Is it hard to work on a cruise ship?


Is it hard to work on a cruise ship? 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.


What qualifications do you need to work on a cruise?

Basic Requirements for Working on Cruise Ships
  • Be at least 21 years old. ...
  • Hold a valid passport.
  • Have the relevant visa or work permit – depending on where you are from and which countries you will be travelling to: ...
  • Meet the language requirements relevant to your position.


Why do cruise ships skip 13?

Many ships, including cruise liners have omitted having a 13th deck due to triskaidekaphobia.


What is the easiest job on a cruise ship?

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


What is the disadvantage of working at a cruise ship?

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.


What is the hardest job on a cruise ship?

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.


What is the life of a cruise employee?

Staff members often expect to work around 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Some employees may work early in the morning, like those who prepare food, while others work late into the night, like bartenders and entertainers. Your work schedule might depend on the specific cruise line and your position.


What is the best position to work on a cruise ship?

Retail and Guest Services Jobs Retail and guest services offer some of the best jobs on cruise ships without experience. This is because you get to interact with guests every day, helping them with their needs and solving problems.


What do cruise ship workers do when not working?

Local Port Restaurants So when the crew does get a chance for some free time one of the first things they will do is get off the ship when it's in port and go and eat some real life food in one of the local restaurants. Usually, the crew will go in groups if they have time.


What is the lowest position on a cruise ship?

At the top of the hierarchy are officers: managers and those responsible for navigation. In the middle are staff members, which include workers in entertainment, retail, and guest services. At the bottom are crew members, who are generally responsible for serving guests.


Do cruise ship workers get to go home?

Upon successful completion of their training, crew members are offered a contract, typically ranging from two to nine months. 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.


Do cruise workers get a day off?

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.


How long is a cruise contract?

Upon successful completion of their training, crew members are offered a contract, typically ranging from two to nine months. 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.


How often do cruise ship workers get off?

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.


How long does it take to become a cruise ship worker?

Working on a Cruise Ship: The Hiring Process. The hiring process for working on a cruise ship can be very different than other jobs. On land, you can expect to apply for a job, get an interview, and start right away. In the cruise industry, it can take as long as 6 months to a maybe even a year to get put onboard!


Is working on a cruise ship good money?

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.


Which cruise line pays the best?

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.


Do Royal Caribbean employees get free cruises?

Employee Benefits at our Headquarter Offices
Additionally, some other benefits include paid parental leave, employee discounts on cruises, and a complimentary cruise for employees upon starting with the company.


Do cruise ship employees get free food?

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.