Anyone here ever worked on a cruise ship before?

Question

I have been wanting to work on a cruise ship for a while now and everyone I know says I shouldn't do it b/c I won't make alot of money. Well, I don't want to do it for the money, just for the experience. My sister worked on one like 10 years ago and she loved it. My dream has always been to travel the world, so this would be a good opportunity for me, I think. Anyway, I just want to know other people's opinions of working on cruise ships are. Can you tell me what you liked/disliked about it? Thanks!

Answer 1

I've just finished my first year with P&O Australia, working as Youth Staff - get paid to play with kids all day! We usually have time off when in port, so plenty of opportunities to visit the islands.

I loved meeting people, the kids were great and mostly the parents appreciated the job we did keeping their kids entertained. My sister got sent to the same ship as me so we had Christmas and New Year together. She works in the shops so is off duty most port days, we can go ashore together. Joining shore tours for free is a definite perk! You get to visit some beautiful places and experience other cultures (albeit briefly), and get paid for it - what more could you want?

I've heard the pay isn't so good with Princess or Carnival, and I wasn't earning as much as I would on land. But your meals and board are all included, and you don't have as many opportunities to spend money, so I saved WAY more than I ever did on land.

Being in the ship community can be a downside: you lose touch with what's happening in the real world. It's a very close environment, there aren't many secrets! But I made some amazing friends who I've kept in contact with. And they live all over the world, so I always have somewhere to stay!

Have a look at P&O, the pay's better, they pay for your flights to and from Australia, you don't have to pay for uniforms (like you do with some of the other cruise lines!) and the crew and staff are from all over the world.

It can be hard work, and you're always on stage: being friendly, cheerful and courteous is part of the job. I don't think I'll do it forever, but it's been an amazing experience. I would recommend it to anyone!

Answer 2

I also did it for 10 years.  Yes its hard to start off with whilst you get into the different way of life, but its really is a fab fab life.  Depending on what you join as with regards to the amount of Money earnt, but dont forget you are saving lots of money too as you dont have to pay rent, mortgage, bills etc, etc, you get cheap phone calls to call home etc.  The experience is amazing, you get to meet so may different people, maybe your soul mate, like I did, and you get to have so may laughs its untrue, the work is hard, but the good times make up for it.

Disliked....Not being on the outside world, and being free to go whenever I liked........having to be happy, and smiley ALL THE TIME!!!!!!,...Meetings.....to be honest thoose are the only things I really disliked, not too bad hey!!!

Liked,  The people, the laughs, the most amazing friends I have made, the travel.

After 10 years I can say it really honestly made me a stonger person, I got transfered to a different ship once on Xmas eve and joined a brand new ship on xmas day, that was hard, and obviously that is a needle in a haystack chance that will happen to you, I was so upset that I nearly went home and jacked it all in, but I carried on joined the ship, and never looked back!!!! that was 9 years ago...and I just left ships last year, with lots and lots of memories photo's and lots of laughter lines.......

Enjoy x

Answer 3

I worked onboard for 8 years and loved it. I worked in the gift shop first and the money wasn't great but I had a lot of time off to see the ports. I then worked as a Purser and the money was a lot better but less time off.

Sometimes it is hard, (not only the working hours) but you are stuck with the same people all the time! But it is definately worth it. If I hadn't worked onboard I probably would never have seen Russia, Tallin and a lot of other places.

You can only try it to know if it is for you!

Answer 4

I did for 10 years.

Reception and then later at the gift shops.

The gift shops are nice.

The pay is alright (can be very good, depending on the destination and the passenger´s nationality)

Usually the shops are closed while on port, so your get your days free to go out, see the sights, etc...

And you are a staff member, not a crew member.

Staff is better.

check www.hardingbros.co.uk

or

http://www.starboardcruise.com/

they are the 2 big companies that run the shops on most of the ships.

Hardings interviews over the phone, all you need is good english, pays better and has a better workplace.

I loved do it.

Answer 5

I did it a long time ago and it was a good experience.  If you have nothing going on at the time and not worried about the money you have nothing to lose. But don't think it is a vacation you do work hard.....Good Luck