Muster Stations! from Steve Duell

MUSTER STATIONS!

Are Cruise Ships Right For You?

EST: 30,000 words 133 pages

Working on a ship at sea can be a very different 'animal' than the same type of work on land.

My first impression of work on board a ship at sea was frightening. Leaving your home for months at a time? Unknown living conditions. Eating dinner at the same table with total strangers? It isn't easy to trust that the description of your duties on board is accurate or complete. I was more than a little intimidated on my first contract. It took a while to earn my 'sea legs'. Since then I've gotten along pretty well having accumulated all together some 7 years on board (12 ) ships at sea. Those months become a very large bite out of your year. When was the last time you left home for 4 months ( or more )?

Most of us know a bit about ships at sea from watching 'The Love Boat' or the evening news. But take my word for it: the Captain does not go around wearing Bermuda shorts and he won't try to help with your personal problems! I decided it was time to write down a few significant things before they fade and that's the story of this project. Most of the content is useful to prospective new hires. A portion of this content was also published under separate cover. This eBook download is available in the iBookstore, for the Barnes and Noble 'Nook' reader and for Kindle.

"The Cruise Industry has become highly visible. It really is quite astonishing given that only about 5% of the possible target market place has ever actually purchased a cruise. Most of the news reported is negative. Even last February there was an incident on the Holland America line where a crewman used a pass key to enter a guest cabin.

We all 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."

"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."

G A L L E R I E S

"Everyone who works on a ship at sea enters into an employment contract and you will too... everyone ( even Captains ). 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 reads:

“The Sea Loves Only Those Who Fear It”.