How is it to work on a cruise ship?

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darkwarriorxii

Expect to work quite long hours. Your pay will be very little, so you'll rely upon tips. Since most ships are registered outside of the US, they need not abide by the US labor laws. So wages can (and usually are) be below US minimum wage.

You'll usually enter into a contract for about 6 months. During this time you won't be given any time off, since the ships have passengers on them at all times. With that said, you'll be working 7 days a week as well.

Of course, there are some good sides to working on a cruise ship. You get to visit a lot of different places, and if you have a chance, you'll be able to get off the ship. Food and lodging are included. I've never worked on a cruise ship, so I'm not sure what the food is like. But I wouldn't expect the high quality "cruise ship food" for the staff. As for your cabin, it will be small and probably shared with another staff member. I'm not sure what else is included. You might get some free internet and/or phone time, but I'm not positive about that.

Good luck and have fun!

donal w

i was a waiter on qe2 for 5 yrs starting 1987. even now if i could id go back but perhaps to work in pursers office. as waiter days r long. if at sea eg translantic u work most of day.bfast,on duty 6.30, doors open 7-10am, lunch on duty 11.30 doors open 12-2, then finish by 3 then off until 6.30 for 7pm dinner hopefully finish 10.30-11. each waiter has 2 'watches' , either port or starboard + either red, white or blue. When in port depending on how many passengers are going ashore, if restaurant manager reckons 1/2 passegers r going then 1/2 crew gets off (lunch service) eg, starboard watch off, if 1/3 passengers going then 1/3 crew/red watch. next time 1/2 passengers go ashore then it will be port watch off etc. I really loved it cunard paid US$1000 per month + tips could be 2000-3000 per month, and nowhere to spend it. any other questions feel free to ask

Michael

Cruise Line Job is a great job, especially for a young, single person who wants to see the world. You learn responsibility, getting along with others, and hard work. And if you don't go crazy buying souvenirs you can even save some money. For third-world people, earning a few hundred dollars every week in tips makes them wealthy in their homelands.

Just ask any crew member to tell you honestly how he likes his job. They will almost all say they love it and would not quit. In most cases, they would not even change much about it. Do they miss their families? Of course, but that is the life. It's not for everyone, but it's better than most people expect.

-Michael

Anja H

Contracts are for 4 to 6 months - depending on position and cruise line. Work means 7 days a week, 10 to 14 hours/day. Room and board is free, so is laundry for your Uniforms. Laundry for private clothes are at reduced rates or you do them yourself. Cabins shared (depending on position)
Salary depends on position - which depends on your previous experience in the position you apply for.

Fun, travel, multinational crew onboard.

heidisweet16

I have a friend that work at a cruise he was a bar waiter..and he hates it..they have to work a lot of hours in a row..and they almost dont get any free days..they only have free hours..and the have to work six month 7 days of the week..and they only have 2 months free
is really hard!

chriscaissie95

Well i also want to work on a cruise ship and I have done some research. I think working on a Cruie ship would be good if are single. The reason it is good to be single is that the contracts are 5-8 months at a time. You do not have to pay taxes, groceries, rent, and travel. You are seeing the world and working which to me sounds like a good job. You do not have any days off but you get to go on shore when in port. If you love what you do then i say go for it!!!

(ps. if you get the job send me a message and tell me about it I'd love to here how it really works)

fudge_popsicle

don't you only get payed by tips or very small wages on what you sell.

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