Hey people.

is it me, or did anyone have problems along the way to employment with NCL America? i went in for an interview/seminar-thing for a junior waiter position in january, i was told i was hired, i filled out some paperwork, did the online personality thing, but then, they never called me about my medical testing information until a few days ago (MARCH; TWO MONTHS LATER). i'm at work when they do call, so obviously i can't take 20 min to do this, so she tells me to call at a certain time on a different day. I called 15 min before the set time, directly on the set time, and 10 min after the set time. No call back. I'm a little frustrated, but i really think that this will be an awesome experience, especially for an 18 year old who doesn't know what he wants to do.
is it just that, though? am i a stupid kid who missed something? i did what they said in hopes of getting what sounds like a kick-ass job, but nothing.
anybody know what's up? some feedback would be really nice. I messed up in that i put all my eggs in one basket, so to speak. i don't really have a B plan.
<hangs head in shame>

Edit: Inappropriate post removed. RF

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Raoul Fiebig,

Brodieman13, Some moron jumped your post with a load of crap. Anyway, you are 18, why not college? Life experience is great but it is better with an education if you can. (Just my opinion.) I know that hardly anyone knows what they want as a career at your age but if you could get some general credits out of the way you would be way ahead.

I hope some others with job experience at sea respond. Take care.

Ken

Alex, I hope they sink the SS Norway in your local rivers.

hey now, guys.
no one wants any ship sinking in anyone's major body(ies) of water. that's not cool. i do not condone those kinds of comments on my post. unfortunately, nor can i prevent them... i think...
anyway, Chef Ken, your advice is appreciated, but i'm afraid there are those who are ready to jump in to college, and those that aren't. i am the latter. i tried 2 terms of college and found that it wasn't to be... yet. i know that college is important, but what i'm hoping to achieve by working with NCL is an experience that will let me see some of the world and meet new people, and hopefully through these things figure out what i want to do.
that, and i kinda screwed up and now it's either NCL or moving back in with my parents.
i do NOT want to move back in with my parents.

Better head for dad's.

Ok Brodie, school is not for you right now. Check out some of the other threads related to employment with NCL. I have no first hand experience but some people have posted about their experience with NCL and other lines that maybe if you get through the camp and the communication problems, you will be in good shape to deal with work and life on the ship. That's all I can offer you pal.

thanks, Chef Ken.
and raffles, i forgive you

Actually I don't recall apologizing for anything but forgiveness is good.

I think you may have missed the period after Chef Ken.
He was thanking you but forgiving raffles.

And yes, forgiveness is good.

Alex is certainly putting Dave's to the test tonight, eh?

Will y'all forgive my giddiness? Sometimes I just say what pops into my head, and I know that I periodically deserve a penalty chug.

hm.
these posts tend to go really out of hand, don't they...
and, no. i will not forgive your giddiness.
giddiness need not be apologized for.
giddy on! or up, i guess.
chug away!
WOO!
SPRING BREAK!

quote:

Originally posted by f-mattox:
I think you may have missed the period after Chef Ken.
He was thanking you but forgiving raffles.

And yes, forgiveness is good.

Alex is certainly putting Dave's to the test tonight, eh?

Bifocals! I should read more carefully and as for missing periods, glad it is no longer an issue in this house.

Dave is energized, I just hope Alex lives up to his promise or Dave will wipe him off the face of this forum.

Thanks Brodie, I think your parents did something good in raising you.

Yes!
Another kindred spirit.

Yes!

Another kindred spirit.

"Giddy on! or up"

This is good stuff.

sorry for the creepiness factor, f-mattox, but i saw your profile, and you made mention of being a musician?
what did/do you play?
do you know if there is much demand for bassists on cruise ships?

Hello BrodieMan13, oddly enough, I played Fender bass and doubled on drums and trombone in one band and played keyboards in several others. I worked on Princess ships from 1974-1978. I stopped playing professionally in 1985, finding myseof in the twilight of a mediocre career.

Every ship has multiple bands--some as many as 5-6--and most use bass players. Most cruise lines' websites have a section on employment; you could make contact and find out what agency they book their talent through. You would probably have better luck getting booked as a band than as an individual--but you could also send an audition tape to the agencies and maybe one of their bands is looking for a bass player. That worked for me.

Best of luck to you.

A man of many talents indeed!

Brodie, I re-read your post and I am thinking that if you want to work on a cruise ship number one, you need to know the kind of hours you will be putting in. They are long days, quarters are cramped and the pay is not great.

Secondly, with NCL's recent troubles, you might want to consider RCCL, Princess etc. I have no idea what their hiring policies are but you could check into it.

Many cruise employees I have talked to say that the work is hard but rewarding. The exposure to many cultures and languages would be pretty exciting.

Brodie....
I'm a 25 year pro from the hospitality industry with many years of service abroad. The ships will work you to the bone. 7 days a week, 12 to 15 hours a day. You will learn a work ethic that will prepare you in such a way that you will be able to handle almost anything. If your a lazy slouch...stop the process now. If your tough and not afraid of work your in for a great time.

The friendships you make during your time will be with you for the rest of your days....and you will soon learn that it makes no difference where your from ...we all have to get along and solve the same problems.

Be patient with the human resource folks...their job is unbeliebably complex. Hiring, training and development at a Hilton in Atlanta is one thing....the ships have a whole different set of hurdles. International crews...visa's and work permits, language issues, security, medical and back ground checks for different country's are all different and take time. If you have a contact, stay in touch with them. Call on Tuesday's and Wednesday's....not Mondays or Fridays. Remind them who you are and where you are in the hiring process.

And finally....do your thing and have fun. The escape from reality will be an awesome experience. Give it 2 to 4 years and get back to school. If you get too complascent...you'll become a "lifer" and before you know it your the guy with 30 years on the ship and nowhere to go at Christmas.

Bon Voyage.

Dan in Winnipeg, excellent post;
You absolutely nailed it!

BrodieMan13--listen up; Dan speaks the truth.