A former cruise ship cabin steward is trying to rebuild his career after an incident during his previous contract resulted in a positive drug test and his dismissal.
According to a letter shared by Filipino cruise community advocate Rinell Banda, the crew member was cleaning a guest cabin when he found an unopened piece of candy. The letter claims he consumed it without knowing that it contained a prohibited substance.
The cabin steward subsequently tested positive during a drug test and was relieved from duty. The name of the cruise line and ship were not disclosed, while the seafarer’s identity was concealed in the publicly shared document.
The incident reportedly brought his shipboard career to an abrupt halt. A positive drug test can have consequences beyond the immediate termination of a contract, potentially affecting a seafarer’s employment record and ability to secure another position within the cruise industry.
Despite what happened, the recommendation describes the former cabin steward as hardworking, respectful and cooperative. It states that he demonstrated dedication, maintained a positive attitude toward colleagues and showed a willingness to learn and improve during his time on board.
The founder of the Facebook community Buhay Sa Cruise Ship, said he wrote the recommendation at the former crew member’s request. He emphasized that supporting the seafarer does not mean dismissing the seriousness of the incident or removing the need for accountability.
Instead, he argued that a single mistake should not necessarily mark the permanent end of someone’s professional ambitions.
“A second chance is not a guarantee of success,” Banda wrote. “It is an opportunity that must be accompanied by accountability, discipline and genuine change.”
Cruise lines maintain strict drug and alcohol policies because shipboard employees work in a safety-sensitive environment. Crew members may be required to respond during fires, evacuations, medical emergencies and other critical situations, making fitness for duty essential.
For the former cabin steward, however, the case is now about whether one incident should define the remainder of his working life or whether he should be allowed to prove himself again.
