u/East_Pension4600

I have a zoom orientation with ACL later today and my father in law just passed a few days ago so I haven’t had time to get a haircut or shave or anything and I also had to get right back to work since I couldn’t get bereavement. Will I be ok for my zoom orientation? What’s the general expectation from them during the orientation?

UPDATE: I called ACL and let them know my situation and that I would not meet grooming standards for the orientation and they sent me this email:

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out and letting us know that you are unable to meet our grooming standards prior to orientation.

As a one-time courtesy, we will allow you to attend orientation. Please note that you will be expected to meet all grooming standards moving forward. Please review the attached grooming standards and ensure you have fully read and understood the standards.

Let us know if you have any questions! We are excited to meet you next week!

Any thoughts?

So I got hired as a deckhand and my training date is near the end of this month and I’m just thinking about all the things I’ve heard or read about them and want to know if it’s REALLY that bad? I mean, I’ve even heard that you can barely eat let alone sleep working for them and getting a good ship with a good crew is like finding a needle in a haystack and the needle isn’t even there.

I’m also wondering how can a company with such a horrible reputation continue to operate the way it does if what most people are saying is true? I would think that the same people that have had bad experiences with ACL also voiced their complaints and concerns with the company itself climbing the ladder of authority, and maybe even at some point taking legal action.

Can’t eat? Can’t sleep? Can’t get an appropriate break etc. sounds crazy and ACL is the first company I’ve heard of that is apparently getting away with all of this and doesn’t seem to have any intention on changing because these are things I’ve heard or read from a few months ago and even years ago from the posts I read. How are they getting away with all of this and still continuing to even now?

So I got hired as a deckhand and my training date is near the end of this month and I’m just thinking about all the things I’ve heard or read about them and want to know if it’s REALLY that bad? I mean, I’ve even heard that you can barely eat let alone sleep working for them and getting a good ship with a good crew is like finding a needle in a haystack and the needle isn’t even there.

I’m also wondering how can a company with such a horrible reputation continue to operate the way it does if what most people are saying is true? I would think that the same people that have had bad experiences with ACL also voiced their complaints and concerns with the company itself climbing the ladder of authority, and maybe even at some point taking legal action.

Can’t eat? Can’t sleep? Can’t get an appropriate break etc. sounds crazy and ACL is the first company I’ve heard of that is apparently getting away with all of this and doesn’t seem to have any intention on changing because these are things I’ve heard or read from a few months ago and even years ago from the posts I read. How are they getting away with all of this and still continuing to even now?

I applied for the any entry level (again) with msc and right now my application is being forwarded so I haven’t been selected yet. I also got hired at American cruise lines as a deckhand and I’m supposed to leave for training Aug 24. Should I wait for the sealift command (again) in hopes my offer doesn’t get rescinded again or should I just go with ACL? I have a job currently so it’s not that I’m out of a job but I’m trying to get my foot in the door and start getting sea time so I can raise my credentials and position as a merchant mariner.

Is the training for ACL really that difficult? I’ve heard that just because you went through everything and got to the training part that you still don’t officially have the job with them and you have to pass the training tests they have at and it’s all physical stuff that’s hard to pass and a lot of people get sent home and don’t get hired if they don’t pass the training in its entirety.

I recently applied and received a conditional offer for the deckhand position with American Cruise Lines and my background check came back today and is currently being reviewed by ACL. Everything was completed and cleared except my driving record. The only incidents that were on my report were a speeding ticket in 2019 and one in 2024 and a license suspension in 2025 due to no car insurance. All of those incidents have been resolved and my drivers license is currently active and up to date. Should I be worried that this will hinder my offer with ACL and be enough to have it rejected or should I be ok?

How are they as a job? I have an interview with them Monday for a deckhand position. After the rescinded offer from the sealift command, I’m just trying to get out to sea and get sea time as quick as possible to earn credentials and move up in the industry starting from the bottom. I have heard mixed opinions about American Cruise Lines and most of the stuff I see people say about them is kind of outdated so I was wondering if anybody has any information on them that is more recent like pay and living onboard and just the day to day on their ship.

If there are any other avenues similar to MSC please let me know… I have been waiting for medical and the drug test since I got the offer in September of last year and I just got the dreaded email of a rescinded offer a few mins ago.. Please let me know if any other entry level opportunities at other companies that I can try to go for without any sea time. I have my MMC, medical certificate, TWIC and passport but I don’t have any STCW training (although my MMC does say something about STCW..?) I would appreciate any and all recommendations on steps to take moving forward..