My Ship Story

Sam goes straight from school in 2006, at only 19 years old, to work on ships as an Entertainment Host. He worked for Thompson Cruises, Travelscope,  Silversea Cruises, and Carnival. He tells about a round the world cruise, a bad accident on stage, stupid passenger questions, onboard deaths, and losing his virginity at sea. Since leaving ships in 2010 he has written a book called "Seems Like Smooth Sailing" and recently created the DeckTales Podcast.

https://shows.acast.com/decktales

From an early age, Jessie knew she wanted to work on ships. Fresh out of university at UCF, she joins the Explorer of the Seas in 2016 doing a 22 repositioning from the US to Australia. Then goes to Disney in 2017 up to 2020. She tells about a Filipino-Mafia party, a mooring deck party, the Wave Phone, the Pirate Party, and the Five O' Clock Knock.  

Jordan tells about joining the NCL Pride of America in 2005. And more!

Fernando is part of a family owned expedition company cruising in the Galapagos Islands since 1986. He tells us about how Quasar Expeditions operates in the islands, the amazing wildlife, snorkeling and scuba diving, naturalist guided tours, the working conditions for the crew, and a desperate porthole escape. Do Galapagos exceptionally!

www.quasarex.com

Sean loses his land job in Canada and decides to go to work on cruise ships. He joins Celebrity in 2008 as the interactive television specialist on an epic first contract itinerary. He tells us about this dream job and how it gave him an opportunity to explore destinations all around the world.

In a fun departure from our usual ship story format, we talk with instructor John Ensley about sailing the seas. Check out his courses at:  https://cruisenlearnsailing.com

Eric's younger brother Leo and his friend Rommel meet at Epcot as dancers in 1993. Very soon after they join Princess Cruises as Cruise Staff / Dancers on the Fair Princess. They tell about their stop at Christmas Island, the cruise staff bar tab, tender duty, Ship Shape dollars, the Papeete prostitute, the L.A. guy and Acapulco guy, and "the brick" ends their cruise career.

James gets disillusioned with his corporate job in London and decides to go to work on cruise ships. He joins Disney Cruise Line on the Wonder in 2003 as Youth Staff, goes to Royal Caribbean on the Legend and quickly goes to ACD, meets his wife onboard, becomes a Port and Shopping Guide, works on many different ships and cruise lines, and tells about how the Crew Bar Facebook page got created, destroyed, and created again. Join the Crew Bar on all their social media. https://www.facebook.com/groups/officialcrewbar/

Santana leaves Mississippi in 2011 to work for Holland America as a Youth Staff. She tells about hugging the Mexican toilet in Cozumel at the No Name Bar, her first brush with Tequila, works her way up to an assistant Cruise Director position, heading back to the ship ahead of the pack, her tough decision to finally leave ships, the rough transition from ships to life on land, and a crew member steals a passport stamp from Turkish immigration.

Paula leaves the most haunted town in South Australia to join the R4 in Papeete, French Polynesia as a bar waiter. She then goes on to bring the R8 out of the shipyard in France. She tells the story of the crazy aftermath on ships after the bankruptcy of Renaissance, a stint with Celebrity, an "Around the World" competition, an affair with the Executive Chef, the overboard of the NZ crew members, and a freak injury that ends her career.