How I start working on a cruise ship (1)

I was cruising with a friend many times on MSC the Rhapsody, the cruise was going from Genova to Rio de Janeiro long cruises to warm destinations. It was a very old ship, but we had lots and lots of fun. Crossing the equator here was a party by itself and afcourse we were invited to participate, ended up kissing a dead fish, baking flour in your hair, kissing Neptune and being thrown in to the pool.

After these experiences I saw a cruise on the Legend of the Seas from Mombasa (Kenya) to Athens (Greece) and we agreed on taking this cruise in June 2001. The cruise was amazing, landing in Nairobi and a connecting flight to Mombasa was an experience by itself. An airport with wheelbarrows to collect suitcases from the plane. The next day we boarded the beautiful the Legend of the Seas, this ship took us along the coast of Africa through the Suez canal to Egypte. We booked the excursion with the ship to go to the Pyramides of Gizeh. The ship docked in Port Said and the tours were 13 hours and the ship picked us up in Alexandria. It was a long trip with 14 buses in convoy passing the dessert to reach Cairo. This excursion was amazing, a big lunch was part of the tour and a visit to the Egyption Museum including visiting Tutankhamun's treasures. It was a cruise to remember. I think it was then and there, that I decided that I should get a fun job too, cruising all year round, see the most amazing destinations.

When I came back from this cruise, it was meant to be that I saw an advertisement in the newspaper, the hiring agent in Holland was looking for new hires for Royal Caribbean International. Shortly after applying, I was invited for a selection day in Utrecht. To my surprise most Dutch applicants were looking for a job as waiter and I was the only one applying for cruise staff. I had a good chance to observe the cruise staff on my last cruise to see what it was actually like.

Yes, I got hired!!!!! just a medical test and waiting for my Letter of Employment and the fun could begin. I found out that my first ship was going to be the Legend of the seas. The ship where I just got off one month before. It gave me a bit of mixed feelings, but the good news was...this ship is cruising the Royal Journeys, it was going around the world. I joined the ship in Harwich in July 2001.

Tour duty Vigo (Spain)

Excited for what to pack and how the crew that knew me was going to react when I will board. The day arrived that I had to go to Harwich, I took the fast ferry from Hoek van Holland to Harwich in 3 hours I would be across the North Sea waiting for my new adventure. I had to much luggage 70 kg, because a cruise staff needs a lot of outfits: Gala, country, Rock 'n roll, black night. For many occassions you get to wear your own clothes. How did l manage to get my 70 kg carrying arount the port from ferry to the cruise ship. I learned that you only pack what you can carry. Finally I arrived at the terminal, she was there waiting for me. What would they say!!

With my cruise staff colleague at the bow in Glacier Bay (Alaska)