Payton Martin, a 23-year-old Oklahoma native, always dreamed of working and living on a cruise ship since her family went on frequent cruises when she was younger. After experiencing a cruise in the summer of 2021 that had been rescheduled multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin decided to make her dream a reality. She applied for a job as an entertainment host aboard a Carnival cruise, which was something she never thought was possible for herself. Martin transitioned from being a guest to a crew member, learning about the various job opportunities available on cruise ships in the process.
In October 2021, Martin was offered a job as an entertainer aboard the Carnival Horizon ship and began working in January 2022 after extensive training. She left college to pursue this opportunity. Martin lived in a cabin with a roommate, with her room and board covered under her contract. She worked on the ship for over a year, traveling on six- and eight-day cruises departing from Miami. Martin applied for a position aboard the Carnival Pride after working on the Horizon, eventually meeting Salvatore Giglio, a second electro-technical officer, aboard the ship.
Martin and Giglio met aboard the Carnival Pride in 2022 and quickly hit it off. After dating for seven months and traveling the world together, Giglio proposed to Martin in June 2023. They spent time traveling between visiting Martin’s family in Oklahoma, sightseeing in Los Angeles, and seeing Giglio’s family in Italy. Martin eventually resigned from her position with Carnival in March 2023 and Giglio signed another contract to work aboard the Carnival Pride, where they first met. They are now back in Italy, building their own apartment above Giglio’s parent’s house.
The couple aims to complete their apartment by May of the following year and split their time between the U.S. and Italy. Martin values family time and is happy as long as she is with her family. She recommends working on a cruise ship to anyone looking for a unique experience that allows them to travel and see the world. Despite the challenges of leaving everything behind and living on a cruise ship for months at a time, Martin discovered her bravery and courage in putting herself outside of her comfort zone. She believes that taking risks and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is essential for personal growth and discovering one’s true potential.
Martin’s experience working on cruise ships has taken her to over 20 destinations, including Honduras, Dominican Republic, Spain, England, France, Croatia, Turkey, Malta, Greece, and Portugal. While she enjoyed her time as a crew member, Martin also appreciates the flexibility of being a guest again and spending time with her family. She plans to continue seeing what opportunities arise while prioritizing family time and maintaining a balance between the U.S. and Italy with Giglio. The couple is looking forward to building their life together and continuing to explore the world while growing their relationship.
