Keira Matthews

Name: Keira Matthews

Employer: Cunard

Area of work: Cruise liners

Subject: international hospitality management

I chose to do my work placement on a cruise ship because I have always enjoyed travelling and I thought it would be an excellent way to see the world. Cunard came to the university with a slide show presentation – I filled in an application form and was chosen to attend an interview at their Southampton office.

My job

I am working onboard in four different departments – the restaurant, purser’s office, housekeeping and the public rooms. Work in the purser’s office includes handling communication for the guests (for example e-mails and faxes) and dealing with a variety of other enquiries. Housekeeping is responsible for the cleanliness of cabins, provides room service and handles guests’ immediate needs. The public rooms are the bars onboard. The hours I work are split into shifts of no more than ten hours a day. I also have a few hours off in each port.

Best and worst

The best part of my job is meeting people of so many different nationalities and working with such a diverse group of people. I think the worst part is staying away from home for long periods of time; you do begin to miss your family and friends.