Where it all began...

In Summer 2005 I joined as a Night Audit the MS Artistry in Budapest - my first cruise ship experience ever. Now I have seen 'my vessel' again in Bratislava which is now sailing as DCS Amethyst with mainly German speaking passengers.

Still remember my first day - I was travelling by plane in the morning from Berlin to Budapest and arrived in the morning in this lovely city - the vessel was only about to arrive in the evening at 20:00 PM so I had the day to spend while waiting for my new home.

However I was aware that I had to work this first night so I had to save some energy for the night - since the weather was perfect I had a afternoon nap at Margarat Island and relaxing.

As soon as the Avalon Artistry arrived in port I joined the vessel and was quite impressed about this modern and elegant river cruise ship.

After a short refresh I went up to reception to start my first night shift at the reception and to start a new life.

Security walk rounds, administration work, reception duties but as well side duties such as loading and luggage loading became part of my new life.

But the best as Night Audit was, while almost everybody was sleeping in the night a enjoyed beautiful sunsets and sunrises sailing along the Danube river between Nuremberg and the Black Sea. On Top at 08:00AM when my shift was over I had the day off and time to discover the places we are sailing to - walking through Budapest, Regensburg, discovering Vienna and the Technical museum, Rousse in Bulgaria or running in Mohacs/ Hungary. Or enjoying a nice beer after work on the sun deck while everybody else had to start their day.

If I think back it was truly an amazing time and love to go back in memories to where it all started.

How was your first time aboard a cruise ship - if river or ocean?