CAREER

Everyone who dreams or has already decided to go to sea assumes that it will be a romantic journey through the world, many different meetings, acquaintances, culture and history of many countries and all this is accompanied by sea and ocean sunsets and dawns.

This is partly true, but only partly. In fact, work at sea is painstaking and hard work with many responsibilities, unfortunately, not everyone understands this, so you need to prepare yourself for it morally.

But there is no need to be afraid of difficulties! We will be able to prepare you for all the difficulties of marine life.

Marine work has its advantages; the main of them is the lack of costs for food and accommodation. Every day a new view from the porthole and with a successful coincidence of the schedule an opportunity to walk through the port cities. As a rule, liners depart at major port cities of the world, such as New York, Miami or Amsterdam, Naples, Barcelona and many others. The range of your communication will expand every day, and then many colleagues will become your friends for life. There are cafes, gyms, bars, beauty salons on board, which can be visited by the employees of the liner. So, life will be full and not boring.

But there are also its difficulties, constant and hard work, stress and lack of personal area – this is what you have to deal with. We will tell you many rules and requirements during the training process, and you will also find out when you arrive at the ship during the briefing. But all this does not scare most young guys, so the number of those who want to get a job at sea is increasing every day.

In addition to professional skills and our references, employment requires English language skills – usually the level depends on what position you’re applying for. You need it so that you can pass the main interview for employment by foreign shipowners, as well as for communication with guests and crew.

 

To work, you need to know the names of dishes, cooking methods, ingredients, technological processes and much more, depending on what your profession is. To succeed in your interview, you must learn to work hard and use all your time to acquire professional skills. Do not miss out classes and do all your homework.

 

Work environment and benefits for crew members

Our graduates can expect to live in a two or three-bed cabin with shower, fridge and TV, as well as a good salary, depending on what cruise line you get on.  Another important benefit is that money earned at sea is not taxable in Ukraine (except for U.S. citizens working on a U.S.-registered ship). The terms of contracts vary from 6 to 8 months, the vacation between contracts can be from 6 to 10 weeks. Tickets on board the ship and back are paid by the shipowner, but only if the employee has not unilaterally terminated the contract. Families of employees may receive discounts on cruise purchases and some companies allow their employees to go on a free cruise after a certain length of work as a bonus. Employees are also provided with medical insurance, and the ship has a certified doctor.

 

Employment process

 

 

HTS DAKS has partnership-relation contracts with passenger companies; recruitment to the group is made under the requirements and application of the company. Our task is not only to prepare you as professionals, but also to give you the opportunity to get a good job.  Among our partners are ship owners of passenger lines, yachts, expeditionary passenger ships, merchant ships. As well as hotels, and restaurants both in Ukraine, and abroad.

During the interview will be asked general questions about previous work experience, it will be in English, and may include a test. As a rule, the interview takes place in the office of the company, as well as on Skype or in our center, at the request of the company representative. If you successfully passed the interview and met all the requirements, you will be provided with employment in one of the company’s ship.

 

For employment you need to have a set of documents:

• civil passport
• international passport
• maritime diploma and certificates related to the position

 

While waiting for boarding, you need to undergo a medical examination, as well as receive a sailor’s passport and STCW certificate (in case these courses were not included in the price of our training). You can do this on your own at the AVANT Sailors Training Center, or where you will be directed by your employer. The following courses are included in the STCW training:

• training on the mandatory minimum requirements for familiarization, initial safety training and briefing for all seafarers;
• security training for persons with designated security responsibilities;
• unorganized mass management training, security training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger premises, emergency management training and human behavior in emergency situations, hull security and waterproofing training.

You can go up the career ladder thanks to diligence and hard work. The first contract is usually a probationary one, you will have to prove yourself in the best sense of the word and no matter what position you occupy. If you’re noticed, you’ll get a career. You can reach your goal in the career ladder well in 3-4 years.

 

For those who have proven themselves, it is possible to move to the office of the company, as a manager, administrator or trainer.

The experience you gain at sea will always add points to your resume. Because there work those who passed the fire, water and copper pipes.

In any case, the experience of working on a cruise ship will not hurt your resume, but will only add weight: employees with experience at sea are always valued by employers in all areas.