From guest to making magic: Rachel, Disney Cruise Line deck officer

Rachel grew up sailing as a guest with Disney Cruise Line and dreamed of one day working for The Walt Disney Company. In 2006, that dream came true when she began her Disney career with a cultural representative program at EPCOT at Walt Disney World® Resort. Her story came full circle when she accepted a role on the opening team of the Disney Dream in 2011, and she’s been making magic at sea ever since!

After learning about marine and technical operation opportunities while working onboard, Rachel decided to enroll at a nautical college and pursue a career as a deck officer. In this role, she would be responsible for the safety of the vessel and serve at the command center of the ship.

Today, she’s a deck officer on the Disney Wonder and couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else. Rachel said, “I thought I would join for one or two contracts, but here I am, more than 12 years later, still working onboard having studied and progressed through different positions with Disney Cruise Line.”

“The job we do has a huge impact on the guest experience as we make the magic in the background happen - navigating the ship from one port to the next, avoiding inclement weather where possible to make the journey more comfortable, ensuring we are in safe waters for fireworks to happen and making sure the ship is fully safe and compliant for all persons onboard,” she shared.

Navigating the ship successfully as a deck officer isn’t the only thing Rachel is exceeding at. She is also seeking ways to elevate her career at sea. She mentioned, “I have progressed and experienced life onboard as a crew member and now an officer. I have been so fortunate for the opportunities have had and the people who supported, guided, and mentored me on the journey.”

Like many of our crew members, Rachel is enjoying the unique lifestyle that comes with working for Disney Cruise Line. She said, “I also love spending lunch breaks enjoying time ashore in new destinations, exploring, and immersing myself in different cultures. The facilities and entertainment onboard for crew are great too.”

Repost from Life at Disney