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Shipboard Employment: Life Onboard

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WORK CONDITIONS

• You will work 7-days a week onboard for approximately 10 hours per day
• There will be shifts off but not full days off the entire assignment rotation.
• When the ship is in port, many crew members take the opportunity to go ashore to tour, shop, dine, call home, etc.

ACCOMMODATION

• Your crew cabin has 1, 2, 3, or 4 bunk beds, desk and chair, T.V. and telephone. Space is very tight.
• Crew members share cabins with one, two or three team members, depending on the entitlements.
• You and your roommates are responsible for keeping your cabin clean and tidy at all times.
• Towels and linens will be provided once a week.
• No guest in cabins! Violation will result in termination / dismissal.
• All meals and snacks will be served at the crew mess.
• You will have half an hour for each mealtime when on duty.
• Meals are buffet style; serve and clean up after yourself.
• You are not permitted to remove any food or utensils from the mess.

UNIFORMS & LAUNDRY

• Crew uniforms will be issued to you onboard.
• Crew uniforms and work clothes are cleaned free of charge.
• Laundry machines and dryers are provided free of charge for the crewmembers personal use.
• You will be required to use non-slip safety shoes while on duty. Shoes are not provided, you can purchase the approved brand/style before joining or onboard the vessel.
• Please note: Open toe shoes/flipflops/etc. are not permitted onboard in crew areas.
• The Crew Gym is for all crewmembers available at posted hours.
• You can purchase toiletries, cigarettes, chocolates, and other necessities needed onboard at the Crew Shop.
• The Crew Bar operating hours and rules are to be adhered to at all times.
• You are not permitted to become inebriated or intoxicated while on your assignment contract. You are not allowed to drink alcohol while on duty. Violation of either of these rules is grounds for dismissal.
• Crew Enrichment/Welfare will provide crew activities and events for all the crewmembers.
• Only employed crew members are provided living accommodations onboard.

COMMUNICATION

• The Internet Café is available for all crewmembers at posted hours. Internet access is available at reasonable prices.
• Phone cards will be available onboard. Also, keep in mind that your phone might work at the different ports. Be careful at sea because international roaming will apply and can be very expensive.
• Wifi is readily available throughout the vessel. You can bring your own electronic devices to use. You will need to purchase internet access/minutes and configure accordingly.
• Mail arrives once a week to the ship. The mail will be sorted by department and distributed. Please remember, mail is processed through a central location, therefore, you will experience a small delay. Also, the ship's itinerary may determine the regularity of the delivery.

GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Your boss will be the head or supervisor of the department. The Captain of the ship is the commander of all and the final decision maker.
• Career growth is offered through internal promotions. You can apply to the positions onboard as they become available.
• Numerous trainings will be available onboard to enrich your knowledge in different aspects of the business.
• You will be paid monthly (or bi-weekly if on the Pride of America). You have several options to receive your wages: recurring deposit of wages to the bank account you choose and/or the Brightwell Card.

DATING ONBOARD

• Dating fellow crewmembers is allowed.
• You will have the opportunity to work and make lifelong friends with crewmembers from around the world.
• Dating guests is not permitted. It will result in termination / dismissal.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• You will have curfew onboard.
• We have a Zero tolerance drug policy with random testing. Drug possession, transportation and usage are causes for immediate termination.
• We also have a zero tolerance for harassment of any nature. Every crew member is responsible for keeping a safe, harmonious environment onboard.

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Crew Living Conditions on a Cruise Ship

If someone came up to you on the street and asked if you would like to live in a twelve-by-twelve box with a total stranger for six months, you’d undoubtedly say, “No thanks.” Yet, at sea, this is done willingly.

It’s true that accommodations are sometimes cramped, especially on smaller vessels, but the ship’s company is generally interesting and friendly. Many people compare it to their first year in a college dorm, without the homework.

On the larger cruise ships, most employees share cabins on one of the crew decks, and some people, especially the cruise staff, actually have living quarters in the plush passenger areas. Although some employees get single cabins, these are usually reserved for cruise staff with more seniority. Employees are usually separated by department, at least on the larger cruise ships. Cruise staff live on the same floor, kitchen and maintenance staff on another, and often the crew is further divided by nationality. Generally, the higher the quarters the better, since on some ships cabins below the water are somewhat noisy from the splash of water and hum of the engines.

Food for the crew gets mixed reviews from most employees. Some crews on smaller ships actually eat the same food as the passengers, but on the large ships, the crew almost always has their own mess hall. According to one recent cruise worker:

“We had several different messes on the ship: one for the Koreans, one for the American and European crew, and a couple of others. The food wasn’t very good and was always smothered in some sauce or another that I didn’t recognize, but it was certainly bearable. The bright spot was that we got lots of leftover dessert from the regular passenger meals, and once a week we were allowed to eat dinner in the restaurant free of charge, though we did have to tip and buy a drink. I guess it couldn’t have been too bad, because I still managed to gain some weight.”

Another cruise worker explains the entertainment that was provided for employees:

“There were movies for the staff, crew bingo games, and live shows to see. After you’ve seen the same shows a few times, though, it’s not so much fun anymore.”

Some ships provide extra amenities for employees, such as televisions for each room and special recreation lounges near the crew quarters. One employee even reported that her ship provided twelve new movies per week, all available on closed-circuit TV in the employee cabins.

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Onboard Employment FAQ

Are you interested in joining the thousands of worldwide employees who are proud to be part of the Princess Cruises family? We are committed to being an employer of choice and understand that our Consummate Hosts need to be supported, empowered, and recognized. Learn more about Princess Cruise careers and our cruise ship jobs in this overview.

We also understand that working at sea can be a challenging new opportunity. Here are answers to some essential questions you might have when considering cruise ship employment.

• What are the requirements to work onboard?

What is a C1/D visa?

How do i get a medical certificate, which ship will i be assigned to, how do i get to and from the ship i am assigned to, do i need travel insurance, how long will i be onboard, can i get off and go home during the contract, will i have my own room, what is the power voltage in my cabin, can i drink alcohol onboard, is there a drug policy, is there a curfew, can i bring a family member or friend onboard, will i have access to guest areas and amenities during my time off, once onboard, how do i stay in touch with my friends and family back home, can i have mail delivered to the ship, is there an atm onboard to use, will i have to pay taxes, can i send money home from onboard, how do i pay for items onboard, how do i do laundry, what if i miss the ship in port, what happens if i get sick while working onboard, can i visit the ports while working onboard, how do i apply to work onboard, what are the requirements for onboard employment.

While specific position requirements depend on the job you are interested in, there are some essential requirements that all crew must meet to work onboard:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Be able to pass a criminal background check
• Hold a valid passport
• Have a US C1/D visa (if you are not a Canadian or US citizen/resident)
• Have a Princess-specific pre-employment medical exam certificate
• Meet the English fluency requirements relevant to your position

Also known as a seaman's visa, some nationalities need this to work onboard a ship and travel to certain countries. This visa normally lasts between two and five years. You will be required to make an appointment at your nearest US Embassy to gain this visa; all paperwork for the appointment will be supplied by your manning agency.

This extensive examination is at the employee's expense and can be conducted through one of Princess's recommended medical facilities—you'll be advised which one is closest to you. Once this is completed and approved by our corporate Medical department, you are cleared to travel and work onboard.

Shipboard employees are scheduled to vessels based on operational need. This means you could be assigned to any one of our vessels in the fleet depending on where a position is open at the time you are travel-ready. After your first assignment, we will be able to provide details about the next assignment after your leave period.

At the beginning of each contract Princess Cruises will provide flights from your designated airport to your assigned ship. At the completion of your contract, Princess will arrange for your travel back home as well. It is your responsibility to get to the airport from your home, but from there we will provide any necessary accommodations and/or transportation to and from the ship.

While you are covered medically in Los Angeles and onboard the vessel, we suggest you purchase basic travel insurance to cover the cost of lost luggage or injuries that could result from shoreside activities.

Contract lengths vary by position but range between four and ten months. After each contract you will receive approximately 60 days of vacation before your next assignment. Your daily work schedule while onboard will depend on your particular position, but you can expect to work seven days a week and anywhere between 10-13 hours per day.

Time off during the contract is not permitted. In case of family emergencies, Princess Cruises does understand that additional time at home may be needed and does accommodate these requests on a case-by-case basis.

Accommodations vary depending on the ship and position. Those in non-management positions generally share a cabin with one to three other roommates whereas those in most management positions are entitled to a single cabin. Cabins include a storage space, TV, and DVD player.

All vessels have 120v US power and some vessels also have 220v European power.

Yes, alcohol is available for purchase during time off. However, Princess Cruises has a strict alcohol limit and at no time can a crew member be intoxicated.

Princess has a zero-tolerance drug policy. All crew are subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug testing. Violation of these policies will result in termination.

There is no set curfew. However, crew who are out late should be respectful of other crew members and guests nearby.

Crew members who meet specific length-of-service criteria have the option of requesting "relatives travel," a benefit that allows family members to sail onboard for a limited period of time. Some restrictions may apply.

While some officer-level positions do allow restricted access to guest areas, most facilities are for guests only. However, we have a variety of crew-only facilities, such as a crew pool, whirlpool, gym, bar, and  Crew Club, which is a communal room where you can gather to watch movies, play games, sing karaoke, and much more!

Postal mail services are available while onboard. You will also have access to computers in the crew training areas. Wi-fi Internet is also available in the crew areas if you choose to bring your own laptop or tablet. Princess offers discounted rates for phone and Internet cards so you can stay in touch with those at home. But remember that satellite capabilities are sometimes limited while the ship is at sea.

You will be provided with mailing addresses for ports where mail can best be delivered.

There is an ATM in the guest areas; an ATM charge will apply. You can also cash checks in the Crew Office onboard to get cash.

US citizens will have federal taxes automatically deducted and may be required to pay state taxes, if applicable. All other nationalities are responsible for filing their own tax forms upon returning to their home countries (as they are self-employed).

You can wire money via the Crew Purser's office. Details are available onboard and rates may vary.

You will be provided with a bar account number, which is your personal number for the duration of your contract onboard each ship. As the entire vessel is cashless, even for guests, you will provide your account number at the bars, salon, and shops in guest areas. In the Crew Bar you can purchase a CrewCard and add money onto it for purchases. At the end of every month you will be required to settle your account.

There are crew laundry facilities where the washers and dryers are free of charge—you just provide the soap. You can also use the dry cleaning onboard, but there is a nominal cost.

Crew members who miss the ship should contact the ship's Agent who will be at the port (the address and phone number are always in the Princess Patter, a daily newsletter for our guests). The Port Agent will arrange transportation to the ship's next port of call. However, it is the responsibility of crew to pay these transportation costs. Crew may be disciplined for the offense and could be terminated. Depending on the port all crew members are required to be back onboard half an hour to an hour prior to sailing time.

While onboard, all crew are medically covered and can visit the Medical Clinic for health concerns. If you need to be medically disembarked during your contract, Princess will provide transportation to a land-based medical facility and repatriate you back home.

If you are not scheduled to work during the time the ship is in port, you can disembark the ship with your supervisor’s approval. Occasionally, there are crew-specific activities or tours to participate in.

Safety requirements dictate that a certain number of crew members be present on each vessel at all times. As such, there may occasionally be times when, although not scheduled to work, you will be required to remain onboard while the ship is in port.

Princess Cruises recruits globally through authorized hiring partners.  Find a hiring partner located near you.

Once you contact the authorized hiring partner, you can get answers to questions regarding the application process and which positions are currently open in your region.

I worked on cruise ships for 6 years. Here are the 8 things I used to wish cruisers knew about my job.

• I worked on cruise ships for six years and used to wish passengers knew more about the crew. 
• The comment cards in cruisers' rooms can help employees get raises and promotions. 
• Even if a guest enjoys spending time with crew members, they should respect the workers' free time .

Throughout my six years working on cruise ships — first in guest services, then in onboard entertainment — I came across many different types of guests. 

Some made my job easier by calmly communicating their needs and respecting the crew's boundaries, but others did not . I've seen passengers ask for exceptions to ship-wide rules and raise their voices at minor inconveniences. Through it all, the crew always has to remain polite and professional.

Here are the things I wish more cruisers knew about crew members before boarding ships. 

Responding to inconveniences with kindness instead of aggression will probably get you further

Things don't always go smoothly on cruises. Luggage gets left behind, itineraries change on the fly , and plumbing issues can soak the carpets.

During my time working in guest services, I encountered many cruisers who were kind and patient regardless of how inconvenienced they were. I was always inspired to go above and beyond to address and make up for the issues affecting them.

On the other hand, some people reacted to mishaps with anger , raising their voices and demanding compensation for every detail that went wrong. Being rude, aggressive, and belligerent didn't get them very far on the ships where I worked.

I always empathized when things went wrong and guests had bad experiences . The kinder you are to the staff, the more likely they are to go above and beyond to help you.

Some crew members may not get a share of the tips even if they work closely with guests

Many major cruise lines charge gratuity to guests' onboard accounts. Passengers often assume each crew member gets a cut, but on the ships where I worked, the housekeeping stewards and dining-room staff split it.

Some crew members had roles that weren't tip-eligible and didn't receive a portion of the pool, regardless of how hard they worked. 

Of course, the tipping structure varies between cruise lines. But if a crew member has gone above and beyond, feel free to give them an extra cash tip. They'll almost always appreciate it.

Related stories

Comment cards can help some employees get promotions and raises

At the end of a cruise, guests usually find comment cards in their rooms or at guest services. These cards give passengers the opportunity to praise crew members who did an exceptional job. 

My supervisors didn't always get a chance to see how hard I worked, so acknowledgment from passengers helped prove I was doing a good job. These comment cards were particularly useful when I was working toward a promotion or a raise. 

Some crew members might not feel comfortable talking about politics or personal matters

My coworkers came from around the world, representing over 60 different countries, and that's often the case on cruise ships. 

Many people love to talk about their home, culture, and background, but I recommend that guests avoid political topics while in conversation with crew members. They shouldn't assume the staff agrees with their ideological beliefs, and some employees might not feel comfortable discussing these topics in a work environment.

Passengers also never know what cruise workers are dealing with behind the scenes. They're often away from home for months at a time, which can take an emotional toll on them. In my case, my dad was sick with stage IV cancer while I was working on the ships, and I also lost a beloved family pet. 

The staff almost always tries to keep conversation topics professional, and the passengers should respect that. 

Onboard rules are in place for a reason, and they usually can't be changed for one person

Some people try to work their way up the chain of command — requesting to speak to a crew member's supervisor, then maybe that supervisor's supervisor — to overrule instructions they don't like. 

For example, I've seen parents get upset about strict age-group policies at kids clubs. Some tried to get around this rule so their children were in the same group, but none succeeded. These rules are in place for a reason.

If cruise ships have a policy in place, there's most likely an explanation behind it. Before you waste your energy trying to get around rules, try to understand why they exist in the first place.

Guests and staff members aren't usually allowed in each other's rooms

Although my coworkers and I were encouraged to socialize and interact with guests, we always had to maintain a professional distance. 

We weren't allowed inside guest cabins , and they weren't permitted to enter staff quarters . Any physical interaction was strictly prohibited and could result in the cruise worker's termination.

Employees have very little free time, so cruisers shouldn't infringe upon it

Part of my job as an entertainment host was to socialize with guests. I would occasionally build a great rapport with them, which led some to ask if they could join me during my free time in port. 

Answering this question was always awkward. I felt like a bad person for declining their invitation but also felt like I had to be on duty — acting as an unofficial, unpaid tour guide — if I accepted it.

Crew members tend to work more hours than most people think

Pretty much any cruiser will tell you crew members work hard, and that's just based on what they see. There's a lot more going on behind the scenes , away from the ships' public spaces.

I worked about 10 hours a day, seven days a week, for six to nine months at a time. In addition to working with guests, I also had a range of safety duties , which involved ongoing training and a weekly crew drill.

Guests often assumed that the rest of the crew and I had a day off between the end of one cruise and the beginning of another to restock the ship and recoup. In reality, we usually set sail just a few hours after the last disembarkation. 

Watch: Cruise ship captain breaks down 8 cruise ship disasters in movies and TV

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Royal Caribbean cruise ship worker sentenced to 30 years for hiding cameras, recording children

MIAMI — A man from the Philippines who worked for Royal Caribbean cruise lines is headed to federal prison for the next three decades after previously pleading guilty to producing child pornography.

Arvin Joseph Mirasol was sentenced Wednesday after he was arrested earlier this year.

The Department of Justice said a guest aboard the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship on Feb. 25, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Group, discovered a hidden camera affixed to the counter under the sink in the guest's bathroom. The guest reported the camera to ship security.

Mirasol, a stateroom attendant who serviced passenger cabins, was detained until the cruise ship docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, prosecutors said.

Royal Caribbean employee accused of secretly filming passengers

Once the ship docked on March 3, the DOJ said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Customs and Border Protection personnel boarded the ship to investigate. Mirasol's electronics were seized and searched.

Prosecutors said law enforcement discovered that Mirasol's electronics contained numerous videos of children in various stages of undress.

"One video showed Mirasol himself installing a camera in a guest's bathroom," the DOJ said. "HSI agents were able to identify children depicted in the videos, ranging from 2 to 17 years of age."

The DOJ said Mirasol had been placing cameras in passenger cabins since December 2023.

"Mirasol would enter the guests' rooms while they were showering and hide under their beds so he could secretly record them exiting the shower," according to the DOJ.

Anyone with information regarding suspected crimes that may have occurred on cruise ships, including sexual abuse and child pornography, is encouraged to contact the HSI tip line at 1-866-347-2423.

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Perverted royal caribbean cruise ship worker gets 30 years for secretly filming kids.

A perverted Royal Caribbean cruise ship employee who planted hidden cameras in guests’ rooms — and even hid under beds to record young kids getting out of the shower — has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Arvin Joseph Mirasol, a 34-year-old Philippine national who worked as a cabin attendant on the Symphony of the Seas, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to producing child sexual abuse material — including kids as young as 2, according to the Justice Department.

Mirasol was detained at sea on Feb. 25 after a girl found a camera “affixed to the counter underneath the sink” one day after the cruise ship set sail from Southern Florida.

He was arrested in March by Broward County deputies after the Symphony of the Seas returned to Port Everglades, originally on state charges. He was also fired from his job.

Investigators said Mirasol admitted to spying on young girls ever since he started working for the cruise ship in December 2023 — saying, “I want to control it, but I can’t.”

He also admitted to placing hidden cameras in multiple rooms, according to court documents.

Mirasol would enter guests’ rooms while they were in the shower and hide under their beds so he could secretly record them exiting the shower, investigators said.

His electronic devices contained numerous videos of children in various stages of undress — focusing on the children’s genitals.

One of the videos even showed Mirasol installing a camera in a guest’s bathroom, officials said.

Investigators determined that the children in the videos were as young as 2 and as old as 17.

One video featured a girl who was about 10 years old, undressing and showering with her genitals “clearly visible” and “the focus of the video,” according to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Local 10.

Authorities said they also found multiple voyeurism-related searches on Mirasol’s phone, including “teen on bed.”

When asked how he decided which rooms to target, investigators said Mirasol told them, “If I like who is in that room, I place it,” and said he would choose teenage girls over the age of 16.

Royal Caribbean previously said it “immediately reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member” once it knew of the allegations.

“We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior,” a spokesperson for the crew company said soon after Mirasol’s arrest.

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2 cruise ship workers arrested at PortMiami on child porn possession charges

Iputuagus karnawan and imadewisma dana, both 28, were arrested at the port on monday, records showed, by nbc6 • published june 4, 2024 • updated on june 4, 2024 at 7:27 pm.

Two cruise ship workers were arrested at PortMiami after authorities said they found child pornography videos on their phones.

Iputuagus Karnawan and Imadewisma Dana, both 28, were arrested at the port on Monday, records showed.

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Dana faces five counts of possession of images showing sexual performance by a child while Karnawan faces four similar counts.

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According to arrest reports, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was conducting routine cabin searches and came across videos of suspected child abuse material on their cellphones.

Miami-Dade Police responded to take over the investigation and arrested the two men.

The reports didn't say which cruise line the men worked for or which ship they were on.

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Search for man who pointed gun at teen during attempted kidnapping in Pompano Beach

Both men were booked into jail and later appeared in court, where Miami-Dade Judge Mindy Glazer set their bond at $2,500 on each count.

But Dana and Karnawan, who the reports said are from Indonesia, were being kept behind bars on an immigration hold, records showed.

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An ‘Odyssey’ Indeed: Three Months Into a Three-Year-Long Voyage, This Cruise Ship Still Hasn’t Set Sail

The Villa Vie Residences’ ship Odyssey was supposed to embark on the first voyage in a three-year-long round-the-world cruise on May 30, but has instead been stuck in rainy Belfast for the past three months while its crew attempt to resolve mechanical problems.

The cruise company has been “humbled by the scale of what it takes to reactivate a 30-year-old vessel from a four-year layup,” Villa Rie Residences marketing manager Sebastian Stokkendal said in a statement provided to the Associated Press .

While work continues to shore up the vessel, onboard activities and meals are offered during the day, but passengers in the Odyssey’s 509 cabins are required to disembark every evening, and are shuttled to local hotels.

Those who paid six figures for the experience (many intending to live onboard full-time for the ship’s expected 15-year-old lifespan, at least when they are actually able to set sail) have been gamely keeping themselves busy in the meanwhile. Self-proclaimed “cruise addict” Holly Hennessey has been taking in the Irish sights—on repeat: “I’ve been to Giant’s Causeway twice,” she told The Daily Mail , “but the best part of the trip was the stop at Bushmills,” referring to the Irish whiskey distillery.

Hennessey, who was also interviewed by the BBC , is traveling with her cat, “Captain the Cruising Kitty.” She did not share how Captain has been coping with the delays, but we all know cats feel strongly about schedules.

Besides frequenting the city’s many pubs and making friends with locals, others have used the downtime to visit nearby and not so nearby destinations, from Greenland to the Canary Islands—some of these trips are being organized by the cruise company. One passenger has even found time to make it back home to Australia (twice) during the wait.

Villa Vie Residences CEO Mikael Petterson told the BBC he anticipates the Odyssey—its name becoming more ironic by the day—will set sail soon. “When you’re the first at doing something, you will run into hiccups,” he said. “But we're definitely getting there, and although we are late, we will launch.”

(Petterson previously served as managing director for Life at Sea, a cruise line which last year canceled its plans for a similar multi-year circumnavigation.)

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Passengers bought berths on a 3-year cruise. Months on, the ship is still stuck in Belfast

Northern Ireland Delayed Cruise The Odyssey, a US cruise liner operated by Villa Vie Residences docked at Harland & Wolf ship repair facility in Belfast Harbour, Northern Ireland, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (Peter Morrison/AP)

BELFAST, Northern Ireland — (AP) — Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin gave up life on land to become seaborne nomads on a years-long cruise.

Months later, the couple has yet to spend a night at sea. Their ship, the Odyssey, is stuck in Belfast undergoing repair work that has postponed its scheduled May departure for a 3 ½-year round-the-world voyage.

Bodin said Friday that they have enjoyed their pit stop in the Northern Ireland capital, but “when we’d visited every pub and tried and every fish and chips place and listened to all the places that have Irish music, then we were ready to go elsewhere.”

“We’re ready to set sail, for sure,” added Canen.

Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey is the latest venture in the tempest-tossed world of continuous cruising.

It offers travelers the chance to buy a cabin and live at sea on a ship circumnavigating the globe. On its maiden voyage, it is scheduled to visit 425 ports in 147 countries on seven continents. Cabins – billed as “villas” — start at $99,999, plus a monthly fee, for the operational life of the vessel, at least 15 years. Passengers can also sign up for segments of the voyage lasting weeks or months.

Marketing material, aimed at adventurous retirees and restless digital nomads, touts “the incredible opportunity to own a home on a floating paradise,” complete with a gym, spa, putting green, entertainment facilities, a business center and an “experiential culinary center.”

But first, the Odyssey has to get out of the dock.

It’s now at Belfast’s Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the doomed RMS Titanic was built more than a century ago.

Villa Vie Residences’ marketing manager Sebastian Stokkendal said the company had been “humbled by the scale of what it takes to reactivate a 30-year-old vessel from a four-year layup.”

He said that after work on the rudder shafts, steel work and engine overhauls, the ship is almost ready to depart.

“We expect a very anticipated successful launch next week where we will head to Bremerhaven, Amsterdam, Lisbon, then across the Atlantic for our Caribbean segment,” he said in an email to The Associated Press.

In the meantime, the company has been paying living expenses for about 200 passengers. They are allowed onto the ship during the day and provided with meals and entertainment, but can’t stay overnight. The cruise line has paid for hotels in Belfast and in other European cities for those who want to explore more of Europe while they wait.

Passenger Holly Hennessey from Florida told the BBC she can’t leave Northern Ireland because of her shipmate – her cat, Captain.

She said that at first “I thought I’d go home, or the ship sent some people to the Canary Islands. And then I found out that because I have my cat with me, I can’t even leave.”

“I want to thank Belfast for being so welcoming to all of us,” she said.

Bodin and Canen – a Swede and an American who met when both lived in Hawaii -- have used the time to travel to Italy, Croatia and Bodin's hometown in Sweden, where they are awaiting news of the Odyssey.

Canen plans to run her Arizona-based auto-glass business from the ship. Bodin, a carpenter, is running a YouTube channel documenting the couple’s temporarily stalled journey.

Built in 1993 and operated under different names by several cruise lines over the years before being becalmed by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the Odyssey was bought by Villa Vie Residences in 2023.

The residential cruising business has proved a troubled one. MS The World, launched in 2002, is currently the only vessel of the type in operation. Another venture, Life at Sea, canceled its planned 3-year voyage late last year after failing to secure a ship.

Canen and Bodin put down a deposit on Life at Sea – they got their money back – and also gambled on Victoria Cruises, another stalled venture from which they are still seeking a refund.

But they are undeterred.

“We might be crazy, stupid, naive or resilient,” Bodin said. “I don’t know, you can put any label on it that you want.”

Lawless reported from London.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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10 things you should never buy on a cruise ship (or in port)

Onboard cruise ship shops can be useful, but they're generally overpriced.

They carry items you might have left at home and find that you need. Even the best packer has their suitcase lost by an airline occasionally.

They sell dresses and fancy shirts for the people who show up and then realize that formal nights really do require, you know, formal attire. Also, they're the only place to purchase cruise line logo items if you wish to proclaim your love of your favorite line to the world.

If you need something, go ahead and buy it. However, cruise ship shops can be dangerous to your wallet — especially after a couple of gloomy rainy days at sea when some shopaholics will buy just about anything to get a hit of that "only on vacation" feeling.

Ships also tempt travelers with other ways to part with their cash, from pricey spa treatments to fine art sales.

In port, there are other pitfalls to avoid — products that won't make it past your local customs officer, those that are hard to transport home and inexpensive (read: poorly made) tchotchkes that are likely to break before you even put the key in your front door.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here's our advice on what to avoid when the shopping bug bites on your next cruise vacation. Pay attention if you have a hard time keeping your wallet in your pocket when you're traveling. You know who you are.

What not to buy on board

Are you a world-renowned connoisseur of art from different time periods with an encyclopedic knowledge of minor artists and their lesser-known works? We didn't think so.

Unless you want to spend hours frantically searching online for the value of an artwork, stay away from those onboard art auctions — no matter how bad the weather gets or how crowded the pool deck becomes on sea days.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on ships

Basic hygiene products are available in the ship's gift shop for the desperate — and they're often priced accordingly. If you're heading into port in the morning and you can wait and buy the product at a regular drugstore, you'll get a much better deal.

Also, curating a collection of toothpaste, shampoo, nail files and sunscreens from around the world will jazz up your medicine cabinet when you return home and serve as constant reminders of your international adventures.

Another option: Consider buying travel sizes that can be refilled and live in your suitcase's toiletry bag permanently to prevent future mishaps.

Related: The 7 best cruise ship spas

'Medi' spa and weight-loss treatments

Some cruise lines offer "medi-spa" treatments, such as Restylane injections, but do read the fine print to learn about the required training. You may be surprised to hear that the "medi" terminology is a bit misleading, and most ships are not sailing with doctors who perform these treatments. Also, sometimes you need multiple visits to experience the desired effects.

You also don't want to sign up for any treatments that might leave you in pain or impact the food or alcohol you can consume or how much sun you can handle on your vacation. If you're tempted, read all the fine print and ask about post-treatment care.

Regardless of which ship you sail, also avoid spa treatments with claims that wouldn't be medically sanctioned back home, such as Ionithermie, which says it helps you lose weight. (Spoiler alert: We tried it. It doesn't work.)

Manicures and pedicures

These salon services are often surprisingly marked up. Also, it takes just one bump from a wave to result in an imperfect finish. Our opinion? Take the time to get your polish done at home or look for a well-reviewed spot in port, but skip the onboard nail salon.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

For-fee room service

One of the perks that used to put cruise ships ahead of hotels was free room service, but those days are gone.

With most cruise lines now charging fees for all but continental breakfast, room service doesn't quite hold the allure it once did — particularly when food is so readily available just about everywhere throughout the ship.

Our advice: Unless it's late at night and everything else is closed, you're feeling ill or you're traveling with kids who will have a meltdown if you force them to venture to one of the onboard eateries, skip the room service if it's not free.

Precious gems and "inch of gold" jewelry

If you're not already an expert in evaluating gemstones, a cruise is not the best time to make a big-ticket jewelry purchase.

When dropping thousands of dollars, you want to ensure you're getting the quality you expect. Your mind is elsewhere on a cruise — from the pool and the hot tub to the cocktail lounge or what's on tonight's menu.

After all, who wants to spend a sunny afternoon indoors researching gemstone cuts and carats?

Also, avoid the "inch of gold" sales, no matter how low the prices are. Trust us: None of it looks nice, and it's not the real thing.

What not to buy in port

Souvenirs from the port terminal

From cheap hammocks in Mexico to inexpensive fans in Spain, the souvenirs you'll find in trinket-filled shops are designed for the quick grab-and-go.

You went on a shore excursion and didn't leave time to shop for your nephew? Pick up something at the terminal. The problem is that the quality there is generally low.

If you can, wander into town for a little while to pick up something marketed to locals rather than tourists. Look for souvenirs made by local artisans or produced locally.

The most well-known mega-ship cruise lines will confiscate port-side liquor purchases and return them to you at disembarkation. (Luxury lines will let you bring alcohol on board.)

Still, buying liquor to bring home comes with risks and annoyances unless you are cruising right into your homeport. (You weren't planning on filling your checked luggage with Tahitian vanilla rum, were you?)

That said, if you're on a river cruise in France that goes through your favorite wine region, we understand if you make an effort to secure your favorite bottles to enjoy back home.

Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide

Cured meats and soft or raw cheese

Trying to sneak culinary specialties such as jamon Iberico from Barcelona and raw-milk Comte from France through U.S. customs isn't worth the stress — especially when being caught with it could put your Global Entry in jeopardy .

Our advice? Eat your fill at restaurants while on vacation — or as a picnic on your cabin's balcony — and stick to non-controversial edible souvenirs, such as chocolate.

Fresh fruit and plants

Customs also won't allow you to bring fresh fruit into the country. In some disembarkation ports, you'll find bins with signs that threaten fines if you don't dump any fresh fruit you might have tucked away in your luggage.

Yes, the bananas, mangoes, pineapples and coconuts in the Caribbean may be ripe and sweet, but the fines are rich, too.

Look for frozen drinks made from fresh fruit, rather than powders or syrups, when you're in port so you can get your fill of the real thing before returning home.

Unfortunately, live plants are also banned, which means you won't even be able to bring them back on board your ship with you. In other words, just say no to those woven palm hats the locals keep trying to convince you to buy.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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