Working on a cruise ship - my impressions

[AFC-911]

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

[Dottore]

Cruise ships.

Tommy Bahama clothes.

Cougars.

Mustangs.

[...complete the list...]

[targa911S]

I have worked on ships as a musician. It depends on the line. It runs from a lot of fun to being treated like a slave.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

You can't get CAUGHT messin' with the pax.

Live it up. You only live once.

[911Rob]

Great post Arvin and excellent pics too! Thanks.

I'm sure you'll look back at these memories and be very glad you did this, you seem wise beyond your years?

Cheers,

[Zeke]

Oh yeah.................

[da Vinci Dan]

Originally Posted by Dottore

Cruise ships.

Tommy Bahama clothes.

Cougars.

Mustangs.

[...complete the list...]

ummm... STD's?

[juan ruiz]

I'm glad you enjoy it! but what's wrong with a crew bar full of smoke with no ventilation? or having to share a SMALL very small crew cabin? I hope you had a cabin with your own bathroom!, at least you are free to go soon, some of those people have no choice but to stay there for 20 years.

[bell]

Dude........if you break the rule of screwing around with some cougar passengers.....you'll simply be out of there sooner LOL
Think of it as an adventure, and how much $$ is it going to cost you if you get caught? Weigh the options then play the field

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by targa911S

I have worked on ships as a musician. It depends on the line. It runs from a lot of fun to being treated like a slave.

BTDT, you beat me to it!

[TerryBPP]

I see no reason not to plow every philly on the crew then give them knives to fight each other with! Its international waters of course.

[juan ruiz]

Years ago............... a "cougar lady" left the passenger disco with a few drinks on her, on her way to her cabin she asked for assistance from one of the Filipino crew boys, once they arrived to her cabin she seduced him and inside the cabin both went. Next morning she reported it as a "rape" he went to jail she got 5 Mil.

Got to be VERY carefully on those ships!

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by juan ruiz

Years ago............... a "cougar lady" left the passenger disco with a few drinks on her, on her way to her cabin she asked for assistance from one of the Filipino crew boys, once they arrived to her cabin she seduced him and inside the cabin both went. Next morning she reported it as a "rape" he went to jail she got 5 Mil.

Mighta been my ex-wife...

[LakeCleElum]

Did one cruise - I named the ship:

Trailer Park with a Propeller.......What a low-rent crowd..

.I have heard the different cruise lines cater to various demographics - Would like to know the good ones.....

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Did one cruise - I named the ship:

Trailer Park with a Propeller.......What a low-rent crowd..

.

I've been on her sister ships: "Geriatric Ward with Propeller" and "Bingo Hall with Propeller". Can't recommend either.

[juan ruiz]

I have heard the different cruise lines cater to various demographics - Would like to know the good ones.....

That's correct, each line is after a "Certain Target" the cheaper the cabin the more interesting the people will be.

then theres some luxury cruises https://www.oceaniacruises.com/default.aspx they are expensive but we are talking about the difference between driving a Yugo and a Porsche, from ports of call to service the difference is day and night, BUT a cabin will cost you around $700 @ person per night versus the regular cruise for a "closet" I mean inside cabin which will be $80-$100@night per person.

Believe it or not theres a lot of happy people with the cheaper cruises but then again theres a market for everyone.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Did one cruise - I named the ship:

Trailer Park with a Propeller.......What a low-rent crowd..

.I have heard the different cruise lines cater to various demographics - Would like to know the good ones.....

Don't go with Carnival then. Gawd, that was hell.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by rouxroux

BTDT, you beat me to it!

We were asked for a quote to do a series of "Blues Cruises" . They said they woud feed us and house us and we would share rooms. Well I love my band brothers but I ain't sharing a room with them, and I knew NONE of our wives would let us go on a cruse ship alone. So when I quoted the job, I submitted two bids. One was the band only and the quote was really high. The other was a package deal including spouses and separate rooms for a really low figure. They took the bait and I signed off on the deal. Here's the rub. The band was signed on as crew. However our wives were not and considered guests. Soooo we got all the perks of a guest, but got paid for 3 shows per day. It was a hoot. Most of the crew were from places you can't pronounce, so we were the "American rock & Roll band" and they treated us like we were the friggin Beatles. We were such a hit ( and good boys I might add) they hired us back to do 8 more cruises with the same agreement. We did a private cruise for Radio Shack and it was by far the best one. take 400 people, lock them on a ship with us, give them free booze for a week, and we're gonna own ya real quick!

Then there was the "other" line that made us sleep in the engine room, slid swill under the door and forbid us to talk to anyone or be on deck other than show times. We never worked for them again.

[URY914]

There have been swingers cruises and nude cruises too. Bring your personel protection ie., life vest, sun block, condoms, etc....

[Joe Bob]

Uncle Bill has been an employee of princess lines for over 20 years. He's a comedian and cruise director. He's tole me some stories, Lucy.....

Ship's doc is usually a drunk and pushes antibiotics for the clap and other STDs.....never ever go to sick call......wait till ya get home.....