Working for cruise ships??

Question

I am interested in working for Royal Caribbean or Disney cruise lines as either the Youth Staff or cruise director staff. I really want to know more about life on a ship. Don't care about the money or hard work. I want to talk with people who actually worked in these postions or know people that did. I want to know more or less.....Are either of those jobs good? Are you allowed to use guest facilities when not on duty? Can you attend the onboard church service? Or anything else you know that will be helpful! Thanks a lot! Maybe someone out there has sites that have people who worked on the ships! Thanks agian!

Answer 1

http://www.cruise-reviews.com/forum/1-Ye...

http://www.cruise-reviews.com/forum/Crui...

Answer 2

Your other questions indicate that you have four children....Not a good career choice for a mom of 4. You work every day. I went on an excursion with a ship's videographer and he brought his girlfriend along. She worked as youth coordinator. She said she was exhausted and couldn't wait till the end of her 6 month contract. You may get a couple of hours off once a week or so, but you can't count on when.

Answer 3

Sorry you're not really getting your question answered.  I don't think you'll find a lot of people who work on cruise ships on this board ... free time and (expensive) internet are a scarce commodity onboard.

This guy has a website and book about his life on a cruise ship.  I can't vouch for his book from personal knowledge, but it might be worth checking out.  http://www.shipjobs.com

I haven't worked on ship, but am friends with people who have, albeit not on RCI or Disney.  So I'll try to give you some information:

Youth staff and CD Staff jobs are pretty good, in that you are classified as "staff" rather than "crew" so you'll have privileges to use guest facilities like the gym and the lounges.

I know for sure Holland America Line has Christian church service daily (ecumenical, but the priests are usually Catholic, because of the line's Dutch heritage).  

Looks like Disney only has church services on holidays:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

As for RCI, I've never seen onboard church services.  Most ships have a chapel, but no chaplain.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

http://royalcaribbean.hire.com/index.htm...

On your next cruise talk to the crew members. They'll be more then happy talk to you. At least they always have when spoke to them about jobs!

Good luck!

Answer 5

I don't know, but the one thing I remeber staff saying when I went on my cruise was that they never get to see their familiy or friends. They are constantly on the move!! So if you can deal with that then go for it. Just make sure you don't get seasick or claustrophobic

Answer 6

If you want to know more about being on the cruise director staff, the person to ask is John Heald, senior cruise director for Carnival Cruise line.  Here is a link to his blog, and he will respond to questions ...

http://johnhealdsblog.com/