Samoan cruise ship recruits urged to keep eye on the job

A group of young Samoans have been told to stay away from the distractions of the West as they head off to jobs on cruise ships.

Samoa's Acting Prime Minister Papalii Niko Lee Hang was among those farewelling 39 new recruits who've been training at the Samoa Marine Training Institute.

He encouraged the sailors to work hard and to try and stay away from the distractions of the western world.

About 300 have so far been recruited into the burgeoning cruise ship industry and some have been sent home in the past.