Susana Marama makes waves on international cruise ship

It’s amazing how far patience with perseverance can take you.

For Susana Marama, 39, becoming the first Fijian entertainment director aboard an international cruise ship is a milestone.

After ten years in the international cruise line industry, Ms Marama beamed with excitement as she shared her success story.

“I was working at the resort on Vomo as the general manager's private nanny when I saw a vacancy in the newspaper,” she said.

What had seemed to be her mother's suggestion was now Ms Marama’s biggest achievement.

“I joined my first ship in 2010 via the Pacific Pearl at Port Denarau, Nadi,” she said.

“Since then, my promotions were really just my breakthroughs, and I thank God for them all.”

While the benefits of travelling were many, Ms Marama experienced first-hand the downside of living away from home.

“I was at my loneliest being the first and only Fijian to enter this industry. By 2016, I helped my husband join the cruise ship, which made everything a bit better,” she said.

Ms Marama is from Naloto, Vereta, Tailevu, with maternal links to Lauwaki Village, Vuda, Lautoka.

Being self-driven, organised and an independent person, Ms Marama is now supporting her family.

“Throughout the eight years of my work, I’ve never sought to apply for a loan to build myself or my family up, she said.

At an early age, Ms Marama was able to renovate their family home, own a car and support her family's needs and wants.

Although COVID-19 halted everything and brought challenges for many people, Ms Marama was not worried as she had everything in place to support herself and her family.

“That’s one of the best things about serving this God, I didn’t have to worry about anything because we were already catered for,” she said.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Marama was part of the pre-opening team from Australia that looked into preparations of its new grand cruise ships – Pacific Explorer and Pacific Encounter.

Ms Marama worked as a youth supervisor, training staff members during the build-up to the opening.

Many people admired her performance. Now, as the entertainment director, Ms Marama has a 200-member crew under her leadership .

She attributes her success to her parents, who were the foundation of her faith in God.

“Although my mother is the only one around now, I look forward to what else God has for me and my future,” she said.

During these trying times, Ms Marama is encouraging young people to be content with the little things they have and to prioritise God in everything they do.

Story by: beranadeta.nagatalevu@fijisun.com.fjmanager's