What to Expect The Day You Board The Ship (Part 2 Lessons From an Actual Cruise)

The time has come for you to board the ship and start your cruise. Here’s what to expect on the day you sign on.

First, you’ll make your way to the port. Once you arrive at the pier you will proceed to the “pier coordinator” or some such other like titled person. You will present your speaking contract that you probably received two months to two weeks before your cruise. Your contract usually has a booking number and the pier coordinator will check to make sure you are on the ship’s manifest. You’ll sign on and be given keys to your cabin.

Once you arrive in your cabin you’ll usually find a letter for you on the desk or bed. Open and read this letter. It will welcome you onboard and provides directions about when and where to meet with the cruise director or someone form the cruise director’s staff. This meeting will generally be scheduled for later that afternoon or evening.

You’ll probably be tired after your journey. So take the opportunity to freshen up before the meeting. Arrive on time. Here’s your objectives:

1. Be cordial and charming. Take the opportunity to ingratiate yourself. Let them know that you are flexible and offer to do another program if they need. Let them know that you are aware that their plans may change or bad weather may cause a port to be missed so they may have need for another program or a repeat of a previous program. Emphasize with the needs of their position and make it clear through your actions and words that you are there to make their job easier.

2. Confirm your equipment needs if you have any i.e., projector, etc. Also, confirm whether an AV person will be there to assist you.

3. Plan out the logical sequence of when you will conduct your talks. For example, that a destination talk on Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is planned for the day before your stop there and so on.

4. Last, make sure to obtain the beeper or telephone number of the person you are meeting with in case something goes wrong either before or during the talk.

5. Now enjoy your cruise…

That’s it for this installment. If you are still not approved to cruise with onboard enrichment programs. What are you waiting for? Get my critically acclaimed program Speak on Cruise Ships: 8 Easy Steps to a Lifetime of Free Luxury Cruises at http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/