A recording of a phone conversation where we discuss not only career changes but also personal transformations that can lead to unexpected and exciting new beginnings. Lenka reached out to me the day before Christmas five years ago, at a time when she was at a major crossroads in her life.
Now, several years later, just in time for the fourth advent, when he has a successful career in the Caribbean waves, he shares with us his experiences and the joys of his new life.
Lenka's story is an inspiration for anyone considering change and seeking the courage to step into a new direction. This Christmas blog post should be an inspiration not only for those looking for treasure, but also for someone whose circumstances have turned out the way Lenka did. With her permission, I am sharing her story, but out of respect for her privacy and current life, I will not be publishing her photo.
Milan: Lenka, when you contacted me, you were going through a difficult time in your personal and professional life. It was right before the covid madness, can we go back to that time?
Lenka: Long silence.... Well, okay. It was like in the movie Adéla Hasn't Had Dinner Yet, the scene in the Paris Hotel. As if someone had pulled the rug out from under my feet, you know, the one in the long hallway. Suddenly I was on the floor in an awkward position, alone against everyone, and even though I had a lot of experience, no one took my abilities into account, only my complicated relationship with my former boss.
Milan: That must have been really difficult, regardless of the "length of the corridor", quite uncomfortable for a lady like you. At that time, I was working part-time at the National Qualifications Register, creating the first competency models. I tried out a model at your company and thanks to that we got to occupational psychodiagnostics, which I have been working with for over twenty years. How did you decide to take advantage of the opportunity that psychodiagnostics offered you?
Lenka: When you gave me that seventeen-page report, I suddenly had something concrete that confirmed where I actually stood and what I could do. It was all understandable and in one place. I was ready to look for something where I could use my competencies, I just didn't know which end to take and you opened the door to a whole new world for me. At that time, I translated the part that described me into English and that was the basis of the motivation letter. And you were writing a competency model for a shipping company at the time, so it inspired me.
Milan: But it was this global agency that was looking for people for ocean liners. They could send you anywhere. Why did you decide to apply? Was that a coincidence?
Lenka: Nothing is a coincidence. I thought about working in tourism, I studied it even though I never really focused on it. When I heard about the possibility, it was like the call of the sea. And everything I learned about myself from the diagnostics gave me the courage to try it. Even though you said at the time that "D * " was pretty terrible. * Note: "D *" was a term for a supportive temperament in the old system at the time, which was replaced by a new system under the age of twenty. It now uses friendlier terminology because it is intended for the public.
Milan: I certainly didn't say that, my fear of D wouldn't let me. D isn't terrible, it's adventurous, practical and action-packed. So you're working on a ship now. What's it like to change your life path and find a new direction in such an unusual place?
Lenka: Every day is an adventure, that's what you said in your diagnosis. Working on a ship allows me to meet people from all over the world, sometimes on a very personal level, and I literally learn something new every day. I have teams of maybe 12 people, and everyone is from a different country, and it's a completely different life, and I'm incredibly grateful for it.
Milan: That sounds like a great new beginning, Lenko. What are your future plans on the boat?
Lenka: I plan to stay at sea and deepen my knowledge in the field of hospitality and management. I have completed a few courses, the company allows me to study, and after each module, my bosses discuss with me what I could do in addition, since they have already invested in me. I will be preparing an application for special leadership training just during Christmas. The company has an office in Switzerland and cooperates with two universities, we have students on internships.
Milan: Lenko, you've already spent three Christmases in the Caribbean. Don't you miss a classic Czech Christmas?
Lenka: I don't miss it at all yet. You know, when I went to sea, it was actually an escape. I broke off all the relationships I had and threw myself into the unknown. I'm significantly older than my colleagues, but that gives me a different perspective on things. And as for Christmas, yes, it's different, but it has its own charm. I'm already enjoying it here, after all, I became a Food and Beverage Manager on a ship for thousands of passengers. That's something I could never have imagined.
Milan: Do you ever serve?
Lenka: Even if I don't have to, I like to help my teams on different decks. You know, on deck it's always a little different than on land. I'll send you a video so you can see what a typical day on the cruise looks like. It's like an endless New Year's party - everyone is dancing, laughing, music is playing. (Then I got a few videos from a colleague and I understood what Lenka was talking about).
Milan: What situations did you not expect to have to deal with on the boat?
Lenka: I never expected to have to deal with so many different cultural and language misunderstandings. Every day is a real challenge to coordinate a team that consists of people from all over the world and at the same time keep the guests happy. Now we had a situation where our VIP guest from Japan complained that the sushi we served was not authentic, according to his standards. Of course, we have it perfect. I had to resolve this dispute very sensitively and in the end we organized a special evening where we invited a renowned sushi master from another of our ships, recommended by him, to show us how traditional sushi is prepared. This not only helped us resolve the complaint, but also educated our chefs and provided a unique experience for all our guests. This experience showed me how important it is to be flexible and open to learning new things in order to guarantee satisfaction and well-being on board.
Milan: How many passengers are there on a ship like this?
Lenka: Our ship usually has around 3000 passengers. It's a small city at sea, with its own rules and dynamics.
Milan: And where is your "home"?
Lenka: Actually, I'm starting to think that Miami is my home. My boyfriend is from here, and a few weeks ago he proposed to me with a beautiful ring. Just like in a movie, except I really didn't expect it, so I was taken by surprise. I always considered the possibility that I would have to return. I don't have citizenship, but that will change now and I will actually be living in a fairy tale completely legally.
Milan: So what does your typical fairytale day on the boat look like?
Lenka: Well, to tell you the truth, it's more of a reality show than a fairy tale. Life on a ship is a constant movement, but it's really constant. It's basically no different from the life of a staff member at a resort by the sea, which you know well. When I'm not working, I try to enjoy the ship's facilities, such as fitness centers, swimming pools, and various social events.
Milan: And how do you spend your time when you're not on board?
Lenka: When I'm on shore, I spend time with a friend who is an instructor for yacht captains. We enjoy the pleasures of the mainland together when we have time. We were recently at the Basel exhibition, he received an invitation from a client, I saw paintings worth millions there and walked around in new clothes.
Milan: What do you enjoy most about this lifestyle?
Lenka: What I enjoy most is constant discovery, I like new things. Every cruise is an adventure and every day I can encounter something new, in principle and especially even if I don't want to. It keeps me on my toes and gives me the opportunity to satisfy my adventurous appetites.
Milan: Back to work. Have you encountered the competency model that I was preparing at the time in practice? How does it help you at work and how does it help your subordinates?
Lenka: Yes, I did, and I have to say that it was like finding the last piece of a puzzle exactly where you didn't expect it - for example, under the couch! It has certainly developed a lot since then, it is a living material. Thanks to the model, I understand better what I can expect from everyone, and they know it too, I would say that it saves a lot of time and everyone knows what competencies they need for their job, so instead of trudging around the deck like lost pirates, they work more efficiently. Especially in lower positions. I found out that people need to know what to do and what the expected result is. If you can't do it, we will teach you. No one needs to fake skills and competencies, as I know from previous jobs.
Milan: And how do you think this relates to shift planning?
Lenka: That's the most fun part of being at sea! When we know how many FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) we need for each shift, we can plan it like bosses. I have to keep everyone on board so that I don't have people coming in unnecessarily, while still respecting their contracts. Not only does it ensure that we have all the positions covered, but it also ensures that no one is overworked. It's like playing Tetris with people.
Milan: Can you tell me more about the items you offer, especially the most expensive wines at your bar? And what about the all-inclusive service and gratuities on the boat?
Lenka: Of course, that’s a big part of my job. Our wine selection is really wide and includes wines from all over the world, but we specialize in those that are a little bit special. We have vintage Château Margaux or the exclusive Screaming Eagle, which are for true connoisseurs. These delicacies are of course more expensive, but they are often a sought-after choice for our guests who prefer a luxurious experience.
When it comes to all-inclusive, our ships offer a variety of packages that can include everything from meals and drinks to entertainment and excursions. This means that guests can enjoy most of the services on board at no additional charge. This takes the stress out of constantly paying for every little thing, which guests really appreciate.
Tipping is a frequently discussed topic. Our policy is that gratuities are already included in the price of the cruise, meaning guests don’t have to think about how much to tip or who to tip. This decision removes another layer of worry and allows guests to fully immerse themselves in their vacation. However, if they want to thank someone in particular for their excellent service, they are of course welcome to add an additional tip of their choice.
Milan: And they add it?
Lenka: Yes, they do. Even though gratuities are included, many guests still want to express their personal thanks for service that goes above and beyond their expectations. We often see guests giving extra tips to waiters, bartenders, or even room service. It's a way to appreciate the personal touch and excellent care that our staff provides.
Milan: Was it always like this?
Lenka: Not always. The tipping culture has evolved on ships. In the past, tipping was considered a natural part of traveling, and people were expected to tip for every service. This was quite stressful because not everyone was familiar with the customs. In some cultures, it’s just not done. Over time, as cruise lines have sought to simplify and improve the experience for guests, they have started including tips directly in the prices of all-inclusive packages. This has allowed guests to enjoy their cruise without worrying about additional payments. But despite these changes, many people still prefer to tip a little extra when they feel the service was truly exceptional.
Milan: Lenko, when we were talking, you wrote that you were a girl from a village thirty kilometers outside of Prague and now you're on a giant ship. What did you mean, why did you mention that, and did you bring something unique from your home?
Lenka: Milan, when I think about it, yes, I think I brought a piece of my home to this job. I come from a place where everyone knows everyone and where we are close to our neighbors, and I try to transfer that to my work environment. In the hospitality industry, being personal and friendly is key, which comes naturally to me because of my background.
What I bring here is probably the ability to create strong, almost family-like relationships with both team members and guests. In the village, people always try to help each other and be close to each other. I have applied this philosophy here as well. I try to make everyone on board feel at home, regardless of where they come from or what their background is.
I also brought traditional Czech hospitality – when I organize evenings for VIP guests, I like to include something from Czech cuisine on the menu to make it really special. Many guests are curious about new tastes and my Czech specialties often spark interesting conversations about culture and traditions.
Overall, I would say that my village roots have given me the ability to be earthy and authentic, which is refreshing and appealing in this often artificial and "fancy" atmosphere.
Milan: Christmas is coming, Lenko, I can't help but ask, what Czech will be on your decks?
Lenka: You would be surprised how many dishes from different parts of the planet are similar to ours, only eaten with different side dishes. For example, potato salad, which is so popular in our country during the holidays, is something that can be combined with many traditional dishes from all over the world. And schnitzels? They are almost everywhere, only instead of pork or veal they can be chicken. We don't have carp in the Caribbean.
By the way, I have a rather unpleasant incident connected with my first Christmas on a ship. I decided to light a Czech Christmas frankincense in the cabin, but I used a Caribbean rum stopper, which was not the best idea. The stopper and the frankincense burned all the way to the table and I accidentally set off the fire alarm! It was a tense situation, but in the end, I can still look back on it with a smile. What's more, I have a story that I have been telling my guests at Christmas dinner ever since.
Milan: Lenko, do you think I could get bored as a passenger on your ship? And as a crew member, can you ever rest?
Lenka: Bored? That word doesn't exist in our onboard dictionary! We have so much to offer that you'd have a hard time getting through it all. Where to start? We have several saunas, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a wellness center where you can indulge in massages that will completely rejuvenate you. Then there are swimming pools, hot tubs, cinemas, theaters, a library, and of course countless bistros and restaurants with cuisines from all over the world.
How does such a vacation usually work? You get up whenever you want, breakfast until lunch, then you choose an activity for the rest of the day. You can take part in a diving course, yoga, or maybe a cooking course. By the way, we had a yoga instructor from Slovakia here. In the evening, you can expect shows, concerts, theme nights for fifties who were rocking out to eighties hits, or you can just sit on the deck and enjoy the view of the sea under the stars.
Milan: Where do I board the ship? It's easy, you come to us at Terminal B at PortMiami, and that's where it starts. From Miami, we can head to the Bahamas in a day, or if you fancy a longer cruise, we can explore the Eastern Caribbean in a week.
And do I ever have time off? Of course, even pirates need a break! I have regular time off and I usually spend it exploring the places we're anchored at, relaxing with friends, and of course, when I'm in Florida, I spend time with my boyfriend.
I'm like a Pirate from the Caribbean who found her treasure. It's not a chest full of gold, but something much more valuable, a great and meaningful job, an amazing team, and a friend who is like an anchor in the sea for me.
As Lenka's story shows, treasure can be something completely different for everyone. For some it is career success, for others a new friendship, or love that is born in unexpected places. But what all these treasures have in common is the journey we have to take to find them. Quite often, it is a journey full of uncertainties and sometimes quite unpleasant obstacles. But it is these experiences that shape us and make us stronger and more determined. I already have two more Czech candidates in mind for an interview, this time from the opposite end of the world from Florida.
I am happy to be a part of such projects that help people discover their "personal treasures", or even become treasures in their lives themselves. One amazing project with the ambition to be a treasure is being created an hour and a half drive from Prague, on the banks of the Orlická Dam, which will have, in addition to the obligatory wellness and swimming pools, an absolutely unique entertainment facility of the future. And I am lucky to be there again.
Every story like this is an inspiration to me and a reminder that sometimes the greatest values are found where we least expect them. Whatever your treasure is, I believe the journey to find it is worth it.
Thank you for reading this Christmas article to the end. I wish you a Christmas filled with peace, joy and new inspirations, wherever your treasures lie. Merry Christmas!
Comments