Job w/ Holland America

[RobertC313]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am a rising sophomore at Yale University. I decided to take a year leave of absence to do something crazy--like seeing the world. What better what, I thought, than working on a cruise ship (I have traveled on cruises plenty of times before). I recently applied to be a DJ/Emcee for Holland America, a cruise staff position. The job description says that if the Cruise Director were to fall ill, I would be his temporary replacement, so I think it is a pretty high position.

 

I was offered a second interview later this week, and the prospects of landing the job seem favorable--keeping my fingers crossed.

 

My question for this forum is, has anyone worked aboard a HAL ship/or know anyone who has? Any info. would be amazing--crew food, pay compared with other lines, etc.?

 

Wish me luck!!!

[brucory]

If you work in these positions on HAL, the food is the same as for the passengers... Officers etc dine in the LIDO and get their meals from there. One of the best ways to learn about conditions for crew is to book in a haircut at the on board spa. You have 30 mins to ask all the questions you like about ship life..:D :D :D

[whenzuc]

"Sakedad" was actively posting while he was on board the

Eurodam for about a month. He resigned and mentioned this in his postings. He is a CC member, and if you find his postings, and then his profile, you will see that you can instant message him on Yahoo.

I would think that this is the bestperson that you could speak with.

 

Home Page:

 

Let us know what you do...

[LolaWiz]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am a rising sophomore at Yale University. I decided to take a year leave of absence to do something crazy--like seeing the world. What better what, I thought, than working on a cruise ship (I have traveled on cruises plenty of times before). I recently applied to be a DJ/Emcee for Holland America, a cruise staff position. The job description says that if the Cruise Director were to fall ill, I would be his temporary replacement, so I think it is a pretty high position.

 

I was offered a second interview later this week, and the prospects of landing the job seem favorable--keeping my fingers crossed.

 

My question for this forum is, has anyone worked aboard a HAL ship/or know anyone who has? Any info. would be amazing--crew food, pay compared with other lines, etc.?

 

Wish me luck!!!

 

Best of luck to you... May I ask you some questions privately? I have been working on putting together a package to send to HAL for employment as well, but I was hoping you could possibly give me some advice?

 

May I please have your email address... or, could you please email me and I will respond? lolawiz at hotmail dot com.

 

Much thanks and gratitude.

[hammybee]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am a rising sophomore at Yale University. I decided to take a year leave of absence to do something crazy--like seeing the world. What better what, I thought, than working on a cruise ship (I have traveled on cruises plenty of times before).

 

I think there is a world of difference between being a passenger and an employee on a cruise ship.

 

I think you may see some of the world in occasional 4 hour increments. That part of the world may be back to back cruises in the Caribbean or Alaska, where most of the ships sail, most of the time. Only the best and most experienced staff and crew are chosen for the Grand Voyages and the World Cruise.

 

My intent is not to diminish your lust for an adventure and there is no time better for this than now.

 

Remember that part in Private Benjamin where the army recruiter went along with Goldie Hawn's perception that the barracks were like condos? :eek:

[kryos]

I think there is a world of difference between being a passenger and an employee on a cruise ship.

I think it all depends on the job, though. Some positions are downright "cushy" ... like entertainers and cruise staff. They get to leave the ship in almost every port, they have lots of "downtime" during the day, and they are allowed to be in the passenger areas when they are not on duty. Often they will host a dining room table, so they will get to take dinner that night in the dining room rather than the Lido. Also, their accommodations are often nicer. In some cases, they may actually have a very small cabin to themselves, unlike crew that is in the bowels of the ship, often sharing a cabin with two or three others in similar positions.

 

So, while I agree and it is not the same as being a passenger, being on the cruise staff is not so bad. Certainly it's not as bad as the life of waiters, cabin stewards and other such lower positions on the ship. Those poor guys rarely get to leave the ship in port ... and if they do, it's only for a few hours. I wouldn't want that job no matter how good the tips were.

 

But cruise staff and other "staff" people have it fairly good onboard ship. It's just that the hours can be long, especially on sea days when they are needed to run activities from morning til late at night ... but they get to have a lot of fun too ... and plenty of slow times when they can get off the ship and see a bit of the ports.

 

If I were younger, I would have no problem signing on for this type of job.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[sail7seas]

Being emcee or CD on a ship gives privileges not all crew are afforded. We have dined in Pinnacle (the alternative restaurant that costs additional) with Emcee and CD and we were their guests.

 

They are permitted to eat in Lido while much of the crew cannot. Officers can, concessions such as Spa/Hair Salon/Casino.

 

Not to say they have an easy job. They work hard and they seem to enjoy the life. We've become very good friends with three of four CD's and have contact off the ships as well as on.

Good luck with your call back interview. Hope it goes well.

Let us know if we can expect to see you soon aboard a 'dam' ship.

If you are adventuresome, friendly, sociable..... I think it's a great thing to do for a year. Don't expect life to be like that of a guest. You Will be working! :)

 

 

 

[Kolleen]

My daughter is the current stagemanager on the Noordam. This is her first contract and she started at the beginning of May. So far she loves working for HAL. I talk with her by phone, instant messenger with webcam and email.

 

If you would like to privately communicate, please post your email and I can give you a few details of what ship board life is like while working. We had no idea what it would be like before she went, so I understand your anxiety/excitement.

 

We fly out a week from today to see her.

[Krazy Kruizers]

As said -- many don't mind the long hours -- some days seem longer than others, i.e., disembarkation day for one set of passengers and then embarking the next cruise passengers can be a very long day.

 

Good luck to you.

 

Do keep us informed as to what happens.

[LolaWiz]

My daughter is the current stagemanager on the Noordam. This is her first contract and she started at the beginning of May. So far she loves working for HAL. I talk with her by phone, instant messenger with webcam and email.

 

If you would like to privately communicate, please post your email and I can give you a few details of what ship board life is like while working. We had no idea what it would be like before she went, so I understand your anxiety/excitement.

 

We fly out a week from today to see her.

 

I know your post was intended for the Original poster, but could I please give you my email address to give to her? I would love to chat with her a bit.

lolawiz at hotmail dot com.

 

Thank you so much!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I personally think that not everyone is cracked up to work on the ship despite their enjoyment of having a few cruises under their belt. And not all jobs on the ship are the same. Working on the ship does not always guarantee you seeing the world, it depends on where the ship is going and what your position is. Even though you may have a position that you think you can get off in port you may have duties that require you to stay on board. Pay in most cases is far less than on land and you are at work 24/7.

But with that being said, I hope to some day work on the ship as a Future Cruise Consultant. I already work long hours and 6 days a week and even on my evenings off I am still on call to answer questions. I think one needs to go into the postion by not thinking they are traveling the world. You are on board as a crew member to provide a service and the perk is you enjoy being at sea and being rocked to sleep.

[SakeDad]

Well, this is as good a time as any to tell what happened to me. I will NOT use this space to bash anyone but I will let you know why I am no longer with HAL.

I sent my resume to HAL in February and never heard a word from anyone. Then the beginning of June I was called and asked how soon I could get to Venice, Italy to be the Stage Manager for the brand new Eurodam, still being built! Mind you, this was NOT an interview it was a job offer with no interview. The only thing I made sure to say was that I am not a sound/lighting/automation technician, I am a Theatrical Stage Manager and I was assured by two people that that was exactly what they needed. I was called on Saturday and on the ship in Venice by Thursday! They had fired the other Stage Manager for DUI. I had 3 weeks to learn 5 shows and the ways of the ship. It was exhausting but no more so than any other time I do production on a big show. I'm used to it and I'm good at it. All of the shows were up and running very well by the time they needed to be as several people on this board can tell you.

HOWEVER....during this process there was no Cruise Director and the CD is the one that is supposed to give me all the info about shipboard life and how to set things up. I had no support for that. I was told not bring workclothes as I would be given uniforms, those didn't show for several weeks and I had to buy clothes in Venice at my own expense as a result. I was told by one set of people (mainly Stiletto) that I was only to worry about the showroom and shows there. That is what I was told before going as well. But others onboard (Events Manager, HAL corporate) had me in charge of the Lounge Tech, setting up meetings, setting up and breaking down the HAL Cats all over the ship, setting up all the other special events all over the ship, etc...and again, with no support from other management. When the Cruise Director, Shane Michaels, did finally arrive to the ship he had to hit the ground running as well and was shocked to find out I didn't know all the things he was supposed to have told me. Not his fault I didn't know but it was his fault when he never took the time to tell me and occasionally steered me in the wrong direction once he was there.

I had a couple of meetings with the Events Manager about all this and it would get better for a day then something else would happen. Everyday it was something else and the lack of communication and support onboard was astonishing to me. I also saw it shipwide and in many departments. I realized this was not going to get better before it got worse and decided the lack of money, 18 hour days and constantly being blamed for not knowing things others were resposible for telling me just wasn't worth it. I had to actually battle to get off in ports (Alesund was the first time I got off).

I realize that 70% of the problems I had was because it was a new build and there was never anyone there to train me on how to set things up. But when I needed batteries to run the show management seemed shocked. I guess they use solar powered mics on all the other ships.:rolleyes: But things like that that should have been set up long before I ever arrived were the very things I had to set up and got no support in doing so.

I offered to transfer to another Vista ship but they said that wasn't an option so I paid for my own flight home from Copenhagen and have been resting for a week now.

I should also say I got very sick and lost my voice for several days, had a broken big toe as a piano ran over and worked through all of that. I'm not a wimp or complainer but I'm also a professional Stage Manager who knows what to expect in a job and from a company.

Had this only been the job they promised, one where I was only in charge of the theatre and shows and not the rest of the ship I'm sure I'd still be there. But alas that was not my case.

I hope anyone going for a job with any cruise line thoroughly researches it and ends up happier than I did.

Good luck.

[SakeDad]

My daughter is the current stagemanager on the Noordam. This is her first contract and she started at the beginning of May. So far she loves working for HAL. I talk with her by phone, instant messenger with webcam and email.

 

If you would like to privately communicate, please post your email and I can give you a few details of what ship board life is like while working. We had no idea what it would be like before she went, so I understand your anxiety/excitement.

 

We fly out a week from today to see her.

I'm glad her experince has been better than mine was. I actually emailed all the SM's through company email about the problems I was having but only one responded.

Feel free to give her my email as well.

[Rusty]

Some sites to look at. True or NOT true??:

 

http://www.mycruiseshipjob.com/life.htm

 

http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/feature/cruiseshipwork.cfm

 

http://www.escapeartist.com/e_Books/Cruise_Ship_Jobs/Cruise_Ship_Job.html

 

http://www.frugalfun.com/cruiseship.html

 

http://www.cruiseshipjob.com/frequent.htm

[hammybee]

 

I think it all depends on the job, though. Some positions are downright "cushy" ... like entertainers and cruise staff.

 

If I were younger, I would have no problem signing on for this type of job.

 

Blue skies ...--rita

 

"Cushy" is relative term . It's certainly cushy compared to some crew jobs.

 

If I were younger I would probably opt for the Peace Corps or similar type of organization because it would suit me better and it would play better on my resume than working a cruise ship.

 

Having said this, working with the sometimes whacked out general public, on a cruise ship is probably one heck of a learning experience that will have downstream benefits, even if future employers see it as a " cushy" job.

[hammybee]

Not a single experienced Cruise line Stage Manager in the HAL or for that matter, CCL fleet was willing to take on an inaugural cruise. HMMMM.

 

New product roll-outs/store openings , in any business are almost always hair raising adventures. The Banana Boat Song- Day-o ( Daylight comes and I want to go home ) becomes the battle cry. The more frequently a company rolls out a new product or release, the more likely they are to invest in honing a process, based upon previous experiences/ best practices and all that.

 

A company like Starbucks has it down because they were opening a new store some where, almost every week. They invested in a process that worked for them. There are seasoned professionals on hand to implement a consistent process and thus, store openings are not strangers reinventing the wheel, at each and every opening. Having said this, it's still major chaos management.

 

I can only imagine what it's like to be on the inside of a ship inaugural, where indeed, it's all new and the show must go on. What a learning experience for everyone, involved.

 

No doubt, someone passes out " I survived" Tee Shirts.

[SakeDad]

Not a single experienced Cruise line Stage Manager in the HAL or for that matter, CCL fleet was willing to take on an inaugural cruise. HMMMM.

 

New product roll-outs/store openings , in any business are almost always hair raising adventures. The Banana Boat Song- Day-o ( Daylight comes and I want to go home ) becomes the battle cry. The more frequently a company rolls out a new product or release, the more likely they are to invest in honing a process, based upon previous experiences/ best practices and all that.

 

A company like Starbucks has it down because they were opening a new store some where, almost every week. They invested in a process that worked for them. There are seasoned professionals on hand to implement a consistent process and thus, store openings are not strangers reinventing the wheel, at each and every opening. Having said this, it's still major chaos management.

 

I can only imagine what it's like to be on the inside of a ship inaugural, where indeed, it's all new and the show must go on. What a learning experience for everyone, involved.

 

No doubt, someone passes out " I survived" Tee Shirts.

Very true! They called me and one other Stage Manager I know here in Vegas who also has not done ships. And they hired me for the new Signature Class with no interview so that tells you how desperate they were to get ANYONE there! (Luckily they got someone who's actually good and DID get the 5 shows up in 3 weeks!) However, once I gave notice they found someone in Europe on another ship (Z'dam I believe) who came in two days and never asked me any questions about the ship or shows once onboard. In fact, once he was there no one talked to me and I just waited to get off in Copenhagen and be done with it all!

I MUST say though the cast was NOT part of the problem for me. They were always on their game and worked very hard. They also made a point of telling me how much they appreciated me and all I had done for them and that they couldn't believe the way I was treated and they totally understood why I was leaving. That made it all worthwhile as any Stage Manager will tell you we are there for the cast.;)

[hammybee]

 

However, once I gave notice they found someone in Europe on another ship (Z'dam I believe) who came in two days and never asked me any questions about the ship or shows once onboard. In fact, once he was there no one talked to me and I just waited to get off in Copenhagen and be done with it all!

 

It sounds like you did the best you could, under the circumstances and the shows did go on.

 

The culture in most businesses is such that employees, especially management employees, are history the moment notice is given and the next guy walks in the door. It's not personal unless it's happening to you.

 

You will be an even better Stage Manager, going forward because of this experience. Trust me on this one. You are now ready to "Walk with Dinosaurs".

[SakeDad]

Thanks, Hammybee! You're right! I learned some very valuable lessons, some as Stage Manager and some just as a human, that I take with me.:D Now that I can "walk with dinosaurs" can I play with a big stick too?;) I will say I never took anything personal, but I also knew personally and professionally what I WOULDN'T take, and I think that's even more important to know when taking a job of any kind, much less one where you'll be stuck in the middle of an ocean!:eek:

[hammybee]

More personalities than dinosaurs ....what do you think?

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFjwgge3SoM&feature=related

[Wild Thing ~T]

Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic pictures with us SakeDad. :D

 

I am so sorry to here about your experience onboard. Good luck with your future endeavures, maybe we will see you in Vegas!!:D

[midgecruiser]

Hi SakeDad,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have been very interested in what happened for you to walk away from the Edam and I must say I am not surprised with the explanation. I do believe that there is a real disconnect between "Corporate" in Seattle and the reality of ship life. The hiring issue is a problem as well as the training that SHOULD take place but does not because of lack of proper staffing. I do believe that the industry has changed and long term employment on ships is just not the norm anymore. Which was even stated recently in "Captain Alberts" web blog. Many reasons for this. I think low pay as well as unrealistic job expectations as well as very long hours to get those unrealistic job expectations taken care of are not conducive to long term employment. I do believe that "Corporate" is oblivious as to what really takes place on board in terms of what is expected of their employees. Why they don't have a team of knowledgeable staff that train new hires and float to ALL the ships to get the new hires up to speed as to what they need to know to be successful in their new job is beyond me. Right now I really think fuel cost is dominating the focus of all areas at this point since it is affecting the bottom line more than anything right now. But, at some point the focus needs to return to quality and for the quality to be maintained Cooperate really needs to look harder at hiring and TRAINING quality people and being competitive with salaries to attract quality people. Cooperate mangers need to know what it is to work on a ship and what it takes to run a department. They also need to be able to send the same to a ship to train new hires if they expect that employee to be effective (IE: profitable). JMO....

 

Wendy

[SakeDad]

I agree with everything you said Wendy. It says volumes to me that no one has bothered to call to ask what happened and was there anything any one could have done to fix things.

They actually did have a guy from Seattle onboard but he was only there because they fired the Electrician and he replaced him. While he knew all about HAL and the ways of the ships he had major attitude when helping me. He was actually the "final straw" for me. He sat with me and showed me how to fill out a repair request and told me who to send it to. The next morning I got a response saying I didn't need to do it that way, I could just tell someone and they would do it, which actually made my job easier. So in thanking the guy that corrected me I told him why I had done it and who had told me to (the guy with all the experience!) and the guy that had told me how to do it blew up at me for saying he told me how to do it. Right then I decided it was time to quit.:mad: If the guy that's supposed to show you the ropes can't handle the job and just makes my life harder I don't need to be a part of a company like that. Best decision I ever made was to come home.

Having said that I hope you all can see from my pictures that in no way was the trip total hell or "not worth it", as it was. But I realized the job was not going to get better so I needed to leave while the leaving was good.

[mamaofami]

Nathan, I know how excited you were to be boarding the Eurodam for this position, and I'm really sorry for you that it didn't work out. Sometimes, these things are meant to be and something bigger and better will come along. I'm sorry you won't be aboard since I was looking forward to meeting you.

[Bill S]

Nathan--well, while we were on board, you sure didn't show all the stress that you were under! You were most diplomatic, but I sure can understand your frustrations and don't blame you for deciding to exit out of a bad situation. As you know, we thought all the cast shows, especially the cast shows, and most of the visiting entertainers were wonderful. You did a great job! Welcome home!

Virginia and I hope to see you soon--we've got some pics to share with you!