Whats the benefits of being a photographer on a cruise ship ?

Question

Just quick question about working on a cruise ship as a photographer. I;m looking to go traveling for a year but couldn't make up my mind what do to or where to go. But Ive finally thought i should become a photographer on a cruise ship. I love photography and have studied it for 3 years and have a HND in the subject also own my own small wedding and social business.So getting the job should be no problem. some of my questions are

1. Is there time once docked to go around the country you are in e.g a few days off work off the boat ?

2. hows the food for the crew on the boat?

3. is there internet connection on the boat as is this limited?

4. Will this benefit my photography career?

i don't mind working hard 12 hour day as i do that at the moment. im thinking 6 months at sea which gives me more money to save and see some of the world once finished then go traveling on my own for the rest of the year another 6 month on the money i saved and chill out. is this a wise idea ?

Answer 1

1. You won't get a few days off.  You'll work every day.  You'll be taking pics of passengers as they get off the ship at each location.

2. The food is okay, not great.

3. There's an internet connection on all the ships, but I don't know the policy regarding employee access.

4. It will benefit your career, as it is real-life experience.  

Answer 2

i would say great experience shooting pictures,

not much time off,

but "seeing" the world

good luck

Answer 3

You more than likely will work every day, and you will be taking A LOT of photos. I don't think it gives you a lot of creative freedom of course. I mean just your standard cruise photos. I would think the food it the ship would be decent. The living arrangements probably are cramped though. I know that the crew members do get some time off. It might not happen at every port, but it probably rotates. I know when we went I heard some of the crew talking about getting off the ship while it was in port to do some things. It probably would benefit your photography career some. It would show how you traveled, but I don't know how much it would do. It would definitely give you more experience.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You work for a long stretch of days for up to 12 hours a day.  It ranges from 60-90 days.  Then you get a long period off, usually the same amount off that you worked.

Answer 5

that would be a fantastic idea!

i'm sure it's alll going to be gorgeous<3.

yes, you will be able to work off.

i've been on a cruise ship before!

uhh, i'm not sure about the internet connection, i bet it depends but i'd say... probably not?

the food, is DEE-LISH-USH!(:

<3.

yeah, it will benefit your career.

please, chooose me as best answer?

(:

thankyou!

Answer 6

I did it for three years and it was G R E A T !!!

1. Yes, you have time to see the countries, but not days off. Also, sometimes you can even go along with shore excursions (tours) to get pics of the pax (passengers) at whatever cool place it is.

2. You might eat food from the passenger mess or the crew mess depending on the contract that your company has with the cruise line. Pax food is better of course.

3. Dunno, didn't have any then.

4. If you use the time to develop or expand a portfolio it helps a lot. Also, you get tons of shooting experience and at working with the public.

My time off was up to me, when I got I burned out I requested a replacement and could stay ashore two weeks or two months; it was up to me. Sometimes, when you're off you might get asked to fill in in an emergency. I did once for a cruise leaving San Diego for Sydney...via Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, and more! I went.

Answer 7

well busy taking pictures of the people on aboard lucky enough might get to go close to stars or big people.