Providing Massage on Cruise Ships

[mrmanmduran]

I'm not quite sure where to post this so I'm gonna put this message on a couple of the Post types:I am an RMT and have been working for myself the past few years. However, I'd like to take a week off from that and work for a cruise ship for a couple of reasons:1) I've never done it and would like to see what it would be like.2) My boyfriend has graduated from his college and as a graduation gift, I wanted to send him on a cruise as he's never been on one and has always wanted to.3) Interested in knowing if we would get a discount on the cruise since I'm providing the massage therapy services onboard (and I don't have enough money to pay full price for both of our tickets).So basically, I'm requesting some info from any M.T.'s out there who has already worked on a cruise ship and could tell me what it was like, your experiences, compensation, etc.I have plenty of time to plan for this (summer or fall of 2005) so I'll check back now and then to see if there's been feedback.Thanks in advance! Be well,Jen

 

[LETS GET FAWKED UP!!]

Providing Massage on Cruise Ships

Do you have a particular cruise line in mind?Reason I ask is that Steiners of London has a big monopoly of the ship contracts for spa services. You could apply to them.I worked on Holland America Line for longer than I would like to say (as Social Hostess, Asst Cruise Director, way before as singer/dancer). I was always trading the spa people for massages. They work very hard for very little pay, Jen. To really make a good wage the entire spa has to meet & exceed their retail targets. That means even as an MT you're gonna have to sell product, push up-sells & add-ons for services, etc. The spa staff (except Manager /Managress... yes they call it that!) are considered ship staff (meaning not crew, not officers). That means limited public room access, roomates (dorm-style, bunkbeds), no fraternization with passengers.On HAL, after a year of working on their fleet, you could apply for an employee family discount. It is honored on a first come, first serve basis, and largely dependent on space availability. (why would they give discounts & freebies before trying to pack the cruise with full far paying guests?) Whenever staff had family onboard, certain permissions were granted if applied for & deserved. Stuff like permission to dine with your family on Formal nights in the Dining Room, relaxation of public room restrictions, etc.This all makes it sound very negative. Its not. Its fun & hard work, but its very "paramilitary". Perks and priveleges are only for those with rank & seniority. I was lucky that I was an officer for many of the years I worked there. I made an excellent salary (about $30K by the time I left... that's for only approx 8-9 mos of work per year), but I didn't work for any of the 'concessions' (casino, spa, shops onboard, photogs).I literally saw the world (World Cruise, Europe, Mediterranean, Australia/New Zealand, Alaska, Caribbean, Canada/New England, South America, etc.). Its a fun community that works hard & parties even harder!Do ALOT of background work to see if you'll be able to stick with the program. L-o-n-g hours (12-14 a day for most). You MUST be a people person, and I'm not just saying 'like to talk to people'. You are "on" whenever you are in the public eye... even ashore!I have never heard of a situation where one could work for a week in exchange for passage, but I've been out of the loop since I 'landed' in June of 2000. Lots has changed in the cruise industry since then, I'm sure. It was changing fast when I left!Good luck, and don't let this info dash your dreams... its just my experience & my $.02.I loved ship life & hated it! (all at once!) Its very extreme & dramatic. Adrenaline junkies do very well out there! ha ha.Jill/sagetherapist

 

[xcake_eater123]

Providing Massage on Cruise Ships

Here's more info on Steiner's from another board:

http://www.massagetoday.com/cgi-bin/forum/discussion_forums.cgi?read=1050