Cruise Jobs: Travelling for Free

Recently, the United States armed forces has been plugging “joining up” as a great way to see the world and gain valuable life experience. While there is no doubt that these things are true, there are a couple of other ways that you can see the world and gain great life experience without putting your life in harms way on a daily basis. One of these ways is getting a job aboard a cruise ship. There are many different exciting careers to choose from on a cruise ship, and while it is a full time position, meaning you are probably not going to work just forty hours a week, you will most likely receive free room and board, free on ship medical care, and you will get to travel the world and meet exciting new people, all while getting paid.

In each cruise ship there are three departments that all of the positions get divided into: the deck, hotel, and engine department. Each of these departments has a supervisor. The staff captain runs the deck, and is also the person that the hotel manager and the chief engineer report to. It is unlikely that you will be able to get a job as an officer or captain without a degree from a naval academy. However, there are several entry level jobs that you can get with the help of the Seaman’s Union in the deck and engine. Most of the entry level positions will be in the hotel department, which consists of several departments. The Hotel department encompasses all of the following:

• Administration
• Purser’s Office
• Cruise Staff
• Entertainers
• Food Department
• Bar Department
• Dining Room
• Housekeeping
• Medical Staff
• Salon
• Gift Shops
• Photography
• Casino
• Shore Excursions
• Tour Office

Most people work their way up from an entry level position, but people fall into cruise ship careers from all different walks of life and backgrounds. Obviously, someone from the medial department is not going to work their way up in the salon department without some additional training. However, there is room for growth in almost all of the departments. One of the most important things about working on a cruise ship is to have an outgoing personality. In a fast paced travel environment like a cruise ship, it is important to be outgoing and flexible. With that in mind, you will be able to go far.

People who have worked on cruise ships often highlight the benefits of working on them as travel, sightseeing, meeting new people all of the time, having free living expenses and recreation, and getting to know their co workers in a close knit environment. While you often need to make a commitment of a minimum of four months, there is often a break of four to six weeks before your next contract, and you have no living expenses while on contract so you have quite a bit of expendable income while on your break.

Cruising With a Celebrity: Are Celebrity Cruises Worth the Money?

You may have seen advertisements on the television, the radio, or online. Your celebrity is vacationing aboard a cruise ship and they want you to join them. The advertisement you heard is for a celebrity cruise. Celebrity cruises are gaining popularity in the Untied States and all around the world. The question is are they worth the money?

Celebrity cruises are not to be confused with the popular Celebrity Cruise Lines. Celebrity cruises are cruises that are offered by a wide range of different cruise line companies. The intention of a celebrity cruise is to attract travelers. To do this, celebrity cruises are booked with well-known television stars, movie stars, and musicians. For some reason, and they are right, cruises lines know that fans follow their idols.

If you are interested in determining whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, there are a number of factors that you should consider. One of the most important factors is the purpose of the cruise. The musicians, television stars, and movie stars are compensated for their appearance on the cruise ship . While this may not have a direct impact your reservation, it may be in your best interest to know.

In addition to being compensated for their appearance, a large number of movie stars, television stars, and musicians use a celebrity cruise to promote one of their upcoming shows, movies, or music albums. It is not guaranteed, but you may be granted behind the scenes information and footage. To many fans, this information makes a celebrity cruise worth it.

Promoting a charity or another good cause is another reason why celebrities make the decision to participate in a cruise ship voyage. If you are interested in promoting a specific charity or cause, you may find it beneficial, in more ways than one, to attend the cruise. In addition to being able to meet one of your favorite celebrities, you could be helping to bring awareness to one of the many world charities that need assistance.

Another important factor to consider when deciding on a celebrity cruise is the amount of time the celebrity will be onboard. Due to busy schedules, celebrities may be unable to stay onboard for the whole length of the cruise. To determine whether or not a celebrity cruise is worth the money, you will want to know how long each celebrity will be on board. If they will only be onboard one or two days, you may find that the cruise is not worth your time or money.

In addition to the length of a celebrity’s stay, you will want to know when certain promotional events are scheduled. These events should be established ahead of time. To determine when you may be able to dine with, meet, or get an autograph from your favorite movie star, musician, or television star, you should check the ship’s itinerary. This will enable you to determine if you will even get a chance to meet the celebrity onboard.

It is also important to estimate how many passengers will be the celebrity cruise you wish to take. The number of onboard passengers may have an impact on how much time you get to spend with your idol. If there are a large number of onboard passengers and the celebrity will only be on the ship for a short period of time you may be unable to meet with them. This is something that should be closely examined when determining if a celebrity cruise is worth any value to you or your family.

Finally, the cost of the celebrity cruise should be closely examined. The cost of a celebrity cruise is often higher than other traditional cruises.

Celebrity cruises are nice, but a celebrity should not be the only reason to plan a vacation on a cruise ship!

Research Your Cruise

The focus of the following information is to provide you with the tools and information that will allow you to confidently arrange your cruise vacation. You'll know that all your ducks (or sea gulls) are in the right row and that you've selected and booked (jargon for purchased) the right cruise for you.

I'll define the jargon used in the travel industry so you understand what Travel Agents and/or Internet Agents are saying to you. I'll provide you with a solid understanding about

• Ship layout

• Stateroom (cabin) categories

• Pricing scenarios

• Best seasons to travel.

I'll describe what you can expect from the time you book your air and cruise to the time you arrive home again. I intend to give you all the ammunition you need to negotiate the best fares possible for YOUR cruise vacation.

Armed with this information, you'll understand clearly that it's "not what you save that counts -- it's what you get for what you pay"! Cruising is all about value... but that value must give you what YOU need and want... or it won't matter what you save. Buying the $299.00 cruise just because it is $299.00 is no bargain if you wanted a romantic cruise, but got in with the Spring Break/Party crowd.

about

YOU choose:

Alaska, Hawaii, the East Coast Inland Waterway or the Wine Country of California

Mexican Riviera or the Caribbean (Eastern, Western or Southern)

The Mediterranean, the Rivers of Europe, or the Fjords of Norway

The South Pacific, Australia or New Zealand

The Chilean Fjords or the Amazon

Antarctica

The basics of cruising apply to all destinations. Colder climates may negate the desire for a private balcony but we’ll get that in a later volume. Once you have an itinerary in mind, your booking agent will advise you of the cruise lines and ships that travel to YOUR destination and meet YOUR needs. What follows will provide you with enough information to plan your perfect dream vacation at sea.

If you're ready to get started, let's go look at where you'll "live" during your cruise... your stateroom.....

• Ship layout

• Stateroom (cabin) categories

• Pricing scenarios

• Best seasons to travel.

I'll describe what you can expect from the time you book your air and cruise to the time you arrive home again. I intend to give you all the ammunition you need to negotiate the best fares possible for YOUR cruise vacation.

Armed with this information, you'll understand clearly that it's "not what you save that counts -- it's what you get for what you pay"! Cruising is all about value... but that value must give you what YOU need and want... or it won't matter what you save. Buying the $299.00 cruise just because it is $299.00 is no bargain if you wanted a romantic cruise, but got in with the Spring Break/Party crowd.

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Cruises: enjoy it all inclusive!

You can enjoy fine dining every night at your reserved table. Go ahead, taste several
appetizers. Try more than one soup. If you can't decide between two salads, have
both. Indulge yourself with such international entrees as Beef Wellington and Duck a
l'Orange. Never say no to desserts than can include such masterpieces as Baked
Alaska. Every meal is an event designed just for you.
So satisfy your every craving, and then walk out of the dining room without ever
paying a bill!

Oops, eat too much? Staying in shape is easy. Every floating resort has a spa facility
with state of the art gym equipment and aerobics classes. Are you a runner? You'll
love jogging on deck in the fresh sea air. After exercise, relax, have a massage, try
the steam room or sauna, or just a dip in the swimming pool.

Trying to get away from crowds? On your ship it's easy to find a quiet corner to
contemplate the sea, read a book from the library, hold that intimate conversation, or
just count your blessings. Whether you're a newly wed or celebrating your 50th
anniversary, you'll feel the special magic of being on a cruise ship miles out to sea.
But wait.... you're single.... There's a ship for you too.... and believe me, you'll have
a blast!

Whether you love musicals, hard rock, country or the big band sound, you'll find ships
playing your song. Who needs Las Vegas when in the showroom; they'll wow you with
Vegas-style revues?

Don't plan on deep conversation in the high energy dance club; save your talks for the
friends you'll meet at the sing-along piano bar.... or for each other as you stroll along
a moonlit deck.

Nothing on earth compares to the value of a cruise vacation. Why?

Because on a cruise, one low price covers just about everything.... remember what I
said about cruises being all inclusive? That means all your meals, almost every
shipboard activity and your entertainment. (Note: on most cruise ships adult
beverages are extra although there are cruise lines that include even those)!
Compare that to most land vacations where you find you're constantly faced with the
added expenses and hassles of reservations, finding a hotel in each location you wantto see, car rental, parking, buying theater tickets and searching for restaurants, and things to do.

What land vacation can take you from one exotic destination to another while you
dance and dine and dream the night away?

Cruise Vacation: Choosing a Ship II

“If you don’t have any fun… It’s your own damn fault!”
Brent Farris – KZST Radio, Santa Rosa, CA (aboard the Carnival Elation)


Some vacations are just more fun than others.

There will be very few times in your life when you're completely free... free from cares, responsibilities, chores... free from deadlines, timetables, ringing phones and demanding voices. Sound like a little piece of heaven?

It's just what you need! Now!

Oh, but you have to plan it... and you feel overwhelmed by all the choices...

You want something the whole family can enjoy.... or...
You want a romantic vacation.... or...
You want a place to meet people.
You have “special places” you want to see

You also want great value for your money. Seem like an impossible task?

Maybe you should consider CRUISING!

Cruising is becoming a very popular alternative to more traditional vacations. There are so many destinations.... so much to do. So just hold on... don't put this away and say, "Cruising isn't for me." Read on as I’ll tell you about what you will find:

Dance clubs
Sports facilities
Live entertainment
Movies under the stars
Enrichment classes
Casinos
Champagne and caviar in the surf
Supervised children's activities....

Cruise ships really are catering to people in all walks of life, people of all ages, and people with many different interests.

Cruise Vacation: Choosing a Ship I

You DO need good advice so you'll choose the right destination and the right ship. We'll give you that advice. You DO need to know EXACTLY what you're buying with no built in surprises; we'll show you how to choose.

Ships are different, amenities are different, rooms are different, food services are different across the many cruise lines available to you. If you do your homework right, I guarantee this will be the best vacation you've ever experienced.

How can I say that? I've seen it happen over and over. Cruise vacations enjoy a very high "repeat factor". More industry jargon... it shows that over 90% of first time cruisers come back and cruise over and over again.

We'll show you how to choose that first cruise... And once you take it, we bet you'll be cruising over and over again too! Take it from a Cruise Vacation Expert.... you might just become a Cruise Evangelist.

Bon Voyage!

Going on a Cruise: an Option for Me?

CRUISING!

Everyday, more and more people discover cruising. The all inclusive pleasures of a cruise vacation with no worries about where or what to eat, where you're going to sleep, how you're going to get to the next city.

And who cruises?
1.
2.Singles
1.Honeymooners
1.Couples
1.Families
1.Groups of friends
2.Anyone who wants to sail away on the vacation of their lives...... with no worries!

The number of people who choose to cruise grows as the cruise companies learn what YOU want, and bring more ships and destinations online for YOU to enjoy. According to "industry statistics", last year alone, just under than 11 million people enjoyed cruise vacations. Cruise lines are gearing up for YOU.... billions of dollars in new ships are coming.

There are 9 new ships to be delivered in 2008 and, there are another 40 more new cruise ships under construction or on order for deliveries through 2012! That represents 98,754 beds with an estimated building value of approximately US$22 billion!

The coming ships range in size from small intimate luxury vessels with just 400 passengers to the Royal Caribbean Cruises “Genesis” project at about 220,000 tons and 5400 passengers!

What does all that mean? Simple, the vacation ship of your dreams is out there!

The Queen Mary 2? I can hear you now.... "Whoa! That's not MY vacation!" "I can't afford THAT".

I understand your reluctance... You and most of the rest of the traveling public! I want to show you you're wrong. Look at these statistics...

Almost 90% of the travelers have never been on a cruise vacation. Five times as many people go to Disney World or Las Vegas every year than take a cruise.

And Why? I think it's because of all the negative myths that abound about cruising. I'm here to tell you they ARE just myths. You've heard them.... maybe you've even thought about these yourself. But let me turn them around because as you read on through this book I'm going to show you that....

Cruising is NOT expensive! Not when you factor in the meals, the entertainment and sights and the hassle free travel.

You'll be so busy on board these ships all day you can't be bored.

There is such a wide variety of activities that there is no regimentation.

On some ships you have to dress up, but on others you can be casual.... you choose. You tailor make your vacation.

Now as to that complaint “I'll get seasick”.... well, depends on where you cruise. To Antarctica maybe, but probably not in the Caribbean. And don't worry; there are a variety of ways to deal with any possible motion discomfort.


I’m sure some of these myths keep people from even investigating cruises as holiday options.... If you're unsure about a cruise, I’m here to prove that you should do yourself a favor and take a close look.