Life After Working On Cruise Ships (AKA The Real World Is Strange)

Posted by:     Tags:  , , ,     Posted date:  November 26, 2012  |  34 Comments
Insert Drawing :)

5 months ago, I quit working on cruise ships. After that, I used a Eurail pass to go around Europe. 7 weeks later, I flew to Vancouver. The next day, I took the Amtrak down to San Francisco. Then I headed to Black Rock City for Burning Man. It was a busy summer.

After that, I returned to Vancouver…and re-entered the real world. That was three months ago. Yes, it’s been that long since I last posted.

summer

I know, I know, it’s a bit awkward now. It’s like texting someone weeks after hooking up, going “hey baby, wanna go to the Aquarium’?”. Obviously, you’re not sure what to think now. Is this going to be a one-night stand post? Are you afraid to emotionally invest again in this blog? No one cares for the emotional roller coaster that is infrequent blog posting. I’ve followed bloggers in the past who’ve done the same: post regularly, build a loyal following and then one day….stop. I often wonder, what happened? Have they been kidnapped? Are they lying dead in a ditch somewhere, after one meth session too many?

I know it takes a while to get over these abandonment issues. So, for any distress caused…I’m truly sorry. Moving forward, I shall try to stick to posting once a week-ish. (Unless I start doing meth, then you should probably just assume the worst)

I could say that I’ve been working on multiple projects but that would be a lie. Working on a cruise ship had the benefit of having few distractions when we were out to sea. Internet was horrendously expensive. The best thing on television was Fox News. And most of the people were spectacularly boring. At the same time, there were no chores like cooking, cleaning or washing up. It’s a bit like having a bonus 5 hours a day. So your options were to work out, get drunk or work on a project. (Or in my case, do all three.)

cruise ship life

Now that I’m living in Vancouver, the reality of being back in the real (working) world again has finally sunk in. At first, it was difficult. There were all these bizarre activities I had to do, like laundry and cleaning and grocery shopping and cooking. Then there was the commuting to work. What an odd activity for humans to have to do. To make things worse, we have to spend a continuous 8 hours inside an office. No going off to the beach for the afternoon. No siesta time. I must admit, there were more than a few occasions where I fantasied about returning to cruise ships. Yes, those were dark times.

adjust to life in Vancouver

Slowly but surely, I began to adapt. You see, the secret to adapting to a new place is to focus on the positives. Like being able to eat whatever you want. Or to drink water which doesn’t taste like chlorine. Or not having to get drunk to make people seem more interesting. Or for it to be socially acceptable to grow a hideous moustache.

movember

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About Me

In 2004, I sold everything I owned and left New Zealand to go see the world. In that time, I've run with bulls, watched the Man burn, volunteered at a special-needs summer camp, hosted & couchsurfed with 100+ people, taught English, trained with Muay Thai fighters, worked on cruise ships, hugged strangers on the street and this one time, I even hitchhiked naked. I've recently moved to Vancouver, BC to embark on a new adventure. Let's keep in touch: @roymarvelous, facebook & RSS. Love you long time :)






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34 Comments for Life After Working On Cruise Ships (AKA The Real World Is Strange)
Erin

twitter:
Honestly, I didn’t notice you weren’t posting because I’ve been in a ditch on a meth binge. But now that you have brought it to my attention, I am so happy you are back. You make me laugh. Fun happy times. :)
…now maybe I can crawl out of this ditch…
Erin recently posted..Finding a Home in Costa Rica Begins Back HomeMy Profile

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    Thanks! Yeah, I didn’t actually expect anyone to notice but I have been disappointed in myself for going AWOL ;)

    Reply

Pablo

twitter:
Welcome back!
Pablo recently posted..100º Final de la Copa Davis: República Checa 3–2 EspañaMy Profile

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Kent @ NVR

twitter:
Looks like we do need to make a well-being visit :)
Kent @ NVR recently posted..Celebrate Seattle GiveawayMy Profile

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SR1

Good to see you back posting.

I was missing your blog and its amazing paint pictures.

As someone still working on the ships, you gave me a laugh with your comics, and you experience closly mirrors what I expect my life to be like when I return to the real world.

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    Yes. Yes it will be!

    Reply

creative nomad

twitter:
Welcome back, your epic tales have been missed!
creative nomad recently posted..Where in the world?My Profile

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Leslie (Downtown Traveler)

I love your cartoons! I am glad to find a fellow game of Thrones fan :) This reminded me of our transition after a year-long round the world trip. We’re back in corporate jobs now and it was quite an adjustment!
Leslie (Downtown Traveler) recently posted..Meet the goat behind your cheese at Belle Ecorce Farms – Cajun Country road tripMy Profile

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    My housemates got me hooked! gah!

    Reply

Ayngelina

twitter:
I just left my laptop on a table at a coffee shop in Toronto to go to the bathroom without any worry it would be there when I got back.

Some things about being home are quite nice.
Ayngelina recently posted..Why I turned my back on AppleMy Profile

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    In Toronto? I still wouldn’t do that! :D

    Reply

jill

Aw, welcome back to the real life :) Love the guy with the big stached – he should be your new icon or something. So what exactly are you doing in Vancouver?
jill recently posted..Scenes from Valley of FireMy Profile

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    apparently IT but feels more like musical chairs haha

    Reply

Bina Besiege

Wow! Welcome Back! I mean it must have been hard to travel so much. I am sure it must be great for you get back the the ‘Real World’. I have been to few cruises, but they are good for first few days after that they become really tiring.. working would be so monotonous!

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Tom @ Waegook Tom

twitter:
Hahaha I’m loving this. My previous job in Korea wasn’t really like a real job due to its ridiculous short hours…then I got a job that is most definitely a real job, and I’m like, “wait….you want me to…work? Admin? Do…extra…things?” It’s BIZARRE.

Also, I full approve of the moustache growing thing. Plus, $1 beers sound amazing, although I have to say that I’m not particularly fond of Corona, unless it’s mixed with a giant margarita.
Tom @ Waegook Tom recently posted..Seoul’s Waterway: HangangMy Profile

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    the meetings get me. oh the meetings…

    Reply

Chrystal McKay

twitter:
Well I’m happy you’re back. Looking forward to once-a-week-ish posts!
Chrystal McKay recently posted..Ceviche Battle: Peru Vs MexicoMy Profile

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    maybe once a monthish :)

    Reply

Hogga

twitter:
mmmm chlorine water…..
Hogga recently posted..You Don’t Know ShitMy Profile

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    mmm indeed

    Reply

Michael Hodson

twitter:
LOL. Needed this smile today. Thanks ;)

(and I’ve never been on a cruise ship… this makes me want to get on one ASAP, if only for the stories)
Michael Hodson recently posted..Living Like Bond, James BondMy Profile

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    And here I thought you were all about cruise ships because you didn’t like to fly :)

    Reply

Musa Malik

twitter:
Hey Roy,

Quick question: if I want to work in IT on a cruise ship
What is the best way to get to that point? Wait until an
IT position is available on the ship or apply for any job
On board then work my way up?

Musa

Reply

    Roy Marvelous

    This depends on you. Would you take any job on land while waiting for an IT job? Bear in mind as well once you sign a 6-month contract, you can’t switch jobs until the contract is complete.

    Reply

ThatWhiteGirl

I’d say “Welcome back, but I was disappointed that you left for so long” but this is my first time visiting this blog, so I’d be a big fat liar if I did. It’s nice finding someone honest, isn’t it?

Great comics!
ThatWhiteGirl recently posted..Hello, 2013, I didn’t see you there…My Profile

Reply

sevetse

twitter:
Should we be worried at this point? one meth session too many?

Reply

AJ Aerni

You talk of working on cruise ships as “the dark times” – what didn’t you like about it?
AJ Aerni recently posted..Thai Methamphetamines and Hot Pan BBQMy Profile

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Kayla

No matter what you think now you were so lucky to have had that life. As someone who has worked 9-5 for a long time and still live in the city I was born in I am starting to crave something a little different where I can get to explore and maybe even work shifts

Reply

Agness

Awesome post. Me and Cez are thinking of working on a cruise ship for 6 months. One of our friends did it and she was trying to convince us to do the same. She shared great stories with us, very interesting. Would you recommend us to have a go? :)

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