Carisa Lee
“More organised”, that’s how many applicants for jobs on one of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships described the process at the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) yesterday.
“Today it had a lot of people but the flow was easier. They gave out a lot of information so at least it was encouraging to stay,” Dianne Bishop said.
Bishop told Guardian Media that she arrived at NAPA at 6 am, where she met long lines. She did not get a chance to be interviewed but she was able to leave her information.
The crowd was separated into two groups, those who got there early enough or signed up on Tuesday were allowed to be psychically interviewed, while the others signed up for a virtual interview in the near future.
“Basically, what they said (was) they’re unable to do the interview at this time. They said to look out for an email and they would do the interview online...they say you guaranteed,” she said.
Bishop, who hopes to apply for a housekeeping or security job on one of the ships, said she was happy that Royal Caribbean added additional application and interview dates.
“At least I say I not sure if I would get through but at least if I have the opportunity to at least one foot in the door at least to say that I tried,” she said.
The seafarer recruitment drive was scheduled for three days, Tuesday at NAPA, Wednesday at the Southern Academy for Performing Arts (SAPA), and Thursday at Shaw Park Complex Tobago.
But after the overwhelming response at NAPA and SAPA Royal Caribbean returned to Port-of-Spain for an extra day.
People even sailed to Tobago for a chance to be interviewed.
Many people braved the sun and rain in north and south Trinidad earlier this week.
The weather seemed kinder yesterday but those at NAPA came prepared with umbrellas and portable chairs.
Some people’s family members even brought food for those waiting in line.
One such person was 20-year-old Nicholai Lassalle who was in the crowd at NAPA on Tuesday. He hoped to apply to be an Information Technology clerk.
“It was very rowdy. It had a lot of people; it was unruly as well because everyone was kind of getting restless and they just want to get it over with,” he explained.
He said when he arrived at 5 am on Friday he met a long line because some people spent the night.
“I want to know what going on,” he said.
Lassalle said those people got chits and were able to be interviewed, he was not so lucky but gave his information to be contacted virtually.
While there, Guardian Media met Keanu O’souna who was there from 2 am yesterday.
He was there on Tuesday as well but did not get through.
He said when he heard the Royal Caribbean staff call his name yesterday he was relieved.
“My head was just to walk because it’s like thank God I’m getting this over and done with,” he said.
He applied to work as a lifeguard.
The Tourism Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with Royal Caribbean International that will see the cruise line hire 2,000 Trinbagonians.
