Despite the global financial meltdown, our fellow Filipinos are still in demand as cruise ship workers for most companies around the world!
Sonny Flores, who works as a waiter for the Sun Princess told this writer that more than 60 percent of the crew at the luxury ship are made up of Filipinos. They are sourced mainly through a major recruitment and maritime agency called Magsaysay Maritime Corporation which is based in Manila, Philippines.
A check with Magsaysay’s website shows that there are a lot of vacancies available for Filipinos who like to work in the worldwide cruise industry. Some of them are in general services for jobs like front desk officers, gift shop attendants, nurse, photographer, printer, masseur, purser, kitchen and bar staff and many more.
Even the musicians at Rhapsody last year when we sailed to the South Pacific were Filipinos. At night, they were in a band playing 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music. During the day, some of them help in the Art Auctions.
If you have relatives or know people in need of jobs, most of the positions allow at least one year experience to be eligible. This we learned from Al, another Filipino waiter at the Sun Princess.
When you take a cruise you will definitely meet many Filipinos who are still very much in demand in the industry because of their hard work and friendly disposition.
Last year, while sailing with Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas, we also met and socialised with a big number of Filipino crew members. They all have one thing in common. Their love for their families back home have prompted them to summon all their strength and effort to withstand the rigorous job at sea!
This writer and her family usually get very special treatment from her fellow Filipinos while on board! We try to return the favour by giving extra tips after the journey which they greatly appreciate! We even exchange emails and other information. Even our Thai waiters gave us their email addresses so we could keep in touch!
Rightly so, people of other nationalities appreciate the excellent service Filipinos offer to them. A couple of our mates (non-Filipinos) who sailed with Costa Cruises last year told me that the crew in their ship were mostly Filipinos as well and they always did a good job! This has been echoed many times by other people we’ve met in our cruises.
Sonny, a native of Pampanga said he has been working in the cruise industry for decades and has been to many parts of the globe. He is grateful for the opportunity to see the world though the seven day workload with an average of 10 hours a day can be gruelling.
He and another Filipina crew member of Sun Princess, Rochelle lamented though that as they are paid based on the Philippines’ Cost of Living standard, they feel there are still loads of improvement needed for the wages to be at par with the other nationalities in the ship. The wait staff and general services rely mainly on the gratuities/tips they get from the passengers after each trip!
The above can be confirmed by the fact that last year at Rhapsody of the Seas, a couple of Filipino masseuse came up to me and urged me to have a massage as they said they only make money from tips. At that time, they just started their 18 months contract. The fact is, Filipinos are just too glad to even have a job as the huge and bulging population in the country continues to take a toll on its people!
Rochelle, who works as a sales clerk for the Sun Princess’ boutique said she’s still grateful she’s been to Alaska, Europe, Caribbean and many other major ports of call.
Trying to squeeze sightseeing during their four-hour breaks can be as daunting but if you love to travel and learn about many cultures, the benefits far outweigh the negatives like missing loved ones and being unable to keep relationships. Rochelle is still single and searching for the right man to come along and take her on her own cruise holiday one day!
The room steward assigned to us was another Filipino, Francisco who showered our boys with plenty of chocolates throughout our seven night stay! The same happened in our last trip.
Each day, beds are made twice, the buffet restaurant and room service operate 24 hours and you’re assured of great entertainment – whatever your preferences are – music, movies, sports, dance, or doing nothing. There’s something for you to enjoy when you cruise!
So, what are you waiting for? Go book yourself a cruise and help your kababayans while having a fantastic time! If you’re new to cruising, I recommend short trips – from two to seven days.
Don’t worry about being seasick; luxury ships these days have stabilisers so you won’t get too dizzy! But if you do, you can be sure you will be well looked after by your kababayans on board!
Happy 2010 to one and all. Many thanks for supporting this column!
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