Good evening all,
I've just completed my cadetship (19 years old if that means anything) and now I'm looking for my first job as a 4th/3rd engineer. When I first applied for a cadetship I wanted to go deep sea (cargo or cruise) to see the world... But my cadetship was completed on ships which do not leave UK waters, I did 2 weeks on 2 weeks off (or 10 days on 10 days off), I had UK phone and internet signal all the time, I worked 12 on 12 off hours, an engine room watch consisted of two third engineers and a second engineer and a duty chief engineer (plenty of help) and the crew was 50-150 British people. So as you can see, I didn't really have to worry about leaving home/not talking to family/girlfriend etc...
I'm looking at seeing a bit of the world on cruise ships as a) they're accepting newbie 4EO/3EOs right now and b) they have a good crew size like my old ships.
But hopefuly understandably, you would see that I'm pretty aprehensive about going deep sea after my lovely relaxed cadetship... so if you please could answer one of, some of or all of my queries I'd greatly appreciate it.
Here are the questions:
1) Do all cruise ships operate the 4 hours on 8 hours off thing?
2) Will I be assisted on all tasks by a more experienced engineer initially or just left to it?
3) If I wanted to ring or talk (WhatsApp for example) to my girlfriend for 30 minutes everyday, will I be sacrificing my entire wage for the privilege?
4) Would I be restricted to crew areas as a junior officer, or would I be allowed to walk around the ship (enjoying fine foods and fine entertainment) like a free man when I'm not working?
5) I can't find anything about average trip lengths as a junior officer on a cruise ship, I'd assume 12weeks/8weeks but sure I could be wrong, what are your experiences?
6) When my girlfriend says "I'll be happy if you're happy" does it mean she's definitely not gonna be happy when I go ahead and sign a contract? :P
I thank any answerers in advance!
I've just completed my cadetship (19 years old if that means anything) and now I'm looking for my first job as a 4th/3rd engineer. When I first applied for a cadetship I wanted to go deep sea (cargo or cruise) to see the world... But my cadetship was completed on ships which do not leave UK waters, I did 2 weeks on 2 weeks off (or 10 days on 10 days off), I had UK phone and internet signal all the time, I worked 12 on 12 off hours, an engine room watch consisted of two third engineers and a second engineer and a duty chief engineer (plenty of help) and the crew was 50-150 British people. So as you can see, I didn't really have to worry about leaving home/not talking to family/girlfriend etc...
I'm looking at seeing a bit of the world on cruise ships as a) they're accepting newbie 4EO/3EOs right now and b) they have a good crew size like my old ships.
But hopefuly understandably, you would see that I'm pretty aprehensive about going deep sea after my lovely relaxed cadetship... so if you please could answer one of, some of or all of my queries I'd greatly appreciate it.
Here are the questions:
1) Do all cruise ships operate the 4 hours on 8 hours off thing?
2) Will I be assisted on all tasks by a more experienced engineer initially or just left to it?
3) If I wanted to ring or talk (WhatsApp for example) to my girlfriend for 30 minutes everyday, will I be sacrificing my entire wage for the privilege?
4) Would I be restricted to crew areas as a junior officer, or would I be allowed to walk around the ship (enjoying fine foods and fine entertainment) like a free man when I'm not working?
5) I can't find anything about average trip lengths as a junior officer on a cruise ship, I'd assume 12weeks/8weeks but sure I could be wrong, what are your experiences?
6) When my girlfriend says "I'll be happy if you're happy" does it mean she's definitely not gonna be happy when I go ahead and sign a contract? :P
I thank any answerers in advance!

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