Working on NCL Pride of America? Can I travel..?

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[@user-ut6xb6xi9u]

I just got hired on pride of America. I’m in the process of getting my medical exam and I’m so excited to get started.

[@kevingushlawtruthseeker3493]

me too, this Tuesday

[@merakialma]

It was very nice to hear honesty from your perspective from such a demanding job. Idk if you had prior experience before working long shift hours but if you didn’t I would feel the burn out as well. And not having the availability to rest is so important for the human body.. I did get hired with NCL knowing more about the demand. But I also know that it would give me the opportunity to save my money to then invest it…from looking over the contract now. I see that they give you a week off every 3 weeks which is good compared to your history with them… it was refreshing to hear this video. At least I know what to expect and how to prepare my mind for it.

[@codydraco]

I just applied for the same position you worked. Thanks so much for all of the information and being honest about your experience!

[@michaelmsalas]

I wish you the best and hope it goes well for you!

[@jonathanmoreland5652]

I worked 4.5 years on 2 ships for NCL in Hawaii You go there to work Honor you contracts Be a man Do your job Finnish your contract $1000 a week plus tips Room and board Food and Activities

[@michaelmsalas]

That's awesome and good for you! A lot of commitment. Thanks for sharing!

[@jonathanmoreland5652]

So many people like you jump ship we are always under staffed Im a Galley Steward You can choose to sleep Or go have fun stay awake for a couple days 😂 My last contract I was working in crew mess potwash Ronald are manager told me I was supposed to leave that day I was having so much fun I forgot it was time to go home

[@lukeconrad97]

I accepted my offer for restaurant steward and just waiting for piney point at this point. I've been watching so many videos on peoples experiences on this cruise and Im going in with caution. I really need to save money and pay off debt so I think this may be the quickest and fastest way but Im hesitant that Ill get overwhelmed and frustrated..especially since I like to go out to and have fun. I really hope this experience isn't bad I low-key just wanna get it over with but also want to see Hawaii too. Haha thanks for sharing man

[@RumpleGold]

OMG I have my medical tomorrow ! See you on ship !

[@lukeconrad97]

@@RumpleGold what position are you?

[@RumpleGold]

@@lukeconrad97 hotel utilities ! Glorified carpet cleaner essentially

[@RumpleGold]

@@lukeconrad97 hotel utilities I keep trying to Google the uniform because I wanna see it and I can’t find anything

[@KingMidas-wz8of]

I’ll be leaving for Piney Point next week! Hope to see you guys there!

[@Evanthebat15]

Thank you so much for such an honest video, its been hard to find those especially when it comes to NCL. I got accepted recently to POA as a waitress assistant, goal is to last the 6 months, used to doing 14 hrs shift with no break. Did you have to do a breakfast shift, then break time for a few hours and dinner shift or did you do the 12 hrs shift straight with no break? We were told point blank that its gonna be like 70-80 hrs weekly we are gonna work that includes getting paid overtime and that its a physically demanding job so I don't mind too much. Your story about Hawaii made me chuckle, mostly because I was going in with the mentality of "I am getting paid to go to Hawaii, I'll suck it up for 6 months, will probably get to look around the ports and then when I am on my break I'll just chill in Hawaii for a few weeks." Never thought about staying in Hawaii but now you put that thought in my head lol Thank you!

[@RumpleGold]

I’m already planning my Airbnb for the 5 weeks off in Honolulu . I’m planning to put 5 yrs on this ship if I can . And walk away with enough dough to get a condo in Hawaii and pay for commercial diving school

[@myfatherdaughter]

they will reimburse your TWIC and the medical check up is free

[@RumpleGold]

I can’t wait to start work ! My medical is tomorrow ! I’m galley hotel and I’m excited

[@karririttenhouse3924]

How did the rest go? I go for my medical tomorrow 😅

[@kevingushlawtruthseeker3493]

Thank God I dont drink I just dont like the taste of alcohol, just 1 less thing to worry about

[@sumavida5991]

Thanks for your experience

[@PupsMom]

You would have blown .039. In Canada the legal limit to drive is .08, which would be a little over one drink.

[@kevingushlawtruthseeker3493]

If your smart you would have just got a tent, got a membership at YMCA(several in Honolulu) live on the beach like many others do and bath at YMCA use your $ for food and fast every other day or just 1 meal a day is easy. unfortunately most young ppl just want to party and hope they remember what they did. If it wasnt for the military and the Railroad similar hrs I dont think I would even consider this job. There goes trading traveling the world/ getting paid without joining the Navy.

[@hawaiiguy1]

Ha ha 😂. Was that the Nuuanu YMCA? The apartment building 8n da hood, in the Kalihi district of Honolulu or Palolo district of Honolulu? Nice hearing of your first hand experience on board the POA 🤙

[@aaronyeager6778]

Just accepted a cocktail server position on POA. I’ve watched a lot of videos about crew life on ship & this is by far like the most real one I’ve seen. I enjoyed your story, if I didn’t hear this I’d probably end up doing the same exact thing getting wasted on my 1st port. 😂 one common thing everyone says is it’s basically slavery which has me thinking second thoughts, but who knows I’d definitely like to go for the experience. How much did all the certification before hand cost you? How long were you on ship before you were over it?

[@msann7915]

I’ve been doing the same thing since I accepted 😅

[@JonathanPan-wb8qh]

Hey, I just had an offer for a restaurant steward position however, the hourly pay rate is below average compared to what was posted on Glassdoor ($6-$8 difference.) do you think that’s something that I should bring up?

[@michaelmsalas]

I'm glad you enjoyed my story! I'm not sure how much everything cost now since it's been so long, but I don't remember paying more than a few hundreds dollars. I want to say around $300 but don't quote me

[@stephendiew82]

​@@msann7915when do you leave? I start training on the 16th

[@msann7915]

@@stephendiew82 same

[@imftheGOD]

I got hired as a dj. Just waiting on my twic. Is there anything i should know?

[@victoriaisabella786]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am doing the hiring process at the moment and just finished the medical about a week ago. I got an offer for a restaurant steward position, but I see that the working conditions on the crew are not the best. I currently work for a swimming pool company and we do work very long hours during pre-season so I am used to putting in long work shifts but what I have been seeing online it seems like it is slave labor if you are in low-ranking positions. Yes, you have housing and food covered which is usually the highest expense for a person but is it really worth the crappy working conditions?

[@Draybill]

Same a Steward and I'm glad I saw this , May not be worth it smh

[@darianberrones5204]

Did you end up getting on board for restaurant Steward? If so how's your experience been so far? I just accepted the offer

[@geminidragonreads]

I’m hoping to get a job on Pride of America.

[@michaelmsalas]

Depending on what position you apply for you probably will. They're always hiring

[@markhinkle5225]

I’m waiting for my twic card they sent me my welcome package three days ago. I’m excited to be back on the water.

[@geminidragonreads]

@@michaelmsalas I haven't applied, but they have a virtual information session today that has interviews at the end. I'm hoping for entrainment management or sales, or admin. I have experience in those areas.

[@jennasherman1479]

Nice I just got hired on too! Have medical exam Friday

[@viralocity8758]

@@jennasherman1479 what’s the process from interview to last stretch?

[@nslsongs24]

I did accepted my offer on Jan 29 after my interview and I'm looking foward to work hard play hard my position Assistant Cook I'm trying to get all my paperwork done be on my way to Piny Point MD 👆🙏👍

[@ifngy]

did they pay for the ticket to fly to maryland and from there to hawaii? i got accepted as a assistant waiter as well

[@michaelmsalas]

Yes they pay for all the flights. And congratulations 👊🏻

[@joshuamiller2627]

Im sure one drink is fine but ehats the point in one drink but ehen you do the overnight on whatever island it is drink whst you want but you need to sober up before you go to ned snd get back to the ship so by the time you get the breathalyzer you won't fail

[@101KANDYCANE]

I leave for Baltimore Saturday

[@michaelmsalas]

I wish you the best of luck!

[@AyoNyGasUp]

How long did it take for the recruiter to call after you accepted the offer

[@sandrablue365]

@@AyoNyGasUpit all depends my process was quick I did the interview in October towards the end of the month on a Wednesday and I got my acceptance the next day I submitted everything, it’s now been a week since I finished medical so I’m currently waiting on training.

[@ChandlerSmithVlogs]

Anyone have any experience as housekeeper anything that I need to know about working on pride America in general things I need to know or should know just any information you can tell me would really help me make me feel more comfortable

so how long did you actually work for NCL?

[@roocky2000]

Accepted Job For POF For server assitant🎉

[@michaelmsalas]

Congratulations! I hope it goes well for you!

[@emmafoley7413]

How long were you on the cruise for? I appreciate your honesty and story 🥺

[@LtCmdrRsulu-cv3do]

How long are you at sea for when you work

[@michaelmsalas]

The contracts are usually for 5 months at a time

[@user-hq9zu3md8j]

Where did you go after your time on the ship? Did you get an apartment or live back with your parents?

[@PupsMom]

Most cruise ships are staffed at low wages to non Americans, who consider themselves lucky to have a job where they can send money home. North Americans can make alot more money with less restrictions, so that job is something most North Americans don't want to do. Half your salary is more money than crew on international crew could make at home.

[@Whereisbigpapa]

I just got offered a job position for a restaurant steward. You have any advice on if I should take it?

[@michaelmsalas]

Congratulations! I can't say if you should take the job or not. But I'd say ask yourself if you're ok with spending 5 months away from family and friends, long work days, sharing a small cabin with other co workers, and being on your feet the entire work day. The huge plus is you can save all the money you make.

[@kajr8580]

Dude was capping hard tho about forgetting the reason he had a problem with his MMC. He just isn’t trying to reveal that in the video. lol Also, why did he think trying to stay in Hawaii with no savings or solid source of income.

[@johntravers2321]

It’s quite easy to get your MMC application rejected. You enter 1 wrong step in the form and it’s a rejection.

[@MeatMachine69]

very informative video, thanks for the honesty. what all did the medical exam include? also what place did you start working at after you jumped ship lol

[@michaelmsalas]

I don't remember all the medical exams now, but they do a physical and blood tests. And I started working for a restaurant in Waikiki. It took me about 1 week to start working when I jumped ship

[@MeatMachine69]

@@michaelmsalas thanks sir

[@viralocity8758]

@@michaelmsalas blood tests for drugs?

[@EricJohnson53534]

yeah i dont know if that job is worth it seems like they hire pretty much anyone

[@RumpleGold]

They do as long as you have no tattoos , don’t drink , no pot ever , and can live without your significant other for 6 months at a time . No pets , no kids , you work 7 days a week for 6 months straight

[@johntravers2321]

It’s a job for those ambitious workers who have a do-or-die attitude in regards to personal goals. Number one reason people work on cruise ships is to facilitate the ability to quickly pay off personal debts. You end your lease and sell your car and you’re already saving $1200-$2000 a month. 4 free meals a day, everyday. Many people however, join for the wrong reason such as travel or fun. You get some travel but it’s highly militarized.

[@JohnADpeters]

I was the Photo manager / officer in 2022 was a good job but definitely not for me.. GM Kai was cool. And the Doctor was a good friend

[@lightblade8630]

How does the gratuity system work? And are you allowed to keep tips?

[@michaelmsalas]

It all depends. If you're a server you usually have guests come eat with you all week. You want to make good friends with them and have them keep coming back to you. If the guests want to at the end of the week they tip the servers. The servers can keep it all or they might give the server assistant (SA) a portion of that tip.

[@lightblade8630]

@Michael salas sorry I should of specified, I will be a bar server. But this is good to know! I was hoping we'd get some cash tips on the side

[@aaronyeager6778]

@@lightblade8630hey I also got the bar server role recently. What he said about getting guest tips at the end of the their week is pretty much what I’ve seen in my research. I guess you wanna give the guest good service so they remember you & come back the whole week. I hear guest barely keep cash on them but you can still make out pretty solid.

[@CruzinGuru]

Depending on what department you're in, do they give you the option of renewing your contract for the same ship? Or a different ship.

[@michaelmsalas]

Yes, they usually give you an option to renew. However, if you switch ships, the pay will probably be different. Because the Pride of America is a USA flagged vessel so they have to pay certain minimum wages.

[@kjbarr333]

How many roommates do you get? Also is it stuffy or cold in your cabin?

[@ChandlerSmithVlogs]

2 roommates most likely then including yourself that’s sharing 3 people per room and they are tiny

[@nastytaco420]

As an assistant waiter did you get gratutity?

[@nastytaco420]

May i ask how much it was like weekly?

[@michaelmsalas]

As the assistant waiter it's not normal to receive tips. If you're a waiter it's more likely that you'll receive tips but still not guaranteed. If the waiter receives tips they can choose to share with the assistant waiter

[@katvogue2871]

How much your money sum up to in a week ?

[@michaelmsalas]

You get paid every 2 weeks. I've heard they raised the pay to a minimum of $14 per hour

[@jennasherman1479]

You that anything about bar porter steward? Just got hired on as that but also live in Hawaii lol

[@sandrablue365]

@@jennasherman1479I’m going through the process as a bar waiter I was told pay is around $12 and change also overtime is $19 and change idk if it would be the same in your position.

[@tammycho9354]

Whats your contact info??? Wanted to chat with you about some work and travel stuff...

[@ChandlerSmithVlogs]

I’m a housekeeper we’ll about to be I got all the paperwork and had my physical done a day ago and now I’m going tomorrow to go to appointment for Twic card that’s my last step then they said they can schedule for me to go to Maryland for training does anyone have experience working as a housekeeper on pride of America ? Do you get brakes how long are the brakes and do you get any days off like let’s say you work three weeks and then you get a week off I heard something about that is that true thank you

[@sandrablue365]

I’m going through the process as well right now but as a bar waiter I’m waiting for training dates

[@sandrablue365]

I was told you only get time off in between shifts you might eat luck with a day off but I’m not sure I’m waiting on my training dates in Maryland

[@ChandlerSmithVlogs]

@@sandrablue365 4 to 6 hours I was told you have that much time off by NCL

[@ChandlerSmithVlogs]

I wish you the best of luck mate :) maybe we’ll see each other lol

[@sandrablue365]

@@ChandlerSmithVlogs ok that’s still good

[@zdub3080]

Do you get paid overtime after 40hours?

[@michaelmsalas]

Yes of course

[@zdub3080]

@@michaelmsalasI wasn’t sure coz I read some comments that they pay OT after 70hrs.

[@thomasdigerolamo5471]

If you quit do they pay for your flight home?

[@nyjahb1971]

No

[@johntravers2321]

You quit or get fired, it goes like this: pack your bags and step off the ship. Good luck!

[@JAYDFROMBR]

Did you say you had to pay for your medical exam ?

[@michaelmsalas]

Yes, you have to pay upfront, but they reimburse you once you start on the ship.

[@JAYDFROMBR]

@@michaelmsalas update got my medical done didn’t have to pay just paid for my twic

[@sandrablue365]

I did not have to pay for medical I only renewed my TWIC

[@MylesGmail]

Wow thx!!!

[@stevesbushcraftingadventur9605]

About how much do you make monthly as a servers assistant on PoA?

[@michaelmsalas]

I'm not sure anymore, I've heard they raised it to $13 an hour

[@nastytaco420]

13.27

[@johntravers2321]

It’s at $14/hr as a Reataurant Steward as of today, which is a position below Server Assistant. I’d imagine SA’s get paid the same or maybe a little more.