Starting my first contract on a cruise ship was one of the most exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experiences of my life. After completing six weeks of intense training at the old Elemis building in Watford, I was ready—or so I thought. The moment I was assigned my ship, I had to prepare for a whirlwind journey. My flight to Costa Rica was scheduled for the next morning, leaving me little time to process what lay ahead.
I spent my last evening in the UK with my sister in Brighton, frantically rethinking my packing strategy. I took out nearly all of my winter clothes because I knew I’d be heading to a warmer climate. With cruise ship contracts, you have no say in where you go or how long you stay, but I remained optimistic that I’d be on the same ship as it transitioned to Europe the following week.
A Journey Full of Nerves
The morning of my flight, I left for Gatwick Airport at 5:30 AM. The airport was only half an hour away, but the nerves set in as soon as I arrived. I had a two-hour wait before my flight to Houston, Texas. It was my first time traveling to the United States, and the sheer scale of Houston Airport was overwhelming.
The flight to Houston was 11 hours long, and despite my exhaustion, I couldn’t sleep. When I landed, I was greeted by 40°C heat—quite the shock after leaving snowy England. I felt completely unprepared, juggling my coat, jumper, scarf, passport, tickets, and the file containing my ship assignment details. Immigration was an intimidating experience. The officer questioned me about my plans, and when I explained I was joining Windstar Cruises, he had never heard of them. After showing him my documents, he became intrigued and even turned to his colleague to show off the luxurious ship I was heading to.
This delay left me with just 45 minutes to catch my connecting flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. I raced to baggage claim, rechecked my bag, and then sprinted to security. By the time I cleared security, I had only five minutes to reach my gate, which was far from where I was.
A Close Call
Panicked, I ran through the terminal in socks, my rucksack bouncing on my back. Out of nowhere, an airport staff member with a strong accent called out, “Get on, darling, get on!” She ushered me onto one of the carts typically reserved for those needing assistance and sped me toward my gate. Miraculously, I made it just in time.
In Costa Rica, my luggage had gone missing, leaving me to describe my bag to airline staff. They were amazed at the detail I could recall—brand, colour, size, and even the pink and blue check strap. I was told it might take a day or two to locate, but I hoped it would catch up with me before the ship set sail.
My First Day on the Ship
After a two-hour taxi ride, I arrived at the port at 7 AM—two and a half hours before my itinerary’s scheduled time. When I boarded the ship, I was greeted not with warmth but with a scolding from my manager for being “late.” I politely showed her my itinerary, which clearly stated my arrival time was 9:30 AM. She brushed it off but then added, “Your hair doesn’t suit you. I’m sorting it.” She insisted I cut my long hair short so I’d spend less time getting ready.
If that wasn’t stressful enough, I still didn’t have my luggage. It wasn’t until the next day, just 15 minutes before the ship was set to leave port, that my bag finally arrived. The relief was overwhelming—I couldn’t imagine starting my first day of work without my belongings.
Lessons Learned
Working on a cruise ship was one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. From navigating intimidating airports and delayed luggage to adjusting to life on board, I learned the importance of adaptability, persistence, and self-confidence. That first journey—filled with hurdles—was the beginning of a chapter that pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me to face challenges head-on.
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