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This is the third installment of our new bimonthly column Crews on Cruise, spotlighting the people who work behind the scenes of the world’s most memorable voyages—from bartenders and entertainers to ship captains and expedition leaders.
Originally from a small village in Zimbabwe, Presley Pfereka credits an early interest in travel to the NGO workers she met growing up. “The more people I saw from different places, the more I wished that maybe one day I could travel,” says the 37-year-old mother of two.
As the eldest of six kids, Pfereka helped raise her younger siblings after her parents passed away —a sacrifice that meant putting her own schooling (and travel dreams) on hold. She worked a variety of jobs over the next decade—in restaurants, retail, human resources, preschools, and private homes—but it was an advertisement for a position on cruise ships that really caught her eye.
In 2023, Pfereka joined Azamara Cruises, an award-winning small ship cruise line, as an assistant waitress. Now on her second contract, sailing on board Azamara Pursuit, she’s living the globetrotting life that once seemed impossibly out of reach. Recently, she was promoted to payroll purser, an administrative role that deals with crew finances.
We caught up with Pfereka last fall, during her shift break in Greece, to talk about bucket-list port stops, the value of teamwork, and writing poetry at sea.
Why did you decide to work on cruise ships?
“My mom passed away when I was 18—about a year after my dad. I was the head of the family at the time and had to pay school fees for all of my siblings. I had a passion for learning and was devastated that I couldn’t continue my education, but I didn’t want to deprive my siblings. So I started buying and selling corn; that’s how we survived. At the age of 20, I had my first daughter, who is now 16. I saved up money and eventually bought a bus fare to Devon, South Africa, where a friend gave me shelter and food for a week while I secured a job as a housemaid. Some days I started as early as 4:30 or 5 a.m. and worked until midnight. Eventually I made my way to Cape Town, where I worked in a restaurant at Canal Walk. That’s where I met fellow Zimbabweans who told me about distance learning through the University of South Africa. I studied while waiting tables. Eventually I came across an advertisement for a cruise ship position on LinkedIn. Seven days after interviewing, I got my offer. I was so grateful. Travel has been on my bucket list for quite a long time.”
What does a typical day on the job look like?
“It consists of three shifts: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with breaks in between. At breakfast, I replenish the buffet, assist guests with their drinks, and clear the tables. Lunch is the same. In the evening, I assist a waiter with their tables in the formal dining room.”
What is your favorite part about this job?
“Seeing so many smiling faces. Our guests are on vacation; they’re happy to be alive! I love meeting people from different countries and cultures, and getting to know them better. Also working as a team. When I’m really busy, I ask for help. If I can see that my colleague is busy, I jump in and make sure our guests have everything they need.”
What is the most challenging part about working at sea?
“Being so far away from my family. Sometimes I want to connect with my kids and I can't. If I think about it too much, it gets to me. At least with social media, I can connect with them on my breaks and when I’m done for the day. We have a nice long chat when they’re available, and we do video calls twice a week. My 16-year-old understands [the nature of my job]; I told her that she must protect her younger sister, who is only 5. She has to be there for her.”
What is the coolest or weirdest thing about living on a ship?
“The coolest thing is meeting people of different nationalities and learning more about them. I’m someone who wants to know all about the people around me. The weirdest thing is the time change. They’ll say, ‘OK, now we’re going to GMT -3.’ What? [Laughs] Or maybe we’re supposed to set the clocks in our cabins back one hour but then I forget—and report to work at 6 a.m. instead of 7.”
What is your favorite place you’ve traveled so far?
“I remember looking at an atlas during my high school geography class and thinking, ‘If I ever have the money someday, I’d like to go on holiday to Mauritius.’ From that point on, whenever people would ask me what my favorite country was, or where I most wanted to travel, I’d say Mauritius—even though I’d never been. Finally last May, while crossing to Europe, we stopped at Port Louis. I was so happy; it was a dream come true! One of our chefs—a Mauritian—gave me a ride to the waterfront and told me about his country. Oh my god, it was beautiful. I bought a magnet, a T-shirt, coffee mugs… I just felt so at peace—like, OK, this is what I’ve been longing for all this time. And now here I am.”
What is your favorite place to hang out on board the ship?
“I love fitness, so I try to go to the gym once or twice a day. My colleagues say, ‘Why do you need the gym when you’re already so busy at work?’ But the gym works out my brain; I need it to reprogram. Sometimes I’ll go to the crew bar to get to know the crew a little better, or I’ll go to the top deck to catch some fresh air and do a bit of writing while looking at the stars. I once wrote a poem and performed it for the crew talent show. I’ve always loved reading and words, but that’s when I discovered I can actually write—and that I have something to say through poetry. My first volume is called ‘A Home Away from Home.’ It’s dedicated to my colleagues here on board. Being away from home is the one thing we all have in common—and how we become family.”
Tell us about a memorable passenger interaction that sticks out to you.
“There were three sisters traveling together on a cruise from Australia. The oldest was not feeling well, so I would assist her in the buffet: pulling out her chair, getting drinks, all that. One day, she came to lunch alone. I asked, ‘Where are your sisters?’ She told me they’d gone out for a shore excursion and that she didn’t want to hold them up. She said, ‘Go, I’ll be fine.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, you’re right, you will be fine because I’m here for you and I’m going to get you everything you need today.’ When her sisters came to dinner that evening, they thanked me for helping so much. They even called to say goodbye before [disembarking], and that really touched me. Not everyone is able to ask for help, even though they need it; they don’t want to bother other people. But it made me feel good to help.”
What’s your top tip for first-time cruisers?
“Read the daily program! We call ours the Insider and it lists port times, dining times, the type of cuisine we’re serving that day, contacts for port agents, what movies are showing, which games are being played in different venues around the ship—everything! It’s always right outside the cabin door as guests walk out in the morning.”
