Job Discussion Forums

[chola]

This was posted on a blog site from Toronto. This cruise line is looking for ESL teachers.

http://www.pmcmarine.com/

[maireadinish]

Hi. I recently finished a contract with Princess Cruises and while there certainly are a lot of great things connected with working on a ship, there are a number of things that you should be aware of before you take the job. As far as I know, this is the only line that offers ESL training onboard, although you might want to check with P&O.

Please note that I'm trying not to just vent, but I just finished my contract and I've been analyzing my experience to determine whether I would want to go back if the position was offered. Take my advice with a grain of salt; I'm not sure that I'm entirely neutral.

First of all, yes, you will get to travel and see a lot of amazing places; my 6-month contract took to four continents on two different ships. Keep in mind that if you've never been on a cruise, quantity does not equal quality. Between your work schedule and the time in port, you can only get to spend a few hours in each port you go to, and sometimes none at all. This is fine for some ports, but just try to see Rome in 3 hours, when the train takes an hour each way. Please also keep in mind that you are not on vacation; I cannot emphasize this enough. Many people go to work on the ship looking for a free vacation and that is NOT what this is. The job comes first whether you want it to or not. You have many passenger privileges, but you are not a passenger.

I don't know what other cruise lines do, if they even have ESL jobs, but on Princess you are considered an officer equivalent. You're supposed to get an officer cabin and have deck privileges. This doesn't always happen and you'll just have to deal with it. Sometimes though, you will get an awesome cabin. Sometimes you won't. Sometimes you'll change cabins on a weekly basis, sometimes you won't. Keep in mind that even officer cabins can be very noisy and are most definitely cramped. Remember your days in the college dorm? I hope you enjoyed it, because that's what it's like sometimes.

You recruit your own students. This is the worst part of the job because there are a lot of politics involved on ships. Head office want's one thing, what actually happens on the ship is another. You have to get in good with the Heads of Departments in order to get students and then you have to compete with other trainers in order to keep them.

Your students work 10-13 hours a day, seven days a week 5-10 months a year (length dependent on nationality. Europeans work 5-6 months, Asians work 9-10 months. Pay is also based on nationality.) They're supposed to come to class on company time, but that rarely happens. They come on their own time and they're *tired*. And they have to finish 40 hours in 10 weeks. This is not an easy task for someone who's just finished a 13 hour shift.

If you don't get enough students and/or graduates, it's on your head, no matter the circumstances.

You report to the Personnel and Training manager (Human Resources). If this person is nice and friendly and pro-training, you'll do well. If this person is not one of those things listed above, you will not. This does happen. In my experience, head office seemingly doesn't follow up on the people it hires; I know that my own credentials were never checked. You may very well get a terrible boss (re: alcoholic, drug-pushing, lying) who will make your life miserable. Granted, you might get a splendid, professional boss who will become a really great friend. Both happened to me. I had four different P&T Managers. Three of them were really great people.

I thought that the curriculum was insufficient for basic English instruction. Fortunately, most of my students were upper level students. The company is working on a foundation level English course. I hope that it's better than what is currently available. Resources are limited, but some very good teacher resource books are provided. Basic supplies aren't always provided; you will have to be flexible with classrooms for example. I've taught in dining rooms, conference rooms, bars, storage areas, and stairwells. I've showed up to rooms a few minutes before class - rooms that I reserved a month in advance - only to find that it was taken over by someone else. You will also have to scrounge for a computer if you don't bring your own. There are computers in the purser office that you might be able to use. The internet is expensive ($20 for 200 minutes) and if you want to use it for business reasons, you have to pay for it. This may change; other non-English trainers have company-issued laptops with internet access. Every ship is different though.

Now, as for personal life. There are no secrets on ships. There are NO SECRETS ON SHIPS. If you date someone, everyone knows. If you get drunk, everyone knows. If you get sick, everyone knows (that's actually officially reported via e-mail, shipwide) If you walk out the door of the crew bar at roughly the same time as someone, everyone assumes that you are sleeping together. Rumors spread like wildfire. Now, I don't want to tell you what to do, you will be in a confined space. There is a copious amount of alcohol that you are not only allowed to consume, but expected to consume (I'll get to that). People form relationships faster than anywhere on earth. Have you heard about sailors having a girl in every port? There's a reason that this stereotype exists. Also keep in mind that the male to female ration on ships is 7 to 1. Be careful what you do with that information.

As for alcohol. Yes, you will be expected to drink. You have to socialize with the crew and the officers. This is how they socialize. If you are not okay with this, don't apply. I'm not kidding. There's a reason that sailors have such a bad reputation.

Other things to keep in mind.

If you are American, you will be in the minority. If you speak English as your first language, you will be in the minority. Most of the officers are Italian, Croatian, with a few Brits. Most of the crew are Philipino, Indian, Eastern European, Mexican, and Thai (in that order). If you can't live in an interracial community, especially one that has clear nationality divisions, don't apply.

Ships don't pay well. If you're in it for the money, go to the Middle East to teach. Or Korea.

Don't take your favorite clothes, the laundry will destroy them.

There are swimming pools. There are formal nights. You'll need work clothes (black pants/skirts, collared shirts). You'll need clothes to go ashore. You may go to beaches. You may go to the Arctic. You may be told that you are going to beaches, but end up going to the Arctic. The Caribbean is warm, but the ship is air-conditioned. You are not allowed to wear open-toed shoes. Pack accordingly.

Every piece of electronics needs to be tested. Power surges can occur. Use surge protectors on your expensive electronics.

The internet is slow and expensive and hates Apple products. Good luck uploading pictures.

So for anyone interested in applying, I hope that I've helped make up your mind. Good luck. Feel free to ask questions.

[spiral78]

Brilliant post.

The question of working on cruise ships comes up periodically. Some people may really feel ok with the working conditions you describe (I have some limited personal experience with cruise ship work and friends have done stints similar to yours - and I can vouch that your account is well within the ACCURATE range).

I think most people would have a hard time taking it gracefully.

Thanks again for taking the time to write out the description. I wasn't personally considering such a job but many people do.