Most cruise lines offer nurses their own cabin and meals as part of the position. Nurses who routinely work assignments on yachts and cruise lines find the work fun and adventurous.
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Depending on the cruise line, some nurses may have the option to bring family members aboard with them. This benefit is sometimes conditional on length of service or limited to a specific number of days per contract.
As a cruise ship nurse, you will end up working long hours. Depending on the ship you are working for, each nurse works an average of 10 -12 hour days or longer with no scheduled time off. At least 4 months out of the year is spent at sea, which means there is no opportunity to have a vacation day during these times.
Will I have my own room? Accommodations vary depending on the ship and position. Those in non-management positions generally share a cabin with one to three other roommates whereas those in most management positions are entitled to a single cabin. Cabins include a storage space, TV, and DVD player.
To complete their responsibilities, cruise ships require their employees to live on the boat. Most cruise lines offer their staff free room and board throughout the duration of their contracts. They often cover the costs of basic living expenses, such as water and electricity bills.
Can I bring a family member or friend onboard? Crew members who meet specific length-of-service criteria have the option of requesting relatives travel, a benefit that allows family members to sail onboard for a limited period of time. Some restrictions may apply.
Most cruise lines require two or more years of clinical experience and some employers only hire RNs with at least one year of experience in acute care or emergency settings. Advanced practice nurses with a master's degree and specialty certifications will find more prospects.
Depending on the cruise line, some nurses may have the option to bring family members aboard with them. This benefit is sometimes conditional on length of service or limited to a specific number of days per contract.
The typical contract for a cruise ship nurse is about six months. So, if you are not thrilled with the current arrangement you are working on, well, then you do not have to renew it. You can look for a different one to pursue. You will also be able to dictate how much time you want to take off in between contracts.
Responsibilities of Nurses Working on Boats and ShipsThe working life of a nurse onboard a yacht or cruise ship is very different than most healthcare settings. Shifts can be anywhere from 4-12 hours along with the expectation of taking calls for emergencies after hours.
Cruise ship workers are not supposed to hook up with passengers, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It is rare though – most crew follow the rules because they know they'll lose their job if they're caught. You won't be surprised to hear that cruise lines ban crew from having sex with passengers.
So, do I have to pay tax? “Do you pay tax when working at sea?” is one of the questions we are asked the most here at Flying Fish. And we're happy to say that as a general rule of thumb, the answer is, no.
A majority of cruise ship lines offer their employees free food throughout the duration of their contracts. There's typically a special kitchen on the boat that prepares food for staff members. Employees may eat in separate dining areas, depending on their classifications.
Some Truths about Cruise Ship Romances:Passengers and crew aren't allowed to date. And cruise employees aren't allowed to hook up with passengers. Sorry, Doc from The Love Boat, you would have been fired many, many times. Seriously, this is not worth getting fired over.
What will happen is the cruise line will fly you home, but will deduct from your wages what you owe, Jim Walker, a Miami-based maritime lawyer who represents cruise workers and passengers, told Insider. So it's a very punitive type of step if you try to quit and go home.