Thursday, April 18, 2024

Cruise Ship Workers Reveal What Life Is Like at Sea

cruise ship workers

Thousands of people flock to the cruise industry for an adventurous career. "Financially, it's not a good business prospect, which is why I stopped doing it." So, when they do have time off, they often make the most of it partying at the various crew bars aboard the ship. Brun shares that it’s super hard to get used to working such long hours.

Strict Rules and Regulations

Fortunately, there are laws in place to make sure that every cruise ship employees get to take breaks for meals and snacks. First, there is no set rate that every person working on a cruise ship earns. And on a modern cruise ship there are dozens if not hundreds of different roles, from the captain of the ship to kitchen staff. Angela Teberga, a professor of tourism at the University of Palmas in Brazil confirms such frequent labor rights violations. In her doctoral thesis, she examined working conditions on cruise ships and paid particular attention to working hours and the workload, which are the most frequent causes of complaint among crew members. An army of hard-working crew members ensures that vacationers going on cruises have everything they need.

There’s a morgue on board.

Often there will be regional dishes from the crew members' home countries. Princess Cruises works with a worldwide network of recruitment partners to select and support our crew. The agencies listed here are the only agencies authorized by Princess Cruises to recruit on our behalf. We have recently been made aware of fraudulent entities around the world claiming to represent Princess Cruises as recruitment partners. We are working closely with our Security department and local police authorities in various countries to prevent individuals from wrongly representing themselves as Princess recruitment partners. We strongly suggest that you only discuss employment opportunities with the agencies/partners listed here.

Almost all of the passengers are pleasant, but some are annoying

There are actually no ships that sail under the German flag, for example. From 14-hour shifts to meager pay, working conditions on cruise ships are tough. Cruise ship employment contracts can range from three months to ten months long. And nearly all cruise workers — with entertainers being a notable exception — do not have protected days off until their contract is complete.

Crew members sometimes mess with passengers.

The number of staff required depends on the type of ship and cruise line. Some may need hundreds of staff in various departments, while others may have a more scaled-back crew. Yet many do it for the opportunity to earn a living making more than what they would back home while also seeing parts of the world that many others never get the chance to visit. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement here, cruise ship expert Alexis Papathanassis says. As in many other sectors, especially tourism and hospitality, there's been an acute shortage of skilled workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Why would I get out of my comfort zone to go and live in a small cabin with a roommate when I have never had to share a room before?" Vargas said.

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A cruise-ship employee's living costs can be much lower than those of a land-based worker, since they don't have to pay rent or buy food. But cruise-ship employees also have demanding and unconventional schedules that can lead them to work more hours than those with more traditional five-day, 40-hour-a-week schedules. Higher ranking cruise ship employees live on the higher floors of the boat, while employees with less clout have to live on the bottom levels of the ship. He continues that you can’t even tell who your roommate is anymore when the curtain is closed in your bunk! Although cruise ship employees live together, that doesn’t exactly mean that they’re all on the same level.

Low Compensation

At the top, the cruise ship captain can earn over $177,000 annually, depending on the ship’s size and years of experience. If you’re considering getting a job on a cruise ship or a curious passenger, you’re probably wondering how much do cruise ship workers make? Although the salary is low, there are minimal living expenses while you’re on contract. Many cruise ship workers can save a high percentage of their income. Cruise ship workers with lower-paying jobs, like bartenders and waiters, are often at the mercy of the crew cafeteria. There, according to five current or former cruise ship employees, the food leaves much to be desired.

On top of the grueling schedule, the work can also be physically and mentally-taxing, with almost no time left for recreation and personal relaxation. This blend of financial savings, unique benefits, and the opportunity to travel the world makes working on a cruise ship an attractive option for those seeking an unconventional career path. However, potential employees should weigh these benefits against the unique challenges of this work environment, such as long hours, strict regulations, and limited personal space.

cruise ship workers

Perhaps the biggest difference is the fact that cruise ship employees live where they work. Yes, most cruise ship workers share a room with one or more colleagues. Accommodations for staff are typically more compact and less luxurious than guest cabins. The number of people sharing a room varies by cruise ship and the worker’s position. Business Insider says cruise ship workers earn an average annual salary of $16,000 to $20,000. Leadership positions can make substantially more with a yearly salary from $30,000 to over $100,000.

“We could spray them with water and they’d be helpless.” Other ships may be equipped with Long Range Acoustic Devices that emit loud, painful noises to deter attacks. That’s how a luxury cruise liner escaped a pirate attack off the coast of Africa in 2005. That gives us not only a glimpse into how much the top brass at the company makes in total, but also what those who work on the ship earn as well. Major cruise lines like Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian are actually part of larger public companies that trade on major stock exchanges.

Working in various weather conditions and handling heavy equipment are part of the job description. Deckhands are required to follow safety procedures and put in lengthy hours of work. The most common scenario is two crew members will share a cabin together, although on some ships larger cabins can accommodate a third crew member.

Matt started Royal Caribbean Blog in 2010 as a place to share his passion for all things Royal Caribbean with readers. He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis. He has become one of the foremost expert on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Many roles on cruise ships are physically demanding, from deckhands to entertainment staff. Physical exhaustion is common, users point out, adding that the constant movement of the ship and the need to be always "on" in public areas can also be mentally-taxing. "[Servers and housekeeping staff] really do work 12+ hours a day," writes one user who worked as an entertainer on a cruise ship. "[They're also given] rare opportunities for time off, including port days."

“Imagine eating at your high-school cafeteria three meals a day, seven days a week for a year,” writes one former cruise ship worker on Reddit. The unappetizing food, combined with the many hours spent running the length of the ship, often mean crew members lose a significant amount of weight during their time at sea. From an outsider’s perspective, working on a cruise ship might seem like a dream job. What could be more glamorous than getting paid to travel the world by sea, without having to pay for housing or food? But as with many “dream” jobs, there are a few significant downsides to consider before you fill out an application. We spoke to a few cruise ship employees about what it’s like to live and work on a floating hotel.

Yes, crew members receive free food for working onboard a ship, along with a cabin to sleep in (more on that later). "Depending on the line and ship, you aren't allowed to eat the same food as the guests," writes one user, adding, "And you aren't allowed to be in guest areas (with some exceptions)." All Cruise Jobs is the biggest job board within the cruise line industry with the most current cruise ship job vacancies available on the internet. Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel. We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations.

According to Business Insider, the median annual earnings of cruise ship workers is between $16,000 to $20,000. Since cruise ship employees work around the clock, they’ve got to live on the ship and adjust to cruise ship life. But that doesn’t mean that it’s the typical “room and board” experience. As long as you stick to the rules, many cruise ship workers have brief relationships with their fellow employees. It comes as no surprise that the ship’s captain has the biggest salary from working on a cruise ship. The master of the vessel has a huge responsibility for ship safety for crew and passengers along with navigation.

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