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Filipino crew members thrive in cruise lines

A Filipino couple working at a major cruise line talks about their story of perseverance and of helping share their culture with foreign passengers.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qlqlX3YJgqM?&amp;ab_channel=ABS-CBNNews&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>Bonita Casten is a Filipino events organizer who brings her vibrant cultural heritage to the high seas.An integral part of the Royal Caribbean&#x27;s &quot;Adventure of the Seas,&quot; the Cebu native crafts unforgettable experiences for travelers around the world.Her role enhances cultural exchange and enriches the passengers&#x27; onboard experience by teaching them her mother tongue.&quot;I feel very proud because my manager asked me if I wanted to teach Tagalog, as we lost someone in our staff who is a Spanish speaker,&quot; she said in Filipino. &quot;So, I said, of course. You would feel more proud that many want to learn (Tagalog).&quot;Casten is among thousands of Filipinos who work in the cruise line industry, directly hired from the Philippines.Those who work on cruise lines endure the hardship of being separated from their families. But newly-wed couple Bonita and Dennis Casten are a different case.On the top deck of the ship is Dennis, who is in charge of rock climbing and FlowRider - an artificial surfing activity that is the most favorite sports activity on the ship.&quot;If your company finds out that you are spouses, it will make a way for you to be able to share a room,&quot; Dennis shared. &quot;You would board the ship and also alight from it together.&quot;The cruise industry continues to bounce back from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.The Cruise Line International Association reports that ships ferried 32 million passengers last year.This 2024, the association forecasts that number to increase to 35.7 million.With now higher demand for cruises, many Filipino crew members continue their careers after some of them went unemployed during the pandemic.One of them is Jhun Garcia from Laguna province, who became resourceful in thriving to raise his family despite being laid off.&quot;I told my wife that it would be better to turn our garage into a neighborhood store so we could (financially) survive the pandemic,&quot; he said. &quot;That&#x27;s why after the quarantine, we got on with it.&quot;Now that Garcia is back in the cruise industry as a cabin crew member, he believes this job is more sustainable in the long run.&quot;I would be able to support my family better with the state of my employment here,&quot; he added.

A Filipino couple working at a major cruise line talks about their story of perseverance and of helping share their culture with foreign passengers.

In the high seas, Filipino crew members thrive

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In the high seas, Filipino crew members thrive

ABS-CBN News,

Paul Garilao | TFC News Florida

Published Apr 30, 2024 05:49 PM PHT

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United States

Florida

Overseas Filipino Workers

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