(1) How I start working on a cruise ship
Updated: Sep 23
(Updated) "I wrote several blogs about my time working onboard a cruise ship. In these posts, I’ll share how I decided to turn ship life into my career, what daily life was really like as a crew member, and the incredible places I visited along the way. It was a period in my life that created my love for cruising and the sea, a time that truly decided the rest of my life."
My very first cruise experience I got, when I was crossing the transatlantic on the Costa Romantica, sailing from Genoa to Miami. It was the beginning of my passion for cruising.
When I was younger, I went on many cruises together with my friend. One of our most unforgettable journeys was sailing from Genoa to Rio de Janeiro on the MSC Rhapsody. We created so many amazing memories that just four months later, we booked the exact same ship in the opposite direction back to Genoa!
Although the MSC Rhapsody was an older ship, we had an absolute blast onboard. One of the biggest highlights was crossing the equator a milestone always celebrated with a legendary maritime tradition. We were even invited to participate in the ceremony, which involved paying tribute to King Neptune, kissing a dead fish, having flour poured over our hair, and finally getting tossed into the pool!
Years later, when I crossed the equator again aboard the Legend of the Seas, I couldn't help but laugh. The ceremony this time was super mild compared to my wild experience on the MSC Rhapsody, a fun reminder of how every ship brings its own unique flavor to sea traditions!
After all my previous cruise adventures, I came across an incredible itinerary on Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, sailing from Mombasa, Kenya, to Athens, Greece. We didn't have to think twice: this was going to be our next big trip in June 2001.
Getting there was an adventure all on its own. Landing in Nairobi and transferring to Mombasa felt like stepping into another world entirely. I'll never forget seeing luggage being offloaded from the plane using simple wheelbarrows a sight I had certainly never witnessed before!
The following day, we boarded the beautiful Legend of the Seas. The ship took us along the East African coast, through the Suez Canal to Egypt. One of the ultimate highlights of the cruise was an excursion to the Pyramids of Giza. We docked in Port Said for an excursion that lasted no less than 13 hours. While we were on our way, the ship actually sailed ahead to Alexandria to pick us up later that day! Traveling in a convoy of 14 buses, we crossed the desert toward Cairo a journey that was an adventure in itself. Visiting the pyramids was a true bucket-list experience. Out in the desert, locals tried to persuade us to ride their camels. However, our tour guide strongly advised against it, warning us that tourists were sometimes taken further into the desert and asked for extra money just to be brought back safely!
The excursion also included a well-organized lunch at a hotel, followed by a visit to the Egyptian Museum, where we saw the treasures of Tutankhamun, an unforgettable experience. It was a cruise I will never forget. Looking back, I believe it was during this journey that the idea first took hold: what if this could become my career? Traveling the world by ship, discovering extraordinary destinations, it felt like a dream worth pursuing.
When I returned home from that cruise, it almost felt like fate. I came across an advertisement in the newspaper: a recruitment agency in the Netherlands was hiring for Royal Caribbean International.
Not long after applying, I was invited to a selection day in Utrecht. To my surprise, most of the Dutch applicants were aiming for positions as waiters, while I was the only one applying for a role on the cruise staff. Thanks to my recent vacation experience, I had observed the entertainment team closely and had a very clear idea of what the job entailed.
And then... I got hired!
All that was left was to pass the medical exam and wait for my Letter of Employment. The adventure was about to begin. Soon after, I found out which ship I would be joining… and to my surprise, it was the very same ship I had just disembarked: the Legend of the Seas.
I had mixed feelings at first, but pure excitement quickly took over when I learned about her itinerary. She was sailing the 'Royal Journeys' an incredible route taking the ship all the way around the world.
In July 2001, I boarded in Harwich, ready to start a completely new chapter in my life.
I was filled with excitement, not just about what to pack, but also wondering how the crew members who had known me as a guest would react when I stepped on board as part of the team!
The day finally arrived. I traveled to Harwich on the fast ferry from Hoek van Holland, crossing the North Sea in just three hours toward my brand-new adventure.
I had brought far too much luggage. As cruise staff, you need outfits for so many different occasions: gala nights, country themes, rock ’n’ roll parties, and black-and-white evenings. Since you wear your own clothes for many of these events, I assumed I needed endless options!
But how was I going to carry all this luggage around from the ferry, across the port, and all the way to the cruise terminal? That was the moment I learned an important lesson: only pack what you can carry yourself.
Finally, I arrived at the terminal, and there she was the ship, waiting for me. What would they say when I walked back on board?
Want to read more of my blogs? Check out: (2) what working on a cruise ship is like
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