My Life Below Deck If I Had To Pick A Place To Describe

My Life Below Deckif I Ever Had To Pick Up A Place To Describe The Mos

My life below deck presents a unique and intense cultural and living experience onboard the cruise ship "Mariner of the Seas" operated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Working aboard this vessel for seven months exposed me to the demanding realities of life at sea, characterized by long working hours, strict regulations, and close quarters with a diverse group of international crew members. Despite the allure of traveling around the world, the job entails considerable hardships, such as 84 work hours per week, minimal time off, and a lifestyle restricted and controlled by the company's policies.

As one of the few Brazilians on a ship with over 1900 crew members from various nations, I experienced firsthand how confinement in a small, crowded environment can threaten individual identity. The ship's management exerts extensive control over our daily routines—dictating meal times, use of facilities, cabin temperature, and sleep schedules—creating an environment reminiscent of the reality TV show "Big Brother," but with the absence of fame or monetary reward. Work shifts are relentless, with little room for rest, often leaving me with only four to five hours of sleep after exhausting 12-hour shifts. Many crewmembers resort to naps during brief moments of free time, resulting in a perpetual zombie-like fatigue that affects both physical and mental well-being.

The nature of the work is labor-intensive and repetitive, spanning multiple stations such as the casino bar, dining room bar, poolside stations, and night shifts, often within a single day. Despite these challenges, the environment fosters a unique camaraderie among crew members, and strict rules prevent romantic relationships with passengers, maintaining a professional boundary that nearly everyone respects. Nonetheless, relationships among crew members are common, and due to the transient nature of the ship's roster, many form fleeting or staged relationships to cope with the demanding environment.

One of the most striking aspects of life below deck involves the complicated interpersonal dynamics, particularly couples who maintain dual relationships—some even with spouses ashore—facilitated by the ship's rotating crew composition. Cabin arrangements highlight the cramped living conditions, with many sharing tiny bunk-style rooms that are often located below passenger decks or beneath the waterline, exposing crew to constant vibrations and noise. During my contract, I shared my cabin with women from India and Colombia, experiencing firsthand how living in such confined spaces from diverse cultural backgrounds fosters an acute awareness and appreciation of different cultures. This exposure enriches the crew's social fabric, despite the physical and emotional stresses.

The ship’s lively nightlife, exemplified by frequent parties below deck, offers a stark contrast to the exhausting work schedule. Alcohol is readily available, usually at low prices, and the crew often indulges in heavy drinking, which becomes almost a norm. Despite alcohol being a common recreational outlet, crew members generally refrain from engaging in inappropriate relationships with passengers, adhering strictly to regulations that prohibit such misconduct. The food provided to crew members is distinct from that offered to passengers, usually prepared by dedicated kitchen staff catering to the diverse cultural origins of the crew, mainly from the Philippines and India. Meals are often simple and ethnically specific, such as rice and fish dishes, which reflect the demographic makeup of the crew.

Living aboard a cruise ship encompasses a microcosm of global diversity, where people from different nationalities, cultures, and backgrounds coexist in a confined space. This environment provides extraordinary opportunities to learn about diverse cultures and develop a broader understanding of global issues. The experience of traveling to various ports and encountering different perspectives fosters personal growth and develops transferable skills applicable beyond the maritime setting. The profound cultural exchanges and the shared hardships create bonds among crew members that often last beyond the contract period, forming a unique community rooted in resilience and mutual respect.

References

• McLeod, S. (2007). Psychology perspectives. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/psychological-perspectives.html
• Kahn, H., & Kalat, J. W. (1992). Preparing for an important event: demonstrating the modern view of classical conditioning. Teaching of Psychology, 19(2), 102-104.
• Saunder, C. D., Brook, A. T., & Myers Jr., O. E. (2006). Using psychology to save biodiversity and human well-being. Conservation Biology, 20(3), 785-793.
• Vogel, E. K., & Awh, E. (2008). How to exploit diversity for scientific gain: using individual differences to constrain cognitive theory. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(2), 171-178.
• American Psychological Association. (2013). Child psychology. https://www.apa.org/topics/child-psychology
• American Psychological Association. (2014). Society for personality and social psychology. https://spsp.org/
• Kohn, A., & Kalat, J. W. (1992). The modern view of classical conditioning. Teaching of Psychology, 19(2), 100-101.
• Schultz, D., & Schultz, S. (2016). Theories of Personality. Cengage Learning.
• Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2017). Culture and Psychology. Cengage Learning.
• Carpenter, S. (2012). Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Strategies for Managing a Diverse Workforce. Routledge.