As with any trade or industry you choose, it is important to know a little something about the business - other than "I want a job on a ship, because it would be cool to get paid to travel the world." KNowing the current up-to-date industry news you will not find in a pamphlet or book or video that is pretty much obsolete the moment it is printed. Things change too fast - there's that common phrases again!
Learn about each cruise lines profile, their customer base, their fleet, their history, their future etc. Be impressive with your knowledge (if you are asked) because companies care. Learn about the job you want to apply for onboard - read older posts here as well for this information is always revisited.
Here are some sites I like to persue on a weekly/monthly basis for up-to-date information - most of it amazing news, some of it not so amazing, and some of it horrible, but industry news nonetheless.
1) www.djrmpcanada.spaces.live.com/?_c11_BlogPart_pagedir=Next&_c
_BlogPart_handle=cns!52F385893F74FCB!2985&_c11_BlogPart_BlogPart=blogview&_c=BlogPart
(yes its a big cut and paste but it's a great link)
2) www.cruising.org
3) www.cybercruises.com/cruiselines
4) www.internationalcruisevictims.org
5) www.cruisebruise.com
6) www.maritimematters.com
Also, another good strategy for sourcing out job contacts is to contact the Port Authority office of each city where cruise ships sail. The following is a list of North American cities which are home to cruise ships. Contact / Google the Port Authority Office for your closet port, and call or email them, asking for the list of cruise line port agents for their particular port.
Each port agent will represent one or more cruise lines. Ask them for the local or corporate cruise line employment contact info. From my experience, they have been pretty cooperative because they do not get alot of cruise ship job enquiries...because most people don't know how to source them out - until now.
Cruise ship home ports:
Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles(San Pedro), San Diego, Galveston, LaPorte TX (Houston), New Orleans, Mobile, Tampa, Miami, Fort LAuderdale, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, Norfolk, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Bajonne NJ, New York City, Boston, Montreal.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Things can change FAST!!!
So, I trained with a major cruise line for a new management position. The next training was scheduled, deployment date established - all lined up and ready to go - then BAM! Just like that, the new position has been eliminated. Current crew contracts will be extended - eliminating the need of new hires.
So, you see, things change fast in this business. But, I am continuing my search for a new onboard position - I want something different - maybe a European river cruise -who knows, but what I do know? No matter what position you apply for, with what cruise line, always make the same professional approach when applying.
And when things don't go your way, as I have just experienced, don't get pissed off and don't get mad at the cruise line or the person you were dealing with - you never know who they know - and they just might call you up the next day with another change in your favour.
Keep your head and continue your search as I have outlined - real all the older posts to get up to speed.
So, you see, things change fast in this business. But, I am continuing my search for a new onboard position - I want something different - maybe a European river cruise -who knows, but what I do know? No matter what position you apply for, with what cruise line, always make the same professional approach when applying.
And when things don't go your way, as I have just experienced, don't get pissed off and don't get mad at the cruise line or the person you were dealing with - you never know who they know - and they just might call you up the next day with another change in your favour.
Keep your head and continue your search as I have outlined - real all the older posts to get up to speed.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Pay your taxes!!!!
Yes, many people enquire as to whether they should declare their cruiseship income. YES!!!
Yes, it is true, most positions are paid onboard in cash - so the government will never know - that is untill they ask you one day, how did you support yourself financially for X period of time? Gulp ((( Yep, if they catch you defrauding them, you are going to jail......
So, here's what you do... As a crew member, for tax purposes, you are considered an independant contractor - not an employee. Therefore, you should declare all your earnings because you can write off many expenses as an independant contractor - the flight (even if the cruise line pays for it because it is part of your contract income and it is in your name), medical examinations, hotels, meals, onboard expenses, some entertaining expenses if they are relevant to your position, clothing, dry cleaning/laundry, personal grooming and sundry items, laptop and accessories...to name a few. Of course each persons country, state and personal situtation will determine exact benefits - this is where you spend a few bucks each year on an accountant to file your taxes for you. Please do not try to hide the cash from Big Brother! Simply set yourself up like a business, and enjoy the benefits! Plus, over time, you will have established a legitimate, self employed income.
Yes, it is true, most positions are paid onboard in cash - so the government will never know - that is untill they ask you one day, how did you support yourself financially for X period of time? Gulp ((( Yep, if they catch you defrauding them, you are going to jail......
So, here's what you do... As a crew member, for tax purposes, you are considered an independant contractor - not an employee. Therefore, you should declare all your earnings because you can write off many expenses as an independant contractor - the flight (even if the cruise line pays for it because it is part of your contract income and it is in your name), medical examinations, hotels, meals, onboard expenses, some entertaining expenses if they are relevant to your position, clothing, dry cleaning/laundry, personal grooming and sundry items, laptop and accessories...to name a few. Of course each persons country, state and personal situtation will determine exact benefits - this is where you spend a few bucks each year on an accountant to file your taxes for you. Please do not try to hide the cash from Big Brother! Simply set yourself up like a business, and enjoy the benefits! Plus, over time, you will have established a legitimate, self employed income.
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