New Delhi, August 26, 2016: I have spent more than eight years of my precious life as CREW MEMBER in the cruise. I had the golden opportunity to see more than 150 countries across the six continents of the world and collected rich experience to know the culture, life style, civilization, social, economic, political and spiritual status of different countries which I cannot describe in words.
We had a collection of crew members from different countries and we lived like one family having different diverse cultures. As the employees of ship establishment we had proud privilege to travel free of cost across the countries with boarding and lodging at their cost. At various places we had facilities of swimming pool, GYM, disco, phone to our home countries.
Our salaries and perks are free from Indian Income tax. We can avail all in house training facilities to improve our capability to rise in our career. Medical facilities are offered free to all the staffers.
WORK CONDITIONS FOR CREW
Every member has to work 7-days a week on board nearly 10 hours per day they get optional hours at Lunch or dinner extra time to relax but have to work all seven days. The assignment may depend upon the status of crew member and vary from one year or five or six months. During duty they can get free medical check and treatment.
The crew staff can enjoy different types of event during the year depending upon the nationality and religion of a country of which a crew member belongs. There are national festivals, independent days of different countries. The new year or Christmas us all senior people like captains, engineers, senior managers, supervisors, or other staff members enjoy drinks, dance parties and casino etc. with full freedom.
There are shifts off but not full days off but a rotation in working hours.
When on port the crew can go on shore and shop or entertain themselves.
Crew can get cabin for lodging shared by three or four members as per the status of the member. They have to keep the cabin full clean and tidy and nobody must complain. They get clean towels and linens every week for utility. No guests are allowed in the crew cabins. Violation will result termination. For crew there is a separate mess for snacks and meals. They can get only half an hour at each time for lunch. They are served by buffet style. They must clean their dishes. Crew members get uniforms on board. Laundry is free for crew staff. Laundry machines and dryers are provided free to crew staff. There is certain discipline followed by the administration to maintain etiquette
As regards amenities the crew can enjoy GYM on board. Only employed crew members are provided living accommodations on board.
COMMUNICATION
Internet Café is available to crew staff at most reasonable rates. Phone cards are at less cost can be used to call the family members of talking. Also Wifi is available on board. Personal letters or mails are received and distributed to concerned staff.
The organization structure is there for promotion purpose. The Captain is the chief of entire ship for administrative purpose whose decisions are final on board. There are now two parts one is in mess or kitchen and second is DESK and FRONT OFFICE. The first mess vertical goes down from Utility Boy to Snack Steward to Utility Dining Room cleaner to Assistant waiter to Waiter to Supervisor to Restaurant Manager.
The next is Desk officer has technical staff to look after the guests. A ship with eight floors can take 2500 guests on board with 1000 crew members. The Casino or cocktails are often available to guest and crew can also enjoy selectively.
I want to share very exciting and most anxious incident in my life when I was very junior in twenties. There are 50 year old ships which have to dispose in the deep sea. I was also one of the crew members to join this adventure to destroy the old ship by the process. The ship has to be lifted by crane and in the deep sea to be drowned. Around the ship there are small boats in which we have to occupy and go down with the ship. I was very afraid as I was seeing the death kissing me. The ship gone down and I did not know swimming needed at the time of emergency. I closed my eyes praying God to save life. After the process of drowning the ship we had to catch boat to reach shore. This can be a non fictional story as the group was more than 50 people attached with many boats tied around the old ship.
To be precise I can say the Cruise life was most memorable in my life cannot forget at any cost.
Many people who travel across the world get exciting experience very unique cannot be imagined by the people on land. We see the ocean around always no cities, no gardens, no towers, no traffic as normally seen by people on land.
We agree that we are away from our family members. Some are very sensitive and attached to family so that they feel home sick and get indisposed leading to sickness. We must have strong determination to seek job on sea and face the hardship as crew member. To get something we must sacrifice something. To get opportunity to visit different countries across the world and cultivate the priceless experience of different cultures, habits, customs, knowledge, religion etc. But in ship we are not allowed to discuss politics or religion and express views. It may cause disharmony among guest.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
