CRUISE SHIP LESSON AND EXPERINCE

Y ou have now been introduced to the cruise industry, it's history, the layout of a cruise ship and to areas where cruises operate. We are sure you found it very interesting. Now we come to an area which is probably of greater importance to you : the organization of cruise ship personnel. As on most other vessels, cruise ships are run with a stringent code of regulations that have to be followed. Cruise ships have more personnel than other ships. The usual ratio of personnel on a cruise ship is approximately one crew member for every two passengers. There is a lot of work to be done and everyone works towards accomplishing the objective of the cruise, which is to give the passengers a relaxing,comfortable vacation with fun and variety so that they will come back again and always talk about the wonderful time they had. Of course, the absolute head of the cruise ship is the Captain. He is in charge of the three major departments carrying out all the functions of the ship. The captai

I s another partial deck with a panoramic promenade which is the higest point on the ship accessible to passengers. Different ships have special design features on these high sports. One variation may be a lounge built around the funnel providing an excellent view with full-length windows from floor to ceiling in the air-conditioned room. Today,there are different types of cruise ships in operation that have many variations in design. However,in a broad sense,the types of accommodations on most cruise ships are similar to the basic description provided above,allowing for differences in size and design.

D eck 11 have an outdoor cafe with a glassed-in cafe and two sizeable awimming pools. At the end of this deck area a video arcade and game room. DECK 12 Has an outdoor promenade which runs from the bow to a midships while the aft portion of this deck serves as a sun deck.

T he bow of Deck 10 holds the bridge or command center,with all the major control for navigating and running the ship. Here the Captain and officers perform thier duties. The bridge is constantly manned by 3 persons during the day and by 4 persons during the night. The most luxurious of all passenger cabins on the entire ship are located on this deck behind the command center. Four of these luxurious cabins or suites are called the Owner's Cabins. Despite the name,they can also be rented by passengers. The price for a seven day cruise in these cabins ranges from $10.000 to $15.000. Behind the owner's cabins are other luxurious suites which are slightly smaller. At the center of this deck are the air conditioning units,filtration system and tanks for the swimming pools on the decks above. The aft part of this deck holds a fitness center,with a small spa and jacuzzi. Deck 11,12 and 13 are really partial open decks which provide open air physical fitness activities as well as indo

H olds the lower structures of the wheel house or bridge, which is the ship's command center. The living quarters of the Captain and hief engineer,who bear the highest responsibility for the operation and safety of the ship are on Deck 9 directly under the bridge. The rest of the deck holds passenger cabins which are more advantageously located, roomier and expensive than the cabins below.

T he bow end of Deck 8 holds the senior officers cabins. The wheel house or bridge which is their working area is just two decks above. With the continuous responsibility they have for the safety of the ship, their living quarters are required to be close to their work station. The remainder of this deck is taken up by passenger cabins and modern dischoteque with very fancy lighting and sound equipment. Above this deck is the lifeboat platform, which is not a complete deck. The layout of the platform is narrower than the beam of the ship. The number of lifeboats and rafts differs from vessel to vessel and are able to accommodate all passengers and crew of the ship in the event of disaster. Some of these boats are used to transport passengers back and forth to the small islands when the ship lies at anchor.

A ll passenger cabins on Deck 7 faces the sea. These cabins are more spacious,luxurious, and of course more expensive than the cabins on the lower decks. In addition to the passenger cabins on this deck, there is a conference center which leads to the central hall,followed by a lounge at the middle and another lounge at the end of the deck. The lounge areas are comfortably furnished and well laid out,offering passengers a relaxing atmosphere to have drinks,see a show,view the surroundings and enjoy the sights. The lounges can also be used as discotheques or night clubs, and often have a live band during the day playing music for dancing or listening pleasure of passengers.

I s not a complete deck since the facilities on Deck 5 extend up to this deck. (depend size of the ship) However,the bow part of this deck has passenger cabins similar to deck 5.

P assenger cabins occupy the bow of deck 5. The aft part has entertainment facilities such as the casino in the center and the stage theater at the far end. Between them, there is a neatly organized shopping arcade with different store,souvenir shop,boutique,perfume shop and beauty salon.

I s similar to deck 3 with passenger cabins occupying the bow space. On this deck, is the first floor of an incredibly magnificent Central Hall or Lobby which extends up wards through four decks with glass-walled lifts,sweeping staircases and is decorated with fountains and plants. The reception area where the pursers cabins are located is off the Centrall Hall. Deck 4 has the upper dinning room that is identical to the one on Deck 3 and the galley is an extension of the galley on deck 3. Also on this deck are the dinning room for hotel crew,the staff and the officers. The area where the crew can relax during off hours is at the aft of this deck which also has small swimming pool for the crew.