What is life like for a cruise ship employee?

Cruise ship crew life can be intense: long hours, no days off for months, lots of rules, demanding guests, small living quarters and little to no privacy. But working on ships also allows you to travel to places some only dream of while making some amazing connections with fellow seafarers from all over the world.



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Little to no cost of living 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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It's a common misconception that life on a cruise ship is just one big holiday for staff. Regardless of the role employees take, they can expect to work hard throughout their contract. Crew members work every day of their contract, taking time off in hours rather than in full days.

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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.

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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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Virgin Voyages, one of Carnival Cruise Line's top competitors, pays its employees an average salary of $112,803 per year or $54.23 per hour. This is about $68,635 more than Carnival Cruise Line's average salary, and $33.00 more per hour than Carnival Cruise Line's average hourly pay.

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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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5 entry-level jobs on a cruise ship
  • Cabin steward.
  • Deckhand.
  • Bartender.
  • Activity coordinator.
  • Bellperson.


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What is the average age of American Cruise Lines employees? 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. The least common age range of American Cruise Lines employees is less than 18 years.

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Generally, the highest-paying jobs on cruise ships are held by officers, department heads, and those working on commission. However, many other variables affect earning potential, such as cruise line, ship size, clientele, tips awarded, and prior job experience. Contracts are another factor.

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If you are working on a cruise ship that has a crew pool you are in luck. Not all ships will have a dedicated crew pool. Crew pools are small, very small and the main point being is that the pool is meant for you to get a splash of water and just lay down on a sunbathing chair right in the front of the ship.

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As mentioned above, not all members of the ship staff receive a share of the gratuities paid by passengers. Bartenders, main show entertainers and third-party shop employees are some of the more obvious ones, but they're not the only ones.

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Full-time contracts are usually 6 months in duration. At the end you will have a break of around 6-8 weeks before returning to ship. Full-time staff are generally expected to work on ship for more than one contract so if you want to do a one off cruise, a seasonal contract may be more suitable.

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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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This presents a unique opportunity for exploration that most people can only dream of. The policies regarding time spent ashore vary from one cruise line to another. However, all cruise companies provide their crew members with the chance to disembark when they're not on duty.

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The cruises are meant for people to share a room, even if they're not romantically involved. The bathroom is private but that's it. Beds can be split up so you each have your own sleeping space. It's likely you'll spend a lot of time doing things outside the room.

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How much should you tip cruise waiter? The cruise gratuities cover the wait staff, so you're not obligated to give them any more of a cash tip. However, if you received outstanding service from a waiter and would like to show them your appreciation with a cash tip, $5 per day per passenger is the suggested amount.

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We recommend bringing around $100-200 in cash with you on a port day. This should provide enough money for transportation, food, and small souvenirs in port.

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