How did I end up working on a cruise ship?

During the winter, I had the incredible opportunity to work in Finnish Lapland a place that completely captured my heart. Finland left such a lasting impression on me that I decided to find a summer job there and make my way back. But, as life often does, things didn’t go exactly as planned.

After spending an unforgettable winter in the heart of Finnish Lapland, I knew I wanted to return to Finland for the summer. I spent five beautiful months approximately 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, immersed in the stunning landscapes of the north. But as incredible as it was, the winter was harsh, and I was ready for a change.

For the summer, I decided to head south. I was thinking of either the bustling capital of Helsinki or charming coastal towns like Hanko. With that plan in mind, I jumped into the job hunt, sending out dozens of CVs to various places across southern Finland. After a few interviews, one opportunity stood out: working at the southernmost restaurant in Finland.

The restaurant was stunning, and the surrounding nature seemed like the perfect setting for a summer adventure. Everything appeared to be falling into place. I was excited, hopeful, and ready to start my next chapter.

But then, things took an unexpected turn. As time went on, the restaurant’s replies became less frequent. Eventually, the communication stopped entirely. I was left confused and unsure of what had gone wrong. All I knew was that I needed to pivot quickly.

Summer was fast approaching, and I had no idea what I was going to do. What started as a clear plan suddenly felt like a puzzle with missing pieces.

How did scrolling Instagram lead me into life on a Cruise Ship?

One day, as I was aimlessly scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon an ad that instantly caught my attention it was about working on cruise ships. Intrigued, I clicked on it and started reading more. The ad was from a Slovak agency specializing in finding cruise ship jobs for people, and as I read further, a little spark of excitement lit up inside me.

The idea of working on a ship brought back memories of the TV series The Suite Life on Deck with Zack and Cody a show that had always made life at sea look so fun and adventurous. I awakened a little dream of mine, and I knew I had to go for it. Without hesitation, I sent in my CV.

A few days later, I got a call from the agency. During a brief interview, I was asked what type of ship I’d like to work on ocean or river. At the time, I didn’t know much about the differences, but thanks to my Suite Life nostalgia, I confidently said, “Ocean.”

However, there was a catch. Getting onto ocean ships can take quite a while, and since I needed a job asap, I decided to shift my focus to river cruises instead. River cruise jobs have a much faster and easier hiring process, which was perfect for me.

I was connected with Viking, a well-known cruise company. Before the actual interview, Viking invited me to an introduction video call where they shared insights about the company and what life on the ship would be like. It all felt so exciting.

As I wrapped up the application process, one thing became clear: this opportunity wasn’t just about moving to another country it was about exploring multiple countries. My bags were packed (okay, overstuffed), and I was ready to set sail. Not just for a job, but to live out my Suite Life dreams and see the world. Let’s hope I don’t get seasick!

For anyone interested in getting a job on a cruise ship feel free to ask me any questions. I'm leaving the links to the websites where I got the job.

https://www.vikingcareers.com/global/en

https://www.backup-jobs.com/en/