Cruise ships

[Pilot Chris]

I guess I got so Jaded after 11 years on the big ones I struggle to be objective about them anymore! - but I would not mind a couple of months as a comedy bar pianist, provided I had an unlimited drinks tab.

Im with you HolyNougat, in fact jaded would be an understatement after nearly 13 years! I went from Cargo to cruise and my first 15 contracts I swore would be my last, but would always suggest people try it, it's not for everyone though and even reading some comments on here I think that some people don't really understand it (I don't mean that in a nasty way BTW)

[chris]

I got to play the 'piano bar' piano for a few minutes while it was quiet, I'm no good at singing though.

[HolyNougat]

I guess I got so Jaded after 11 years on the big ones I struggle to be objective about them anymore! - but I would not mind a couple of months as a comedy bar pianist, provided I had an unlimited drinks tab.

[chris]

I'd work on one as a shoppy in the tax free drinks shop, that could be a fun 9 months, lots of time to go ashore etc. Would look a bit odd in my discharge book though.

[bobofinga]

Yes - but who would want to work on them?!

People who haven't worked on them before? who fancy a change.

[gadget123]

Yes - but who would want to work on them?!

British officers who haven't got a chance of getting a job in any other sector.

[HolyNougat]

Yes - but who would want to work on them?!

[bobofinga]

Most of the large cruise lines have orders in for new ships , the industry is always expanding. Regardless of recession.

[chris]

The cruise line must be building capacity for fleet expansion, had forgotten that.

[gadget123]

Thanks for the advice guys, sort of what I was expecting really. Not what I wanted to do really but its better than nothing and might be more fun than containers.

[gadget123]

On the grapevine, Ive heard that a major cruise line with uk departures has so many in house trained junior deck officers that theyre being paid to stay home as standby crew, not getting the trips in, so it seems strange if they are recruiting for this role too.

Well there certainly are vacancies around for junior deckies.

It seems that it is the only sector to even consider recently qualified cadets.

[Bulman]

Although a lot of then are losing ETO's left right bad centre....

[Chiefy]

but it's in the planning......they are also building new ships, so need the bodies soon ish, plus churn and promotions (to fillnew builds) they are just getting ahead of the game

[chris]

On the grapevine, Ive heard that a major cruise line with uk departures has so many in house trained junior deck officers that theyre being paid to stay home as standby crew, not getting the trips in, so it seems strange if they are recruiting for this role too.

[Clanky]

Be aware that there will be a lot of people on board who do not have the same level of responsibility as you do and who may only be on board for a season to have a laugh and see a bit of the World. It is very easy to look at how they flaunt the rules and think that it is acceptable to do the same. It's not.

Situations which would be dealt with by a quiet word on a cargo ship are often escslated to formal disciplinary action on cruise ships as with so many crew onboard discipline needs to be much more tightly controlled.

The only bit of the Bible which I have ever found to be relevant says "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks" Apparently they used to put pricks along the front of ox carts to stop the ox from kicking the cart. Oxen are not noted for their intelligence, but even they eventually figured out not to kick the cart. I have sailed with a lot of pricks on cruise ships and it took me a long time to learn that it just wasn't worth kicking against them.