Firstly, I was hired through a talent agency. After expressing interest in working on board a cruise ship, they called me with an opening and asked that I submit a series of auditions to them to determine my qualifications. After the audition process, I had a limited time to acquire a passport and a plethora of medical tests in order to be allowed on the ship. Once everything was in order, the talent agency payed for my transportation to the airport and the ship and I was expected to start working as soon as I was signed on board my vessel.