| Main information |
| Country: |
Latvia |
| Year: | 2003 |
| Description |
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I was working on Costa Marina, relatively small ship (800 guests) as asst.waitress and then waitress. We were about 2-3 months in Europe (mediterranian and black seas) and 4 months in Caribbic. I’ll try to tell shortly about my experience on the cruise ship. So, as most of you, I wanted to see the world, to earn money, to have fun. I heard that the job is not so easy, but I was never afraid of work. Before going on the cruise ship I was in USA for 6 months working as a waitress too, 2 shifts (10-12 hours a day) sometimes all 7 days a week. I went through interview, did all the docs necessary and 28th of September 2003 got in the plane going to Italy where I had to join (embark) the ship. Well, dont be surprised I remember the date so well, because starting from that day I started to count days of my contract, which was for 7 months. I arrived without problems, and the same evening was already in the Restaurant trying to comprehand what is going on. There was no one who would teach me or explain what to do, I was following the team (2 persons: waiter and asst.waiter) that was working and had no single second to explain me anything. On 4th day I had to work together with that assistant, and after 6 days: all on my own as asst.waitress. It was not easy. When first time I lifted a tray with 9 (normally it’s 12!) plates I was able to carry it till the next station, only about 5 meters, while I had to bring it another 50 meters further. Breaking the glasses, different kind of “uuuups” with customers etc. Well, later I understood that everybody who starts do the same round. But that time I had lots of stress, misunderstandings and feeling that I can never do it. The accommodotaion conditions didnt really bother me, because I was in my cabin only to have a quick shower and fall into a deep sleep without dreams. It took me about 1 month to adapt to work and a ship little bit and to start to look around. I’ll try to discribe conditions a bit. We were living 4 in the cabin (asst.waiters, waiters – 2 in cabin), not too much of space which relates to the ship in general: very small crew area with 30m^2 crew bar and 20m^2 balcony (the only place to inhale fresh air and see the sun). Crew mess (dining room for staff) was giving quite boring and not always tasty food, but this wasnt a problem as we were allowed to bring food from the Restaurant (the kitchen was good). First month I felt as in jail. The only things your life consist of is WORK, WORK, WORK and those few 50m^2 of crew area. First week almost all my free time I went to sleep (tired). The swimming pool, gym and other possible entertainment possibilities for crew didnt exist at all. And then.. I found out how many nice people work in the Restaurant (oooooo, I dont mean management, about this I will tell later), I made good friends and my life became much brighter. We were going out together (yes, free time was about 2 hours in the morning and 2-3 in the afternoon, the rest of the time – from 6.30 till 23.00 - work), making journeys in Spain, Greece, Turkey, Caribbic etc. I found ways how to make my job easier, life more pleasant and free time more effective. After 1,5 month I got promotion to waitress’ position and after another 2 weeks of stress (learning and geeting used to) my life became even better. Once in two weeks I had day off, means free time from10 til 17.00! Several of us, we took a taxi for the whole day and made a trip through the island (in Caribbic). I started to like that life: work was exausting but satisfying, colleagues just the best, every day new places, new colours, new experiences. The only thing getting everybody upset was Management which in Restaurant is called Maitre’D. Italian, about 50, with eyes as x-ray, he could see every your small mistake, every work you did not 100% well or on his opinion not well. If he would tell snow is black the best thing to do is immediately to agree. Because God save you if He wouldnt like you. Maitre’d was a God in the Restaurant. He was distributing jobs, making timetables and could make your life hell in few seconds. There was no one you could appeal to. One girl He didnt like was working 16 hours a day and had no time even to eat. When she came to Maitre’D to ask for some break to eat he told he that she is fat enough to be on diet for a few days! Of course this girl could last more that 2 weeks: disembarked on Own Will. We had 3 Own Will Sign Offs per month (this means person is leaving breaking the contract, paying his tickets himself and loosing bonus money and last salary), in our Restaurant worked 50 persons. Decide yourself if was hard or not. I’ve seen men crying, was of course crying myself many times, many times had thoughts about Sign Off, but... I survived. 7 months. Last month is like a torture. You are counting days, even hours. Well, to summarize: the ship is a survival camp. Swim how you can. You have to be very flexible, with strong nerves and being able to obey even if you thing it’s wrong. If you can adapt you may enjoy it. I, personnally, now, when it’s over, am very happy that I did it: I learned German, earned money, have seen lots of beautiful places (mmmmm...) and have got very good friends. I was flexible and smart enough to have easy life (not many extra duties, good station, good assistant) and I am proud of myself, proud that I MADE IT. I was crying when I was leaving the ship: too many experiences, friends and 7 months of my life (which seemed so unreal without this ship already) to leave behind. You will ask me if I would go back on the ship again.. Well, on the same ship – no. Better ship – yes, I would (better I mean bigger, more money, better system and just management). For next year I have another plans on land, but if I will need money later – yes, maybe, I would go for another contract. No, more exactly, I would like to go J. About the job on ships in general: on the ship you loose the reality, no personal life, no connection to the world, life on land seems so far and becomes unreal. That’s why many people after spending all money earned return for another contract, there, where they feel themselves more comfortable, where life is organized for you and you dont need to worry about anything exept what you are told to do. It’s very personal to choose if you want to have this as profession and way of life. But I am sure it’s worth to try out. See my pictures and you’ll understand. Vita, Costa
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