Jack Chambers

If your job is no longer fulfilling and you want to travel, why not consider a career in the cruise ship industry? That’s what Jack Chambers did, and now he circles the world while helping vacationers have fun. Talk about a brilliant career move.

Jack had studied music and general arts in university, played in bands and worked in music studios. These experiences taught him about public speaking, while performing music helped him feel comfortable in front of crowds. He also spent six years in the social services sector, working with troubled youth, a job that helped develop his people skills. When he switched to the cruise ship industry, he began as entry-level staff but was soon promoted to assistant cruise director and finally to cruise director.

In this position, Jack overseas shipboard sports as well as recreation and entertainment on what is essentially a huge floating hotel. He refers to his duties as “basically, all the fun stuff,” although he admits that the work requires patience, the right personality and strong organizational skills.

His job satisfaction comes from overcoming challenges to provide great guest service, plus the chance to travel while working. He spends much of his time problem-solving. Guests have varying expectations about a cruise vacation, and when these expectations are not initially met, they become disappointed. As with any other service industry, customer satisfaction is the “ultimate priority,” says Jack.

While enjoying the position of onboard cruise director, Jack hopes to continue refining his skills as host, communicator and organizer. If this career path sounds like one you would like to follow, Jack recommends that you “start when you are young, work on your customer service and people skills, and do not be afraid of new challenges. All other details can be learned while on the job.”