Cruise Ships Ports and Tips   - An Under and Overview - 

EST: 22,982 words  108 pages  

I first ventured forth to sea in 1992. I was a little intimidated. It took a while to get my 'sea legs'. I recall  jogging on the first day back in port and my equilibrium corrected for motion that wasn't there. I veered straight into a pothole and collapsed! There was a general round of applause from a number of unsympathetic onlookers and I felt a bit foolish. Since then I've learned to get along pretty well having accumulated all together some 7 years on board  (12 ) ships at sea.

I decided it was time to write down a few significant things before they faded from memory and that is how this project was conceived. This effort is now available for Kindle, Barnes and Noble and in the iBookstore.

"The Cruise Industry watched helplessly as several thousand earnest travelers persevered when the luxury cruise experience they purchased ( and expected ) declined into chaos while on board the Carnival Triumph ( Feb 2013 ). Media provided us with imagery of guests sleeping on the outer decks after electricity, kitchen and toilet facilities were lost."     "We have heard that crew on board the Carnival Triumph responded in an amazing fashion. After all, guests always come first. And yet the crew on board suffered the same loss of facilities... no toilets, no electricity and ( as a matter of policy ) no access to the outer decks. So far there has been no comment from any quarter regarding what must have been severe conditions for the crew as well."     "This was not an isolated incident. In November of 2010 the Carnival Splendor lost power off the coast of California in a similar emergency. The Triumph and Splendor were eventually towed into port after several dreadful days of discomfort. There have been other events. Now there is talk of a passenger's bill of rights."

"Most folks are intrigued whenever they learn about your work on a ship at sea! Do you like it? Does it pay well? Doesn't it bother you to be away from home so long? Most non-employees think of cruise ships as a luxuriant party vacation wherein everyone has the time of their lives. They envision themselves strolling beside the lapping shore, peering into the aquamarine waters of some exotic island destination and sipping frozen tropical drinks to the rhythm of a steel drum band while tempted by any number of willing hard bodies with charming accents... and that can sometimes be true if you are a guest."

"Everyone who works on a ship at sea enters into an employment contract... everyone ( even the Captain ). Maybe you decided on a specific ship or perhaps a desirable itinerary. Perhaps one destination is good for you because you're near home. However, your contract states that you will perform your duties wherever the cruise line needs your skill. You're sent where you're needed. It isn't uncommon for a crew member to be shuffled around to more than one vessel as required. At this writing a 6 to 8 month commitment is normal. When necessary your contract may be extended; perhaps due to the time of year, a change of itinerary or lack of personnel. Every ship actually has two crews: one is on board and the other on vacation. Crew rotation happens weekly as dozens of crew are signed off and new crew members come on board."

One favorite quote of mine appears on the helipad of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club and it states: