Payton Martin grew up going on cruises with her family, which sparked her fascination with the idea of working and living on a cruise ship. After a trip in the summer of 2021, she decided to make her dream a reality and applied for a job as an entertainment host aboard a Carnival cruise. Martin transitioned from being a guest to a crew member, learning about the variety of jobs and opportunities available on a ship.
Martin joined the Carnival Horizon in January 2022 after leaving college for the job. She lived in a shared cabin with a coworker, with room and board covered under her contract. Martin worked on six- and eight-day cruises departing from Miami for over a year. In September 2022, she applied for a position aboard the Carnival Pride and eventually met Salvatore Giglio, a second electro-technical officer on the ship.
Martin and Giglio met onboard the Carnival Pride in October 2022 and quickly formed a romantic connection. They moved in together after “linking their IDs,” in ship terms. Martin lived in Giglio’s one-bedroom cabin for a while before he transferred to another ship. After finishing her contract, Martin flew home before reuniting with Giglio as a crew family member.
After seven months of dating and traveling together, Giglio proposed to Martin in June. They plan to build an apartment above Giglio’s parents’ house in Italy and split their time between the U.S. and Italy. Martin reflects on the transformative experience of working on a cruise ship, crediting it with helping her discover her own bravery and potential outside her comfort zone.
Although Martin enjoyed her time as a crew member, she now values the flexibility of being a guest again. She aims to prioritize family time and is open to future opportunities that allow her to travel without being away for months at a time. Martin recommends working on a cruise ship to anyone, highlighting the chance to travel the world and learn about oneself through new experiences. She emphasizes the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone to unlock hidden potential.
