How is the experience of working on a Cruise Ship?

Question

I'm a 17 year old, turning 18 next September. Coming back to High School for a 1/2 a year to upgrade courses. Considering strongly the idea of working on a cruise ship for 3 - 5 months when im 18, in spring/summer 2008. If anyone has any previous experience with the business or has in fact worked on a cruise liner, it would be most appreciated to hear your experience.

Thanks and Merry Christmas,

Vince

Answer 1

Have you contacted any of the cruise lines yet? I'm not sure they will hire you at 18, so you may want to check that out first.

Having said that, I worked for a cruise line for two contracts.  A contract is usually 6 mo., 8 mos., or a year.  Depending on your job.  You usually work long hours, with zero days off.  However, if your job does not require that you work when the ship is in port, you can get off and  see some amazing places. (I was a dealer in the Casino, and it could not be opened in ports, (due to gambling laws)  So if I could get up, after having worked until, 3,4, or 5 a.m., I could  get off the ship. Luckily,  I got to see all of the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Mexico and Alaska.

  

The cruise  line pays you a base pay, which is very little. But, if your job places you in contact with guest, the tips are very good.  You can usually save your money, as you are furnished a room, (very small, and you'll have a room mate) and all your food is free. Just don't spend a lot of money in port.  You'll make more $ if your working on a ship in the Caribbean,- younger crowd, shorter cruises and they have more money to spend. Whereas, if you work on a ship that caters to older people, they are usually on a fixed income, and can't afford to spend (tip) much.

Most all cruise lines cruise the Caribbean from October until mid May, then in they head to Alaska, cruising there until hurricaine season is over in the Caribbean.  Also, it starts getting really cold up there toward the end of September.

  I have to say this, while the Caribbean is warm and beautiful,   Alaska is totally awesume.  If you start early in the spring, you could make some bucks in the Caribbean, then finish your contract in Alaska, getting to see both places.  The cruise line usually flys you to the ship and then back home.

A cruise ship is like it's own city.  Almost everything you'd find in a city, you'll find it there.  You'll also find they have there own rules and regulations, and you will follow those, if you want to stay on the ship.  You aren't allowed to fraternize with the passengers, or go in places designated for the passengers. (restaurants, pools, bars, theatres, etc.)  Most ships have a crew bar, and maybe a small pool.  They may have certain hours you are allowed to  use one of the other pools.

I hope I haven't turned you off with the negatives, for I would do it again in a heartbeat, -if I were younger.-  The crews are made up from people from many different countries, and you'll make some life long friends, as they become your "family" out there. Communicating won't be a problem.  Those working in direct  contact with the passengers have to speak English well, but they all speak it to some degree. Everyone helps translate.

  I loved meeting people from foreign countries, and talking to them about their cultures.  It was an experience of a lifetime, and I still stay in contact with some of the  friends I made.  

You can check out the different cruise lines on the net, look at their itinirary - see where they are cruising at the time you want to work, and apply to those.  

I hope I have helped.  Good Luck, and enjoy your experrience!

Answer 2

I haven't, but I have friends who love working on cruise ships.  But they are entertainers.

Answer 3

I've also have wanted to work on cruises when I was in HS.  Until I actually went to the interview.  One thing you have to remember is that 1.) the boats are not registered in the USA. which means, they don't (and won't) pay you minimum wage or close to it. 2.) same laws do not apply on sea (open water) as they do in the US. 3.) tips and gratuities are split between all.

When they told me that I was going to get paid 2.50/hr., because of tips/gratuities and because "we are on international waters and the boat is registered in Bahamas and Scotland".  So, from first hand experience, it's not what's it's cut out to be.  Sleeping quarters are like summer camp, 4-5 people sleeping in one room.  If that's your cup 'a tea, enjoy.

Answer 4

I have been working on ships for over 6 years now. In my opinion it is a life changing experience that has many positives and very few negatives. You will not get a job onboard until you are 21 years old. This is fine because you will need a few years experience in your field before you are concidered for a position anyway.

Whilst onboard, you will have the opportunity to spend time with like minded people with adventurous spirits and a common love for travel. Depending on the cruiseline, you will have the chance to see many countries around the world.

The pay varies depending on your experience, the job you do and your length of service. The advantage is that you will not pay tax, have your accommodation, food, medical and return flights paid for. Due to this, you save 95% of what you earn.

A brief idea of what you can earn...

Social Host - $1500-2000 per month

Waiter - $2000-5000 per month depending on tips

Casino - $2500 - 4000 per month

Purser - $1000 - 3000 per month

Cruise Director - $6000-10,000 per month

Captain - $12,000 per month

The negatives...

1) You will be away for your family for 4-6 months at a time

2) When you first start, you will share a cabin (a very small Cabin)

3) Long hours

4) Work 7 days a week

The cruise lines lately have worked out that happy staff that stay for a few years are more productive then staff that stay for 6-12 months. Therefore, there are retirement packages for long service, crew gym, crew bar, free tours in port, crew activities, crew parties (free beers etc), crew group tours.

The best idea is to see working for ships as a very fruitful and rewarding career rather than a good summer job. If you do this, you will become very comfortable financially, will see the world and will make friends from all corners of the globe. Good luck.

Answer 5

I think that you would need a little more time because cruise linse usually make you work for like 8 months straight then you get 3 months or so off and then you can do what you want and quit or do whatever and everything but with every job on the cruise ship it kind of depends but alot of the waiters and everything work for about 8 months and then get anywhere from 2 to 3 months off then do it again and the money is really good from what i hear but I would highly recommend checking on how long you want to work then choose a cruise line that would let you work that amount of time.

Answer 6

I have never worked on a cruise ship, but I have taken many cruises.  If I was young enough, I would love to work on a cruise ship (but, not in food service).  It's a great chance to travel and see some of the world, plus you get to meet lots of interesting people.  The people who work on cruise ships work very hard!  Their days are long (work about 12 hours a day - 7 days a week).  They do get some time off during a cruise but it may not be much time.  I would try to work with the social director's staff (seems like that would be the most fun).  I'd also look to work on some of the nicer cruise lines (i.e., Princess, Celebrity).  Good Luck and Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!