Unfinished pages | beyond the mirror

Talking with my friends on the ship, we realized that most of us have different habits of packing and greeting our families. Also, we realized that these 3 different scenarios we all lived after some time working on the ships.  1.  The Gaming Guru   Grabs whatever's in sight, stuffs it in a bag and is good to go! All-nighter with video games? Heck yeah. Thirsty? A sip of water will do. Off to the airport, thinking about that last level they couldn't beat. Plops on the airplane seat, passes out, and dreams of game controllers. Touches down, realizes, "Whoa, I'm about to be on a ship!" Finally gets that seafarer vibe and hits the hotel bar before realizing they're late for the cruise bus. Classic! 2. The Emotion Ocean   A whole emotional soap opera before hitting the ship deck. Weeks in advance, they're visiting EVERYONE, turning goodbyes into Oscar-worthy monologues. On Instagram, it's "Final sunset before the big voyage 🌅", and then the fami...

Workplace harassment? Oh, some think it's just another day in the life of "toughening up". Surprisingly, many perpetrators don't even realize they're the villains in someone else's story. Some misinterpret others' actions as threatening, while others might be on a misplaced quest for "justice". The worst part? They often don't even know they're crossing boundaries. The world of cruise ships isn’t free from these waves either. But here's the catch: The ship-world has its unique, comprehensive harassment policies . Policies so blatantly spelled out that even the tiniest fish in the sea knows it by heart. These policies, emphasized and re-emphasized, are something like: “...is dedicated to fostering an environment where crew members flourish with dignity and respect. No space for offensive antics or discriminatory harassment.” Yet, isn't it oddly amusing how these very companies sometimes fail to recognize their management...

  Stepping aboard for my inaugural venture into the cruise industry felt like being handed the golden ticket! The meticulous orchestration was evident: an itinerary crafted, highlighting every rendezvous that awaited me. Every manager, with a steaming cup of joe, was eager to immerse me in their realm. They unfurled the tapestry of their duties, elucidating the dynamics of their teams and outlining their anticipations from my presence. The triumvirate of the ship's anatomy - the deck, engine, and hotel, seemed to pulsate with distinct ethos. While my HR hat mandated ensuring a symphonic adherence to the company's guiding principles, the unspoken subtext was clear: juggling these diverse sectors wasn’t going to be a cakewalk. 🎩🤹‍♀️ Roaming the corridors, each nod from the crew was like a badge of distinction. Yet, the corridors echoed with greetings, a testament to the intricate camaraderie that threads the crew. I soon discerned the magnitude of this ensemble, all danci...