Can you answer some questions about working on a cruise ship?

Question

I know nothing about this field.

-Do people who work on crusie ships only work during certain times of the year? Do they work on the same cruise ship all the time? Does the captain work on the same ship or can he work on another one? How much training does a person need to work on one? How long are they usually away from home?

Just curious

Answer 1

The usual contract is for 4 months at a time.  It is not glamorous like on The Love Boat but is real hard work with very long hours.

The captain is usually on the same ship all the time.  Other crew members get shifted to other ships of the same line.

Answer 2

If you're from the U.S., it's unlikely you would be happy working on a cruise ship.  The hours are long, the pay is extremely low, and the living conditions are cramped.  The cruise ships are not subject to U.S. labor laws and Americans are used to the protections and benefits offered by those laws.  Also, Americans are unused to taking the subservient role that is "expected" by workers on the cruise ships.  There aren't many Americans working on the cruise ships.

One exception [to the lack of American crew] is the Norwegian Cruise Line "American" ship that sails in Hawaii, and it is notorious for its poor service.

The cruise lines have an "employment" section on their websites, which should give you basic information.

Answer 3

I can be a grind but it's a great way to travel and meet people.  The contract lengths depend on the cruise line.  The ship I was on was a 6 months contract and I left the ship at the end of it so I never was moved to any other ships.

You get a share a cabin, have all your uniforms furnished and free meals in the crew's cafeteria.  If you don't mind being away from home and family for extended periods it's a great way to live and work.  AND, most cruise ships have Internet available to their crews so you can keep in touch with home.

Cruise ships are a VERY international mix of people... typically there are 30 to 40 nationalities on any ship with as many languages being spoken, so it's a great way to practice any languages you have learned.