Where do people who work on cruise ships live?

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.



Crew members live in specialized crew cabins located on the lower decks of the ship, usually below the "waterline" (Decks 0, A, or B). These areas are completely separate from the passenger zones and are accessed through restricted "crew-only" corridors. Most entry-level staff share a compact cabin—roughly 80 to 120 square feet—with one or more roommates, typically from their same department. These rooms are designed for maximum efficiency, featuring bunk beds with privacy curtains, small lockers, and a shared bathroom. Officers and senior staff (like the Captain or Chief Engineer) live in slightly larger, private cabins that may include a small window (porthole) or a desk. Beyond their cabins, the "crew world" includes their own dining hall (the Crew Mess), a dedicated gym, a laundry room, and a crew bar where they can socialize off-duty. Because they "live where they work," crew members have no commute and their room and board are fully provided by the cruise line as part of their contract.

People Also Ask

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $102,500 and as low as $14,500, the majority of Cruise Ship Worker salaries currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) to $58,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $90,000 annually across the United States.

MORE DETAILS

There are no holiday entitlements, but crew members can choose when they take the six- to eight-week break that automatically comes with longer contracts.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

For those with a degree in hospitality, among the highest-paying cruise ship jobs are executive chef, cruise director, chief purser, hotel director, and human resources manager. While the positions of captain and safety officer pay more, they require graduation from an accredited maritime training institution.

MORE DETAILS

How often do cruise workers go home? 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.

MORE DETAILS

What is The Crew Mess on a Cruise Ship? The majority of the crew eat in an area called the Crew Mess. The Crew Mess, along with a number of other crew areas, is located on a crew deck down below the passenger decks. The Crew Mess is the largest crew dining area and is set up buffet style.

MORE DETAILS

Many ships have a prominent thoroughfare that runs the length of the cruise ship from bow to stern. On Royal Caribbean cruise ships or Carnival Cruise Line, this is often referred to as I-95 because the large hallway reminded someone of the highway that runs up and down the east coast of the United States.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Cruise lines drain their swimming pools at night to discourage guests from trying to enter the pool when it is closed. Draining the swimming pools each night also allows the cruise lines to replace the water with clean water and a drained swimming pool is safer if the weather is rough.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Among many difficult jobs on cruise ships, handpicking the toughest one is tricky. Still, one job will stand out in terms of horrific working conditions and cruel working hours-the galley steward.

MORE DETAILS

Crew members are responsible for any taxes due to their country of origin. Only United States citizens or employees that reside in the USA will have US federal taxes deducted from their pay. Depending on your employment contract and the country where you are a citizen will determine how you are paid onboard also.

MORE DETAILS

Based on our data, it appears that the optimal compensation range for a Housekeeping Attendant at Msc Cruises Sa is between $30,667 and $36,522, with an average salary of $33,494.

MORE DETAILS