White Star Academy Trainee Review

I enjoyed every day of my placement

I felt that because of the diversity of people onboard the ship we all learnt and respected each other as individuals and all have one goal was to deliver the Cunard experience to the guests onboard.

As much as the managers were helpful onbaord, it was difficult at times as they were all very busy, but i did have the oppurtunity of the Personnel Manager to help me and contact supervisors for support and guideance.

I had to work every day on the ship because it was broken into two four month contracts so majority of time was quite busy but there is plenty of time when finishing to enjoy and socialise with people.

Depending on the department i was in, when i was in the Reception desk, i had more responisiblity and was able to learn more from a managerial perspective. However in the bar and restaurant i found it more difficult for responsiblity because they were always busy and needed the extra hands which was frustrating at times but i still learnt about the departments.

Excellent, i couldn't have asked for anything more and a better placement for my portfolio project for university. I feel i am able to take the knowledge and skills i have gained over the past year and use them both for my studies and for my personal development. I now know what career direction i want to pursue and know ships is my path.

Both at work and after work everyone had a great time onboard, the atmosphere is always good at times when it is busy it can become stressful at times, but that is the same for most work environments. Overall the atmosphere is really good as when we are in ports all crew enjoy seeing different places and enjoy working with eachother.

Cunard are very commited to meeting guest expectations and making their staff feel valued. The organisation in all the departments i worked in were very organised and are always looking at new ways to improve their service and make the guest experience on the ship memorable.

The company spent alot of time on training and investing in people, they place new staff on a two week training programme called the White Star Academy, this is a great way to prepare the staff for the work onboard and gets them used to the idea of working onboard ships. When in the departments they are always taking time out to arrange training sessions so that they can meet guest expectations, improve staff morale and meet company standards.

By working for Cunard i am now able to have a clearer idea of what fuiture career path i want to do but also have been offered to work for Cunard when i graduate as a full time receptionist, in which after some time will hopefully work up as a manifest officer and have an important role of the whole operation of the ship

There was three other students from Oxford Brookes University, all of which we all got on very well, we all had different departments which we enjoyed, but the social scene with my fellow colleagues was great. Because we all spend every day togther the parties after work are great fun and a great way to meet new people, and an excellent way for everyone to unwind from a day at work.

Because being on the ship all the expenses are all paid for, accommodation, food and travel are all free, by working on the ship i found i saved alot of money which has helped to pay for part of my student loans

Fantastic! every night was great parties, they also arrange once a month a white star party, which was to celebrate white star service. This party all the crew go to including the captain and all the officers so it is a great way for everyone to feel no hierachy in work levels.

This i found was not so good, as everyone has to work every day so after work everyone went straight to the bar or to their cabin. There are not many activities that the crew can do.