The Truth About Cruise Ships A Cruise Ship Officer Survives The Work Adventure Alcohol And Sex Of Ship Life

Providencia Shoffner says...

You will love this book if you want to read about this young Texan's personal account of his time working with Carnival.If you know what you are reading, you will not be disappointed.If you are reading because you want to learn tips to up-grade or get perks out of your cruise, that's not what the book is about. The author actually has a free download on his website that will list any sort of tips he has, and it will give you a glimpse of what you can expect from his book.This book is about his personal experiences while at sea.



As far as the writing goes....I could see immediately that Jay is not a professional writer.That is not to say that the book is badly written.Reading this book is like being across from the author, and listening to him tell the stories.There are a few points in the book that his story steers off course, but he always came back to the original body of the story.Just like if you were listening to someone tell a story and they added an... "Oh, and this happened too", before finishing the original story. He tell's a very entertaining story.I found none of the book boring.His stories are very funny, and most of the laughs are at his own expense.Yes, a lot of the stories are about drinking and sex.This apparently is the main recreation on the ship, so this made up a great deal of his experience.As far as exaggerated... well, I believed it to be excessive, but truthful.The stories are not always told in a flattering light towards the author; so therefore, I believed them to be true.



The author has also included information for access to photo's and video he took during his adventure.It was an added bonus to be able to see the actual photos from some of the events he described in the book.



I am a very avid reader.I found this book to be a very entertaining.It was an easy and fast read.I loved the characters in the book, and the stories.I love to cruise, and I find the behind the scene of the crews lives fascinating.This is a must read for anyone interested in the lives of the people working on the ships.It really explained questions I had as far as how the crew was allowed to interact with the passengers.The division and explanations of the crew classifications and privileges allowed within these classifications are explained in depth.



Read the book.It is a great read.You will not be disappointed. I'm giving it 5 stars .....

Posted on August 2, 2010

Cyrstal Colburn says...

Being a family that loves cruising and from knowing one performer from a cruise ship, I had heard some stories.None of them compared to the stories in this book!I love the diversity of the crew on a ship and the many beautiful women from all around the globe.Now, when I see them, I will wonder what they did last night.Are they tired?Do they smile with a twinkle in their eye at another crew member?Which passengers will have sex with a crew member on this cruise?



Jay's perspective is interesting and coming from a very moral background, even he is powerless against the "grind" of the ship!



This book is a quick read...and leaves you waiting for the next story to see what will happen next!

Posted on August 2, 2010

Judson Carll says...

This was only the third book i've read on my Kindle but I loved it.It was a beautiful weekend in Northeast Ohio and I spent two days on my porch reading this hilarious and informative account on what its like to work on a cruise ship.



I've never been on a cruise but his descriptions make you feel like you have. Compared to alot of people who work on these boats, he seemed to have a pretty "cushy" job (computer specialist).



Definately give this book a try!I love that on the kindle you can "sample" the first chapter for free (and maybe even here on this review)You wont be dissapointed, especially if you are like me and enjoy travel but only get one or two weeks off a year!

Posted on August 2, 2010

Moses Mutton says...

I am not much of a reader but I could not put this book down.The author is an interesting and hilarious character.When you put that interesting character in absurd situations, you get the kind of stories you cannot make up.I actually laughed until I cried at certain points.In between all that, you actually learn about cruising and I am a much better cruise consumer now.

Posted on August 2, 2010

Viva Naito says...

A very truthful look at how the crew of a cruiseship lives and works. Some stories are laugh out loud funny. A little slow begining and too much information about the author but worth your time and money to read.

Posted on August 3, 2010

Mattie Stasulis says...

I found this book to be quite boring and not very well written.If you would like to know how many women the author slept with in his two years on board Carnival Cruise ships then this is the book for you.However, that being said, I did learn a few things about cruise ships that I did not know before reading Jay Herrings' book.I won't bore you with their details you will just have to muddle through the book. I wish Jay could have expanded his writing and included more information about the ports of call and maybe more about Carnival Cruise Line.I have read better non-fiction books about life on board cruise ships. Maybe there is a crew member out in the world who has worked on another cruise line besides Carnival who can give the reader a different perspective on ship life.



I gave this book a three star rating because I did learn a few things, and it takes courage to leave your land life behind and work on a cruise ship for eight months or so with little time off.So, read the book and see if my review is accurate.

Posted on August 3, 2010

Johnnie Darcey says...

Was hoping there were some good insights useful for a cruise passenger but found few.As an IT Manager myself I would have liked more technical details about that job but it would have probably bored most readers too much.Still it was sort of entertaining.A serious contrast to a similar book 'Cruise Confidential' where the author was Crew not Officer and a paragon of sexual abstinence - the common theme between them being binge drinking.Still the cultural insights and a few behind the scenes glimpses could be valuable to cruisers, especially new ones.On my next cruise I will be definitely looking for signs of hangovers amongst crew members.

Posted on August 4, 2010

Dorine Ciak says...

I have just been hired to work for a cruise company and I wanted to find some good reference material and I can say without a doubt that this book makes for the perfect reference for anyone entering the cruise industry or even passengers who are interested in the other side of the spectrum. Herring gives the good with a constant reminder of the bad that comes from working on a cruise ship. He even peppers in the crazy on top of it all! This book is an absolute must read and has motivated me to get ready for my new job!

I can't wait to start!

Posted on August 6, 2010

Allene Grohman says...

My husband and I love cruising, and it was really cool to get an insider's view of what a cruise ship is like. The personal stories were funny and the characters he worked with are great. It was also interesting to read a lot of the facts about the cruise industry and Carnival in particular. Kinda sad to learn that the only pastimes the crew members have is alcohol and sex. Definitely won't be applying to work on a cruise ship anytime soon!

Posted on August 7, 2010

Cecil Mcclenton says...

Enjoyed the behind the scenes insight into ship life and the personal reflections of a crew member.Book would have been more enjoyable (and much shorter) if instead of repetitive detail, the author simply stated that excessive drinking and promiscuity are frequent.

Posted on August 7, 2010