Gordon “Butch” Stewart was fond of saying that anywhere in the world he went, he would run into a former Sandals employee. Had the late Sandals Resorts founder been around, he might well have met Janet Jackson Dinnall who, with compatriot Consie ”Omar” Cover, is making waves on the world’s largest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas.

St Ann’s Jackson Dinnall, who worked with Sandals over two decades ago, and Portland’s Cover are not only rated as high-quality employees but both have risen to senior positions as restaurant manager and executive sous chef, respectively, on the sprawling Royal Caribbean flagship.

The two Jamaicans are critical to the food and beverage operations on board the more than 9,000 passenger-and-crew ship.

Jackson Dinnall, with previous hotel dining room supervisory experience under her belt, decided over 20 years ago to pursue a career on the cruise ship, but notes that she had to prove herself all over again on the high seas. Still, she quickly moved up the ranks from assistant waitress to her old position of restaurant supervisor.

“It was a shaky start, but I never once considered the option of going back home. I have always been a go-getter, always believing in hard work and giving it my all,” she tells JIS News, noting that along the way, she has worked on several of the Royal Caribbean’s mega vessels, including the Oasis-class ships (the most prestigious in the fleet) and to her current station on the Wonder of the Seas.

“On any given day, I am responsible for scores of guests, seeing to it that they are indeed getting value for their hard-earned money,” says. Jackson Dinnall.

Working seven days per week, leaving hardly any time for social life has been a sacrifice she was willing to make, but would never trade that experience for anything, she asserts. It has brought her financial stability and her own home.

“Everything I have earned goes right back there in the Jamaican economy,” says Jackson Dinnall. “While working overseas, my thoughts have always been with my homeland and making my country proud,” she adds.

Of the benefits, she says: “I have been to many exciting places. I have travelled the world, so no regrets whatsoever. I’m just grateful for all that I have achieved and that I am still able to do this.”

Cover has been with Royal Caribbean for some 15 years and recently oversaw meal preparations for some 40 health-care workers including doctors and nurses from the St Ann’s Bay Hospital, who were feted on board the Wonder of the Seas during its inaugural visit to the Falmouth pier in Trelawny earlier this month.

Cover fondly recalls growing up in the coastal Norwich district, best known for its yellow-heart breadfruit, where going to the beach and spending quality time with family and friends were among his favourite things to do. It was there that he started developing his culinary skills, believing that one day he would be able to demonstrate his craft at a high level.

“Royal Caribbean has afforded me that opportunity… to show what I can do aboard the biggest cruise ship in the world. This is indeed a dream come true, one that was achieved with a lot of hard work, trust, and perseverance,” he tells JIS News.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett had high praises for the Jamaican duo, calling them true ambassadors and a major plus for tourism.

“What they both have been able to accomplish, earning senior positions with the second biggest cruise company behind the Carnival cruise line and on board the largest cruise ship, serving thousands of guests weekly is quite astounding,” the minister chimes.

“These are the kinds of success stories our country, our industry want to see. I wish both Consie and Janet well as they continue to make us proud,” says Bartlett.