Working on a Cruise Ship?

Question

Hi i am thinking of working on a cruise ship does anyone know what it is to live and work on a ship

Answer 1

Depending on what type of job you are applying for, it can be very long hours hard work and little pay ( you work for tips )  Generally you are on-board for at least 6 months but most go for a year.

Answer 2

You didn't say what job you were interested in but there are certainly lots of opportunities to work on ships right now, such as working in the hair salon, gift shop, as a musician or entertainer, at the purser's office, casino, cruise staff, etc. Each position has its own requirements but they all usually prefer you to be at least 21, in good health (you have to take a medical), and to be on the ship for at least a few months, sometimes up to a year. It can be long hours and not much pay but you do get to travel lots and you'll meet more people than you probably will at any other time in your life. The cabin conditions are pretty cramped, with a small bathroom & shower, you'll have a room-mate (usually from your department) as well so it's a good idea to travel lightly. You may or may not have access to passenger facilities depending on the cruise line and your position, but you'll always have at least a crew mess for food and a crew bar for drink. There's usually crew activities and parties. You're normally paid cash & in US dollars, you can save money but it's also very easy to spend money. Depending on your position your port time may vary, but you'll always get at least some port time off, especially if your ship does the same run repeatedly. Musicians, casino & gift shop staff usually have the most port time free. I didn't mention housekeeping, restaurant or bar staff as they're usually filled by fillipinos, indonesians or eastern european crew (unless it's an american-flagged ship, in which case it'll have an american crew). The jobs aren't difficult to get but it really is a matter of timing; I've known quite a few people that applied for jobs and were on a ship less than a week later. It's probably best to check the individual cruise line websites for requirements and jobs available. Also check bookstores or your local library for books about cruise ship jobs. There's also hiring agents available depending on where you're from, although they're not always necessary (and be wary of what they may charge). I know with the gift shop you can apply to www.starboardcruise.com, they handle some of the major lines like Carnival or Royal Caribbean. It can be hard describing ship life, it's one of those things where only people that have done it really know what it's like. Personality wise I would say it's best not to be an introvert, since you don't get much alone or quiet time. There are quite a few different cultures within the ship but crew are generally friendly and accomodating to new members. When working on a cruise ship be open-minded to your surroundings, but know your limits. It is a lot of fun but it is a lot of work too. Anyways good luck!

Answer 3

It is supposed to be be a lot of fun and a lot of work. I can also tell you that it is an extremely difficult job to get. You will need a sponsor that is in the union or will need to know someone that is high-up in the company that owns the ship you want to work on. The pay is also extremely good.