Why do cruise lines hire foreign workers?

Well, the major factor is that cruise lines do not have to abide by United States labor laws for their foreign flagged ships that also sail to international ports of call. This means that the cruise lines are free to hire people from just about any country in the world.



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Most cruise ship companies hire crew members from Asian countries because they are known for their hardworking and reliable nature. They have a strong work ethic, which is essential in the hospitality industry.

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Despite the difficulty of working on cruise ships, and overseas, many Filipinos still choose this way of life as it offers a highly competitive salary, aside from unique benefits. “The pros would be the salary, of course. You also get to travel around the world, with food and accommodation for free,” said Montero.

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Over the course of their long hours, Filipino waiters and bartenders on a ship can earn 20 times that in tips, in addition to being provided room and board. Even the lowest-paid crew members earn about $400 a month, a substantial sum in many countries.

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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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It's not uncommon for cruise ships to spot refugees or assist in rescue operations while at sea.

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In the United States, anyone on a cruise ship whose last port of call was outside the US is required to pass through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), unless if the last port of call was equipped with US preclearance facilities (in which case the ship will be treated as a domestic arrival).

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How much does a Cruise Ship Worker make? As of Nov 7, 2023, the average annual pay for a Cruise Ship Worker in the United States is $49,005 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.56 an hour. This is the equivalent of $942/week or $4,083/month.

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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.

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Although Royal Caribbean Cruises operates some of the largest cruise ships worldwide, the brand's main competitor Carnival Corporation remains the leading global cruise company based on revenue.

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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.

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46% of American Cruise Lines employees are women, while 54% are men. The most common ethnicity at American Cruise Lines is White (64%). 17% of American Cruise Lines employees are Hispanic or Latino. 10% of American Cruise Lines employees are Black or African American.

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According to a study, one in five people admitted to cheating on a cruise. I asked five people if they considered it cheating if you're in a different country. Four were adamant that cheating is cheating. One person said it doesn't count if you're in a different time zone.

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Most cruise ports require you to carry a photo ID to verify the name on the ship card matches. Even if your cruise is closed-loop, meaning it starts and ends at the same U.S. port, bring your passport. In an emergency, the ship may need to dock at a foreign port, requiring clearance through immigration.

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Domestic Cruises Non-U.S. Citizens are required to carry a valid, unexpired passport and a Multiple Entry Visa, if applicable. In addition, guests must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements.

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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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The bar is open until the early morning and is a good way to spend time with friends or even partners which are common within the ship's crew. Also in crew areas are fitness rooms where they can work out and release all their work stress. You'll usually see the same people there every single day!

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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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