The first day of May marks international labour day, and this week we will try to focus on the importance of the crew members on the cruise ship. Indeed, we all need essential reminders about the actual value of all seamen around the world. Those brave people are willing to sacrifice their presence to create a better future for their loved ones. 

Here are some reasons why crew members on the ship are the most valuable employees in the world.

Resilience

Working on a cruise ship is not for everyone. Crew members are resilient people; you must be able to survive on board the cruise ship. They know how can fight off adversity, adjust to the difficult and long working schedule, they know how to suppress feelings, and still act professionally despite being lonely at sea. Crew members are the most resilient people in the world; the number of jobs that usually never ends requires the warrior mindset. 

Working on a cruise ship involves many sacrifices; for instance, you are away from your loved one for 7-10 months at a time. Crew members are willing to sacrifice their presence to create a better future for their families back home. Crew members are used to missing out on important family occasions, birthdays, and family events; their mindset is always positive even though work on the ship comes with tremendous pressure. 

Life onboard the cruise ships also has a lot of benefits indeed. Around 1500 crew members on board, simultaneously working like a Swiss clock, provide a memorable experience for our guests. There is no such a working environment elsewhere where you can see so many smileys around. A variety of backgrounds and cultural beliefs, and 70 different nationalities onboard the cruise ship, yet everyone seems happy and dedicated to providing a better life for their families back home.

Upon joining the vessel, the first week onboard is packed with safety meetings and training and is completely overwhelming for any crewmember trying to adjust to ship life. Even for the experienced seaman, it can be way too stressful. Our working hours are different whether it is a sea or port day. Frankly speaking, sea days are never-ending.

The cruise ship company owners, all the people sitting on the comfortable sofa in their air-conditioned offices, are only concerned about profits, increasing revenues, and reaching enormous targets. They become increasingly greedy, money never enough, and they want bigger and bigger ships, often at the expense of underpaid crew members. That's all about it. Who cares about the rights of the crew members on the seven seas? Most of the time, crew members do not complain regardless of the complex life circumstances; they still manage to do their daily tasks. Crew members won't say a single word against management because they will be quickly replaced by some of the many people waiting for their jobs if they do so. There is a high turnover rate, but management seemed to be fine with that. Crew members are being replaced like an overworn socks.

During my career at the cruise ships, I have witnessed that some of the best employees left the company only because of one reason: they did not feel acknowledged for the complex and creative work and for the sacrifice they make every day.

Punctuality

Regarding timekeeping, crew members are very efficient and timely organized people. We always think in advance because every minute matters when you work on the ship. For that reason, crew members stand out when it comes to accurate professional timekeeping.

Flexibility. Crew members are very flexible employees. The reason for that is simple: when you work on the cruise ship, you are expected to adjust to the ship's culture and work with people from more than 70 other nationalities. When I started working on the ship, I instantly realized that nobody would adjust to my needs and my perception of work and life in general. I know that only I need to adjust quickly to the intense and multicultural ship culture. That is a must-learned skill, number one in terms of establishing your positive status at work on the ship. You don't have a choice but to be flexible and learn how to adjust your priorities for the team vision and group work achievement. That flexible attitude transformation happened to all of us when we started our careers on the ship. That flexibility becomes a valuable skill that will serve us well in achieving our future career goals. Definitely, crew members are the most flexible employees in the world. 

Determination

I remember my first contract. It's hard to come on the ship for the first time. Millions of rules, instant and intense levels of performance expectations. You are expected to learn millions of new rules and regulations in literally no time. I remember being really close to quitting after just one month on board. It was really hard, no friends, no family, nobody to talk to. Your manager bombards you with expectations of new things to learn. I was struggling and felt empty. I was very close to quitting, resigning, and going home. But then, I remembered the long and exhausting hiring process I went through; I remember all the people who needed my financial support at those times. I could not let them down; no matter how I felt, I had to put my feelings aside. That was my inner motivation, my desire to keep going. I know how you feel if you are a crew member on your very first contract. You are stressed at work, have too many new things, long working hours, a little or no appreciation from your managers. Still, you have to keep strong and determined. Try always to focus on positive things, like how many people you are helping and supporting back home. Definitely, you are their hero. And only that reason itself is more than enough to push you and give you that little wind in the back to keep going. I know it's hard. I know there is a crazy system on the ship, with many distractions, extra jobs, drills, and safety briefings in your time off. But realistically, you have to stay positive and think about good reasons for your employment on the cruise ship. 

In the meantime, remember that hard work always pays off. When your contract is completed, you will be rewarded with one of the best feelings of your life, to experience that beautiful moment on the ship-sign-off date. Keep strong, and keep moving forward. God bless you!