It's 02 a.m. My staff are packed and ready to go. I feel excited about new opportunities to work on the ship—the new company, new challenges, and new opportunities ahead of me.

My friend was going to pick me up in front of my house. It's time to go. You got to do what you got to do, and I was trying to think positively and see the good side of upcoming challenges. Kids were sleeping, and I did. I was ready to sacrifice the time and be away from my family to get the money in return. I felt proud of myself and knew my duty as a father figure in the family.

Before purchasing a particular item on the cruise ship, do a little research about it. Crew members on board the vessel are even entitled to further discounts in some ports of call. Of course, if you are a crew member on board the cruise ship, you are entitled to some jewelry at discounted prices.

Never say this is my last contract... I was one of those people who always used to say: I am done with cruise ships... This lifestyle is not for me... Yet...

The right attitude can open many doors in your life. It also applies in the cruise ship industry, where I have witnessed that people with a great, positive attitude can progress their careers in a much shorter period. 

Among many other qualities that crew members can have, listening is one of the most important. We all have things to say. We all tend to complain, talk, and explain how and why things should be done, but only a few can actively listen. Everyone knows how to talk, but only a few people know how to listen actively. When I say listen, I mean actively listening.

At some point during our contract at sea, we all encountered cranky, bitter colleagues and subordinates onboard ships. More often than not, it is “unpleasant and discomforting” each time you deal with such difficult people. But the fact remains that we time and again, have to face them for our remaining days onboard. Sometimes, the reason is not clear enough if someone decides to dislike you, whereas at other times, despite knowing the reason, you feel there is nothing much you can do about it.

Positive thinking on the cruise ship doesn't mean ignoring life's less pleasant situations, your abusive manager, hectic working schedule, etc. Positive thinking means approaching unpleasantness more positively and productively. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.

While I was working cruise ship, I loved the small ship vibe more than a big ship. That was just my impression, something that I felt. On the small ship, as an employee, I felt more sense of belonging and synergy between the crew members and a more family atmosphere. When I say family atmosphere, yes, you read it correctly. On the seven seas, our fellow colleagues quickly become our extended family; those people usually become close to our hearts forever.

The command aboard the cruise ship MSC Preziosa has made the decision to temporarily close the crew open deck area, sending discontent throughout the onboard community. This move follows a series of safety policy violations by certain individuals, prompting ship authorities to clamp down on access to what is often the only gate to fresh air and sunlight for many crew members – the open deck.