I might want to be a massage therapist on a cruise line?

Question

I've done a little research and have found that most cruise lines go through agencies to employ massage therapist. Has anyone worked on a cruise. How was your living conditions? I know they are small but are they bearable? How much did you average a week/whole trip. I read alot has to do with commission of the services you sell, are there more hidden fees? like extra taxes. I just want to do what I love while making money. Thanks for any information

Answer 1

The Spas are concessions on 90% all cruise lines.

As well as the shops, photo dept, casinos (not so much).

There are 2 major concessions for Spas:

www.hardingbros.co.uk

and

www.steinerleisure.com/

The work is hard and I remeber the girls from ther SPA complaining a lot and wanting to move over to the shops where I work.

I do know that Hardings has high standards and there is mandatory trainning at their academy in Southampton.

Living conditions are ok, Spa personnel are STAFF and not crew, hence better cabins, food, you get a cabin steward, etc.

You usualy can use passenger bars, disco, gym etc.

Usually the cabins have video or DVD, fridge, bathroom.

There's a crew bar, sometime an officer's bar (which you as staff can use).

In some ships all meals are at passenger restaurants for staff.

I know at Hardings the Spa people made 100 pounds a week as salary, plus commission of course, no idea how much commission is.

Overall I think it's great fun to work on ships.

Go for it and if I can help more, let me know

Denis

Answer 2

Denis is right-on.  The only thing I'd add is the importance of sales.  

It's impossible to make your weekly quota without selling product, so you'll need to be a natural sales person to enjoy the job.

FYI, the products (massage oils, aromatherapy, etc.) are good quality, but they're not cheap.

Answer 3

one thing to remember, they probably wont hire you right out of school.  you will have to have your own place or work for someone for quite a while to have experience before they will hire.  check in on that also.