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Do you get free room and board if you work on a cruise ship?

The benefits that come with working on a cruise liner are some of the best across the board. Firstly, crew members are provided with free accommodation, meals, uniform and laundry service during their life onboard. This means, no rent, no utilities and no bills!



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On ships, you live where you work. Unlike life on land, there is no rent to be paid or monthly utility bills that need to be taken care of. All basic living expenses are covered at sea for crew members: accommodation, water, electricity, and food.

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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. This allows employees to travel wherever the ship goes, frequently visiting new countries during their free time.

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The Pros of Working on Cruise Ships
  • You get paid to travel. ...
  • Little to no cost of living. ...
  • Free medical care. ...
  • Flights to and from the ship are provided. ...
  • Easily rack up airline flight miles. ...
  • Short work commute. ...
  • 6-8 week vacation in between contracts. ...
  • Save money.


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As mentioned, there are additional benefits that workers receive over their salary. Free room and board, meals, and medical care allow individuals to save money while working. Additionally, they work longer hours, which means more income if your wage is hourly.

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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.

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Crew Off Hours Onboard a Cruise Ship Additionally, special events are routinely scheduled for crew to enjoy their time onboard. There are crew parties, BBQs, bingos, talent shows, and movie nights. Officers can enjoy additional facilities of the ship such as the pool deck, spa, gym, restaurants and bars.

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FAQ on Cruise Staff Salary A cruise ship crew member for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian Cruise Line can earn an annual average between $16,000 to $20,000. For leadership staff onboard cruise ships, the annual salary can be much higher from $30,000 to $100,000.

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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.

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There are crew cabins on several floors, from deck 00 — below sea level — to deck three, though the captain and bridge officers typically live adjacent to the bridge higher up.

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When you work as a seafarer, you are paid without any tax or national insurance being deducted. This is because cruise ships and other vessels employ their crew from all over the world, so it is up to each individual seafarer to declare their income to their country.

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Cruise ship crews are usually very international: Up to 80 countries of origin are represented on board many ships, according to the association. A particularly large number of employees come from developing countries in Asia and South America.

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It is possible to live on a cruise ship and there are several cruise lines that allow you to purchase an apartment onboard. Alternatively, you could book a series of short cruises on a mainstream cruise line. It's better to choose a cruise ship designed for long-term living than one from a mainstream cruise line.

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You want to be as close to the pivot point as possible to feel the least movement. Avoid cabins near the front (bow) or back (stern) and on decks higher than the middle deck of the ship. So, on a ship with fourteen passenger decks, your best options are below deck seven.

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To recap, the best jobs on cruise ships requiring little experience are:
  • Food and Beverage.
  • Housekeeping.
  • Retail and Guest Services.
  • Entertainment.
  • Adventure and Water Sports.
  • Photography.


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After subtracting overhead costs, a ship will make out with roughly $291 in net profit per passenger, per cruise. That means that at full capacity, a single ship like Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas might make $9.8m in revenue ($1.7m of which is profit) during one 7-day excursion.

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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.

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The Cons of Working on Cruise Ships
  • There are no days off. On ships, weekends and holidays don't exist. ...
  • You work long hours. ...
  • Contracts are 4-9 months long. ...
  • You're on call 24/7. ...
  • Small living quarters. ...
  • No privacy. ...
  • It's like college all over again. ...
  • The food is not the same for crew and guests.


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How long will I be onboard? Contract lengths vary by position but range between four and ten months. After each contract you will receive approximately 60 days of vacation before your next assignment.

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How long will I be onboard? Contract lengths vary by position but range between four and ten months. After each contract you will receive approximately 60 days of vacation before your next assignment.

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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.

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The most common age range of American Cruise Lines employees is 20-30 years. 56% of American Cruise Lines employees are between the ages of 20-30 years.

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