I know it has been quite a while since I have updated this blog, but I do have a very good reason: I have been so busy!!! To start the update : I am now an officer with Disney Cruise Line.
A few weeks ago I interviews for the position of Guest Services Coordinator and I was successful. I am now in charge of all the training for Guest Services, as well as returning crew. This also means I can eat in the officers mess (whoo hoo!) but I am still a little scared to go in there by myself so I have only eaten there a couple of times.
Now I know you must be thinking “if you have been too busy to write in your blog, why now”? Well astute reader, I am currently on a plane from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to Los Angeles, USA! I have been in PV for the last 4 days assisting a guest who had to leave the ship due to medical reasons. While you may think it is a nice vacation to get to stay in Mexico, there was a lot that I had to do while there. I had to go to the hospital and visit with the guest, as well as get her anything she might need (including trips to Walmart) so it wasn’t all fun and games.
So I am returning to LA tonight to join the ship bright and early tomorrow morning and head down to Mexico again. I have a new trainee joining the ship this week and MY trainer is also coming back to the ship after his 2 month vacation!!!! I am so excited to see him again. So I am a little unprepared to start training for the first time, BUT I am very excited.
I never thought I would miss the ship so much after only being away a few days, but I really did. I missed the ship rocking me to sleep, I miss the work, I even missed the food (!) but most of all I missed the people. I work with such an amazing group of people and I really missed their company while I was all alone in Mexico. I can imagine that it is going to be difficult to be away from them while I am on my two month vacation, but I will have my family to take their place. Which is a good close second I guess :P
So things are sailing along smoothly here (pun intended). I have had some amazing guests the last few cruises and I am the Make-a-wish hostess on the ship so I get to meet some amazing, amazing kids that absolutely change your perspective on life. It has been such an amazing opportunity to meet all sorts of varying people from different walks of life and I absolutely love it.
Now, saying that, it definitely is not all sunshine and roses all the time. It is a very difficult job that is extremely demanding. We work very long hours and some mornings I don’t feel like getting out of bed because my body is very tired. But we work hard so we also play hard, so there is the crew bar and all sorts of events that are planned for the crew to keep us entertained.
I have met more amazing people working for DCL in a few months than I have for most of my life. Life is very condensed onboard and time is just flying by! In 2 more cruises I will have been here for 3 months, halfway through my 6 month contract, which just seems absolutely insane! And in 8 more cruises my parents will be here for the Hawaii and then the repositioning cruise to Vancouver. Then my contract is over in 5 more cruises after that. Boy, it seems like it will be over before I know it!!
Alright, I am going to sleep for the rest of the night because the one thing you learn working on a cruise ship is that you need to take every opportunity to sleep, no matter how long it is, or where you are taking it. Toodle loo!!!
I am very excited that you updated your blog. So excited, in fact, that I had to be sedated for my personal safety. That is why it took me so long to respond. Now that I am over the shock and in treatment and recovery, I find myself able to respond. I am glad you're having fun. However, this has gone on quite long enough and I wish you to return home. Thank you for your kind attention.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new position!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and found it super helpful! I'm actually going to apply to Guest services or Youth Activities for Disney Cruise lines! (Honestly cruise line in general.) Did your past experience with Disney help? I currently work for Disney's Port Orleans! Thank you for all of your blog posts, I've been researching life on board, the hiring process, and training. You're blog came up and by far is the most interesting and informative! Thanks!
ReplyDelete-Katelyn
Hi, I know it's been a couple years since this post, so hopefully by chance you check this! I got hired by dcl for guest services back in February and still have not received my leave date or ship. You seemed to get yours right away, so I was just curious if you remember the exact process? A couple other things: are you still working for dcl? I want to stick with dcl and eventually get promoted. I heard that takes at least 2 contracts, but you got yours with a few month on the first contract. Do you know of that's always possible or if this was the exception? I appreciate any info you can give me!
ReplyDeleteHi Zahra, have you since received a leave date?
DeleteHi Emily. I really enjoyed reading your blog and it has been really helpful in deciding to apply for a youth activities counselor. I know you have not posted in a couple years but I was wondering if you had any advice about the application process.
ReplyDelete