Thread: I Have a Dream. Looking for Advice!

Hello Cruisers!

My name's Tharyn, I'm brand new here, and I wondered if I could bounce some ideas off you all? Here's a super short summary of my life to give some perspective. I thank you in advance for any and all feedback.

I've just graduated from college and am now figuring out what I want to do with my life. Like how to make a difference while doing something I love. During school I was blessed enough to study in India and travel the world for a number of months. During which I caught the travel bug... Ever since then I've been trying to create a way that I could travel and make a living.

When I was 14 I got to enjoy a week long cruise through the Caribbean and since then I've always thought about how cool it would be to work on a ship. My other passion is for meditation and the many aspects of mindfulness for reducing stress and enhancing life. It's worked so many wonders in my life and others whom have I've also practiced with.

So one day a few months ago I was brainstorming about career ideas (while sitting in meditation actually lol) and it just popped into head! What if I could teach meditation to world travelers on cruise ships? I could show people how to become more mindful and aware of their vacation experience through simple mindfulness techniques. I could offer morning recharge sessions for beginning the day and relaxation sessions in the evening. Many other ideas have sprouted too.

To me these would be awesome activities to take part in if I was vacationing, but I am bias, I already love meditation. My question to all of you expert cruisers is what do you think? Would you ever be interested in attending guided meditations during your cruise? And how would I begin to pursue this dream of teaching meditation on a cruise ship? Any advice, feedback, and constructive criticism is so gratefully appreciated. Thank you cruise fans! Great to find this community.

-Tharyn

Tharyn,

Welcome to our friendly site. I love your idea. I think I will be your first customer.

Not sure how you would pitch this to the cruiselines. But I surely wish you well.

Thanks for the support Hanna! Glad someone likes the idea.

Welcome to Cruise Line Fans!!

I really like the idea.

But to try and sell this idea on a cruise line -- will really be tough.

The major cruise lines would be more likely to offer you room and board for such sessions rather tha pay you. You would end up in a tiny crew cabin -- sharing with either 1 - 3 other men. Besides having mediation sessions the cruise lines would also have you do other jobs -- helping out here and there -- maybe be an escort on a tour. It's not easy working on a ship in any capacity. If they didn't have you do odd jobs -- then they would hire you as part time as which you would have to pick up the expense of your cabin -- with very, very low pay. Remember that you have to pay for all your extras -- soap, shampoo, all your toiletries.

Keep us informed on what you decide to do.

Hi and welcome to www.cruiselinefans.com

As Yonnie has said, it would be hard sell, may I make 3 suggestions for another string to your bow, which may help you get a foot in the door:

1 I would think the cruise line would class meditation and relaxation as "spa" activities, so you may need to get a qualification in massage or some other kind of theopy.

2 A sports or fitness qualification for the gym or deck games.

3 Join the entertainment staff, but that's not easy.

All of the above work long hours with very little time off and you will be expected to escort tours etc where necessary.

Also pick your cruise line carefully or you could end up seening the same few islands every other week.

Originally Posted by Lanky Lad

Hi and welcome to www.cruiselinefans.com

As Yonnie has said, it would be hard sell, may I make 3 suggestions for another string to your bow, which may help you get a foot in the door:

1 I would think the cruise line would class meditation and relaxation as "spa" activities, so you may need to get a qualification in massage or some other kind of theopy.

2 A sports or fitness qualification for the gym or deck games.

3 Join the entertainment staff, but that's not easy.

All of the above work long hours with very little time off and you will be expected to escort tours etc where necessary.

Also pick your cruise line carefully or you could end up seening the same few islands every other week.

I think Stephen has some good ideas. Maybe you can check into getting a certification into this field and get some experience working for a land-based facility. That way, you have a resume and hopefully some references.

Look at it this way: cruises are very customer based. So the onboard personnel would be expected to already demonstrate skills and the wherewithall for dealing with people. Plus, the contracts for working on a ship are usually for a six month period at the minimum (don't know about those who work in gyms or spas). So they won't want to take a chance on someone without experience for that long of a period.

But if you already have a track record in working at a well-know spa, for example, you have a better chance of impressing the human resources people at a cruiseline. And if you have a wider set of skills (say in giving massages, nutritional advice, biofeedback, etc.), you'll be considered more versatile.

A year ago when I was on the Golden Princess and doing stretches in the gym, post treadmill work, there was a crew member talking to a group of passengers about diet or something like that. I'm guessing many of the ships do have a gym and do have health/fitness type of talks.

I lot of great advise. I concur that having other skills suitable for work in the fitness center and or spa would be a big help. It is probably through the companies that run the spa services that you could get your foot in the door.

May your DREAM come true!

Thanks. This is great advice so far.

Right now I am looking into a Meditation Instructor certification given by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals. It's the best cert that I've found online. So that's one thing I am leaning towards right now.

Cruisin Chick:
I also agree with getting my foot in the door possibly on land. Simply being in the hospitality and vacation industry doing some sort of meditation guidance could really boost my resume. Any ideas where I could find an opportunity like this?

Strengthening my array of skills is also something I considered. I have several complementary ideas for on board activities. Nutrition and message therapy are great extensions, like you said.

Again, I wonder if anyone would be surprised to see Mindful Relaxation programs at a resort of cruise. It seems like a natural fit to me. What do you think?

Thank you each for the advice!

Welcome to clf Tharyn

Your idea is nice. Such ideas make cruises difference, hope, your dream become to real.