Almost all of us dream to explore the world, and the best way I think is to take a cruise; It’s a different experience witnessing the world, A Sailing City.
On a cruise, the staff makes a lot of difference; it is too a unique experience on its own. Different nationalities (Around 30 plus nationalities ) working together towards one goal – Service to the guests sailing and making them happy and comfortable to enjoy their vacations.
Well, it does reminds me that I always called it a working vacation whenever I was on board. It gave me a chance to visit the world’s most beautiful destinations and see all the Seven Wonders of the World several times.
The cruise ship has a fixed itinerary. A one day cruise, seven days cruise, a fortnight cruise, a special cruise, or a World cruise to choose one.
One of the Disney Cruise Lines ships where I worked, we had a team of around 900 crew members serving 2700 guests.
There are companies with - Largest ships having 5400 passengers and around 1200 crew members ( Staff ) serving the guests.
The other departments are Shore Excursion, Entertainment, Casinos, Spa, Duty-free Shops, Youth counselors, deck, and engine.
Safety is a priority on board.
The safety and engine department is headed by Staff Captain, who looks after the safety and security of the ship, the guests, and the crew on board.
Safety Drills are conducted regularly as per the maritime laws, and staff is continuously trained in safety techniques, and procedures to be followed in case of any emergencies occurred on board. Also, the security of guests and crew are monitored very carefully, for eg to check any Stowaway is not travelling.
For the guest, they have to sign on. It means check-in, and then all services are taken care of; Food and Beverage, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage services, and many more like shore excursions, shopping onboard, entertainment, and not to miss the medical care.
A ship can sail without a Captain but not without a Doctor... So nothing to worry even if you are on medication. The ship has a medical center to take care of any guests and crew.
The benefit of cruising is that you are exploring the destinations with no hassle of packing and unpacking, changing hotels, no odd time travelling changing the mode of transport, immigration, and waiting time. You travel to the different parts of the world at your comfort. You are always woken up to a new destination every morning.
Chief Purser is head of the department for Pursers desk, which takes care of Sign on and Sign off procedures with liaison to the immigration department at each port for smooth going off-board and back, controls all the financial operations, and internal auditing on the ship, guest complaint.
The Shore excursion department takes care of all the bookings and arranging the tours which are escorted by one of the members of the ship, so the guests know one person of contact in the new place, especially young at heart guests.
The entertainment department headed by a Cruise Director organize the different activities onboard like, Welcome onboard show, theatre, stand up comedy shows, sail-away parties, cookery demos by executive chefs, pool games, and other facilities onboard is a gymnasium, library, Discotheque.
Hotel Director heads the hotel department. A huge operations with serving the guest, the number of meals prepared are prepared under extremely hygienic conditions following all the standards of USPH very strictly and always ready for inspections by USPH inspectors.
The departments under hotel director are Housekeeping, Galley
( Kitchen ) , Food and Beverage (Restaurants and Bars).
The housekeeping department takes care of all the cabins, their cleanliness, and room service. Butler service is provided to the suites cabins.
There are different venues which are serving food and beverage, Main dining Hall, Lidos, Bars, Speciality restaurants, Signature restaurants by Master Chefs like
James Martin, Marco Pierre White, and new ships nowadays have Popular Food Chains. Eg Starbucks on board.
You can imagine catering for thousands of people thousands of meals- the success lies in proper organization of stores which are loaded to fulfill all the demands of guests like gallons of milk and tons of vegetables, fruits and meats are carried on board. Provision Master takes care of all the merchandise receiving, storing, and issuing to proper departments.
100’s of Chefs together from different parts of the world are preparing the food specialized in the cooking with the guidance of Executive Chefs and Master Chefs.
In the Main Dining room, the meals are served in two seating and sit-down service.
The menus are cyclic (5-course Menu) serving Soups, Starters, Salads, Main course and Desserts with choice of Meats, fish, Pasta, vegetarian options &a Kids menu, and special orders section taking care of all the special requests of meals with allergies, dietary or particular cuisine menus or even religious meals are made care of for, eg. Kosher Meals or if Indian guests travelling can order special Indian Meal, especially Vegetarian Meal.
The Food and Beverage Department very efficiently serves these meals in a very organized fashion showing the skills of service taking care of all the functions, Cocktail parties, and Special Captain table Service.
You get to experience all the cuisines of the world together serving to the guests
The most important night on board is Gala Dinner and Midnight Gala buffet; Lobsters are served on the Menu followed by Chefs Parade with Baked Alaska.
A very proud moment for all the staff and especially chefs during the Parade.
A Thanking Night from all the crew members to the guests to come back on board again and cruise. Visit Again!!!
The article is provided by UEI Global Education - Rated as best hotel management institute in Pune.
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