What is it like to work and live on a cruise ship?

Question

What is it like to work and live on a cruise ship?

Answer 1

Working on a ship is a whole other experience one could not even imagine. You'll either love it or hate it.  I happen to like it, and I still work on ships now after 8 years....

At first it's a little overwhelming cause you have so much safety training you're required to know once you're onboard on top of doing your own job which hours can be as much as 10 hours per day. The safety training is pretty intense cause each and ever crewmember is expected to know what to do in any type of emergency that could arise at sea.

You'll have a roommate, usually someone from your own department and the cabins are small with bunk-beds.  Depending on what rank you are being crew/staff/officer will determine which mess you eat in.  Crew being cabin stewards, bar dept, dining room, cooks etc.  Staff is Entertainment dept, Casino, Spa, Gift Shop, Photographers.  Officers would be Pursers, Infirmary, Engine, Deck, Accountants.  

You have no expenses onboard unless you're Staff or an Officer as then you would tip the stewards that clean your cabin as well as those that serve you in the staff/officers mess.  

Most positions will get time off in port but no position will ever have a full day off.  

Contracts are usually 6 - 8 months with a 6 - 8 week vacation.  

But the upside to all this is you meet some amazing people from all over the world and see so many places you wouldn't imagine you'd ever get to see in your lifetime.

I hope this answers your question. :o)

Answer 2

I was just offered a position with Royal Caribbean for Technical/Stage Staff.  I just have to get my medical done, and wait for a ship assignment.  

Sherbear seems to be right on with everything.  A couple additional things I have learned, is expect to work about 70 hours a week (sometimes more) 7 days a week, for the duration of your contract.

Talking to staff on previous cruises I have been on as a passenger, It seems some people work split shifts, so you might work a few hours in the morning, have a few hours off, work a few more hours, off a few hours, work a few more hours.

The hardest day for staff and crew is probably embarkation day, you will probably work longer that day then any other day in the week.

It's definitely not a job for everyone.  But at the same time, a lot of people love it, and it's the most fun they've ever had.