much. It’s like groundhog day & I’ve never been so burned out in my life.
Another downside (to me anyway), is that there isn’t anything lasting as far as relationships go (whether it’s with crew or passengers). I stayed away from the crew girls because 1) those Filipina chicks are bat **** crazy. They think you’re in a serious relationship after a day & want a ring or babies. Must be the green card effect, because I hear they’d give it up easily for non-Americans.
Speaking of which, it sucks that there was so many rules about what you can & can’t do. The can’t do list includes the passengers. Which especially sucks for me, as I fell for guests about once a month. The thing that sucks about it even more is that I know that I only had very little time to spend with them. I’ve grown to hate the phrase “I wish I met you sooner.” I absolutely hate goodbyes.
The one big surprise I learned on my 4 months here, is that I actually like older women. I’m 28 now, & I have had an absolute blast with middle aged women. Even more surprising is that I would have been willing to have an affair with a woman that’s nearly twice my age (She was smoking though…Very Linda Carter-esque, or so I’m told anyway, I didn’t know who that was).
Another thing that caught my surprise is that I’m more than willing to hit on women who are either engaged or married. Perhaps it’s the loneliness that ship life brings, but I never thought I would do that.
As far as the places I've been, I wasn't too impressed with Mexico. Acapulco was very sketchy. Period. I did like Puerto Vallarta. Cabo was uber touristy.
Alaska is cool, but the towns are tiny. Also, I hate how it's the same jewelry stores in every port.
I had never been on a cruise before, but I highly doubt I will go on one ever. I will make an exception if a really hot woman asks me to go...I do prefer traveling on my own terms. I want to do whatever I want, for however long I want.
So, I've got 35 more days and then I'm outta here!
Anyway, enough talk. Here’s the pics from my time here:
Arvin Charles's Photos - Explore 2010 | Facebook