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Ship
Life
Arriving
at the Cruise Ship and Signing
On
When
you finally arrive at the cruise ship port, it will be an incredible experience to
see this massive ship directly in front of you. When you reach the
gangway, not the gangplank as it is often incorrectly called, you will
have to tell the security officer that you are signing on. This officer
will direct you to the Crew Purser's office. It is here that you will
officially sign on. After handing in your passport, you will have your
picture taken for your crew identification card. You will also be issued
a cabin, a uniform and a lifejacket. You will be informed regarding the
ship's emergency signals and about your designated muster station.
During your contract, you will be required to attend ongoing training
and lifeboat drills.
I
guarantee you will be overwhelmed by the sheer size of the ship. For the
first while, getting lost, turning the wrong corner and opening the
wrong door will be routine. Not only will you have trouble finding your
way, but you will need to appear knowledgeable when passengers ask
directions. I suggest carrying with you a ship deck plan when on
passenger decks. The crew area is located on the lower decks of the
ship. This area looks totally different. It is an incredible maze of
small corridors and narrow stairwells that all look alike. Don't worry;
there are plenty of crew members willing to show you around. Some ships
will provide newly hired crew with deck plans. If you don't have a deck
plan, be prepared to get lost often. It will help to draw yourself a
map, or memorize the route from your cabin to the area where you will be
working and to the mess. Use your after-hours time to explore and
familiarize yourself with the ship. For your safety, learn an escape
route and an alternative route in case of an emergency. You will also
need to know how to get to your assigned lifeboat or life raft. Once you
begin to find your way around the ship, you will truly love your
surroundings. Soon it will feel like home.
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