My Ship Story

Sam goes straight from school in 2006, at only 19 years old, to work on ships as an Entertainment Host. He worked for Thompson Cruises, Travelscope,  Silversea Cruises, and Carnival. He tells about a round the world cruise, a bad accident on stage, stupid passenger questions, onboard deaths, and losing his virginity at sea. Since leaving ships in 2010 he has written a book called "Seems Like Smooth Sailing" and recently created the DeckTales Podcast. https://shows.acast.com/decktales

From an early age, Jessie knew she wanted to work on ships. Fresh out of university at UCF, she joins the Explorer of the Seas in 2016 doing a 22 repositioning from the US to Australia. Then goes to Disney in 2017 up to 2020. She tells about a Filipino-Mafia party, a mooring deck party, the Wave Phone, the Pirate Party, and the Five O' Clock Knock.    

Jordan tells about joining the NCL Pride of America in 2005. And more!

Fernando is part of a family owned expedition company cruising in the Galapagos Islands since 1986. He tells us about how Quasar Expeditions operates in the islands, the amazing wildlife, snorkeling and scuba diving, naturalist guided tours, the working conditions for the crew, and a desperate porthole escape. Do Galapagos exceptionally! www.quasarex.com

Sean loses his land job in Canada and decides to go to work on cruise ships. He joins Celebrity in 2008 as the interactive television specialist on an epic first contract itinerary. He tells us about this dream job and how it gave him an opportunity to explore destinations all around the world.

In a fun departure from our usual ship story format, we talk with instructor John Ensley about sailing the seas. Check out his courses at:  https://cruisenlearnsailing.com

Eric's younger brother Leo and his friend Rommel meet at Epcot as dancers in 1993. Very soon after they join Princess Cruises as Cruise Staff / Dancers on the Fair Princess. They tell about their stop at Christmas Island, the cruise staff bar tab, tender duty, Ship Shape dollars, the Papeete prostitute, the L.A. guy and Acapulco guy, and "the brick" ends their cruise career.

James gets disillusioned with his corporate job in London and decides to go to work on cruise ships. He joins Disney Cruise Line on the Wonder in 2003 as Youth Staff, goes to Royal Caribbean on the Legend and quickly goes to ACD, meets his wife onboard, becomes a Port and Shopping Guide, works on many different ships and cruise lines, and tells about how the Crew Bar Facebook page got created, destroyed, and created again. Join the Crew Bar on all their social media. https://www.facebook.com/groups/officialcrewbar/

Santana leaves Mississippi in 2011 to work for Holland America as a Youth Staff. She tells about hugging the Mexican toilet in Cozumel at the No Name Bar, her first brush with Tequila, works her way up to an assistant Cruise Director position, heading back to the ship ahead of the pack, her tough decision to finally leave ships, the rough transition from ships to life on land, and a crew member steals a passport stamp from Turkish immigration.

Paula leaves the most haunted town in South Australia to join the R4 in Papeete, French Polynesia as a bar waiter. She then goes on to bring the R8 out of the shipyard in France. She tells the story of the crazy aftermath on ships after the bankruptcy of Renaissance, a stint with Celebrity, an "Around the World" competition, an affair with the Executive Chef, the overboard of the NZ crew members, and a freak injury that ends her career.

Roger graduates from Notre Dame and decides to go to work on cruise ships. He leaves Texas and joins Renaissance Cruise lines as a Purser where he becomes cabin mates with Brad. He tells the story of the two crew members that jumped overboard on the R4 in Tahiti, going to the bank in Papeete, the pros and cons of Kusadasi Turkey, and the fun side of ship life.    

Shane leaves the Gold Coast of Australia in 2003 to join Princess as a Casino Slot Tech without actually being a slot machine technician. He has a very long sleepless journey getting to the Carnival Glory - and then has even worse first week onboard. He tells the story about being selected for a random drug test after a crew party on the Diamond Princess.

After practicing on prisoners in jail, Stu leaves the NYCPD to become a comedian. He goes to work for Royal Caribbean in the early nineties and then on to many other cruise lines. He tells about encounters with other comedians and celebrities, working on the old Love Boat, Bingo Money, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, that time he missed the ship, and starting up a talent agency.  www.stumoss.com 

Sami starts his career on ships in 1990 with Cunard on the QE2 as a sommelier. He then goes to work for Royal Viking and Crystal Cruises as a Food and Beverage manager. With Renaissance he opens and closes all eight of the R-ships. He tells about working for Apollo Cruise Ship Chandlers, a Japanese charter company, a favor for a captain, good times in Australia, and crossing the equator.

From a very young age, Gabrielle wants to be a dancer. After becoming a professional dancer she gets a contract on the AIDAmar in 2019. Gabrielle packs a lot of adventure into one year before the pandemic shut things down. She tell about the culture shock on her first ship, meets a nice boy, dancing on a moving ship, German party game, Denmark is the Las Vegas of Europe, and escape from Ukraine.

From a long line of seafarers in Sweden, Lars first starts working on cargo ships. By chance he gets an engineer position with Commodore Cruise Lines working on the re-fit of the Caribe I in 1983.  He goes on to have a long career working for many different cruise lines such as: Windstar, Royal Caribbean, and the Renaissance R-ships.  He tells stories about having an incredible whale encounter, the disastrous christening of the R4, gives us a pig roast confirmation, two crew jump overboard, a ship fire, a woman scorned, and stripes make a difference. 

Former cruise ship employee, writer, actor, blogger, and social media star, Sharon worked for Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines. She tells about a collision between two ships in Cozumel, the trials and tribulations of a Grope Coordinator, an incident with a fire screen door, Fountains, and her transition from ships into a social media creator. https://www.instagram.com/rodrigoflamingo/  https://www.instagram.com/thesharonicles/

From a young age Linda dreamed about going to sea. Finally in 1996 she joined the Nieuw Amsterdam with Holland America as a fitness instructor working for Steiner. She was on many different lines on 40 ships in many positions over her 15 year career. She tells stories about being fired from Steiner, getting back onboard as Social Host with Carnival, an epic birthday celebration and aftermath, a rogue wave, the reasons for leaving ships, karaoke blackmail, and deciding to write a book.        For more stories check out her new book: https://www.amazon.com/Through-Porthole-Linda-Carol-Woodward-ebook/dp/B0BMC3QZZ7

Bas goes from working in Hotels to working for Royal Caribbean on the Brilliance of the Seas in 2012 as Cruise Staff. He tells about being on an arrested ship, ship pranks played on the Cruise Director, cleans guest staterooms during a norovirus outbreak, meets a passenger, and leaves ships after the pandemic hit. 

In 2002 Brian falls in love with a woman and follows her to the Carnival Conquest.  He tells about the trials and tribulations of being the only U.S. waiter to finish a full contract with Carnival. On his second contract, has a chance encounter that lands him a position as an Art Auctioneer, and ends up happily with a different Romanian woman. After ships Brian becomes a best-selling author with a series of books about his life on ships.   https://www.amazon.com/Cruise-Confidential-4-book-series/dp/B074CFCNF5

In 1995 Kerem leaves hotels in Istanbul to join the Nordic Empress as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager with Royal Caribbean. He tells about getting forgotten on the Legend of the Seas, going to the Monarch to improve USPH inspections, a fire in the galley, life in the Windjammer buffet, the comment card mobile app idea, the melting pot of ships, and the evolution of work life onboard.         

In 1989 James borrows 2000 pounds and sets out for Paris to get a job working on a cruise ship. He goes to work as a busboy for Premier Cruise Lines and joins the Oceanic in Port Canaveral. He quickly gets promoted to waiter and tells stories of his adventures in the dining room, Mick The Fish and the stoned Canadian pianist, yellow warnings, and that one degree of separation. He wrote a book under the name James Spencer titled "Cruiseline Confidential"  https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-spencer/cruise-line-confidential-part-1

Nico has a dream to get out of Romania and see the world. He gets a job in the bar department working for Renaissance and joins the R5 in Saint-Nazaire for her maiden voyage. He quickly gets a girlfriend and gets promoted, has a problematic roommate, wants to be a crew member again, and now in the U.S. running a winery. https://www.maisondamis.com

Rob leaves Texas in 1991 to work for Royal Caribbean on the Nordic Empress as an Assistant Purser. He admits to pushing a dancer in a wheelchair and cast into the pool at the Marriott, tells some stories when Eric and Rob were cabin-mates, resigns from RCCL to work for Flagship Games, Diane makes a cameo, he then goes to Disney Cruise Line shore side and shipboard Hotel Mgr, tells about the Disney start up issues, and meets his wife on the Majesty.

Melanie leaves Wisconsin in 1998 to join the Celebrity Elation in Los Angeles as a musician.  She tells about Lumpy the snake, a riotous millennium cruise, hangs out with celebrity entertainers, and tours Bob Marley's house.

French leaves Peru in 2008 to work as an assistant waiter on the Spirit for Norwegian Cruise Line. She tells about her one and only contract that completely changes her life forever. #cruiseshipoflove  

Stephanie makes a life changing decision to leave Michigan and work for Carnival Cruise Line as a production singer.  In 1994 she joins the brand new Fascination in Helsinki. She tells about shows that went awry, a fire in the engine room, and a man overboard.         

In 2013 Erica decides to leave a high profile job in New York City to work on cruise ships. She joins Royal Caribbean as Cruise Staff on the Grandeur of the Seas where she is given her famous nickname. She tells about going to her first Filipino Party, finds a secret room on the Jewel, comparing crew life then and now, attracts a mysterious stalker, a complaining pax, gross #1 story, gross #2 story, and her huge TikTok success.  @EricafromAmerica        

The first female navigation officer on the show, Cassie starts her marine career in New Zealand at a young age. After years of rigorous study and training she goes to work on yachts in Europe and then eventually gets a job with Celebrity. She tells about being on the all women's bridge team, working with Captain Kate, navigating ships around the world, and the last man standing. Follow her on Instagram @cas.sea_onboard

Mike goes to work for Carnival as a Youth Staff in 1996 aboard the Inspiration sailing out of San Juan. He tells about a bad first day on the job, terrible Cones, if I were not upon the sea..., almost misses the ship #AMTS - and a Kathie Lee Gifford problem.

Lisa adapts new technology in 1990 to get a job with Royal Caribbean on the Song of Norway as an assistant Purser. She goes on to work numerous positions on ships as Purser, Port Lecturer, Shore Excursion and more. She tells about meeting Jimmy Buffet in Margaritaville, a shigellosis outbreak on the Viking Serenade, bringing out the Majesty from France, the Michael Jackson Suite, secret captain codes, a cabin beach party, and unique charter groups.   

Amy goes to work for Royal Caribbean shore-side in 1987 doing inventory control. She cruised frequently and met many onboard personnel. She leaves shore-side 1994 and goes to work onboard the Norway as an assistant purser. She tells stories about her many positions with Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Delta Queen, meeting her husband, a brush with death in Ketchikan, Bill W, Filipino parties, and an expired ship's certificate. @myshipstory on Instagram

While still in High School, Manny starts working for Royal Caribbean as a shore-side embarkation personnel.  After college he goes to the ships as an Assistant Purser on the Song of America. He tells about a narrow escape from a Hotel Manager, messing up Michael Bayley's date, working in HR for Disney, Festival Cruises in Greece, and Carnival and then finally ending up in higher education.

In 1986 Bob gets hired via telegram by Royal Caribbean as a purser aboard the Song of America. He tells about his first cabin being the brig, a passenger's cure for seasickness, a brush with aquavit, pranks on new staff, and how he got his nick-name. Bob left Royal Caribbean in 2020 after working for 34 years.  

After college Kirk begins his entertainment career and soon goes to work in a cast for American Hawaii Cruises. From there he moves to Admiral Cruises and becomes Cruise Staff and then quickly up the ranks to Cruise Director for Royal Caribbean and Silver Seas. He tells about a murder onboard the Viking Serenade, stranded onboard at the start of the pandemic, the evolution of socializing with passengers, Duffy's Love Shack, and friends of Karen W.  

After college Kirk begins his entertainment career and soon goes to work in a cast for American Hawaii Cruises. From there he moves to Admiral Cruises and becomes Cruise Staff and then quickly up the ranks to Cruise Director for Royal Caribbean and Silver Seas. He tells about a murder onboard the Viking Serenade, stranded onboard at the start of the pandemic, the evolution of socializing with passengers, Duffy's Love Shack, and friends of Karen W.     

Chris leaves the Pizza House in Michigan and joins the Song of America in 1992 as a purser. He tells stories about a brush with violence, a cabin crawl, a Sega Genesis, an almost missed the ship story #AMTS, meets a passenger, favorite ports, and ship dreams. 

Chris joins the Navy soon after high school and goes to submarine training. He tells stories about what is was like working on a nuclear submarine, getting pranked by the engineers, almost misses the boat, strawberry jack, a missile launch drill and cruising the Arctic Ocean.

Julie has a wild time joining the Sovereign of the Seas in 1990 as a dancer. She goes on to work as Cruise Staff, Hostess, and Asst. Shore Ex, she talks about the pre-internet bonds formed with fellow shipmates, crosses paths with a stowaway, leaves some pax in Haiti, the ship-shape police, a Bachelorette party, the American Gladiator and the speedway museum, and bringing out the Majesty.  

Shari joins Royal Caribbean in 1973 performing with her husband as a singer. She soon becomes a Social Hostess on the Sun Viking and tells an "almost missed the ship story. #AMTS She gets assaulted by a passenger, wins a champagne bet with the Chef, has two boyfriends, tells a ghost story, and she is still performing.   

Michelle leaves Virginia in 1988 to work with Chandris Cruises as a dancer. She goes on to work for many other cruise lines in many different positions and now works for Disney Live Entertainment. She tells about having to cover for the lead singer that was unable to perform, gives an ultimatum to the Cruise Director about a hard partying neighbor, and gets married in Barbados. 

A look back at Season 2. Scott tells about his recent Princess cruise. The guys discuss all the awesome guests and all the stories they have heard this past year. There will definitely be another season with new people and some guests from the past invited back and of course loads of new ship stories!

This was intend to be episode #1 from two years ago - until Brad messed up the sequence of the first four shows! Anyway, the guys lay out the premise of the show with some fairly accurate predictions of how things are going so far. If you are new to the show and have not gone back into the archives, here is the one that kicked it all off. 

A re-run of last year's season one re-cap. The guys talk about their favorite episodes and guests. Then tell their most embarrassing drunk stories.

This is a re-run from Season Two from Alex that didn't get as many downloads as it should have. Listen to some great ship stories if you missed this one the first time around.

This is a rerun of an episode from August 2021 that was so good and didn't get as many downloads as it should have. Listen again to Bibi tell her amazing ship stories.

Re-publish episode of the hilarious Annette Bodden-Whisker story. She tells us some wild stories of her time working in the housekeeping department for Royal Caribbean.

Jeff joins us from the Mt. Rushmore podcast in a special collaboration. In 2002 he joins his first ship as an entertainer. Later he goes back as part of The Second City improv comedy group on NCL. He tells us funny stories about his time as a ship's entertainer. And he reflects on the pleasures of travel and meeting fellow crew and entertainers. https://www.mtrushmorepodcast.com/

David leaves South Africa in 2002 to join the Celebrity Millennium as an Assistant Waiter. He quickly becomes a Waiter and later goes to Oceania Cruise Line. He tells the story of a disaster doctor visit in France, partying with a famous South African Rugby player, working as a Butler, difficult passengers, and waiter pranks.

Amy leaves New Zealand in 2000 to join Princess Cruise Lines as a shop attendant. She tells the story about being a newly trained security guard, comforts a distraught fellow crew member, Gift shop complaints, overnights in Saint Petersburg, ship-wide announcements, the Haka injury, and reflecting about her time on ships.    

 Tori goes to an audition in 2012, and despite being sick,  gets a job with Royal Caribbean on the Grandeur of the Seas. She works onboard for two years as a dancer/aerialist before going to Mongolia to study as a contortionist. She tells about a fire on the Grandeur, bad Kangaroo, dancer games, adventures on the bridge, a bloody overnight party in Bermuda, a scary incident with her rigging, trapped in a magic box, and a gig on "The Wal-Mart of the Seas".  Check out all the amazing stuff from Tori at https://www.contorition.com