Ambassadors for Jesus Christ
MISSION
Cruises are a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel and provide worship services for passengers and crew. While on vacation, passengers often seek religious services that are not offered by the ship. Additionally, crews have a difficult time with services due to long hours of work. They are often mistreated by passengers and feel isolated far from home and family. Crew members typically spend 8 or more months away from home at a time. Strong Christians can provide much needed spiritual and emotional support.
PARTNERSHIP: you on cruise
We provide the following support.
- Make you an official volunteer and supporter of Jesus Christ Compass Ministries, which provides you with access as missionaries.
- We work with cruise line, on your behalf, to prearrange space for services.
- Provide information on how to offer a services for passengers.
- Provide information on how to offer services with the crew.
- Assist with getting access to crew for services.
- Downloadable resources.
- Prayer, spiritual support, and encouragement.
How to Book a Room for Worship Service
Most do not know that cruise ships have conference rooms that you can reserve, for free, for special events. Below are the steps Jesus Christ Compass Ministries has found effective in reserving a room for a Christian Worship Service during your next cruise. It is an experience you will never forget and well worth the effort. The earlier you start planning your cruise and service the easier it is to book a conference room.
Book Your Cruise
It is critical that you are booked on the cruise first. The cruise line will ask you for your confirmation number, ship, sailing dates, etc.
Pray - Always and Often
Before contacting the cruise line pray for the Spirit to touch the hearts of those you work with this event. Remember this is His event and to His honor and glory.
Don't Be Discouraged or Give Up
You may not get the response you wanted. Follow up, try again. Different people responded in different ways.
The cruise line may push back, be polite but insistent. Ask if about other groups that have reserved conference rooms. This can be effective. After discussing with one cruise line that they had reserved rooms for Jewish services, Catholic services and LGBTQ+ it was easy to point out we were not asking for a services others had not already been provided..
The Captain is in Charge
When ship set sail they are autonomous and the captain controls everything on the ship. Because of this it can cause some dynamics if the captain is opposed to Christian Services, which we have found the case. Once you board, immediately get with Guest Service to verify you have a conference room, the date, time, and announced in bulletin (it may have been changed or cancelled so bring documents to show you the room you have reserved). Be flexible to day and times. Follow up the day before your service to again make sure not changed or cancelled, this is the time to ensure your service will be in the daily bulletin.
Be Specific in Your Communication
Whether emailing or calling be very specific on what you need for your worship service. Here is an example that I have found to work well.
In the past groups have booked conference rooms for Christian Services. We would like to reserve a meeting room for Christian Service on (Dates you would like-it is best to select at sea dates) from (time you would like-best of before dinner). If those times are not available (alternate times) will work for us as well. We would also appreciate the meeting posted in the daily bulletin so passengers, who would like to attend, know it is available. Thank you and God Bless
You May Not Get What You Want
During one cruise ship crew would not allow us to call our meeting Christian Worship. They wanted to call it Multi-faith Service. We explained it was Christian and needed to be accurate. Then we got a message that they would change it to Faith Study. Again, we explained there is a difference. Eventually they agreed to call it Christian Service and our first service was in the bulletin. Our second service they omitted from the bulletin (they said by accident) but would announce we have a service, which they did at 6am! We prayed and then walked around the ship inviting people to come. Mama then stood our side with sign. Got to love her. Remember whatever happened the Lord is in control. That second meeting we only had 5 attend, but God, in His great mercy, brought the 1 person that needed encouragement and advice on how to serve when she was on a cruise, which she did often.
cruise line contact information
we want to help make it easier
Support the mission
I am unable to go as a missionary, but would love to support those on mission.