Queen Anne colleague wins Global Gaming Team Leader of the Quarter

The people on our ships work incredibly hard every single day to create unforgettable holiday happiness for our guests. So when they are recognised for this hard work by Carnival Corporation and plc (Cunard is one of eight brands owned by Carnival Corporation) it’s a huge testament to their skill and dedication.

Ailyn Miranda joined the Cunard team in 2008 as a Cashier Trainee and since 2013 has been working as a Casino Cage Manager. She was recently recognised for her leadership and named Carnival Corporation’s Global Gaming Team Leader of the Quarter. Congratulations Ailyn!

How do you feel winning the Global Gaming Team Leader of the Quarter award?

“It’s very overwhelming for me. I know I’m not perfect and I still have so much to learn but my colleague/s went over the top in showing their appreciation of my hard work through nominating me for the award. I am very grateful. To be chosen is such an honor and great achievement. I am also very happy to get to share this with the team.”

What do you think makes a good leader?

“I always try my best to establish a good communication with my team. Encouraging them to always do the right thing even though no one is watching is really important in building a strong work ethic that is essential in any job I believe that if they understand the reason behind every decision we make, not only that they learn but also it becomes easier to accept how things turn out and come up with more ideas to make everything better. Involving them in the decision-making process with proper guidance is a win-win situation for all of us. Listening to them, recognising their achievements and appreciating their help and support make a big difference.

“I believe that my team considers me as a good leader because of my integrity and honesty. I lead by example. I always remind my team that the right attitude is the key to achieving our goals. We might not have the skills just yet, but with the right attitude we can easily learn, grow and get to the right direction. “

“It is always important to come to work happy so you can genuinely be friendly and provide the excellent customer service the guests deserve and that we are always willing to assist in any way we can.”

What are your key responsibilities?

“In the casino department I am in charge of the Main Bank and the accounting side of the operation. I oversee the compliance of security and accounting procedures, give training to staff in any accounting related positions, contribute to the improvement of the casino in terms of growth and revenue, and help the other management team members in running the operation as a whole.

What was your job before you joined Cunard and what made you want to start a career at sea?

“My mother was a widow and the only parent raising us since I was in grade school. With her support, I graduated college and worked in a bank for four years. After my mother experienced a mild stroke and then sadly lost her battle with cancer, I became the breadwinner of the family. That’s when I decided to work at sea so I can send my brother and my sister to college.

“Working on the ship plays a very important role in my life. Not only that I provide the financial support to my brother and sister to graduate college, but also, I happened to meet my better half who is also working in the casino department.”

I’ve learned a lot in terms of culture, people, places and management strategies that helped in my personal and career growth. The ship is now my second home.

How do you spend your vacation?

“When I am at home, I love spending time with my family especially with my nieces and nephew. I hope one day I will be able to show them around the ship. I want to show them how cool my workplace is!”

Any advice you’d like to share with people thinking abut a career at sea?

“See opportunity in every difficulty. No matter how much preparation and planning we do, there are times that things won’t go our way. For people who aim for perfection, it is really frustrating. But the most important thing is the learning process that will lead to a much better version of ourselves.

“Our mentor used to tell us ‘Be the best that you can be and excel in that position. Go above and beyond. Make people talk about you because of your performance and make them want to work with you at all times because you are a standout performer.’

“I want to share this with everyone. When we are trying to reach for your goals, let’s start with the basics, focus on ourselves and the work at hand, and before we know it, we’re almost there.”