gauri chari dreamt of seeing the world but the question remained how it has been two years since i joined a cruise liner as a sales executive and there is no looking back says the 33yearold who is in goa after a sevenmonth sail over the years more goan women embark into the conventionally maledominated seafaring arena albeit with family support and the needed push i get to travel the worldhow else would you get to travel and see the world while on work asks melinda fernandes 36 from chinchinim who has travelled around the world twice i have done a world cruise twice in a row and visited all the seven continents asia europe australia africa north and south americas and antarcticafor gauri everyone knew of her dream so when the opportunity came she grabbed it after losing my father my brother settled in goa to take care of my mother this propelled me to apply to the cruise liners and since i was already into sales i was best suited for the job on board she however adds that until then she wasnt sure if women could work on the ship getting my mothers approval was tough but she knew of my desire to travel the world and i was 28 i knew how to take care of myselffamily support is important say women sailorsmy dad was a sailor but my parents were initially against my decision and i convinced them today they boast that their daughter is working on the ship sailing can have a negative connotation associated with it staying away from home and loved ones especially my kids for a long time people judging me because i am a mother who leaves her kids behind to work onboard but i dont heed to all that i can provide my children with a good education life and a better future says melinda whose kids live with her inlaws when she is awaypoonam srivastava guest relation manager who now works on a cruise liner which sails within indian waters says despite losing her dad and being an only child her mother stood by her career choice i speak to her every time i can though my first trip was tough i got homesick seasick and missed my family and food but now i am completely fine with everything she says she didnt have any issues when she got married either as her husband was on a cruise liner too we plan our trips in such a way that we get our break at the same time she addssurvival of the fittestmelinda a security personnel started sailing in 2008 a major challenge in the maritime industry is that it has traditionally been maledominated however this is changing and it now creates opportunities for women to excel in their roles despite the challenges sailing also brings a rewarding experience with opportunities for personal growth resilience honing skills in its unique and dynamic environment moreover it offers competitive