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Create your free business website! www.ascpskincare.com 31 The Cons Although this was a great opportunity for me, it's certainly not for everyone. It's diffi cult to live on a ship for several months at a time. And, of course, those who suffer from seasickness need not apply. Many people struggle with being away from home for such a long period of time, especially those with children. The long shifts are exhausting and can be stressful on your body. The crew's quarters are the opposite of glamorous: located in the lowest decks of a ship, there are no windows, and each room houses 2–4 people. The living arrangements are cramped, to say the least, with a bathroom that is comparable to one on an airplane, but with a 2-foot-by-2-foot shower addition. The upside was that we didn't spend much time in our quarters. If you get severely ill while onboard, you must be quarantined until you're in good health. I witnessed this happen to many people during the time of the Norovirus outbreak. We also had several outbreaks of conjunctivitis during my time on the ship, but the absolute worst—and the moment I decided it was time to leave—was the insanely huge outbreak of bedbugs. These are not regular occurrences, and can happen anywhere, but when you're confi ned to a small space in the middle of the ocean, they can seem exceptionally bad at the time. Are You Seaworthy? Some words of advice if you're thinking about embarking on this adventure: once you're hired, you'll have to sign a 6–12 month contract, so for several months you will be eating, sleeping, working, and spending much of your time off on the ship, and with the same people. Therefore, it doesn't feel like you ever really leave work. It is important to establish good working relationships with as many people as possible so you can make the most out of your stay and have it be enjoyable at the same time. It's important to be open to meeting new people, as well as be friendly and outgoing to those you come in contact with. Doing so will enable you to build friendships and have a few fellow shipmates to explore with while you are in port. Everyone always wants to know about the pay. You can make decent money or great money, depending on how well you promote yourself. Estheticians usually work on commission and receive guest gratuities. I can't speak for others, but I made very good tips. We also received commission on retail products we sold. At the beginning of my contract, I made 30 percent on services, but toward the end, that commission was raised to 38 percent. That's substantially less than what you would make on land, but the service prices were much higher. And as long as we were on the ship, our lodging, meals—and laundry!—were free. Pay also varies depending on whether you are working aboard a domestic or international ship. I worked aboard a domestic ship that just traveled around the Hawaiian Islands. At the time, international vessels paid one-third of the commission for each service compared to what the domestic ships paid. This is quite a difference, but more travel and less pay might be more appealing to those who dream about seeing the world. Many ask if the experience was worth it. It was for me. Beyond the work experience I gained, I took full advantage of my free time by exploring the ports in which we docked. I would snorkel, scuba dive, skydive, explore exotic islands, eat at new restaurants, visit nearby resorts, or just sunbathe on a beach. Although I saw some amazing places, I worked the majority of the time. I also noticed that time off varied depending on the spa manager. I remember feeling so fatigued by the time my shifts were over that I would think, "Maybe I should just sleep." Luckily, my desire for a little adventure was stronger than my level of exhaustion! Working on a ship can sound glamorous, and it can be at times, but the work is extremely diffi cult. Don't go in with the idea that your tour is going to be one long vacation. First and foremost, it's a job. Do Your Research The fi rst week I was at sea, I was exhausted and seasick and wondered if I had made the right choice. But I discovered that taking this adventure opened up doors for opportunity and friendship, as well as giving me a broader outlook on life and its many possibilities. If you're considering this career path, do your research. Talk to beauty professionals who have experienced ship life fi rsthand. "It takes a certain type of person to work on a cruise ship," says Morrika Wolford, a massage therapist I worked with. "You have to be hard-working, fl exible, easy- going, and fun-loving. We certainly worked really hard for long days; we needed to be fl exible for all the last-minute changes and get along with all the different personalities we ran into, but we sure had fun! It gave me the opportunity to meet some great people and see some awesome places that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. Not everyone has the right personality to make it on a cruise ship, but if you're interested, give it a shot. You'll have an interesting story to tell either way." Megan Heagle is a licensed esthetician, educator, and licensed cosmetologist, and is the program coordinator for Associated Skin Care Professionals. Her passion is to experience new things and educate others in the spa and salon industry. She has been a practicing esthetician for more than 11 years and a cosmetologist for nearly 7 years, and has a colorful background working in all different areas of the fi eld. Contact her at mheagle@ascpskincare.com.