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, 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.”
