Has anyone worked or is working on a cruise ship?

Question

If you have worked or are working on a cruise ship can you please tell me what the conditions are like. Are there more pro's than con's or the other way round? How did you get about applying for the job..was it simple or hard? Sorry for so many questions, it's just im looking into working on a cruise ship. I've had a look at some of the websites but if you have any that you think will help me, they are greatly recieved.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

It depends on what position you are applying for as to what the conditions are like but there are a few things you WILL NEED. MMD Card from the Coast Guard, an AB (it requires a class), STCW (it requires a class), TWIC Card (required SOON and about $135), more documents depending on what you want to do.

I work out on the water.

Answer 2

cruise ships are biiggg! and posh :P

Answer 3

I was in a similar position as you a few years ago.  I was offered a position on Princess as a Photographer.  I turned it down due to low pay (I think it was tops 7 bucks an hour) very little time off, and the fact that they squeeze you into a 4 person room with others who may not even speak english.  You have to commit to 6 mos. (at least these are what my terms would have been) and then after the 6 mos you decide if you want to stay or leave.  If you decide at any point you want to go home due to personal tragedy or just you realize you get sea sick you have to pay your way home depending where you are.  If you get fired, same thing, you get tossed of the boat and you have to find your way home on  your own.  

Now those are all very negative things but I believe if you can overlook those small things that may not work out in your preference you may meet a ton of people, make friends for life and share memories for a very long time.  Face it when you're 40 with kids you may regret not taking the job of a lifetime,  may not pay great but you had a great time.

I slightly regret not taking this job.  I didn't take it because I had car payments and a boyfriend who ended up moving to CA for 6 mos. (ironically the cruise route was out of L.A.)  I married the guy, if only I knew then that I'd have the rest of my life with him.

TAKE the chance, find a job on a ship and suck it up and do it...you may regret the opportunity.

Answer 4

It's fabulous...go for it

Answer 5

My ex brother in law was a cruise director and had the big head to go with his false smile, cheeky Scottish patter and kilt - he made me want to throw up, but for someone young I think its a fabulous adventure, just don't end up working all hours for pennies.  He also told me that most of the staff were foreign the lower down they were in the pay scale, and he also told me that any kind of sexual persuasion was well catered for so long as you paid for it.  !!!  I don't think its the innocent gig for the staff as it sounds but for an education and if you have talent, go for it.

Answer 6

Well, I haven't worked on a cruise ship but I'm in your same position. I'm from Chile and went to an agency that looks for people who wants to work in cruises and do some tests and interviews to see if you comply with the requirements.

I have talk to people that have worked and they all had told me that the first week you are onboard it's a very hard job, but later you'll get used to it.

Some of the pro's is that you get to meet a lot of people from other countries, and you also travel and know other places. The last part depends on your job, I'm looking forward to work as a gift shop attendant cause I've been told that is one job in which you are able to get off board once you get to a port.

The conditions depends of the company in which you are working, but in all of them if you are an officer you get to sleep alone, and if not you' ll have a room for 2 or for 4 people who may have the same job you have. I don't know what areas we have but as I've been told at least we'll have a bar and a zone of free air.

Hope this will help you =)

Answer 7

If you want to work on a cruise ship then you will need to go direct to the cruise company you want to work for. Though the chances of getting the job tend to be quite slim because of the large amount of applicants. In experience I have found that Carnival tend to look for confidence.

Once on board a cruise ship, staff will have to share a cabin with someone else (unless they are an officer).

And, that's about all I think that's all I know.

Answer 8

I havent work on a cruise ship but after seeing severel tv shows about workers I can say this:

CONS

-Youll be away from home and family for a long time (one week, weeks or mounths, depending on your deal and were you go.

-The payrol will generaly be at the lower end of the scale since its so many workers from cheap countryes like india that competits for the works.

-This will NOT be payed holiday.

-Except to work at od hours and long shifts (your working hours will be determinated when the ship need your services not by when its a interesting port of call).

-youll have to be extremely service minded, especially for a public work and is expected to politely meat anyone that isnt close to doing anything illegal to you.

PROS:

-Youll see the world, or at least the ports where your ship has its calls.

-you cant use much of your salery on a ship.

-If youre a serviceminded open person youll meet many new and interesting persons every day.

-youll learn from the experience of working hard in another culture and meet staff and passengers from many different cultures.

hours and what youll do vary from your occupation (and aboard a big ship youll find the same occupations as in a small city) so its hard to give advices on hours and so on. But if youre feel that this is something for you try and find it out. Johan.