Have you ever wanted to be a real-life Captain of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, but didn’t know where to begin? What if you’re an absolute newbie to the world of cruising and don’t even have your own boat? If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, then you are in the perfect place to learn how to captain a ship. You may be one of the most novice cruisers out there, or perhaps you’ve been considering taking a trip on Royal Caribbean’s newfangled vessels. Either way, learning how to captain a ship is something that every new cruiser should do at some point in their life. Even if you are a seasoned veteran who has been cruising for years, learning how to captain a ship is something that all travellers should experience at least once in their cruise career. It will definitely take some time and effort up front, but it will also be well worth it in the long run. Check out these helpful tips for getting started as a newbie skipper!
Take a free trip to the Port of embarkation!
One of the best things about cruises is that you get to take your new adventures on the trail. Take the opportunity to check out the local ports of call and meet the locals. You will get a feel for the different cultures and, if you’re lucky, maybe even make a new friend or two. One of the best ways to do this is by taking a free cruise to the first port of call. Ask your cruise ship hotel if they offer free cruises to the Port of embarkation, or just go and check it out for yourself. This will give you a true feel for the place you are visiting and you will be able to meet some really interesting characters. You might just make some lifelong friends along the way!
Learn the ropes first
The first thing you need to do before you can even think of trying to captain a ship is to learn the ropes. This means taking a trip to the Captain’s Cabin, a.k.a. the Captain’s Stateroom. This is where the Captain of the ship will spend the majority of his or her time, so it’s a good idea to get to know the layout, equipment, and procedures of the ship. You want to make sure you know everything there is to know before you begin to captain a ship. This includes the ins and outs of running the day to day operations of the ship, as well as dealing with any situations that might arise on board. You’ll also want to make sure you have all the information you need to operate the ship’s launch, which will take the ship out to sea for tours and other activities.
In order to become a real-life Captain, you have to learn how to sail
If you are a complete novice to all things sailing and can barely steer a canoe, then you probably shouldn’t try to captain a ship. But if you are relatively confident in your ability to navigate and pilot a boat manually, then you can always train to be a Chief Mathematician on a Royal Caribbean vessel. It’s a tough job, but someone with your skill set has to do it. It may be a case of “but the Chief Mathematician can’t help lift!”, but that’s where you and your ship-handling skills will come into play.
You’ll need a rudder and Compass!
After you have the ropes under your belt, it’s time to add some steel to those oars and get to work! You will need to learn how to sail with a rudder. A traditional sailing rudder is a combination of a wheel and a compass, and you will need to know how to turn a traditional compass using your rudder. While it may seem like an impossible task the first time you try it, with a little practice, you will be sailing like a pro in no time at all!
Always know where you are with a sextant
When you are first getting ready to captain a ship, you will definitely want to try out your sextant. This is a length of string that you can use to measure the angle of the ship’s stern with respect to the horizon. With a sextant, you can determine your heading, distance, and other important navigation information with a single glance. You will also need to know how to use a sextant when operating a launch. A traditional launch has a small boat with a swinging sextant that you will use to navigate the ship out to sea. It may seem like an impossible task the first time you try it, but with a little practice, you will be sailing like a pro in no time at all!
Don’t skimp out on the supplies
There are many instances where supplies on board a ship are limited. You may only have 30 days of Ration on board, or you may only have 12 hours of electricity per day. You will definitely want to make sure you are prepared for these scenarios. Equipment such as extra batteries, toiletries, and food should be stored in a sturdy bag or container so they are easily accessible in an emergency. You may not think you will ever need them, but you will! You never know when you might need them the most.
Learn how to work your VHF radio
One of the most important things you can do as a newbie skipper is learned how to use the VHF (very high frequency) radio. This is the “general” radio used by most cruise ships, and it is definitely the most used radio in the world. You will definitely want to get familiar with the various channels and frequencies so you can quickly find what is happening on board a ship. You will also want to know how to operate your radio when a storm is inbound, so you can inform the crew of what is happening in the surrounding area.
You’ll also need an iPhone for tracking your progress online.
One of the best things about cruises is that you get to experience new cultures, meet new people, and gain a new appreciation for your favorite things. But cruises don’t just happen by themselves, you must take the initiative to make them happen. You will need to login to your account and click the “manage my cruises” link next to the cruise to which you are travelling. From here you will be able to view the details of all of your cruises, including the number of guests, the number of crew, and the ship itself.
The Conclusion
There are many things to consider when trying to captain a ship. The most important thing you can do is to learn as much as you can about the profession. The more you know about how things work on a ship, the easier it will be to manage your vessel, and the smoother your trip will be. If you are still interested in learning how to captain a ship but aren’t sure where to start, consider taking a trip on Royal Caribbean’s newfangled vessels. These ships are truly purpose-built for fun and are sure to provide you with an unforgettable experience.