🚢 From Dubai to Life at Sea: Ahmed Shows Us How a First Contract Should Be Done

Some people step onboard and simply start a new job.

Others throw themselves into the whole experience.

Ahmed is definitely the latter.

After working incredibly hard in Dubai to prepare for his opportunity at sea, we're delighted to see another Cruise Retail Academy Graduate officially onboard and absolutely embracing his first contract.

From Dubai to the Ocean

Ahmed came to the Academy with a strong background in premium retail and sales, having spent several years working across Dubai and Doha.

His experience was built around something that has become very obvious since he joined his ship: people.

Building relationships. Understanding customers. Supporting colleagues. Bringing personality to every interaction.

His CV described him as collaborative, adaptable and someone who contributes to team success. Looking at the photos he's now sending us from onboard, we'd say that description was pretty accurate!

The Hard Work Before Embarkation

Getting onboard doesn't happen overnight.

Ahmed worked incredibly hard while still living and working in Dubai, completing his paperwork and preparing for an entirely new chapter in his career.

Throughout that process, he used the Cruise Retail Academy and Academy Careers Platform for guidance, training and support.

There were documents to complete.

Training to undertake.

A completely new lifestyle to understand.

And plenty of patience required along the way.

But he kept going.

Then came the moment all that preparation had been leading towards:

Embarkation. 🚢

This Is How You Embrace Your First Contract

The photos Ahmed has shared since joining say more than we ever could.

He's building relationships with his fellow crew and officers.

He's getting involved with his STCW training.

He's connecting with guests.

He's becoming part of his onboard community.

And through pretty much all of it, there's that enormous Ahmed smile. 😁

That's what we love most about this story.

A first contract isn't only about the job.

It's about learning, getting involved, meeting people from cultures around the world and becoming part of a team.

Team Spirit Matters

Cruise ships simply don't work without teamwork.

And Ahmed has brought exactly the kind of energy we hoped he would.

Positive.

Personable.

Supportive.

And always ready to get involved.

Having a great personality will get you so far. Using that personality to make the people around you feel good is where the magic happens.

Why Ahmed's Story Matters

For everyone currently completing paperwork or waiting for their opportunity, remember:

The preparation stage doesn't last forever.

It can sometimes feel slow and frustrating, but every document, every training course and every step is moving you closer to moments like these.

Ahmed put the work in.

Now he's living the opportunity he worked so hard for.

Final Thought

Work hard to get there.

Prepare properly.

And when you finally step onboard?

Embrace absolutely everything.

Learn. Connect. Get involved. Be part of the team. Enjoy the ridiculous privilege of waking up somewhere new around the world.

Ahmed certainly is.

Congratulations, Ahmed. You're a wonderful guy with a huge personality, a fantastic team spirit and apparently a smile that has survived even STCW training. 😂

We're incredibly proud to have played a part in your journey.

Another Academy Graduate has embarked. 🎓🚢🌍