Make the most of your time on a ship once you are on board. Working on a cruise ship gives you a unique experience where you operate in a dynamic and exciting work environment. It is also a great opportunity to explore different countries and make a few friends, and maybe even family along the way.

Time is a very precious commodity and it is your responsibility to use it wisely, not only while working but during your break as well. Your time on the ship will involve, work, emergency drill exercise, cabin inspection, PH inspection and trainings. Manage your time well, and I assure you, you will achieve success in your contract. And guess what, you still have plenty time to do your own thing. How do you use your time on board?

“It’s not that we have little time, but more that we waste a good deal of it”

Seneca

DO NOT HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON

Get your day started the second the alarm goes off. It’s very tempting… I mean its almost impossible not to hit that snooze button, but do not give in. Just get up, get ready and go. If you start you day sluggish, you might end up sluggish. My advise, if you are a sound sleeper like me, is to get a very annoying wake up alarm. Do not waste your time away – make the most of your time on a ship.

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WORK WHEN YOU ARE AT WORK

Workplace gossip and unnecessary chatter is never a priority. These things will distract you from doing your best work within the specified schedule. The sooner you finish and the better the quality of your work, then the sooner you can take a break. Taking breaks is the highlight of how to make the most of your time on a cruise ship. Well for me at least.

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ATTEND ALL TRAINING SESSIONS

During your first two weeks on board you will have several training sessions. After which, you will have a few more random ones throughout the contract, depending on operational needs. It is in your best interest to attend all training sessions. Make the most of your time on the ship – if you miss trainings, you might face disciplinary action. This requires meetings and hearings and reports, which will just take up more of your free time. For instance, the crew emergency drill. The crew drill involves a simulated incident that requires action by the crew. The Bridge team will guide all crew throughout the exercise.

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KEEP THE CABIN CLEAN (ALL DAY, EVERYDAY)

Every week there is a scheduled crew cabin inspection to assess the cleanliness and tidiness of your cabin. Deep clean the cabin when you first arrive and maintain it throughout your contract. If you clean as you go, then you spend less time having to prepare for the inspection. You save yourself the trouble of having to do last minute cleaning. Some guidelines include:

• empty the garbage daily. Not only before inspection
• no perishable food items (some ships allow prepackaged and factory sealed snacks).
• make the bed
• clean the bathroom, floors and mirrors
• And no ship property should found in your cabin (for example cutlery or cups from he crew mess or guest areas). Basically, keep the cabin neat and tidy.

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PLAN FOR YOUR FREE TIME

When you plan for your free time, you spend less time having to decide what to do with it. Maybe its a rest day. If so, then quickly go to the cabin and rest. If you plan on going ashore, then go. Planning to go to the gym, do not delay. Its efficient to plan your day in segments and follow through. Plan your day well and you will have no time for boredom and loneliness.

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SET YOUR LAUNDRY DAY

This can be a tiresome task if you do not plan it properly. Because there are sometimes hundreds or thousands of crew on board and far fewer number of machines. Again, get to know the ship operations and how the crew members operate. This way, you can plan your laundry day for the most convenient time that requires less trips:

• to and from the laundry…
• running up and down the stairs and corridors checking if the washer or dryer is available…
• checking if the wash cycle is finished…
• seeing if your clothes have been moved by the “laundry fairy”…
• checking if the machine suddenly decides to stop working.

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HAVE A SCHEDULED BED TIME AND STICK TO IT

If you have a static shift, decide on your bed time and stick to it. If the shift changes, then simply adjust. After a long and sometimes hard day’s work, one of the best things you can do for your mind and body is to rest and recharge.

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DRINK RESPONSIBLY

Whether you are a social drinker or you know yourself to stress drink, please know your limits. Some crew claim they over indulge because they are bored. But, as one of my managers once said, if you find time to be bored then you are not working hard enough. You are expected to follow the company’s rules and regulations regarding the Drug and Alcohol Policy. Use of drugs and other controlled substances is strictly prohibited on board. Companies will specify the alcohol limit in the crew handbook or other written material. Random Drug and Alcohol tests are done to ensure that crew members follow the rules. If you fail the tests, you will face disciplinary action, possibly leading to dismissal from the vessel.

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LEAVE THE WI-FI FOR A MINUTE AND GO EXPLORE

You only visit the ports for a specific period throughout the year. So do not waste it, go out and see the world. Even if you have been to the port more times than you can count, there is always something new to try. A new area to explore, a street you missed, a turn you didn’t take, a restaurant you have not tried, an exciting tour etc. Try not to delay with making your visits. Why? You have to be flexible when working on a cruise ship, because you never know when you might be assigned to a different shift or ship.

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READING IS FUNDAMENTAL

Take some time to get familiar with the ship as soon as you embark. This means, read up on the rules and regulations, policies, crew areas (how to find your cabin, alternate routes, laundry location etc), facility opening hours and training material. Read the signs and notice boards to stay informed. It is your responsibility.

When you are informed, you are less likely to spend your time wandering around to find information. Additionally, you are less likely to do the wrong thing, then tell the Captain that you did not know. When you know what to do, how to get around and so on, you make the most of your time on a cruise ship.