Juna Sebayang’s story is one of hard work, passion, and finding love on cruise ship. He began his career as a waiter on Star Cruises and Dream Cruises, learning the ropes of the cruise industry from the ground up. Over time, he built his skills and knowledge, rising through the ranks to become the Food and Beverage Director on Resorts World One. Now, Juna oversees the ship’s wide-ranging operations that include Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Western, and Indonesian dishes, making sure every guest enjoys a taste of home and adventure.

For Juna, working on cruise ships provided unique opportunities, and he felt right at home in the international environment. One thing that made his life on board even more meaningful was finding love. He met a woman from the Philippines who was also working on the ship, and their relationship grew naturally over the years. At first, they were just colleagues, then close friends, and eventually, a love blossomed between them. “When you see each other every day, help each other, and look out for each other, feelings just grow,” Juna said.

Their relationship has stood the test of time—they dated for ten years and have been married for five. Despite the challenges of life on board and the possibility of being separated onto different ships, Juna and his wife have kept their relationship strong through trust and constant communication. 

“First, we trust each other,” Juna explains. “Second, we communicate every day. A simple message or video call before bed, just to ask if they’ve eaten or to say goodnight, makes all the difference.”
Even when they were assigned to different ships after the pandemic, they didn’t let the distance come between them. With Wi-Fi available on board, Juna makes sure they stay in touch daily, even if it’s just a quick hello or a note about his day.

In his role as Food and Beverage Director, Juna works long hours, but he always finds a way to connect with his wife, showing that love can last even in the busy, unpredictable world of cruising. His story shows that with commitment and small, meaningful actions, a fulfilling career and a strong relationship can go hand in hand, even when life takes you across the sea.