Job Discussion Forums

nickelgoat · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:30 am Post subject:

......

squindia · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 38 Location: Bangalore, India

no updates from me. I had a 2nd interview...seemed to go well but after hearing more about the nature of the work...I lost interest. Since you are on the boat all the time with students, you are basically on the job all the time as well. And from what the 2nd interviewer said, seems that management on the boats haven't exactly bought into their charges taking ESL classes, so she indicated there would be some coaxing and schmoozing going on. I just don't have interest in doing that kind of thing anymore...I want to teach.

Good luck to all that applied, still seems like an adventurous experience!

gh27 · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

Does anyone have any contact info for where I can send my resume?

Thanks for your help Smile

squindia · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 38 Location: Bangalore, India

I no longer have their contact information but I got it here on Dave's. Maybe do a search for 'princess cruise' on the job board and see if you get it that way.

good luck!

Mpho · Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

Here is a copy of the Princess Cruise line job.

A little info for those who might apply.

This is a cushy job in reality, but the students' are never too keen on learning as they have a long work day and this cuts into their free time.

You will find most employees being taught speek Spanish, Filipino, an Indian dialect or some African dialects. Basic levels of English go from very good to none.

It is like teaching a kindergarten to first grade class in many cases.

You will be expected to teach hotel service English mainly with a smattering of ettiquette and culture. Others will be interested in casino English and all the intricacies of gambling in English.

Also, do not be surprised, as you might be teaching engineers English (as I have done on freighters). This is highly technical English involving air conditioning systems, heating sytems, pumps, air compressors, weight handling equipment and hundreds of other mechanical and electrical devices on ship including waste handling, environmental protection, etc.

And even sometimes translating very technical manuals so that they understand how to comply with maritime law.

Once aboard you are a captive, no jumping ship, ha. ha. And the other posters are correct, inside cabins are noisy.

Board Our Ships!
Posted By: Princess Cruises <[email protected]>
Date: Saturday, 17 November 2007, at 7:29 a.m.
Princess Cruises is seeking individuals to provide ESL instruction for crew who work on board our ships. Successful candidates will be skilled ESL professionals, with a Masters Degree in TEFL/TESOL, who are able to adapt to our unique "crew culture" atmosphere. This is a shipboard position, and requires the incumbent to live on board for 2-3 months at a time. A typical workday will include 4-5 hours of instructor-led classes and 2-3 hours preparation. This schedule is based on a six-day workweek. Assignments are up to three months in length. The compensation package for this position includes:
* $500 weekly compensation (before taxes for US citizens)
* Guest accommodation
* All meals are included
* All gratuities are included
* Air travel to and from the ship's port
* Laundry service
* Shipboard activities, as available
* Interior passenger or officer cabin
If you are interested in pursuing this unique opportunity, please forward your current r�sum� via e-mail to Fleet Training [email protected] (Please write ESL Instructor and YOUR NAME in the Subject)or via fax to 661-753-0141.

Mpho

maireadinish · Joined: 03 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Interesting post. Well, maybe in my next life I'll give it a go - probably too late now.

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

Insightful post. It would be a fascinating experience...at least for the stories one could tell.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Indeed! It's the onboard shenanigans that especially intrigue me - a league of nations in such close confinement. Fascinating.

maireadinish · Joined: 03 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Just so you all know, if you're planning to go join the ship, they won't be sending anyone out until February. Princess doesn't do training over the holidays and as the program is a minimum of three months long, no one new will be going out anytime soon.

That said, if you've had your interviews and it seemed to go well, they might still call. They're pretty notorious for saying jump, and expecting you to comply.

rononeil · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Barrie, Canada

This letter is in response to maireadinish posting:
It amazed me the negative comments that come from a teacher that had to work 4 hours a day on one of the most beautiful ships of the sea. I was very fortunate to work on ships that had shifts up to 11 hours a day in other departments. You learn pretty fast what working is all about. Then I joined the ESL team aboard Princess Cruise Lines and worked 4 hours a day in the classroom.

First off, the program is wonderful and I have seen many staff members that have benefited from this program. Remember that safety and customer service is a priority on ships. This program is directly related to it. No it's not perfect, but the teams back in California at the University and at head office are working hard in making it better.

Certainly, staff work long hours and then they come to your classroom, which can be very difficult. But, if you�re a teacher that has experience, you come to class with energy and bring life to your curriculum. I loved teaching the staff and they reciprocated that feeling as well.

I've lived on ships a long time and I was never required to drink. In fact, the last contract I never drank and still socialized. My living accommodations were excellent because I had the standard officer cabin. It had a seating room in the back, tons of closet space, 4 foot long desk and a not so comfy bed. I was up at the gym everyday with the passengers and sometimes ate with the guests. The food was amazing! You just have to be aware of the deserts; they can be deadly to the hips.

Yes, there is politics on ships. What job doesn't! Recruiting students is a great way of getting to know the staff on ships and an excellent way of creating a positive interest about the program.
Over the years, I have met so many bubbly and outgoing P&T Managers on all major cruise lines that I have worked for (which you directly report to as the Instructor). If you understand the challenges of what a P&T Manager goes through on a daily basis, you would never speak negatively about them. Were not all perfect bosses all the time! Yes, Princess does random drug testing of staff onboard. It's all about safety!

What I loved the most is the diversity of the staff. They are the hardest workers you will ever find. I enjoyed coming to class and getting them to talk about their families and cultures.

In conclusion, every day I went to class with the full intention of giving my students what they needed to succeed in providing safety and a higher quality of service to everyone onboard. That might sound like a corporate way of putting it, but if your ship was ever on fire, you better hope that communication is clearly understood by every level of staff. And that is just one reason why we are onboard.

Ship life isn't perfect, but if you come onboard with a positive mind and understand the normal challenges of living aboard a vessel. You will leave with so many amazing friends and great memories that you will have the rest of your life!