After each contract you will receive approximately 60 days of vacation before your next assignment. Your daily work schedule while onboard will depend on your particular position, but you can expect to work seven days a week and anywhere between 10-13 hours per day.

Working on a cruise ship involves grueling schedules that far exceed standard land-based hours. In 2026, maritime law allows crew members to work up to 13 hours per day, and many staff—especially in housekeeping and dining—regularly hit this limit. A typical shift might be split, with a morning session (6:00 AM – 10:00 AM) and an evening session (5:00 PM – 11:00 PM). Weekly totals often range from 70 to 90 hours, with no true days off for months at a time. While entertainers and officers may work fewer "on-stage" hours, the vast majority of the crew (largely from developing regions) endure these long shifts for the duration of their 6-to-9-month contracts, making cruise life a test of physical and mental endurance.