Are there many Americans actually trying to rise up the ranks of the cruise lines? NCL is obviously finding officers from someplace. And for QM2 to have an American, means he had to have been working over seas most of his career.

I'm also hearing a lot more about Canadian officers cropping up more and more often.

So this means that if the ship is registered in one of these countries...I can apply for an officer position with that ship?

Therfore the captain and officers of the Holland America Line are Dutch and so 10 off there 11 vessels flaying the Dutch flag. The m.s. Veendam is still flaying the flag off the Bahamas. Because here captain and some off the officers have the UK nationality. I believe the Dutch government is chansing this law so ships may flaying the Dutch flag and have a non Dutch captain.

Therfore the lower crew (hotel dep.) are mainly comming frome the Phillipins and Indonesia where HAL have special training centers. The cruise staff and other functions are mainly international mixed crew.

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This seems VERY unfair and even unjust.

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FutureQM2Capt why is this unfair. I understand and pleace correct that you have the American nationality. I believe that the American law have thsi restrictions also. Further they forbid U.S. lines to flay there non American build vessels to flay the Stars and Strippes.

Buth there is hope fore you in NCL America. So good luck with your quest to work on cruiseships.

And to become the futere captain off the QM2 adobt the Brittische nationality, and aplay to Cunard fore the job

[ 08-11-2004: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

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Originally posted by FutureQM2Capt:
Hey all...just for the clearification, I'm not focusing on one vessel (Qm2)...any large vessel would be nice. I have noticed that on some Royal Caribbean Ships, the nationality is "International" of all officers....does this mean Americans could apply too? The ship is registered in the Bahamas.

Thanks!

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Originally posted by NathanWLB:
NCL is obviously finding officers from someplace.

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I believe NCL only employees Norwegian officers, even though they are Bahama-flagged (maybe someone could clarify this). From what I remember, Norwegians have the best track record on the seas...

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Originally posted by Maasdam:
Dutch flag ships must have a Dutch Captain and officers. The lower rank crew may come frome other country's.

Therfore the captain and officers of the Holland America Line are Dutch and so 10 off there 11 vessels flaying the Dutch flag. The m.s. Veendam is still flaying the flag off the Bahamas. Because here captain and some off the officers have the UK nationality. I believe the Dutch government is chansing this law so ships may flaying the Dutch flag and have a non Dutch captain.

[ 08-11-2004: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

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Ben - the English Officers working for HAL, do in fact sail the ships flying the Dutch flag also. Captain Harris is sometimes on the Volendam and Captain Mercer is Master of the Oosterdam along with Captain van Donselaar. (Brit and Dutch)

Companies with ships under an EU-flag can't restrict the nationality of their staff to their own nationality, but they can do restrict it to EU-nationals. So they could refuse, if they would want to, American, Russian or Chinese officers, without violating EU-law.

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Originally posted by sympatico:

Ben - the English Officers working for HAL, do in fact sail the ships flying the Dutch flag also. Captain Harris is sometimes on the Volendam and Captain Mercer is Master of the Oosterdam along with Captain van Donselaar. (Brit and Dutch)

Any time I have sailed on the Veendam, the Captain indeed has been British, but I do know a retired Dutch Captain did a 2 week relief stint on the Veendam last year.

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Thanks Sympatico.

I now there was a chanse in law so now it´s possible to sail with a Brit as captain.

Thanks Johan fore the additional information.

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Originally posted by Johan:
I don't think HAL can restrict the officers on its ships under Dutch flag to Dutch nationality only. This would be an infraction to the right of free trafic of work and jobs in the EU.
J.

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That's correct Johann, the Dutch government did change that law not that long ago as companies were complaining about a lack of Dutch officers.

The Dutch officers, expecially those who are married, do not want to be from home for a long time.

The same is with the Royal Navy. When they are out for six weeks they are complaining the period is too long.

My late father-in-law used to be away from home for at least 9 months. The period he served in Indonesia and New Guinea was even longer. Before WW II he served in Indonesia for three years.

Regards,

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Originally posted by FutureQM2Capt:
Okay, let me refrase this. What is the largest passenger line with the largest ships that I could get hired on WITH CONFIDENCE. I am American and experienced.

-Thanks guys

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Can you provide a bit more about your background? That might help identify the right company for you.

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Originally posted by Brian_O:
I am reading between the lines here, but are you not really asking if there is any chance that you (an American?) could ever be captain of QM2?

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:

Did'nt Independence have a Chinese captain during her early years sailing for America Hawaii Cruises? Even though she was US flagged at the time, I believe she was owned by the Chinese Tung group and that is why she had a Chinese captain.

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Didn't a chiniese captain acquire American Citizenship prior to Independence sailings?

[ 08-12-2004: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Cunard's QM2 has its first ever American officer, Ben Lyons.

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Malcolm,
I don't think Ben is the first. I will have to check with Stephen Card next time I speak with him, but I believe there was another American officer with Cunard at one point or another.

For FutureQM2Capt, while you may not end up as Captain of QM2 as an American (and I don't think Ben ever with either), your selection of ships to Captain are becoming greater and greater each day. NCL America has a growing fleet of US Registered and flagged ships. Someday you might have the opportunity to skipper the SS UNITED STATES if she is brought back to service. How exciting is that!!! There are also quite a few smaller lines like Delta Queen, America West, and some others. I think Disney Cruise Line has also hired some American Captains. I think it would be worth your while to pursue this, and I DO think you would have plenty of opportunities.

Just don't plan on getting rich. I recently had a discussion with my friend who is also a Captain. I was rather shocked at the salaries the Captain's make, and of course the lower ranking Officer's make even less. Nothing like an airline pilot even though passenger ship Captain's are responsible for many lives. As I was informed, you can actually make more money on a cargo ship, with a lot less hassle.

Good luck!

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Originally posted by eroller:
Just don't plan on getting rich. I recently had a discussion with my friend who is also a Captain. I was rather shocked at the salaries the Captain's make, and of course the lower ranking Officer's make even less. Nothing like an airline pilot even though passenger ship Captain's are responsible for many lives. As I was informed, you can actually make more money on a cargo ship, with a lot less hassle.

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