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Joanne Tai
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Joanne Tai
Joanne Tai
the blog
seafaring
travel
minimalism
freedom
self-discovery
Notes for Seafarers
Contract progress tracker (crew)
Salary estimator (crew)
About
Contact
Subscribe
⌕
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the blog
seafaring
travel
minimalism
freedom
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Notes for Seafarers
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Contract progress tracker (crew)
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About
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Subscribe
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How to choose and use an eSIM for seafarers (+ what to know)
seafaring Joanne Tai 25/11/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 25/11/2025

How to choose and use an eSIM for seafarers (+ what to know)

Learn what seafarers should know about using an eSIM, and how it can simplify staying connected without the usual SIM card hassle.

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8 joys of working shifts on cruise ships (that only certain crew appreciate)
seafaring Joanne Tai 20/11/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 20/11/2025

8 joys of working shifts on cruise ships (that only certain crew appreciate)

A reflective look at the perks of working shifts on cruise ships and how different shift work schedules create moments that suit certain personalities.

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The Woman in Cabin 10, and the version of ship life I know
seafaring Joanne Tai 15/11/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 15/11/2025

The Woman in Cabin 10, and the version of ship life I know

A personal take on The Woman in Cabin 10 after watching the Netflix adaptation, blending a light review with reflections on real ship life.

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12 of the best gifts for someone working on a cruise ship
seafaring Joanne Tai 18/09/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 18/09/2025

12 of the best gifts for someone working on a cruise ship

These are the best gifts for someone working on a cruise ship, whether you’re treating yourself or shopping for a loved one starting a contract.

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How to Live with the Environmental Impact of Cruise Ships
seafaring Joanne Tai 07/09/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 07/09/2025

How to Live with the Environmental Impact of Cruise Ships

If you care about the planet and work in or around an industry like cruising, with its obvious environmental impact, that awareness can feel like despair.

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seafaring Joanne Tai 06/09/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 06/09/2025

Seaman’s Book: What It Is and Why Seafarers Need It

When you’re getting ready to work at sea, there’s a surprising number of documents to prepare. Among them, the Seaman’s Book is one of the most important.

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The Stages of a Cruise Ship Contract According to a Crew Member
seafaring Joanne Tai 31/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 31/08/2025

The Stages of a Cruise Ship Contract According to a Crew Member

In this post, I’ve mapped out the stages of a cruise ship contract from the perspective of a crew member, from the nerves of arrival to the relief of going home.

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What You Need to Know About Working on a Cruise Ship
seafaring Joanne Tai 28/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 28/08/2025

What You Need to Know About Working on a Cruise Ship

If you’re curious about what it’s like working on a cruise ship, this is what you can expect from getting hired to the day-to-day reality of ship life.

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Getting My STCW Basic Training Certificate to Work at Sea
seafaring Joanne Tai 21/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 21/08/2025

Getting My STCW Basic Training Certificate to Work at Sea

Before working at sea, every seafarer must complete SOLAS training, or STCW Basic Training, learning survival, first aid, and fire safety.

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What Cruise Ship Crew Spend on While Working Onboard
seafaring Joanne Tai 20/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 20/08/2025

What Cruise Ship Crew Spend on While Working Onboard

Curious about cruise ship crew expenses? Here’s a snapshot of what crew spend on and what’s free while working onboard, with a closer look at each cost.

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How to Navigate a Cruise Ship Layout When You’re New Onboard
seafaring Joanne Tai 14/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 14/08/2025

How to Navigate a Cruise Ship Layout When You’re New Onboard

I’ve felt lost onboard every ship I’ve worked on. If you’re curious about cruise ship layouts and how to get your bearings, this guide is for you.

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Quitting Your Cruise Ship Job Mid-Contract (Yes, You Can)
seafaring Joanne Tai 11/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 11/08/2025

Quitting Your Cruise Ship Job Mid-Contract (Yes, You Can)

Quitting mid-contract means leaving your cruise ship job early. Here’s how it works, the steps, and consequences, so you can make an informed decision.

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8 Things Cruise Ship Crew Members Might Be Running Away From
seafaring Joanne Tai 11/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 11/08/2025

8 Things Cruise Ship Crew Members Might Be Running Away From

The personal, often unspoken reasons people who work on cruise ships might be running away from life on land to discover something different at sea.

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Inside the Mess: Where Cruise Ship Crew Eat Every Day
seafaring Joanne Tai 09/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 09/08/2025

Inside the Mess: Where Cruise Ship Crew Eat Every Day

On cruise ships, the mess is a key shared space where crew members eat and socialise. There are usually two types: the crew mess and the officer mess.

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How Much Time Off Do You Get Working on Cruise Ships?
seafaring Joanne Tai 08/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 08/08/2025

How Much Time Off Do You Get Working on Cruise Ships?

Time off on cruise ships often comes in windows. Not full days, but breaks between shifts, long pauses, or early finishes that offer a moment to breathe.

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What Seafarer Burnout Feels Like When You're Still Working at Sea
seafaring Joanne Tai 04/08/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 04/08/2025

What Seafarer Burnout Feels Like When You're Still Working at Sea

This post explores what seafarer burnout feels like when you're still onboard – still working, still tired, and just trying to hold it together.

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Why working on a cruise ship is tougher than you think
seafaring Joanne Tai 30/07/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 30/07/2025

Why working on a cruise ship is tougher than you think

Working on a cruise ship isn’t all sunsets and sea views. Cruise ship life is tougher than most people realise, even for those who’ve done it more than once.

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Packing List for Cruise Ship Crew on 5+ Month Contracts
seafaring Joanne Tai 29/07/2025 seafaring Joanne Tai 29/07/2025

Packing List for Cruise Ship Crew on 5+ Month Contracts

Here’s my cruise ship crew packing list for a five-month contract – shaped by trial and error, crew wisdom, and figuring out what I really need.

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