Here is an attempt to explain one average working day onboard.
Most of the time, after a few hours of sleep, I would wake up with only one question: Why am I still stuck here? Tired of unrealistically long working hours, I dragged myself out of bed.
I got the night off because I was nominated as an employee of the month. You know, that is a big deal because for the crew members every night on the cruise ship is Friday night and every morning is a Monday morning.
The flight from Atlanta to Miami was delayed for a couple of hours. Tired and lonely, I finally got on the plane. Unexpectedly, I sat on my plane seat next to the two FBI agents and two prisoners who were probably transferred to another jail in Florida. I held a small prayer book and my wife and kid's pictures in my sweaty hand.
The bus arrived in front of the hotel, and it was time for a new adventurous departure in the mystery of the blue ocean. The accumulated cruise ship experience helped me remain calm and focused on the upcoming challenges. Maturity and years of cruise ship experience calm me before a storm.
Very often, we get to hear crew members joking about how they're never coming back and that this is their last contract.
How often did we say that while working on the cruise ship? You know this phrase that's it for me; I am done with the ships...I don't want to work on anymore...
It's not easy to work long hours for months, isolated from land, friends, and family. This is what shapes you into the resilient, stronger version of yourself.
Sometimes, people will put limits on us. On land, on cruise ships, and in any environment in this world. Adversity should serve us only as a boost of extra motivation to achieve our goals. When I was 11 years old, we had a school marathon. Many weeks before that marathon, I ran daily at the nearby football stadium to prepare myself for this race. Determined to win and compete with my limits, I worked hard while all my friends used that time to play or watch television.
As crew members, we always find a way to be positive and smile, despite everything happening behind the scenes. Managers onboard the ship must often remember the essential part of their job description- motivating and inspiring their subordinates. Instead, they have a different mindset- when a crew member does a good job, it's only part of their salary package. Generally, people on board don't feel validated and acknowledged for their job.
Part two of the article Improvement of Leadership Skills in the Cruise Industry
After eight months onboard the cruise ship, I felt tired. I was fed up with dealing with obnoxious people. Luckily, I kept myself focused and determined. My goal was to continue the learning process by immersing myself in profound leadership studies. While working on the cruise ship, I often had trouble dealing with my own emotions. Sometimes I was reactive to all non-important things and issues.
