Answers To Your Email Droppings:
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December 19, 2011
Dear Mike,
I saw a small add with your contact details, as I was browsing for photography cruise ship jobs. I wanted to ask you what you do? if you worked on a cruise ship and what you now do for a living? I take it it still consists of travel.
Here's where I'm at. I started travelling at 24 years of age, I have just turned 28. I lived and worked in Sydney for 9 months as a photographer, absolutely loved it!! (unfortunatley I cannot go back as I have used my 1 year working visa) I then travelled a little then lived in Thailand as an English Teacher. I came back to the UK down to personal reasons. 2 years have passed now where I have tried a couple of jobs that havn't worked out ie Teacher in South Korea. I have also had seasonal work as a photographer here.
The thing is I have now run out of money, I am back in the UK in a small town where I dont feel right. I always want to travel and i'm trying to look for a way I can combine my work, with my love to travel. I have thought of travel photogrpher, this would be amazing, although there is quite a lot of negative feedback as to how much work is actually out there for travel photographers. I graduated in Photography in 06. As I am becoming so bored and unfullfilled here, I have been thinking of applying for a job as a cruise photographer, the reason being that it seems the closest way round to travelling at the moment with lack of funds, also I can meet new people, gain more photograhy experience and also save money!! which is a main priority right now.
If you could give me a little advice, this would be much appreciated!
I'm just trying to reach out to travellers who have experience on how to travel and earn a living also.
Thank you,
Kind Regards,
Laura
Hi Laura.
I worked onboard for 3 years. It was great. If you want to work onboard cruise ships as a photographer, apply to Image. They are a concession that sends staff to all of the ships they work with, which is basically all the biggest lines in the industry.
Expect to be doing a lot of portraits, not so much travel photography. You will be taking photos of people as they get off the ship, while they eat dinner, on formal night, etc. They work hard and they play hard. Most of the photo staff are from the US, UK, AUS, Europe, and a few from south america and south africa.
Thats all I got.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Wishing you all the best luck in whatever you do.
Cheers,
Mike
November 30, 2011
I have also traveled the whole world, still looking for the disered position on board but too many things have come my way, at the end or I am fired or I quit!. Not a problem starting over again as an entry level in the position I want but where??? That's the problem..... I need to be given an oportunity to show my capabilities, everytime I ask for an oportunity in the desired field, all I hear are nevative answers, or that there are a lot of people applying to that position too... etc, If I knew where can I start as an entry level position in the Excursion Department I 'd love to hear from that. There's a immense potencial in me I would like to share but as I 'm not given the chances I end up as a Waiter.....
Would love hearing an advice form you.
Rodrigo
Here is a tiny bit of advice that could go a long way. Perfect your english. In that small email I saw enough grammatical and spelling errors to tell that you need work to be fluent in understanding guests. Because so much of the job is talking to english speakers you need to have a better than average grasp of the nuances and idiosyncrasies of the language.
Second piece of advice is to find a way in by working for a tour company on land. Better still if is with a tour company that works with a lot of cruise ships. Learn and understand the business and the industry first, then apply for the position you want onboard. With fluent english and a knowledge of the tourism industry you will have a much better chance at shore excursion staff.
Remember, everyone onboard wants that job, thus, to stand out, you need skills that everyone else does not already have. Fluent english and actual tourism experience are exactly that.
Thats all I've got for you.
Good luck.
Mike
October 31, 2011
Hey mike,
I Have read some of your online articles about working on cruise ships. I believe you mentioned that you were working as a broadcast technician If i have the right email. I Will be graduating the program or broadcast system technology at the end of this year and am very interested in working on a cruise ship. If you have any advice or insight about finding jobs it would be much appreciated.
Thanks a lot,
Brett
Start applying 2 months in advance. The process takes a little while. Apply direct to every cruise lines employment or careers page. Thats it. Send a new cover letter to each company and make it specific about why you want to work for them and serve their clients. Eventually, you will be hired. There are at least 15 cruise lines you can apply to, so make the list and get those resumes ready.
When you get onboard, learn everything you can about your broadcast center (BCC) and know how to work you equipment. Positioning satelittes, programming movies, shooting and editing video, just know it all.
OK, here's something I just thought of. The people who last onboard are very hard workers and hard drinkers. You can drink all the booze you like, every day of the week and you will be a loved employee, that is as long as you work hard, even when hungover.
It's a great lifestyle choice for someone fresh out of college, so enjoy it and let me know how you go!
Cheers,
Mike
September 23, 2011
I read your article on how to get fired from a cruise ship: AND i really found it to be VERY accurate indeed. Of course you are missing some of the best.
Let me add a couple for your next issue:
the good'ol go through watert tight doors that must not be opened
and my personal favourite:
"when a customer asks you how it's like to live on a cruise ship... just be honest. Next thing you know he's on his way to the Guest relations desk to get himself a free dinner (and you fired)" happened to... a friend... of a friend... of a friend... yes. ;-)
nice post
-Raul
Thanks for the email.
August 23, 2011
Greetings..
I am writing to apply for a job where I can travel and work any where around the world and I am open to any related job based on my profile as well. I have attached my profile along with this email. Kindly do the needful.
Thank you
Kind regards
Sheldon
Hi Sheldon, I don't hire people. I just offer advice in how to find these jobs yourself. Thanks for your profile info, I have created an account for you on facebook. Your password is: unemployed.
Cheers,
Mike
August 18, 2011
Hey Mike,
I've read your articles about working on cruise ships, they have been really helpful! I do have one question though... My future wife and I both want to work on a cruise ship together. What is the best way to make sure we both get hired on the same ship and is it better for us to be married before we embark on this venture?
Thanks
Rex
--
Cheers,
Rex and Sarah
Hi there. Yes, I have found it does help to be actualy married to get on the same ship as your partner. However it can happen either way deoending on the position you are applying for. The higher ranking position, the more perks you get such as being able to be with your partner.
I also don't suggest working on cruise ships for people who are partnered up. It is not conducive to relationships. Period. A lot of drinking leads to poor decision making and living on ships leads to both. I suggest you find work on some sort of land based work abroad thing, like teaching english.
Mike
August 16, 2011
Hello Mike, i have came across your page, would like to know are you still cruising? I will be going to a job fair on Sept. 28th of 2011. for NCL in Charlotte NC. I understand you are very busy . would like to know how to get on board, or just a foot in the door. so i can get started in this life style. have a great day, hope to hear from you. peace for now. Di
Hi Di, I do try to post these things online for free, so please go to the work section and find the page on working onboard cruise ships for more info. If you still have a specific question, feel free to write back.
Mike
July 3, 2011
My name is Steph, I was wondering if you're on Facebook? If you are, look me up I'd like to follow you if it's alright. Find me.
Hi Steph.
No I'm not on Facebook. I dont have time for facebook. If I may use this time to stand on a soapbox: Facebook is lame. It was fun for about the first year and a half that I knew of it. I was only friends with my actual friends. It was an uncencored forum for us to make rude jokes and keep in touch. Then my outer ring of friends became "friends" with me. Then my work mates, bosses, family and so forth. I then found myself not using FB because I don't want to tarnish my already poor image. And believe me, if you saw half my tagged photos you would agree that my image has been tarnished.
As well, I would like to add I don't approve of how FB forces people to classify, judge and rate their freinds and family. It's not right and it takes relationships out of context. FB is no good and you won't find me there.
For the record, I disabled my FB account and went without it for just over a year before logging back in to delete it permanently. Good bye Facebook and so long Mark Zuckerburg. If you want to know what I am doing, just come to my website.
Mike
P.S. Mark Z, if you want to stay friends contact me.
June 5, 2011
Hi Mike, how are you?
My name is Tomas and I recently landed an interview with NCL for the Broadcast Tech position. I wanted to ask you if you mind giving me a little insight into the interview process. I really really reallyyyy want and need this job, so any help would be immensely appreciated.
I love Travel Droppings by the way, awesome website.
Thank you very much for your time.
Tomas
Hi Tomas,
Congrats on getting an interview. I know things have changed a bit sine I worked for NCL, but here goes. First off, I sent them a copy of my demo reel with my resume, so they knew I was able to shoot and edit video. Then, I had a very short phone interview with the broadcast manager. He then sent me a couple pages of questions to fill out. The questions were about things like using photoshop and Final Cut Pro and basic shooting techniques. Easy stuff.
Then they wanted the medical paperwork so I had to get more forms from them and go to the doctors and get a heap of tests done. Blood tests, chest xray, EKG test, etc. So, I sent that in to the office. At that point I heard nothing for several weeks until they called me on a tuesday and asked me if I could fly out the following afternoon to LA to catch the ship.
The whole process from first sending the initial resume to walking onboard the ship was about 5 months. It often can happen very fast or very slow. One minute your told to keep waiting, the next minute they want you boarding ASAP. Just the nature of the business, so be ready to leave at a moments notice.
Hopefully that helps. Thanks for reading TD.com
Good luck and keep me informed.
Cheers,
Mike
April 10, 2011
Hello Travel Droppings' Team,
I have just found your website. It's more than GREAT! I cannot stop browsing and reading all the articles, tips and more...
THANK YOU FOR THIS FANTASTIC SOURCE OF INFORMATION!!!
Your Fan,
Aleksandra :-)
Wow, glad we finally have a fan. That's awesome. Please tell any friends or family who might be interested in this info. We offer this information free of charge because the people here know how important it can be to have correct information. As well, there are other websites who charge money for this same info, so we appreciate any help you can offer in making this free website more popular.
Maintaining this website is a lot of work so any assistance in getting the word out about these travel jobs is a huge help.
Thanks and enjoy the show!
Mike
March 1, 2011
Hi Mike, my name is Ron. I currently live in Illinois.I was reading your article on cruise ship employment as well as several other subjects. I am trying to find work. I currently work as a CDL driver, but the company I work for is very shady and I think they are going to get me into trouble. The thing is, I love to work and I love to travel. I am however, an ex con. I spent 20 years in prison for something that happened when I was 17 years old. I am 41 now. I have been out of prison for four years and other than traffic tickets, I have had no problems.
I am a good person and I work hard at everything I do. I am wondering if maybe you could help me, or direct me with finding a good career in an industry where I can make a living and effectively use my skills. I am educated, I have an associate degree, and vocational certificates in computer technology and business management.
I do not have family, so travel is no problem for me. Although travel isn't mandatory, I will work hard regardless of where I am or what I am doing.
I would really appreciate your help or your input.
Thank You,
Ronald
Hi Ronald, I will be completely honest, it may be hard to get a job onboard cruise ships with a record like that. Without getting into the specifics, I would guess that it is something big enough to steer a big cruise line away from hiring you. I siggest looking at getting into a union job on a freighter. Go to the shipping companies websites and apply direct to the company. They may hire you.
If that fails, work as a carnie. While it won't get you away from shady employers, it will allow you to eat cotton candy all day for free.
Sorry I couln't be more help so let me offer this advice. Stay positive. Don't stop looking for work. The economy isn't that bad. People are hiring.
Mike
February 8, 2011
Hi Michael,
Love your wit and humor on your "Travel Droppings" site. As a former cruise ship musician, I know exactly what you are talking about, especially the "ten true ways crew get fired from their ship" stuff, it is soo true. With all of your experience and knowledge of the ships, do you know if DCL hires real musicians for the show band? Or are they using pre-recorded tracks, singing and dancing to CD's and putting us live musicians out of work…
Any info about this would be helpful; all I get back in the emails are form letters which basically tell me to submit my information by snail mail to Florida. What do you know?
Eric
Starving Musician
Hi Eric, Yes I am pretty sure they hire real musicians as opposed to those trumpet playing robot musicians that have become so popular in Japan. All I can suggest is you try with other companies. Also talk to an agent. I know a many musicians use agents.
If that doesn't work, try getting a job for Disney World or Land or Disney Hong Kong. They all hire people and English speaking gets jobs. Not Disney Japan, though. It's all talking robots there.
Mike
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