Unfinished pages | beyond the mirror

... I've been given the green light by my colleague to share this story with you ... Mia, a newbie HR officer onboard, boarded a cruise ship so big you could get lost going from your room to the loo. Her cabin was so small, if she sneezed, she’d hit all four walls! On her first day, Mia was all over the place, meeting people from everywhere. She learned the crew’s special language – a funny mix of broken English and hand signals. It was like playing charades every day. Mia was like the ship’s agony aunt, sorting out everyone's dramas. She was busier than a bee! Then ...one day ... she met him! Leo, a deck officer. He had eyes that made you think of deep-sea diving. They hit it off faster than a seagull on a chip. They'd sneak quick chats between shifts, hiding their romance like it was a stowaway. Life on the ship was nuts. One minute you’re giving relationship advice to a heartbroken cook, the next, you’re trying not to fall over while the ship rocks like it...

On a cruise ship, where the sea meets the sky, people work and live close together. This can make feelings of love and attraction very strong. Sometimes, these feelings start a new and exciting time in someone's life. 1. Quick Attractions: On the ship, it's common for people to feel attracted to each other quickly. There's excitement in the air, but these feelings may not last. Be careful. What feels like love under the stars might just be a short adventure. 2. Love Across Cultures: Love on a ship often brings together people from different countries. It's special because it shows love can happen between anyone, no matter where they're from. But remember, these ship romances can be brief. People might have to say goodbye when their job on the ship ends. 3. Keeping Things Private: On a ship, news spreads fast. It's good to keep your personal life quiet. A cruise ship is a workplace, ...

Embarking on a career at sea is more than just a job; it’s stepping into a world where every horizon brings a new adventure and every day is a lesson in life. As someone who's weathered many a storm and savored countless sunsets on the deck, I've gathered pearls of wisdom that are as invaluable as they are diverse. Let me share these with you. 1. Embrace Diversity: The cruise ship is a melting pot of cultures. Take the time to learn about your crewmates' backgrounds. This not only enriches your experience but also helps in creating an inclusive environment. Learn basic greetings in different languages. It's a small gesture that goes a long way in building camaraderie. 2. Adaptability is Key: Flexibility is your greatest asset. Be prepared to handle unexpected changes, whether it's a shift in work schedules or last-minute itinerary alterations. Embrace every role and task. Even if it's outside your comfort zo...

Welcome aboard the linguistic rollercoaster of ship life!  The official language on board might be English, but let me tell you, what we speak is a whole other dialect. It’s a colorful mishmash of broken English, ship slang, and a sprinkle of expressions from the 70-plus nationalities on board. It's not just about words; it’s about survival, camaraderie and sometimes, just letting off steam.... Trust  me, it takes a few contracts to decode this unique lingo. There I was in the crew mess, munching away, when the General Manager saunters in. Picture a bald, shorter Pablo Escobar (sans mustache), with an intriguing odor. He spots my name tag – "Serbia" – and drops a bomb: "You must be sexy and aggressive." I almost snapped back (he might have had a point 😆), but then he starts rambling in ship-speak, something about "Babalues" and "fixing them like banana." I'm standing there, bewildered, wondering if bananas need fixing now? His talk w...

  Every movie, every glossy brochure selling a cruise vacation showcases the glamour of cruise life. The azure waters reflecting the golden sunsets, the grandeur of the vessel, the parties, the exotic ports of call, and the promise of an adventure every day. But for those who call this ship home, especially as crew, the portrait can sometimes differ significantly from this dreamy panorama. The romanticized notion of CruiseLife Imagine lounging by the ship's pool, sipping a cocktail with the horizon stretched out in front of you. In the evenings, you're treated to world-class entertainment, and every morning you wake up in a new, exotic location. Super, a? It’s the dream many envision when they think of working on a cruise ship – a perpetual vacation interspersed with a little work. Reality's Anchor - The Challenges 👀 But the real picture isn't always this rosy. Long hours, intense workloads, being away from family for extended periods, and constantly adapting to a m...

Lidija Buzzing 1. The Luxury Life: Expectation: As an officer, you're living the high life. You're imagined having a large cabin with ocean views, frequenting the finest dining halls, and mingling with elite guests. 🆚     Reality: While officers might have better accommodations than the general crew, it's often not the luxurious suite people imagine. Meals are typically in crew or officer mess areas, and there's little time for leisurely mingling due to responsibilities. 2. Exotic Adventures Every Day: Expectation: Every port brings a new adventure, a chance to explore tropical paradises, historic cities, and vibrant local cultures.  🆚    Reality: Port days can often mean additional work, overseeing crew changes, supplies being loaded, or attending to administrative duties. There might be occasions where you don't even disembark because of your duties on board. 3. Calm Seas & S...

Word is spreading like wildfire about a certain couple on a luxury cruise! Picture this: a glitzy ship, the shimmering ocean, and two passengers lost in each other's eyes (and perhaps one too many cocktails). Rumor has it, as the night wore on and the ship's music became a distant hum, this "unnamed" duo decided the privacy of their balcony was the perfect setting for some... intimate escapades . Ah, but the ocean is a fickle mistress! In the heat of the moment, and perhaps a bit wobbly from the evening's indulgences, they tumbled right over the edge and into the deep blue below. 👀 But wait, it doesn't end there! Thanks to the ever-watchful eyes on the seas, their unexpected dive did not go unnoticed. Alerts rippled across the waters faster than the latest shipboard gossip. Another cruise ship, close by, turned hero of the hour, swooping in for a daring midnight rescue. This duo, now drenched and probably more embarrassed than they've ever been, wer...

Ahoy there! If you've ever set foot on a cruise ship, you may have noticed something other than the mesmerizing sway of the ocean or the tantalizing smell of the buffet. That's right, cameras! Just like seagulls around a sandwich, they're everywhere. But why the need for such omnipresent observation on the high seas? Let’s dive deep! 1. 🌊 Safety First and Foremost: Man Overboard : Cameras can instantly detect if someone goes overboard, enabling swift rescue operations. Crime Prevention and Solving : Ensuring the safety of passengers is paramount. Cameras help deter potential criminals and provide evidence if an incident occurs. Fire Monitoring : If there's an unexpected flare-up from that flambé demonstration, cameras can help detect and alert the crew faster. 2. 🚢 Operational Efficiency: Crowd Control : Cameras help monitor passenger flow, ensuring areas don't get too congested (especially near the ...