I have accepted a job offer as a server/waitress with NCLA (Hawaii) and will be leaving for training within the next few weeks. I have read SO many horrible reviews of NCLA that I am definitely reconsidering taking the job. I have read some threads regarding employment but it seems they are quite out of date. Does anyone, particularly current or recent employees of NCLA have any advice? I have a BA and over 6 years of customer service experience ...I am a hard worker and true people pleaser. I always want to have pride in what I am doing ..and am concerned, after reading so many awful reviews that there is little "pride" in the American flagged "Pride of America" and "Pride of Aloha". This is a big decision (5 month contract) so any comments, suggestions, advice, etc is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your time and attention!
I have a BA and over 6 years of customer service experience
Question - unless your BA is in hotel management/hospitality - I don't understand why you want to be a waitress on a cruise ship. Being a server is of the hardest jobs I can think of on land (I used to own a restaurant) but on a cruise ship, with the hours you have to work, I am just curious, why...
Posts: 665 | Location: The Southwest | Registered: May 08, 2006
I have worked in plenty of restaurants and definitely know what hard work it is!
I have lived in both Hawaii and Japan and am interested in possibly moving back to one of the 2 locations. Both are very expensive and thus I am looking for a way to make and save some money to make the move possible. Also, although my degree is not in hospitality I am interested in increasing my food and beverage knowledge and hospitality experience as I am considering a career in hospitality...
I too have lived in Hawaii (back in the '60s) and I can understand your wanting to move back. I'm told that UofH has a very good Hotel Mgmt/Hospitality program as well as a great Tourism program. I guess I would have looked at other avenues as opposed to working on a cruise ship (like one of the hotels - the Hale Kulani maybe?) Another possibility (?) might be the airlines as a flight attendant.
Posts: 665 | Location: The Southwest | Registered: May 08, 2006
I think the reason you give for wanting this job is a good one. (Want to save some money). This certainly would be a great opportunity to do that since you have room and board. Attitude is everything. There is no reason that employees on the NCL America ships can't have pride in what they do. You may have worked very hard at previous jobs in hotels. But; have you ever been on a cruise? If you have, then you would know the long hours,and how hard the International crew members work. NCL America's crew are Americans. Thus the many problems you have been reading about. Whether we want to admit it or not--American's just aren't used to working the long hours. Many of the crew members on NCL America ships get disenchanted when they find out how hard they really have to work. With the right attitude I think giving it a try for atleast the 5 months is worth the experience.
I assume you are young. Possibly right out of college. 5 months is a drop in the bucket. Even if you do not renew your contract you will walk away with a lot of memories. Some good and some not so good. Live life and have fun. Life is what you make it. Americans are not used to working the demanding schedule that is expected on a cruise ship. That's the problem. Many have bad attitudes and for some it is their first job ever. I used to waitress but never 7 days a week and long hours. You probably will make great friends and meet many great and some not so great passengers. Give it a try. I understand many of the employees have got off in port only to not get back on. Hope you do not do that. If you agree to the 5 months stick it out. It is part of being a responsible adult. The biggest problem may be the small quarters and having to share. One of my room stewards told me once that he had to share with 3 others. He was neat and they were all slobs. He said that was the worst part of the job. Best of luck!
I worked on board the POAL. I worked as a front waiter. I would suggest you do it. It was a great time. I completed my contract, and that was enough for me. NCLA was the worst company I ever worked for, and thats why I choose not to go back. If you want to know more email me at fresnerd78@hotmail.com
Hello hime; My sister has just recently taken a job with NCLA and is really worried about taking this position. Could you give me some address that refer to NCLA and any employment issues you may have heard about Thanks! Peppermaniac...Email address Highroc2003@Hotmail.com .
Heard you get $50 a week while training - as NCL A considers this part of the interview process - true ?
What's the deal with having to join the Union ? How much are the dues and is there a benefit ?
How long do most folks have to wait upon completion of the 3 weeks before shipping out ? What do you do if you have to wait ? Are you stuck in Maryland ? Do you get to go home on your own dime if stuck ?
Do musicians and entertainers working on NCL A have to go through same process ( training and the MMD card ? )
What are the REALISTIC chances of promotion ? Can it happen during the current contract/assignment or are you stuck as a galley worker for the duration ? How are new jobs posted ? Do you see info that the general public in Podunk, Iowa doesn't see on the net ?
Any problems with security on board ? Would it be a bad idea to bring a laptop ? How are the 'net connections on board ?
If you are a galley worker - can you walk around the public areas of the ship when you're not working ? What is the crew lounge like ? Is there a piano there ?
Musicians - what advice would you give a young jazz pianist who is willing to take a kitchen job to get on board NCL A with the hopes of moving up ?
In general - what advice would you give to a potential fellow worker who is about to go through what you've done ? How have your bosses been ?
What's good and bad about getting ashore ?
What do you know now that you wish you knew before ?
I worked on board the POAL. I worked as a front waiter. I would suggest you do it. It was a great time. I completed my contract, and that was enough for me. NCLA was the worst company I ever worked for, and thats why I choose not to go back. If you want to know more email me at fresnerd78@hotmail.com
i was wanting to know how much money does norwegian cruise line pay you while you are in training?please reply a.s.a.p. sincerely,slowjoe
I worked in reception on the Pride of Aloha. Just do 1 contract. Hawaii is beautiful and yes you will get some time off the ship to explore. The passengers complain a lot. Restaurant department works a lot of hours and the passengers always have to wait a long time to eat so they are cranky once they actually sit down. You'll think Piney Point is a drag but once you get to the ship you'll want to go back to Piney Point! Just keep an open mind, smile, and remember that you will be in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Aloha!
can you please tell me if they have cigarette vending machines at piney point because i emailed a recruiter,she told me that they have vending machines their,one more thing the recruiter told me that they give you a allowance of $50.00 a week is that true,when do they give you the money do they give it to you weekly.please reply a.s.a.p. sincerely,slowjoe
I've been off Pride of the Pride of America for 9 months. It was a great experience. Incredible opportunity for advancement. I started out as a waiter and within a month I became a Maitre D'. I left because I felt I had done as much as I wanted to do with NCL.
The other main reason I left was because what I felt was a lack of competence in the corporate leadership. From ignoring the common tourist's complaints, from sexual harassment, the leadership has taken it's MO from foreign ships. And this combination of leadership by intimidation and harassment makes for a bad work environment. But more than that, for an American crew it's demoralizing to work for a company that doesn't even hold a candle to good American corporations.
When I became a maitre'd my goal was to lead by example. For example, when tables needed to be cleared I would help clear them. When I was hungry I didn't eat until every one else was gone or had eaten already. Americans like leaders that lead by example. My Restaurant got the highest marks of any restaurant on the Pride of America or The Pride of Aloha. Christian, the Restaurant manager told me that my theory worked for me and my crew... I suppose that was his way of saying that my philosophy was a good one...
Originally posted by Emerson: I've been off Pride of the Pride of America for 9 months. It was a great experience. Incredible opportunity for advancement. I started out as a waiter and within a month I became a Maitre D'. I left because I felt I had done as much as I wanted to do with NCL.
The other main reason I left was because what I felt was a lack of competence in the corporate leadership. From ignoring the common tourist's complaints, from sexual harassment, the leadership has taken it's MO from foreign ships. And this combination of leadership by intimidation and harassment makes for a bad work environment. But more than that, for an American crew it's demoralizing to work for a company that doesn't even hold a candle to good American corporations.
When I became a maitre'd my goal was to lead by example. For example, when tables needed to be cleared I would help clear them. When I was hungry I didn't eat until every one else was gone or had eaten already. Americans like leaders that lead by example. My Restaurant got the highest marks of any restaurant on the Pride of America or The Pride of Aloha. Christian, the Restaurant manager told me that my theory worked for me and my crew... I suppose that was his way of saying that my philosophy was a good one...
IF you have questions feel free to ask
can you please tell me if they have cigarette vending machines at piney point,how much are the cigarettes because i emailed a recruiter,she told me that they have vending machines their,one more thing the recruiter told me that they give you a allowance of $50.00 a week is that true,when do they give you the money do they give it to you weekly.please reply a.s.a.p. sincerely,slowjoe
I would also like to know the answer to this person's questions. Lets say I didnt want to continue working on the ship, what would be the outcome if I didn't fullfill my 5 month contract? What are the penaties of doing so?
quote:
Originally posted by hime06: hey all
I have accepted a job offer as a server/waitress with NCLA (Hawaii) and will be leaving for training within the next few weeks. I have read SO many horrible reviews of NCLA that I am definitely reconsidering taking the job. I have read some threads regarding employment but it seems they are quite out of date. Does anyone, particularly current or recent employees of NCLA have any advice? I have a BA and over 6 years of customer service experience ...I am a hard worker and true people pleaser. I always want to have pride in what I am doing ..and am concerned, after reading so many awful reviews that there is little "pride" in the American flagged "Pride of America" and "Pride of Aloha". This is a big decision (5 month contract) so any comments, suggestions, advice, etc is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your time and attention!
I would also like to know this answer. Please let me know. Thanks
quote:
Originally posted by Venom: I would also like to know the answer to this person's questions. Lets say I didnt want to continue working on the ship, what would be the outcome if I didn't fullfill my 5 month contract? What are the penaties of doing so?
quote:
Originally posted by hime06: hey all
I have accepted a job offer as a server/waitress with NCLA (Hawaii) and will be leaving for training within the next few weeks. I have read SO many horrible reviews of NCLA that I am definitely reconsidering taking the job. I have read some threads regarding employment but it seems they are quite out of date. Does anyone, particularly current or recent employees of NCLA have any advice? I have a BA and over 6 years of customer service experience ...I am a hard worker and true people pleaser. I always want to have pride in what I am doing ..and am concerned, after reading so many awful reviews that there is little "pride" in the American flagged "Pride of America" and "Pride of Aloha". This is a big decision (5 month contract) so any comments, suggestions, advice, etc is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your time and attention!
I'm like a year shy on answering these questions.. but I just ran across it so some info real quick if anyone still cares.
You get 50 dollars a day, not a week, if your still at Piney Point when your first pay check is due you get it and cash it there. Yes there is a cig vending machine there, you can also purchase them at the little gift/snack shop there.
anyone on the pride of hawaii around, i miss you guys, some of the best friends you'll ever make.
Originally posted by LegendXeno: I'm like a year shy on answering these questions.. but I just ran across it so some info real quick if anyone still cares.
You get 50 dollars a day, not a week, if your still at Piney Point when your first pay check is due you get it and cash it there. Yes there is a cig vending machine there, you can also purchase them at the little gift/snack shop there.
anyone on the pride of hawaii around, i miss you guys, some of the best friends you'll ever make.
Good for you - I wish you well!
