do cruise ship captains get time off

Do Cruise Ship Crew Get Days Off?

Working on a cruise ship can seem like a dream – traveling the world and then getting months off for vacation in between contracts. But in all that time they’re at sea, sometimes for 8 or more months, do cruise ship crew get days off? And, what happens if they get sick, do cruise ship crew get sick days?

When you work on a cruise ship you find that everyone has an opinion (well founded or just made off of assumptions) about what life must be like at sea. Some assume that it’s the most fun you could have, traveling from country to country, getting months off in between. Others will ask if you ever feel “stuck” or “trapped” while away at sea. There will be the smattering of questions about working conditions, half with the assumption that you are living that Instagram filtered life of beaches, drinks, and romance and half assuming that you live in a tiny cabin with awful working conditions. Like with everything in life, parts of all of the above is true.

One thing that people consistently cannot get over is that most of the time cruise ship crew do not get days off.

All views are my own and do not represent those of my employer. *As an Amazon affiliate I may earn from eligible purchases.

Most Jobs Onboard a Cruise Ship You Work Every Single Day

The majority of jobs onboard you work from the day you join the ship until the day you leave the ship. Each job onboard is a bit different as to what their schedule looks like although there are rules that govern how much any ship employee can work if their ship (and the flag state of their ship) follows the MLC .

This means there are no weekends, there are no holidays, no Christmas day off, no long Labor Day weekend. Every day you’re onboard you are working. So when crew get to go home on vacation, usually for a couple of months, think of that time like all of those weekends, holidays, and vacation days all put together. For the most part crew talk about having hours off – not days off.

Port Days Vs Sea Days – But Not Actually Days Off

Some jobs will have nearly the exact same schedule every day, whereas other jobs will have easier days on port days. For passenger facing roles or jobs onboard that deal more directly with the guests, port days tend to be a bit lighter as most guests are ashore so there are less guests to feed, clean for, and entertain. These jobs will conversely be busier on sea days. This may mean that on a port day your work day is 6-8 hours versus 10 hours (for instance).

There are also jobs that are the opposite of that where port days are significantly more busy. These would be jobs like engineering officers doing propulsion maintenance, the sailors and officers that drive tender boats, security at the gangway, everyone involved in loading provisions onto the ship, window washers and exterior painters (to name a few). However, whether your role onboard has more hours on a port day or a sea day – regardless, you’ll most likely be working every day.

Want to know more about the difference between port days and sea days? Take a look at this post where we dive into it.

If You Have a Day Off – It Doesn’t Mean You Can Get Off The Ship

What? It’s my day off and the ship is in Honolulu and I can’t go ashore?! Yes, it’s real, it’s true, and it’s called “IPM” or in-port manning. IPM is the need to have a minimum number of crew member onboard to be able to respond should an emergency happen while the ship is in port. Most of the time this is done on a rotation between the various other crew in your emergency function, but at some point you will get stuck onboard on your day off. Relax, take a nap, catch up on sleep.

Want to know more about in-port manning? This post explains what it is and what to expect for in-port manning .

Why Don’t Most Crew Get Days Off?

For the most part every job on a ship happens every day. The dining room is open every day, the buffet is open every day. Every day people need to eat, rooms need to be cleaned, engines need to keep running, and the ship needs to go from A to B.

People that work at hotels get days off – so why don’t people on a ship? That mostly comes down to cabin space. Cabin space is at a premium. If crew were to have days off you would still need other crew to cover those responsibilities – this means more crew onboard taking up more cabin space. And, the more cabin space crew take up, the less space there is onboard the ship for passenger cabins. At the end of the day cruising is a business and it’s less expensive to have crew work every single day of their contract and then have a few months off then to have more crew onboard.

What If You Get Sick? Do Cruise Ship Crew Get Sick Days?

Sick days don’t work the same as a conventional job, but cruise ship crew do get sick days. There is no set amount of sick days that crew get though and you only get a sick day if the onboard medical team deems you unfit for duty. All those tricks that you might play on land – calling in and tossing in a fake cough here and there – don’t work on the ship. There is no option to call in sick to get extra time at the beach or in port. No, to get a sick day onboard medical has to determine that you are in fact sick enough to not work (or potentially contagious).

If they determine you can’t work because of a common cold you may get to spend the day lazing around in your pj’s in your cabin. However, depending on what you are sick with they might consider you at risk of spreading an infectious virus such as norovirus or coronavirus. If you show symptoms of a virus like this and you have a roommate you will be getting moved out of your cabin either into a quarantine cabin, another isolation cabin, or into the medical facility depending on which virus and what their protocols are to reduce the potential spread of the virus onboard.

There is no finite number of sick days that crew will get per contract and you won’t get fired for being sick. If you are really sick with something that needs to be treated off of the ship the company may deem that you are medically unfit to sail or that because of your need for treatment being onboard is unfeasible or unsafe for you.

Fun fact: While you won’t get fired for being sick – you could actually get fired if you are sick with a potentially infectious illness and do not report your symptoms.

There Are a Few Positions That Are More Likely to Get Days Off

There are a few jobs onboard that are known to pretty much always get a day off once a week or every other week – or are more likely to have big chunks of time off in port. For some of these positions it is written in their contract for one day off a week or every two weeks, or a day off may just a happenstance of the ships schedule.

Musicians & Entertainers

There are a lot of different types of musicians and entertainers that work onboard cruise ships. From the guest entertainers that come in to do one or two shows onboard to the in-house entertainment, it could range from magicians to acrobats to figure skaters to high divers and everything in between. And, as much variety as there is in type of performer there is that much variety in their contracts.

Many onboard musicians are granted one day off a week. Others will not have a designated “day off” but rather will have days off in between their performances and rehearsals. Those positions that do not have a contracted day off but rather an in-between their performances day off, they may be expected to work out in the gym or practice their instruments on their own. Any time a crew member works though those hours need to be accounted for due to strict maritime regulations about work/rest hours.

Casino & Shops

Local regulations will prohibit the shops and casino from being open while the ship is in port – there are even some areas where the ships sail that it’s close enough to port that they aren’t allowed to be open. Because of this people that work in the shops and casinos have very itinerary driven schedules. Sea days are hugely busy and long days for them, where as most of the time port days are much quieter.

This doesn’t mean they have every port day off though. Most jobs onboard involve both the part of the job that the passengers see and the part behind the scenes. Behind the scenes for these kind of jobs could involve things like bringing on inventory, organizing, working on various gaming machines, and trainings.

Art Auctioneer, Port Shopping Ambassador

Nearly every job on the ship will have very specific rules outlining the job, how the department is to run, and also how much money they’re expected to make. Some of the specific rules of the job might be how many hours they need to be at their desk in a day, how many art auctions to have, all the way down to how much and what information they can send to guests cabins. However, there aren’t always rules about having desk hours for some of these roles.

Even if there isn’t a requirement for “desk hours” given by the cruise line itself, there may be from the partner company. If there aren’t any written out rules for the role though, it’s possible that these positions could then have a “day off”. However, anyone that has ever worked a job based on commission knows that how much you earn is directly related to how hard you work and how much effort you put in. So, while they might be able to snag a day off, it’s probably not in their best interest.

This one may surprise you – I know I was a bit surprised to find out that the people working in the spa sometimes got days off. This is often over a two week or ten day rotation where they get one day off within that time. The other days they work are long though, easily averaging 10+ hour days.

The spa is allowed to be open while the ship is in port; however, as most guests choose to go ashore it is less busy. This means that if you work in the spa you will likely also have less hours to work on at least some port days.

For the Cruise Ship Crew That Don’t Get Days Off – Do They Ever Get to Have Some Fun?

Just because you don’t get a day off while onboard doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! It also doesn’t mean that you are going to miss out on big adventures ashore. It just means that it will likely take some more planning and coordinating with your team to make those special days happen.

Not every job will have the flexibility and not every manager will work with you to have the flexibility to go do incredible things every once in awhile. Whether that is working a little extra one day (although still not breaking work/rest hour rules) so that you can work a bit less another day to go climb the Great Wall of China or if it’s asking someone to switch watch with you so you can go snorkeling in Bora Bora, a lot of the time it is possible to get to do these things with some planning, coordination, and yes, having a good supervisor.

Working on a Ship wth No Days Off – Is It Worth It?

Working onboard a cruise ship is hard work. If you are in a job that works every day or if you are in one that gets a day off every once in awhile. Any way you slice it, if you work onboard a ship it is hard – time away from families, often long hours. Whether or not it is worth it is up to you, who you are, and your personality. But, if you go to work at sea, unless it’s written out in your contract for a day off, you should plan that you will work every single day of your contract.

What has your experience working onboard been? Have you gotten days off as a cruise ship crew member?

Join our mailing list.

A once a week email with the latest posts and exclusive updates. 

Similar Posts

Understanding Cruise Ship Ranks

Rank affects nearly every aspect of life onboard a cruise ship. Rank on a ship is part of how life onboard works. Ship ranks is a huge way of determining where you can eat onboard, what cabin you get and so much more. In this post we will dive into how the ranks on a…

What is Shore Leave & In-Port Manning?

One big reason why people go to work on a cruise ship is explore and see the world. While the views of the ocean from the ship are beautiful, the real adventure comes while exploring the ports while on shore leave. While shore leave is great there are some reasons why it might not be…

Which Cruise Line is the Best to Work For? Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Job

Deciding which is the best cruise line to work for – even which cruise lines you want to apply to work for – should not be a simple decision to make. Just like there isn’t one cruise line that is right for all passengers, there isn’t one cruise line that is right for all crew….

Accountability: March 2020

I am a 31 year-old, largely unemployed weird version of a stay at home wife. I am currently sailing with him on the cruise ship he is working on. There are no guests on board and we are re-positioning between Australia and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At present we are about five days away from South…

Port Days vs. Sea Days

At the beginning of my career working on cruise ships I was offered a contract that was going to Hawaii. I thought it was an incredible once in a lifetime experience. What I found was that my naïveté of cruise ship life was showing. The reason being, that while Hawaii is beautiful and wonderful, if…

Do Cruise Ship Crew Pay for Their Flights?

Cruise ships sail all around the world and employ crew from all around the world. Cruise ships on average have 40+ nationalities represented onboard within its crew. This means getting cruise ship crew to their ships takes a lot of logistical effort and inevitably involves crew traveling by air to join their ship. When a…

Yes we have day off,every week ,we divided 2 group ,for example group no ,1 will be off in port, then the other group will take off in sea day ,then next week again group 2 will ttakein

Please I want to join and get the opportunity to work with you and am willing to work with you help me how can I get this opportunity

I worked in the shops onboard and we had to work all day on a sea day. We had two one hour breaks, our break was opposite from our cabin mate so we could have our own space. On port days we only worked when sailing (with some exceptions) that meant you worked for a few hours in the afternoon or evening. The exceptions were stock takes, then you take turns to have time off. There were also other jobs you had to fulfil onboard such as delivering flyers to cabins etc. Also two members of staff had to stay on board ship Incase of emergency, again it was rota based. Also if you weren’t working during this time you could use the onboard passenger facilities while they were quiet such as the spa or sunbathing or the pool. Or just catch up on laundry. Certain jobs didn’t really get much time off. If your job was to work all week with passengers is cabin steward then your time off the day new passengers were boarding. Other than that the room stewards usually covered for each other in turns so they could get a little time off. If you want to work on a cruise ship then it’s hard work and low pay but if you get certain jobs it can also be amazing way to see the world with lots of new friends. It isn’t easy to get a job onboard you usually have to go through an agency and be qualified or have experience in area of work applying for. Also cruise companies tend to hire in different countries for different jobs. When I got a job I had two types of retail experience, many of the other women had previously worked in Harrods or Macy’s. They used to like to pick people who had experience in department stores for the shops. The. People who worked in the spa had experience and degrees. Waiters came from upmarket restaurants. They also employed djs casino staff and baristas for the coffee shop onboard. They are many varied jobs. But at sometimes we only got $1.50 an hour because during inventory we were working 12 hour days. Also you only get paid at the end of the cruise. You have to live on tips and commission during. You also have to pay tips for dry cleaning, room stewards and food wait staff in serving areas. You may also need to buy stuff on shore such as toiletries. So you have to live on pocket money while aboard.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

• Australasia
• Central America
• North America
• South America
• Buenos Aires
• Mexico City
• New York City
• Rio de Janeiro
• Overwater bungalows
• Cruise tips
• Sightseeing Passes
• Attractions
• Theme parks
• When to visit where
• Backpacker Indexes

Sign up for our monthly Priceoftravel newsletter

Working on a cruise ship: Pay, hours, conditions, and secrets

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work on a cruise ship? If so, you are obviously not alone. Even for those too young to remember “The Love Boat,” it looks like a glamorous and interesting job. Throw in all the “free” travel and it seems hard to beat, but cruise ships are also notorious for long hours and modest pay.

I’ve always wondered about all of this myself, so I recently asked a friend and fellow travel writer about her experiences after doing two 7-month contracts working on a cruise ship starting in Europe and ending in the Caribbean. Some of the answers are probably not what you’d expect, but it’s all interesting.

Take it away, Trekker…

Greetings everyone, I am Trekker, a lifelong traveler and pretty much a Jill of All Trades and Master of Nothing in Particular. At present I am working on cruise ships. I work for an Italian company and am the English Social Hostess.

The Social Host/Hostess is pretty much a ship’s ambassador for a specific language. We usually have the five main languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German, covered by a native speaker of that language. Our job is to be there for guests when they need specific information as well as socialise with them and make sure they are having a good time.

We do the Embarkation and Disembarkation talks, translations, check the Daily Programs that are delivered to the guests each evening, support the Captain during Gala evenings, give ship tours etc…

So far I have done 2 contracts and am waiting on my 3rd. My first was 6 months long and on one of the smallest of our vessels, she can carry 2,300 guests and 700 crew. We sailed the Eastern Mediterranean, including Italy, Turkey, Israel Ukraine, and Greece.

The second was 7.5-months long and on the largest of our vessels, she can carry 4,300 guests and up to 1,700 crew. We sailed from Italy transatlantic to the Caribbean, spent 6 months there then sailed down to Rio De Jeneiro, Brazil. Even though the contracts are long and tiring, I am definitely interested in going back and just hope I get my requested location of South Africa.

How did you get the job?

As far as my journey, it involved lots of research and emailing and calling. When I visited the “boy” on the ship in Italy I also went to one of the offices there, but was told they could not help me as they only booked cruises.

I pretty much got the runaround for close to 10 or 20 phone calls. Finally I think I must have hit the limit of “gee she must be serious” and was given an email to send my resume and wait for an interview date. Also, most people at least have an idea of WHAT position they wanted to do. I, on the other hand, barely knew what positions there were. During the initial stages when asked what position I wanted, I just kept saying “something with guests.”

After about 6 months of runaround I was finally able to get a Skype interview. The interview lasted about 30 minutes and at the end I felt very confident. She had asked me all sorts of questions from my customer service background to how to answer a difficult guest without being disloyal to the company.

It took 2 weeks before I got my answer and, as you can see, if was affirmative, I would be embarking on a ship at the end of the year as the English Social Hostess. I was really excited, and honestly I hadn’t even known about this position when I started.

How many hours do you work per day and per week?

As the Social Hostess our hours vary from day to day depending on the kinds of duties we have. Our busiest days are embarkation days. We help with answering questions and collecting credit card bills (from 6am – 9.30am), in Europe we do the actual check in desk, we also help with disembarkation procedures, we often have ship visits and tours, not to mention embarkation welcome talks and much more. On those days we can be on the go almost non-stop from 6am to 11.30pm with only a few short breaks. You literally have to peel your uniform off on those days.

On most port days we work in the morning and evening (around 6-8 hours), if we go on excursion it can be an extra 3-11 hours, depending on the length of the excursion.

On sea days we have numerous odd jobs around the ship from lectures to quizzes to “walk the line” (essentially being a mobile guest service agent). Every day there is the mandatory translations, checking the daily program and socialising. In a nutshell our days most likely average between 6-10 hours but can be as many as 15 hours or more.

What about hours of other jobs?

Hours vary quite drastically from job to job. The Dance Instructors for example only worked about 5 hours a day, and perhaps 7 hours on sea days, if that.

The reception/guest service team had constant shifts of 8-12 hours, occasionally going to 14 hours if things were really busy.

Bar staff worked between 12-16 hours, sometimes more, they had some of the hardest work on the ship I believe.

Cabin Stewards and cleaning staff had set times to clean rooms a few times a day, but were pretty much on duty for most of the day in case one of their assigned guests called for a cleanup. Depending the size of the ship they could be designated between 10-20 rooms each.

Security would often work 24-hour shifts, sometimes longer on embarkation days.

For the most part I think the average number of hours in a day was around 10 for most crew members, but many times it would be a lot higher.

What were your living quarters like?

Most rooms for the normal crew were like inside cabins with bunk beds. On my first ship I was lucky because I got a porthole, natural light made a HUGE difference.

Most of us have one roommate but there are some cabins on the lower levels that 3 crew share.

Each room has a bathroom with a small shower, toilet and hand basin. Pretty much the cabins for crew have all your basic necessities but not much else.

The coolest thing was that all the walls in the ship are metal, so magnet collecting is a big hobby for crew members and decorating the room is always fun.

Common areas vary depending on ship. The smaller ship I was on only had 1 crew bar and it was a smoking bar. The larger ship had a crew bar (non smoking, with 2 tvs) and a crew disco (smoking with a dance floor and 2 tvs).

Finally there is a crew gym, with some basic equipment like weights, treadmill etc., that is open to crew most of the day and night.

Cafeterias, known as the mess, were split up depending on rank. Officers had their own, followed by staff and then crew. Each of the higher cafeterias had a small advantage, like an espresso machine in the Officer’s mess.

We had no kitchen where we could cook our own food, but we did have a microwave in the mess.

How well did you feel treated by the company?

This is the only cruise company I have worked for, so I don’t have much comparison. From what I have heard other companies do offer better perks, such as a fridge in the cabin, free beer and pizza at the crew party, free coffee and tea etc..

Just like any job we all wish we could make more money. I am making more as a Social Hostess compared to when I was a vet nurse, and since board and lodging are included I can save the majority of my pay.

We are one of the highest paying companies, from what I have heard, especially for the housekeeping, kitchen and wait staff. For most of the crew they also receive a bonus each month, after the “service charge” aka gratuity, that is automatically added to guests’ bills, is divided between them.

We have a lot of trainings, especially safety training. These include general emergency drills at least every 2 weeks, crowd control, boat drills, loading the life boats etc.

I think, just in general, some of these safety trainings should be more role play to simulate emergencies and dealing with guests, but it is also a tad difficult as we do these trainings when guests are onboard, and we wouldn’t want to freak any of them out.

Other trainings are job specific, for me there were a lot of customer service, presenting talks, phone etiquette, handling difficult situations etc.. There is often a lot of eye rolling during these trainings, but they are required and secretly we admit there is good info in some of them.

Time off is a tough one. In my position I did often get enough time off. Around 4-5 hours, sometimes more. In the middle of the day on port days meant we could go ashore and explore. Other crew were not that lucky, some of them never got to go off the ship. But a few departments do rotate a schedule to give half a day or a day off to their staff, if it does not conflict with service.

Most crew seem happy and we all end up making some amazing friends. The crew with the more hectic schedules tend to just barely get by, there are a lot of husbands or wives that do this to send a decent check home to the family. There are many who only get to see their children 2-3 months a year, but working on the ship provides a much better life for their families and so it seems like a fair trade.

There are many crew who become ship lifers, I have met folks who have worked in guest services or the restaurant for over 10 years. Once you get hooked to the relatively simple lifestyle (work, eat, sleep, and party) it can be very difficult to leave.

How is the food service for crew?

All food in the mess is free, buffet style with coffee (if you can call it that), tea and juice (we went through a period where there was only grapefruit juice….).

There are even days where you walk in and walk out to the crew store to buy some ramen. The food for crew is okay, but it could be better.

There is always plain rice and sambal for the Indian and Asian crew in the staff mess and in the Crew Mess they usually have (halal, kosher) options to meet cultural needs.

Luckily for some of us we can also go to the guest buffet to eat. But then again after 4 months even that food gets boring.

There is a crew store with a few basic things like hygiene, chocolates, ramen, canned products, medicine, even jewelry and watches.

What can you do during your time or day off?

Most likely if there was enough time off on a port day the crew would rush ashore in an attempt for free wifi and cheap food.

We could also do excursions, but often this was difficult to time with your schedule (unless it was part of your job like it was for me), and your supervisor had to contact the manager of the excursion dept and then if you went as an escort you needed the excursion uniform. There was a small discount for crew if they wanted to go as a normal guest, but it all depended on space.

Laundry was another off duty activity we performed.

Are there computers or wi-fi for crew on board?

Otherwise you could purchase internet time for your own device. Not as expensive as it is for the guests, but still up there (24 hours for $58). Often the ship wifi can be very slow or shut down half way through, so trying to make sure you logged out is very important.

Most of the ports had wifi, if guests asked where to go I told them to look for the crew members lining the sidewalk.

Considering room and board are included, how much do crew members need to spend and how much can they save?

Working on a cruise ship is a great way to save money and also a great way to spend money. I could save one third of my salary easily and have a decent amount to spend during the month before the next pay day.

Others like to buy all the latest gadgets, or the newest fashions, but for the most part if you had at least $200 to cover things like the occasional drink at crew bar, putting money on your laundry key and buying internet it still gave you a little to spend in each port.

There were many crew who would send their entire paycheck home.

Do crew members really get all those mandatory tips?

On every guest bill there is a service charge, usually US$12 per adult per day and US$6 for children. This is actually the gratuity that goes to the crew involved in the major service areas such as bar, restaurant and housekeeping.

Also included in this are the crew members who truly keep the ship going and who you never see, the cooks, the garbage guys, the laundry and many more. I have been told that the Captain also gets a small share, but as far as I know all of the service charge/gratuity goes to these crew members.

Departments such as Guest Services, Security and Entertainment (my department) do not take part.

While we do not recommend guests tip extra I have discovered there are usually 3 kinds, those who are happy to pay and leave it that, those who ask to have it removed as they wish to tip individuals (only problem with this is the support staff see none of those tips) and those who love the service so much that they tip above and beyond what is already on their bill.

There are also guests who tip bartenders for drinks as they go, usually more out of habit than anything else.

These tips can really make a difference to crew, often adding US$300 or more to their pay each month. However, if the crew have accrued warnings or had legitimate complaints against them, this “tip” money is partially withheld for that month’s pay.

Of course the departments left out would love to be on the recieving end of this bonus, but we make a lot more than the crew who do receive it, so ultimately it is fair.

What is the language situation like?

Even though our ship is an Italian company, English is the main language on board and all crew are required to have a working knowledge of the language. In fact, when we arrived in Miami all crew (1,300 of us) were interviewed one by one by a US corporate officer of the company to assess our English levels. We both giggled a bit when I went in for my interview and he asked me my position…luckily I passed!

For our company, especially, having a basic knowledge of Italian can also be helpful, but is not necessary. Crew who work for Guest Services are required to have at least 2 – 3 languages, but many have 5 or more that they are more than proficient at.

As the English Social Hostess I speak English and Afrikaans (the Dutch offshoot spoken in South Africa), I also have a basic understanding of a few other languages and am fairly good at using body language to understand and make myself understood (often resulting in quite a few laughs with guests).

How well does the crew get along and is there a social scene?

We have a weekly crew party, one in the crew disco and then, the following week, in a guest area with music played by crew who act as DJs and a bar with prices from the crew bar.

We also have things like crew bingo (not very popular), crew karaoke (quite popular) and very occasionally crew movies. Once every few months the theater entertainers perform one of their shows for us (which means they perform 3 times in one night) and maybe once every 6 months we have a talent show, you will be amazed at the talent our crew has.

I remember the first talent show I saw where one of my favorite buffet attendants (I called her my personal dessert chooser) sang and played the guitar, I didn’t even recognise her at first and my jaw hit the ground when I realised it was her.

Can you socialize with guests when off duty?

Socialising with guests outside of a work environment is not exactly encouraged, but if you are out and about and a guest invites you for a coffee there is nothing wrong with accepting.

I have made quite a few friends with the guests and even stayed in touch with a number of them. I have had repeaters on the ships who recognise me and get excited when they see me.

Other crew members will have regulars who often treat them like family and I have even seen some guests arrive and remember a crew member from years ago or request a certain waiter or cabin steward because they made a connection with that crew member on the last cruise.

In general how well do passengers treat the crew?

I would like to say that for the most part guests treat the crew equally and with respect, unfortunately this is not always so. We have our favorite amazing guests who treat us with respect and show appreciation, but there is an equal number of, well, assholes! The ones who yell at you and act like they are entitled royalty expecting you to bow to their every request.

I personally have had a passenger scrumple his bill up and throw it in my face when I did not speak German (I sighed and turned to the next person asking how I could help them). Another Italian passenger kept yelling me that it was my job to speak Italian, even though I was trying my best and could have answered his question if he had let me (I pointed to my name tag and stated that I was the ENGLISH Social Hostess).

The worst I think I have ever experienced was a couple who were so entitled I was almost in tears at how rude they were, they had also made complaints about every department on the ship claiming they “knew” people…. I really wanted to turn around and say “Attitude gives what attitude gets”, but had to take the high road and step back, way back, before I really told them what I thought.

The most amusing thing is, when faced with guests like these it is amazing how kind the guests behind them will be, feeling quite embarrassed that the previous person had acted like that.

I have not had anything too weird asked of me, that I can think of, occasionally a guest will ask me to go above and beyond, hunt down some luggage or research something for them. Of course there is always a crew member with some amusing story of a guest asking them to do something out of their job description.

How many crew members are ready to quit after their first contract?

There are a few number of crew who quit after their first contract shaking their heads and wondering why they ever thought working 15 hour shifts 7 days a week for 7-9 months seemed like a good idea. Others break part way through and run away screaming.

Others, like me, swear we will never do another contract, then once at home, sit impatiently at home waiting for news of which ship and location is next as we hear about all our friends embarking without us.

Then there are those who have been doing it for 10 years, 15 years or more, and I am not talking about an officer who has made this a career, I am talking about a cabin steward or waiter or butler, some just love the job and serving people, others provide for families back home, many come to sea to earn money and discover that time flies when out of the realm of “normality”.

An amusing tale of going back home was told to me by one of our captains who was heading home to Sorrento. We asked if his family was excited to see him, he said “they always are…for the first week, then it appears I interrupt their usual schedule and they look forward to me going back to sea.” He had been at sea for over 30 years.

What was the most surprising positive aspect about working on a cruise ship?

For me I would have to say the international dynamic onboard. Before I went to sea I would never have imagined meeting anyone from Slovenia or Macedonia, let alone discovering life long friends. Add to that a bunch of Romanian photographers, a group of South Africans, a Canadian, a couple of Mexicans, 2 Belgians, all the German hosts and hostesses I have met and many many more.

I have always seemed to feel more at home when I am faced with diversity and interacting with cultures other than what I am used to, and so I guess that the ship becomes a place that is more like home in many ways.

What was the most surprising negative aspect about working on a cruise ship?

One of the first things I was told by many experienced crew was “don’t trust anyone.” We all seem like friends but there are a number who will do anything to get ahead, in actuality it is very much like high school and there are a number of mean girls still out there.

Add to that the obvious sexual tension all over the ship, new meanings are given to statements like “come and watch a movie” or “let’s go somewhere and chat.” Hookups are left, right and center and honestly you can never trust that someone is being honest about their relationship status, and it’s not just ship boys!

In fact it is exactly like being back in high school, just in the enclosed environment of a ship. This could be bad, but it can also be amusing to sit back and watch.

Any quick tips for those considering work on a cruise ship?

• Go through the company if possible, versus a recruiter.
• If you love travel, give it a go at least once!
• Never trust anyone but keep your mind open!
• Explore as much of the ports as you can!
• Sit and watch the sunset or sunrise as often as you can!
• Talk and learn from your fellow crew members!
• Life is never too short to do something crazy like spend 6 months working 15-hour shifts 7 days a week, you never know who you will meet or where you will go!

Follow Trekker’s new cruise ship adventures and more at her blog,  Trailing Trekker’s Travels .

OTHER POPULAR POSTS

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Working on a cruise ship: Pay, hours, conditions, and secrets " --> All Comments

Went to Norwegian JF, to work out of Hawaii. Pay not great, long hours, so not sure if I will proceed.

thats a friggin crazy lifestyle… thank you for your article, i dont think it is for me

I would like to work in cruise, i have 2 years of experience in IT field. For whom i have to contact for apply

I would like to work on a cruise ship, i am in brazil living in CABO DE SANTO AGOSTINHO – PE, i am a fully qualified hairdresser, and barber, have loads of experience in security and Managing staff, computer literate and touch typist, I am scottish so speak english fluent, does anyone know where or who I could ask???

I want to work on cruise ship how to app

It’s best to contact the cruise line you are interested in working for. They each have their own hiring departments. -Roger

Having just completed a short Princess Cruise I can only say the staff are lovely people, the problems are with ignorant other passengers, some don’t even wash).

Do Cruise Ship Employees Get Days Off?

Many passengers would ask me after a week-long cruise if I was going to get the weekend off. I was always a little shocked they didn’t know the truth about our schedules, and they were just as shocked when they found out the real answer.

Most cruise ship employees do not get any days off. They work 7 days a week with contracts that last between 5 to 9 months at a time. Instead of days off, they get a certain number of hours off each day, which varies depending on their position. The only exception is if they are sick or injured in some way that prevents them from working temporarily. 

For example, as an Internet Cafe Manager, I worked an average of 9.5 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 5 month contracts. I would get 2 months of vacation time between contracts.

It’s hard for passengers to imagine we don’t get days off, but here are a number of reasons why this makes sense. And, there’s one unique position on board that does get days off, which you’ll see below….

Cruise ships only hire the minimal number of crew they need

You’d think cruise ships would hire a few extra people so crew members can take a few days off, but that’s just not the way it works.

Cruise ships won’t hire more crew than they absolutely need, and here’s why.

First, it keeps costs down. Each crew member represents another salary, more food, and administrative costs. The less crew, the more the cruise ship can save.

Second, there’s not a lot of space for crew members, especially cabin space . With 3 – 4 people per cabin, there just isn’t enough room to fit more.

So it stands to reason, if the absolute minimum number of crew are on board, there’s no chance to take a few days off here and there.

There’s little to no overlap in skills and duties

Another reason there are no days off for crew is that cruise ship jobs are very specific to the individual or department of crew members.

Cooks can’t do the passenger laundry, the cruise director isn’t qualified to fix a broken chair, and a carpenter isn’t going to be one of the dancers (though why not?)

The result is that if you’re not there to do your job, chances are no one else is going to be able to do it.

Cruise ships are a non-stop 24/7 machine

Passengers often think we’ll get a day off when the cruise is over, but most forget we’ve got a whole new group of passengers coming on board the same day, and sometimes in only a few hours.

This day is called ‘Turn Around Day” and can often be the busiest part of the whole cruise for many of the crew.

Imagine “resetting” an entire cruise ship in 4 – 5 hours, from disembarking 5000 passengers, restocking food and supplies, refueling, repairs, bringing on new crew, cleaning cabins and public areas, and so much more.

With such a quick turn around, the ship can’t afford to give crew days off.

But, some crew may get some extra time off on a Turn Around Day depending on their position. For example, a cook may not be needed until the evening meal, and can therefore spend a few more hours off.

Personally, as the Internet Manager, once I reset my passenger list and prepared the Internet room, I was free to leave until right before the new passengers came aboard – perfect for a little shopping in port.

You’d think crew members would never get bored while at sea, but it’s quite the opposite.

Many crew members have been to the same locations over and over and have lost their interest in exploring these same ports.

While on board, any downtime is spent either sleeping, hanging out with friends, or watching movies and TV shows in their cabins.

After months and months of this lifestyle, the crew would often complain of being bored while not on duty – as crazy as that seems.

So having days off would only add to that boredom for most.

Long vacations between contracts

As bad as not getting days off sounds, there is one major advantage – you get long vacation times.

Depending on the length of your cruise ship contract, you’ll most likely get between 1 to 2 months off at a time. This is perfect for going home to see your family and friends, doing errands of all kinds, and relaxing.

In fact, after a long contract, I’d usually crash for the first week and sleep for days.

The irony is that crew at sea very much long to be home, and once at home they long to be back at sea!

What cruise ship job does get days off?

If you work in the spa, you’ll usually get 1 day off every 2 weeks.

And I have no idea why!

Whether a fitness instructor, massage therapist, or hairstylist, you can count on either getting that full day off or taking part days.

Many spa employees would take full advantage of this on port days to help assist with tours or explore the ports on their own – what more could you ask for!

Is it worth working on a cruise ship if you’ll most likely never get a day off?

For me personally, I say yes! Even with the hours you’ll get off each day you’ll still see the world, and the friends you’ll make are more than worth it.

And, you’d be surprised how quickly you’ll adapt to working every day, making this lifestyle feel quite normal and routine.

A Little About the Author...

Rob Lilley is passionate about working on cruise ships, and spent 5 years of his life travelling the seven seas and touching ground on all 7 continents.  With the experience of 2 different job positions in multiple contracts with different cruise lines, from explorer ships to full-sized cruise liners, Rob is keen to share his insider insights with all of those interested in working at sea! More…

Other Posts

How Fast is the Internet on Cruise Ships?

9 Tips for the Fastest Internet on Cruise Ships (from an Internet Manager!)

Do Cruise Ship Employees Hook Up?

Want the inside scoop.

If you want to stay up-to-date with what it’s like working on cruise ships, sign-up to receive insightful emails from time to time!

• Enable Accessibility

• 00800 0310 21 21 1-855-577-9489 1-877-288-3037 1-877-288-3037 1-877-474-2969
• | NCL Travel Blog">11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | NCL Travel Blog">11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• View All Results
• Preferences
• Latitudes Rewards
• Special Offers
• Personalised Recommendations
• Make reservations before you cruise
• 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

• 00800 0310 21 21

What's the chain of command?

The ultimate final word is the Captain, Master of the vessel. There is a clear chain of command that should be followed in seeking advice, assistance, resolutions, etc.

What happens at the end of my assignment?

Each assignment concludes with a performance review. Based on the evaluation, you will be asked to return. In some cases, we can even provide a return assignment before you even leave the ship.

Is there a difference between brands?

Yes, our U.S. Flagged ships and International Fleet have some differences in terms of employment conditions. At the time of hire, you will be explained in detail the terms and conditions for the brand you are being assigned.

If you work on a U.S. Flagged ship, Pride of America, you will pay all applicable federal, State/Hawaiian and local taxes.

U.S. crew members assigned to an international ship will have federal taxes withheld.

If you are assigned to an international ship, it will be your responsibility to report income earned when you return to your respective country.

Shipboard Employment Menu

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

• Pre-Cruise FAQ
• Onboard FAQ
• Post-Cruise FAQ
• Cruisetours FAQ
• Special Offers Sign Up
• Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

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.

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.

Cruise Ship Life FAQ

• Post author: Xuxu
• Post category: Cruise Ship Jobs / Documents / Miscellaneous / Positions

Table of Contents

Most Commonly Asked Questions About Working on a Cruise Ship!

I had so many questions before I started working on a cruise ship. Cruise Ship jobs are very different from a job on land due to the fact that you live where you work and you work where you live. The coolest part about it is that your home moves away with you to different exciting destinations where people pay to go. How exciting is that?

I have compiled some frequently asked questions about working on a cruise ship. This list is an ever-growing list and new questions will be added frequently.

What’s the Minimum Age Limit to Work on a Cruise Ship?

In order to work on a cruise ship, you need to be at least 18 years of age.  It’s important to keep in mind that most cruise lines based in the US will limit the drinking age to 21 years old. You won’t be able to have drinks onboard and there will be a red line across your crew card, so the bartender or server cannot serve you a drink while are you are under 21. 

Drinking Age Onboard

If you’re caught drinking underage you will be immediately dismissed from the ship as well as the server, bartender, or friend that gave you drinks. So if you are under 21 or if you have a friend under 21, don’t be tempted to buy them a drink because both can get in trouble and be immediately fired.

Do I Need a Passport to Work on a Cruise Ship?

Yes, you do need to have your passport to work on a cruise ship, unless you are a US Citizen or permanent resident that will be working on the NCL Pride of America , which is based in Hawaii year-round and does not leave US territory.

If you are not going to be working on the Pride of America, you will be traveling to different countries while onboard. Now you won’t get a stamp from every single country that you visit ( and that’s a bummer) but the ship’s HR department will retain your passport for inspection if needed by immigration and customs when the ship arrives in each international port of call.

Have All Documents in Order

Normally the cruise line will submit a manifest containing all the passengers and crew before arrival in the port of call, and it’s up to the immigration officer to decide if they want to have a secondary inspection, and if they do, they might need to see your passport, and in rare cases you in person for additional screening.

 If you have previously visited a country, overstayed your visa or had issues with immigration, there’s a great chance that you will go through a secondary inspection when you arrive at the country via the cruise ship. If you fall into one of those categories, make sure you have everything in order and any supporting documents you might need.

Can I Bring my Child/Family Member on a Cruise Ship While Working?

There are some positions on the cruise ship where you can bring your child or family member with you. If you are a captain or a high-level officer that have this entitlement, you may be able to bring a family member with you.

 There are some restrictions on the length of stay for certain situations. It could be only for a few weeks while some can be for the entire duration of the contract. This will all depend on your position on board and the rules set by the company you will be working for,

 When I was onboard on one of the ships, Norwegian Jade , the captain would have his wife and two daughters on board, and they usually would stay for about a month, sometimes two months on the ship. They had access to both crew and passenger areas, living onboard and homeschooling the kids. The kids came often to the kids club and everyone knew them.

If you are a guest entertainer, have a child or family member, and want to bring them along for a visit,  you might be able to have that arranged before you signed a contract with the cruise line. There was an acrobat couple and they had a six-year-old son, and he also used to come to the kids club frequently. The acrobats had a four-month contract and they had their son with them the whole time.

 Depending on your position onboard, you might have this privilege but the majority of positions do not. 

Cruise ship life is very exciting and visiting awesome locations around the world is just one of the many benefits of working on a cruise ship. If this is your first time going to work on a cruise ship, you might be wondering what you need to pack for a cruise ship contract. This post might just be what you are looking for.

Some of the positions with this privilege:

• High-Rank officers (Staff Captain, 1st officer, etc)
• Chief Engineer
• Cruise Director
• Guest Entertainer
• Hotel Director

How Much Money Do Cruise Ship Employees Make?

The answer depends on what position you’re working for. For example, Captains can make as much as $15,000 a month while some dishwashers can make as low as $600 . The salary onboard will vary from company to company.  Always keep in mind that you have almost no expenses while working on a cruise ship, leaving room for savings or treating yourself!

Do Crew Members Get Free Internet on a Cruise Ship?

A Crew internet café is offered onboard the ship so the crew can be connected even while at sea. Internet is not free in the majority of cruise lines, Viking Cruises and Crystal Cruises are the only two I know that offer free, limited internet to crew members. Internet onboard costs significantly more than on land, without land speeds. Expect to pay approximately $20 for 220 minutes of internet ($0.10 a minute). You can connect via Wi-Fi on your personal device or use one of the computers at the internet café. Simply create an account and choose an internet package. Packages vary from $5, $10 to $20, although the price per minute is the same, around $0.10 a minute.

Tip: give yourself a budget monthly for internet usage as costs can add considerably. I have friends that have spent over $500 a month on internet alone, a not very smart way to use your hard-earned money.

How Can I Stay Connected While Working on a Cruise Ship?

There are many ways you can save money on internet and not have to rely on the ship’s slow internet access. One easy way is to have a plan from your country that allows roaming internationally. We currently use T-Mobile Simple Choice Plan—where we can have a data package valid in 160 countries, together with free texts and $0.20 a minute in international calls. All of this for $50 plus taxes a month or $96 for two lines. This plan has been invaluable for us while on the cruise ship and during our travels.

If you don’t live in the US, you should definitely get an unlocked GSM phone. You can purchase a local SIM card in the ports that your ship calls and they are usually much cheaper than paying roaming charges. One such example is in Italy, where you can get a TIM Sim card with 5 GB of internet for $20 Euros.

What Kind of Jobs Are Available on a Cruise Ship?

There are a lot of different jobs available on a cruise ship. Think of a cruise ship as a moving hotel.  Any job that you find in a typical hotel you will be able to find on a cruise ship.

Some examples of jobs on cruise ships:

• Room Service
• Cruise director
• Deck engineer
• Entertainment staff
• Finance Accountant
• Receptionist
• Sales Staff (shops)
• Art Auctioneer
• Training Specialist
• Casino staff
• Future Cruise Consultant
• Shore Excursions
• Photographer

Want to learn more about working on a cruise ship and its many positions? Visit the page Positions to learn more!

How do You Get a Job on a Cruise Ship?

With so many cruise lines gathered around the world and so many options of jobs you could apply for, it can be a challenge to decide where to apply and to which company to apply. After all, salary and benefits can vary dramatically within companies. We have some information on our Cruise Lines page about some cruise lines and how to apply for each one.

Once you decide where to apply, there are essentially three ways you can apply for a cruise ship job:

Directly With The Company

You simply go directly to the company’s careers page and search for open positions. Once you find a suitable job, you apply for the position by first creating an account, then you upload your resume to their database, fill out a questionnaire containing your contact information. If successful, they will email or call you to set up an interview.

Through a Hiring Agency

Most companies use hiring agencies in different countries to help them attract a majority of individuals for certain positions. Some hiring agencies will only hire for restaurant positions, some only for entertainment positions while others might hire for any open position.

Through Job Fairs

Some cruise lines, especially Norwegian Cruise Line, will host some job fairs for certain positions. Job fairs are rare occasions and cruise lines will focus mainly on using social media, their website and hiring agencies. 

If you are interested in learning more about the job fair for Norwegian Cruise line please see the Norwegian Cruise Line page.

Do Cruise Ship Workers Get Days Off?

Most cruise ship workers will not get a day off. As part of your contract when you sign it, it states that you are to work seven days a week for approximately 70 hours a week, although you might not work all 70 hours. Keep in mind that some cruise lines may have different terms regarding working hours, depending on which position you will be working, so read your contract carefully.

 Some positions might have some days off like guest entertainers, some musicians, and some high-ranking officers. For the majority of the crew, you will not have a single day off as part of your contract but you will have some time to explore the ports of call, just not a full day off.

How long is a cruise ship contract for crew members?

Cruise ship contracts for crew members generally range from around 4 to 10 months in duration. The exact length of the contract can vary depending on several factors, including the position, the cruise line, and the ship’s itinerary.

For entry-level positions or departments like housekeeping, food, and beverage, or guest services, contracts are typically around 6 to 10 months long. These contracts often cover a full cruising season or multiple voyages, allowing crew members to gain experience and contribute to the ship’s operations for an extended period.

Higher-ranking positions, such as officers or department heads, may have shorter contracts that can span 4 to 6 months. These contracts often require a higher level of commitment due to the increased responsibilities and leadership roles onboard.

It’s worth noting that contracts are usually renewable, and many crew members opt to extend their contracts for subsequent periods if they enjoy their work and the ship’s environment.

While these durations are common, it’s essential to check the specific terms and conditions outlined in the contract before signing, as they may vary depending on the cruise line and the particular ship.

Can I Leave the Ship If I Have a Family Emergency?

Being away from home is one of the hardest aspects of working on a cruise ship. Spending holidays and important dates away from loved ones is without a doubt one of the major cons of working onboard. The thing is that you cannot just hop in your car, train, or plane to go visit family on the weekend. Once you are onboard you are committed to the full length of your contract.

In the event of an emergency situation, most companies will give you a work break, which can be up to one week but all the transportations costs associated with your work break, meaning flights, transportation to and from the port, hotel accommodations, and meals—are part of the crew member’s expenses.

For a company to approve a work break, management needs to be able to justify that the normal operations for the duration of your leave would not affect the ship operations for your department.

You Pay For All The Costs!

Due to such short notice during an emergency, most crew members choose not to request a work break, mainly for financial reasons or even timing. If a loved one passes away and they are in the Philippines (typically the majority of the crew onboard are from the Philippines) it would take approximately two days just to arrive in the country from the US, where many of the Cruise Ships are.

If the company grants you a work break, you will be given a new letter of employment for your return when you go through customs in the country you will be joining the ship. Remember that all the costs of flights, hotels, and transportation to the ship are out of your own pocket.

Do Cruise Ship Workers Get Free Food?

One of the great things about working on a cruise ship is the minimum expenses that you have while working onboard. Food is definitely free on cruise ships and you don’t have to pay for it. You will have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and some snacks included, all served at the crew messes, which are restaurants designated only for crew members.

You also might be able to eat at the cruise ship’s restaurants that the guests eat, and as long as a guest doesn’t have to pay for it, you also don’t have to. 

There are some specialty restaurants on every cruise ship that charge either a flat fee or à la carte items, and if you want to eat at one of those restaurants you have to pay just like the guests do unless you win a free meal voucher by winning a bingo game, raffle or by being awesome.

What’s the Crew Food Like on a Cruise Ship?

The meals for crew members are served buffet-style in the crew mess—that’s what they call the crew cafeteria. Usually, each ship has either two or three messes. Smaller ships might have only two. One for crew and staff and one dedicated only to officers .

• Crew Mess — Catered more towards Asian food since the majority of the crew are from Asian countries.
• Staff Mess – A more Western-style food.
• Officer’s Mess – For high-ranked officers. Typically with waiter service and a menu to choose from. The menu is sometimes similar to the main dining rooms onboard.

You Are on the Clock!

Your position onboard will dictate what type of access you have throughout the ship. If allowed, on your time off, you are free to eat at the guest’s restaurants, space permitting. Cruise ships usually have more than one main dining room (free), a buffet-style restaurant, and some specialty restaurants (for a fee). You are welcome to eat at these restaurants if your position allows it. Some companies offer crew discounts on beverages but not on food.

There are specific times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some ships also offer a late-night snack. Outside of these times, there will be no food available. You cannot just come later to grab a snack to bring to your cabin. If you miss a meal, you better have some snacks in your cabin to keep you going on your shift, which can be up to 12 hours a day.

You Will Get Tired of Ship Food!

After a few months working onboard the ship, you WILL get tired of the food. You will be craving home-cooked food, fast food, and the simplest of foods you can imagine from back home. You will also have the chance to eat the local food at the ports of call. Indulge yourself in the delicious pizzas and gelatos in Italy, Tapas, and paellas while in Spain, the fresh and cheap seafood in the islands of the Caribbean, or authentic Mexican food while in Cozumel. Go ahead, enjoy all these perks while working on a cruise ship. Make it count!

Can the Crew Drink Around the Ship?

Alcohol at the crew bar is very inexpensive. You often can get beers for about one dollar and wine by the glass or by the bottle at very low prices. If you have access to guest areas (not all crew do) and if you decide to drink at the bars that the passengers drink, you will pay the premium price that guests pay. 

Some cruise lines might give you a discount but still going to cost more than you would pay at the crew bar, but sometimes it’s nice to be in a bar outside, catching a nice breeze, looking at the waves, sipping a beer, cocktails, margarita or whatever your beverage of choice may.  

Can You Work on a Cruise Ship For The Summer?

Yes, you can work on a cruise ship for the summer but the only position that hires for the summer that I’m aware of is for seasonal youth staff. Cruise Lines hire not only during summer months but most major holiday breaks like spring break, Easter, Thanksgiving week, and Christmas season.  

During these breaks, cruise lines will hire additional staff to help with the peak of families that will be on board. Some seasonal contracts can last for a couple of months, while some can last only for a few weeks, as low as one week.  The position is ideal for college students, teachers, or anyone that enjoys working with kids and can commit to a seasonal contract.

My wife was once a seasonal youth staff for Celebrity Cruise Lines and they needed a seasonal youth staff only for one cruise, a 14-day cruise sailing out of Southampton, UK, and ending in Barcelona. They paid for all the flights and she got a nice two week-break to see the Mediterranean. 

What is the Maximum Age Limit to Work on a Cruise Ship?

There is no age limit to work on a cruise ship written anywhere, however, I haven’t seen many senior people in general working on ships as their first contract. Sure I have seen people around their 50s and 60s working onboard, one of my previous coworkers had just celebrated his 69th birthday onboard and he seems like not stopping anytime soon, but he has been working for a few years before I started. 

Depending on what position you’re applying for that won’t be a problem, but for positions that require a lot of energy or physical endurance, like cruise staff, waitstaff, Pool Attendant, deck crew, and laundry personnel just to name a few, you might want to think twice before applying to make sure you can handle the physical aspects of the job. You will have to complete a full medical exam to make sure you are ship shape and ready to go.

Want to know more about what’s required to work on a cruise ship? Please visit the post Requirements to Work on a Cruise Ship to learn more and get ready for an adventure at sea!

Want to Learn More About Cruise Ship life?

We have many more posts about ship life in general. Visit our Latest Posts page to learn more about what’s like working on a cruise ship.

Be the First to Know About New Posts!

We Live In The World Our Questions Create David Cooperrider

Liked what you saw? Please share the love! Share this content

• Opens in a new window X
• Opens in a new window Facebook
• Opens in a new window LinkedIn
• Opens in a new window Pinterest
• Opens in a new window Reddit
• Opens in a new window Tumblr
• Opens in a new window WhatsApp

You Might Also Like

Cruise Ship Jobs: Musician

A Day in The Life: Shore Excursion Staff (Job Description)

• Connect with Us
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter

FAQ About Working on a Cruise Ship

Q: What jobs are available working on a cruise ship?

A: Cruise ships offers a wide variety of employment opportunities. Some of the positions that are often available are: bartenders, shore excursion directors, retail clerks, youth coordinators, child care staff, musicians and entertainers, casino staff, cruise staff, restaurant staff and hosts, merchant marines , able seamen, engineers, to name a few.

To view a more complete list of cruise ship positions , follow the link!

Q: How much can I earn working a cruise ship job?

Monthly wages range from $1,500 to $8,000 or more.

Again it is important to remember that you have the opportunity to save most of the money you earn, unless you spend too much time in the bars, the casinos or spend too much when you are in port. Another perk is that some of the cruise ships even have bar allowances for their staff, so this will limit your bar expense.

Q: What are the ships like? Are there alternatives to working on one of those huge ships I've seen on TV?

A: Definitely! Ships come in different sizes and are built for a variety of purposes. Your experience as an employee will vary greatly depending on the size of ship and the employer's 'mission.' We profile:

• Jobs on Luxury Liners
• Small Ship Cruises
• River Cruises , and
• Harbor Cruises

Q: What are the living conditions like aboard a cruise ship at sea?

A: While it is true that accommodations are sometimes cramped, especially on smaller vessels, and you'll be sharing your cabin with little or no privacy, most find the experience similar to their fist year in college dorm, but without the homework. Usually staff have their own dining room, away from the passengers and on days off, employees can hang out by the pool, sunbathe, or use the spa. Some ships provide extra amenities for employees, such as televisions for each room, a special crew bar and lounge and special recreation lounges near the crew quarters.

Q: What are some of the places a person may get to see as an employee aboard one of the larger cruise lines?

A: The ports of call and sheer number of destinations reached by cruise lines today offer cruise employees an unparalleled opportunity for travel. For instance, last year a Princess Cruises cruise ship traveled from Acapulco, through the Panama Canal, around the Caribbean, across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Then headed down to North Africa, around the British Isles, through the Baltic Sea, and back across the Atlantic to New York.

Today, cruise ships are sailing all over the world, so you have the opportunity to visit a number of exciting destinations.

Q: How much time do you spend off the ship?

A: The amount of time you spend off the ship depends on three main factors 1.) The contract you hold with your employer and 2.) The amount of time your ship allows passengers to visit ports. 3.) Your position on the cruise ship. Crew members working in departments and positions that are slow or closed when a ship is in port, generally have more free time in each port.

When your ship stops at ports most crew members are allowed (and in most cases encouraged) to get off the ship and explore. Generally, crew members are allowed to be out in port until one hour prior to departure (of course, unless they are on duty).

Most cruise line contracts typically require a four to six month commitment for new employees. Some cruise lines allow you to take a limited amount of vacation time during a contract and other do not. If this is important to you, it should be discussed prior to accepting the position.

Q: Do I need to be an United States Citizen to use CruiseJobFinder or to get a job on a cruise ship?

A: JobSeekers from any nationality can use the employment resources on CruiseJobFinder. The website is written in English, so it is important that you are able to read English in able to get the most benefit out of a membership to CruiseJobFinder.

Most cruise ships are foreign flagged and do not need to operate under the strict US labor laws. So cruise lines are free to hire people from all over the world to fill their positions. Because the majority of cruise ship passengers speak English, cruise lines generally like to hire crew with a good command of the English language for positions that have a high degree of passenger contact. This would include cruise staff, casino staff, gift shop and other sales people, host, hostesses, disc jockeys, fitness instructors, lecturers, youth counselors, water sports instructors, photographers, art auctioneers, cosmetologist, hair stylists, massage therapist, doctors, nurses, purser department, and the bar department.

On most cruise lines, the crew can be very diverse with crew members from 25 or more different countries.

There are a handful of cruise ships that are flagged in the United States and hire almost all their crew from the United States. These cruise ship usually sail around Hawaii, Alaska, the Great Lakes or on US rivers. We cover all of the US flagged and foreign flagged cruise ships in the members section of CruiseJobFinder.

Q: If Hired, will the cruise line buy my uniforms?

A: It depends on the cruise line. Some companies will pay for crew member's uniforms and some will require their crew members to purchase their own uniforms. Almost all of the cruise lines require their crew members to purchase their own shoes that are in accordance with uniform regulations. Make sure you determine what the company policy is on uniforms prior to accepting a position.

Q: Are crew members allowed to use guest amenities?

A: Most of the cruise lines will allow their crew to use guest amenities on their time off. However, passengers always take priority when using the pool, gym etc. Most cruise will also offer their crew a mess or recreation area/ dining hall and in some cases a crew bar where drinks are sold considerable less than in passenger's bars.

Q: What happens if I decide to break my contract?

A: If you decide that cruise life is not for you and break your contract you will have to pay for all costs to get yourself home.

Q: What kind of training regarding safety and emergency protocol will I receive?

A: Crew members will be required to attend a safety course following embarkment on ship. Instruction on lifeboat/raft safety, fire drills and understanding of fire safe and watertight doors will be taught. You will encounter routine emergency drills throughout your employment on the ship.

Q: What happens if somehow I miss the ship when I am at port?

A: This is never a good idea and could result in a demotion or loss of job. Most companies require their crew to be on-board an hour prior to departure. Pay close attention to the sailing schedule and keep an eye on time. If you do however, for some good reason miss the ship your cruise line's agents will help you find the ship and board again. However, there may be some expense to you.

Q: Can I apply for a specific ship with a cruise line?

A: The best course of action is to apply to the various cruise companies of your choice. After you have made a strong impression on the company and they indicate they would like for you to work for them, politely request a ship you would like to work on.

Q: Can I work on the same cruise ship as my spouse or friend?

A: Yes, this may be possible. However, you don't want to make a whole bunch of requests before you are hired. We recommend that you and your spouse/friend each apply to the same set of companies. But you should each apply separately and then during to the mid to later stages of the interview process, you should let your recruiter/human resources representative know that your spouse/friend is also interested in working on the same ship. If a position is available that he/she is qualified for, many companies will try to make things work out.

Please note, that companies are more likely to accommodate married couples, but often they can help arrange it so you can work with a friend as well.

Q: Can I live with my spouse on the ship?

A: Yes, this is usually possible. It will be important to let the company know that you are on the ship with your husband/wife prior to making room assignments so the company has plenty of time to plan accordingly.

Q: How can I remain in contact with my world at home?

A: Many cruise ships do offer internet connections for laptop computers and also have a computer lounge for those without computers (however there may be a fee for both of these options). If the cost is more than you want to pay, it is common for crew members to visit one of the many internet cafes that are in each of the ports of call.

You may keep in touch with people from back home through e-mail, cellular phones, phone cards and mail. Mail goes to the company agents in various ports and is delivered to ships when they dock there and distributed on board. The internet offers many ways to stay connected with the world when you are away. Online banking, shopping and correspondence can keep your life up and running.

Q: I have never been at sea for very long, what happens if I get seasick?

A: Most cruise ships are large and seasickness is usually not a problem. There is some generic over the counter medicine that can help you with seasickness. Most people find that getting some fresh air on a deck that is in the middle of the ship and lower will be a little less rocky. Additionally, many find that their seasickness goes away after their body has had some time to adapt.

Q: The travel opportunities sound great, but what about people who are not comfortable being out at sea, especially for extended periods of time?

A: People who would rather stay on land can still take advantage of the lucrative travel industry for summer jobs or year-round jobs. There are over 300 land tour companies in North America (and many more in Europe and throughout the world) that hire tour guides and managers. These companies provide guided tours to all corners of the globe, offering excursions such as scenic bus trips, river rafting adventures, and trolley car tours.

• Search Thousands of Jobs
• Cruise Industry Career Tips and Proven Strategies to Get Hired!
• Create a Personal Profile
• Use our Advanced Job Search
• Accounting - Finance (233)
• Activities - Fitness (51)
• Administration - Clerical (54)
• Administration - Management (8)
• Advertising - Marketing - PR (121)
• Casino (13)
• Cruise Line - General (651)
• Culinary - Chef - Cook (1,118)
• Deck & Engine (8)
• Engineering (397)
• Entertainment (22)
• Food & Beverage - Restaurant (536)
• Front Desk - Concierge (1)
• Guest Services (147)
• Housekeeping (29)
• HR - Payroll - Training (115)
• IT - Internet (20)
• Landscaping - Grounds (6)
• Mechanic - Maintenance (341)
• Other (243)
• Procurement - Purchasing (28)
• Resort - General (274)
• Retail - Merchandising (24)
• Sales - Reservations (34)
• Salon - Spa (257)
• Security - Surveillance (81)
• Shore Excursion (2)
• Travel - Tourism (23)

World’s Coolest Travel Jobs: What It’s Like to Be a Cruise Ship Captain

We chat with the first american female captain of a megaship and learn how she started out, what it’s like to live on a cruise ship, and the most interesting day she’s ever had at sea..

• Copy Link copied

The “Celebrity Equinox” travels to Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.

Courtesy of Pixabay

In this series, we explore what it takes to land—and work—the world’s coolest travel jobs. Previous installments featured interviews with a hotel uniform designer , a social media influencer , and a traveling magician . Up next: a cruise ship captain.

Kate McCue was 12 years old when she took her first cruise. It was a four-day family vacation in the Bahamas on the Premier Cruise Line’s Atlantic . She discovered a schematic of the ship on board and was totally enchanted. She told her dad she wanted to be a cruise director when she grew up, and he told her she could do anything she wanted—including drive the thing. McCue went on to attend California Maritime Academy and worked for Royal Caribbean International for 12 years. At age 37, she became the first American woman to captain a megaship. In April, McCue picked up a new captaining gig on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox , a 2,850-passenger ship traveling to Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. We caught up with McCue to ask about her biggest career break in the cruise industry, the hidden perks of ship life, and the secret to a happy intercontinental marriage.

You just left Bar Harbor, Maine, and now you’re headed to Québec, which means I just called you in the middle of the ocean. How far in advance do you get your sailing schedule?

“Captains are assigned to a ship for about two years, then we’re up for rotation. This is so we can go through the fleet, sail on different vessels, and have different experiences. We know where the ship is going at least a year in advance, and our contracts are three months on board as captains and then three months of free time at home.”

Captain Kate McCue helms Celebrity Cruises’ “Celebrity Equinox,” a 2,850-passenger ship.

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

What do you do in your three months off? “I’m still trying to figure it out! When you’re working on the ship, you’re on 24/7. It doesn’t matter if it’s 2 in the morning, cruise ship staff members have to be available at every single moment. That’s why crew members get the vacation time we do. When I’m off the ship, it’s a little rough settling back into life on land. Things like making the bed, cooking the food, doing the dishes, and even making the coffee are taken care of for me on board. Fortunately, my husband does all the cooking at home—and the dishes, too.”

Let’s rewind the clock. What was your experience like at California Maritime Academy? Was the school fairly male-dominated at the time?

“Oh, yes. My graduating class had 68 people and only eight of us were female. I felt a little duped because my dad always wanted to go to sea. He entered the Peace Corps and when he came back, he applied to Cal Maritime but was told he was too old to attend. It always stayed in the back of his brain, so when it was time for me to choose a college, he suggested Cal Maritime. He told me I’d get to go on a cruise every year, but what he actually meant was that I’d stand on deck in the pouring rain, learning how to chip and paint. [ Laughs ] That said, it was the best four years of my life. Everybody looked after each other, which set the groundwork for how it feels when you work on a cruise ship. Celebrity Summit, for example, has 66 different nationalities on board. We’re all a minority of some sort—whether it’s race, religion, cultural background, or sexual orientation—but the crew is one big family.”

What kind of jobs do you do on ships when you’re first starting out?

“When you first start out, your kind of a gofer. You’re on watch with an officer on watch, who teaches you how to put positions down, how to stand and watch, how to paint, and how to do the maintenance of the deck. My second year, I stood watch with a fully licensed officer on a banana boat that went from Ecuador to Long Beach. I assisted on the bridge and learned how port operations worked, from loading the bananas to securing the cargo holds. The third year I went to sea, I was the officer in charge of a watch—standing on the bridge, doing the navigating and the positions and the safety equipment checks, everything.”

“I completely geek out when wildlife comes around—if it’s dolphins or whales, I’m the one screaming from the top of the deck!”

When you say “standing watch,” what are you watching for?

“Anything. Nowadays we have electronics that help us steer the ship, but since the captain can’t be up there 24 hours a day, the officer on watch makes sure all the navigation equipment is working and that we’re on track for where we are intending to go. If we receive a distress message, we monitor the radios to make sure communication is received and assistance is rendered. I like to look out for whales, too. I completely geek out when wildlife comes around—if it’s dolphins or whales, I’m the one screaming from the top of the deck!”

Looking at your career to date, what do you consider your first big break?

“When I joined Royal Caribbean, I came in as a second officer and worked with a female first officer. After my first contract ended, she wrote this amazing letter to the captain recommending me for a promotion. The captain took it to heart and I was promoted to first officer for my next contract. That was a big break. And then, of course, when I got promoted to the captain position—that’s the biggest break of all!”

Tell me about it. Did you know it was coming?

“I had no idea! I was actually asleep when my husband woke me up and said there was an email from Celebrity, the sister brand of Royal Caribbean. The letter was so incredible. It came before Father’s Day, so I asked if I could tell my mom and dad before the promotion was announced publicly. I printed out the letter and gave it to my dad for Father’s Day. When he got to the part about the promotion, he looked up at me, he looked down at the letter, he looked back up at me, and then he just started sobbing! ‘ Captain?!’ When you work hard for 19 years and it pays off, it’s like an out-of-body experience.”

What are the personality characteristics of a great captain?

“The navigation, the maneuverability of the ship—those are things you can learn. But you have to be able to listen to people and you have to be empathetic. Where a situation may seem black or white, you have to be able to see gray and find workarounds.”

Managing such a large and diverse team must be the hardest part of your job. You have the engineers in the boiler room, housekeepers, chefs, activity directors . . .

“I actually think the hardest part of the job is also the most exciting: Every day is different. Tomorrow we’re in a different place, with different people, and even different weather. Constant change keeps you on your toes. Three months sounds exhausting, but I find it exhilarating. And if I’m ever feeling tired, I’ll talk to our guests. I feed off their energy.”

It seems like it’d be impossible to be bored.

“Oh, yeah! ‘Bored’ is not a word we use on board the ship. [ Laughs ] Bored on board . . . nice one! But even when we’re in port, I love doing the city tours.”

Speaking of port stops, do you have any strategies for tackling a new destination in such a short window of time?

“I usually go through our shore excursions department and destination concierge. They know everything about every port: what to do, where to go, what to see. In Portland, Maine, for example, we went to the lighthouses, Kennebunkport, and downtown Portland. We got our lobster rolls and our fried clams. It was the whole Portland mashup in six hours!”

“Tomorrow we’re in a different place, with different people, and different weather. Constant change keeps you on your toes.”

What are your accommodations like on board? Have they changed a lot over the years?

“When I first started as a cadet on the training ship, we had 18 bunks in the same room and we all shared a bathroom. When I was working on the banana boat, I had my own cabin with a bed, a little workstation, and a bathroom. Now, as captain, I’ve got a bedroom, an office, a living room, a dining room, three bathrooms, a spare room, a laundry, and pantry . . . I’ve even got a toaster!”

When passengers see you in a restaurant or other public space, what do they ask you?

“How I got into this, how I got started. They want to know about challenges of working on a cruise ship. They also want to know about my husband: Where is he? What does he do? How often do you see each other? Do you have kids?”

Do you think guests ask about your husband because they’re trying to reconcile how you balance such a busy life at sea with a personal life at home?

“Yes. But times have changed. When I first started sailing, we were sending telex messages at $7 per word. Now I see my husband twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening, thanks to Skype and Messenger. So the distance is still there, but the relationship doesn’t have to suffer. I like to think that the secret to a happy marriage is 12 time zones. It feels like a honeymoon when we finally go on vacation together!”

OK, last question and it’s an easy one: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to learn you pack?

“Uh, my cat?”

[ Laughs ] Other than the cat, which I grant you is unusual.

“Other than the cat and the cat’s wardrobe, my Louboutins go with me on every ship. I say that we should make ’em part of the official Celebrity uniform, but I’m not winning that battle.”

Captain Kate is on Instagram! Track her high-seas adventures by following @captainkatemccue .

>>Next: What It’s Really Like to Be a Social Media Influencer

Cruise Ship Life

All about cruise ships

How Much Do Cruise Ship Captains Make? (2023 Salary Insights)

Introduction.

Ever pondered over a cruise ship captain’s annual salary? Several factors, including experience, vessel size, and prestige, influence these figures.

Average Cruise Ship Captain Salary

• Estimations: Cruise captains earn around $96,000 annually, varying between $50,000 for new positions to over $200,000 for seasoned professionals.
• Data from Comparably and Payscale: Aligning at $93,328 and $96,347 per year, respectively. The salary range spans from $48,000 to $190,000.
• Experience-Based Earnings: Captains with over 10 years’ experience earn about $98,000, while those with under 10 years make $70,000 to $77,000 yearly.

Monthly Income Breakdown

• $93,328 annually equates to a monthly average of $7,777.33.
• Higher annual salaries translate to:
• $125,000/year = $10,416/month
• $150,000/year = $12,500/month
• $175,000/year = $14,583/month
• $200,000/year = $16,666/month

Factors Influencing Cruise Captain Pay

• Experience: More years as a captain result in higher pay.
• Vessel Size and Prestige: Larger or specialized vessels equate to higher salaries.
• Company Size: Larger companies generally offer higher pay but smaller ones might negotiate additional benefits.
• Location: Captains in regions with higher living costs earn more.

Additional Perks

• Besides salary, captains enjoy perks like luxury accommodations, free meals, onboard facilities usage, free flights, paid holidays, and health plans.

Cruise Ship Captain Responsibilities

• Navigating the Ship: Charting courses, managing speed, and ensuring safe passage.
• Safety and Security: Compliance with maritime regulations, overseeing safety equipment, and handling emergencies.
• Ship Maintenance: Supervising engineering operations and ensuring seaworthiness.
• Customs and Immigration Compliance: Ensuring the ship adheres to international laws at ports.
• Security Measures: Overseeing onboard security against potential threats.
• Emergency Response: Coordinating responses to emergencies and ensuring passenger safety.
• Crew Management: Handling crew issues and overseeing department heads.
• Social Engagements: Attending and sometimes speaking at onboard events.
• Officiating Ceremonies: Conducting weddings held on the ship.

Becoming a Cruise Ship Captain

• A master’s degree in maritime studies and 10-15 years’ ocean vessel experience are requisites.
• Essential skills include leadership, communication, and crisis management.

Myth and Reality: A Captain’s Duty in Disasters

• Despite legends, captains are legally bound to ensure passenger and crew safety before their own.

Can Women Be Cruise Captains?

• Few females hold this role, with Captain Kate McCue being a notable figure.
• Her salary is likely around $150,000 to $190,000, notably due to her role and social media presence.

Being a cruise ship captain demands immense responsibility, with duties spanning safety, navigation, crew management, and compliance with international laws.

here are some FAQs regarding cruise ship captains and their salaries:

• Experience, vessel size, company size, and geographic location are crucial factors. More experienced captains on larger or specialized vessels in high-cost living areas tend to earn higher salaries.
• Yes, captains often enjoy perks like luxury accommodations, free meals, access to onboard facilities, free flights, paid holidays, and comprehensive health plans.
• A captain’s duties encompass navigation, ensuring safety and security, overseeing ship maintenance, compliance with customs and immigration laws, managing the crew, handling emergencies, attending social events, and even officiating onboard ceremonies.
• Aspiring captains typically need a master’s degree in maritime studies along with 10 to 15 years of experience working on ocean vessels. Essential skills include leadership, communication, and crisis management.
• Yes, captains are on call round the clock, ready to handle emergencies or problems as they arise. They typically work in rotations, spending 8 to 10 weeks on the ship followed by an equivalent time off.
• Yes, although the number of female cruise ship captains is limited. Captain Kate McCue is a prominent example, being the first American woman to captain a mega cruise ship.
• In the event of a disaster, it is the captain’s legal duty to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew before prioritizing their own evacuation.
• Estimates suggest that captains of the world’s largest cruise ships could earn annual salaries ranging between $170,000 to $200,000.
• Yes, salaries can vary based on the cruise line’s size and the scale of their operations. Larger companies often offer higher salaries, but smaller ones may negotiate additional perks or profit shares.
• Apart from steering the ship, captains often officiate weddings held onboard, attend social events, manage emergencies, and oversee the ship’s compliance with international laws at various ports

Related Post

Can You Bring Weed on a Cruise? Understanding Cruise Line Policies and Risks

Similar Posts

Quaint Traditions Lost at Sea: Farewell to Unique Cruise Ship Experiences

Introduction: Cruise travel has evolved significantly over time, ushering in an era of grandeur and accessibility while bidding adieu to some cherished shipboard traditions. As the industry modernizes, certain nostalgic elements fade away, leaving seasoned cruisers with memories of bygone delights. Highlights of Lost Traditions: Skeet-Shooting with a Bridge Officer: Once a thrilling onboard activity,…

Cruise Passengers Stranded In Mexico

Creation: The attraction of sailing regularly lies in the promise of picturesque destinations, relaxation, and journey on the excessive seas. however, as with every shape of journey, surprising challenges can flip a dream holiday right into a nightmare. In recent occasions, cruise passengers located themselves in an unlucky state of affairs even as stranded in…

The three-year cruise is canceled

Introduction The anticipation of embarking on a three-year global odyssey aboard the Life at Sea Cruise turned from excitement to despair, as passengers found themselves entangled in a tumultuous journey that shattered their dreams. Promising an unparalleled experience of traversing the world’s waters, the cruise’s tale unraveled into a narrative of setbacks and dashed hopes….

Cruise Tragedy: Missing Passenger’s Family in Anguish Amid Discrepancies

A somber cloud looms over the Carnival Glory cruise ship as the search continues for 28-year-old Tyler Barnett, who went missing under mysterious circumstances during the voyage. The unfolding tragedy has left his family grappling with uncertainty and heartache. Discovering Disappearance The news of Barnett’s disappearance hit his family like a sudden storm, but the…

P&O Cruises and Cunard Under Fire for Threatening UK Staff with Salary Cuts and Job Dismissals

Introduction: P&O Cruises and Cunard, renowned names in the cruise industry, have drawn sharp criticism after revealing plans to potentially dismiss over 900 UK-based staff members. The threat looms unless the employees agree to substantial salary reductions and alterations in their working arrangements. Situation Overview: The affected workforce, encompassing officers aboard the prestigious Queen Mary…

All About Carnival Cruise Line & Destinations And Departure All Cruise Ships

Carnival Cruise Lines was founded by Ted Allison in 1972 and began with one ship, Mardi Gras. Since then, the company has grown significantly and now operates a large fleet of cruise ships. Fleet: Carnival Cruise Line has a diverse fleet of ships that vary in size and amenities. Their ships are known for their…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

What are cruise ship pilots, and what do they do?

MSN has partnered with The Points Guy for our coverage of credit card products. MSN and The Points Guy may receive a commission from card issuers.

If you’ve sailed on a cruise ship of any size, you’ve probably seen pilot boats pull alongside the vessel, and you might have watched curiously as one or two people climbed onto the ship via a rope ladder. Have you ever wondered who these people are and what they do once they’re on board?

They are marine or ship pilots, experts on the waterways and ports you are entering or leaving. They come aboard to safely guide your cruise ship into and out of the harbor.

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

To learn more, TPG chatted with two experts in the industry. Clayton L. “Clay” Diamond is the executive director-general counsel of the American Pilots’ Association, whose pilots are responsible for handling over 90% of the larger ocean vessels (cruise ships and cargo vessels) in international waters. We also spoke with Edouard Petitson, Norwegian Cruise Line’s port captain director. Based at Norwegian’s Miami headquarters, Petitson is responsible for many port-related matters, including pilotage.

Diamond and Petitson gave us the inside scoop on what happens once a cruise ship pilot is on board and how they interact with the captain and crew to help them safely navigate the ship into or out of port.

What does a cruise ship pilot do?

In ports in the U.S. and around the world, a pilot boards the ship 10 to 20 miles offshore via a pilot boat, which can be anywhere from 65 to 100 feet long. While on board, the pilot gives orders to the captain or helmsman regarding the best way to steer the ship to navigate the offshore channels and waterways until the cruise ship docks.

Marine pilots also pilot vessels from the dock to a “pilot boarding area,” where they transfer to the pilot boat. The pilotage can be as short as two to three hours or as long as eight to 10 hours.

Alaska has a different situation since cruise ships sail so close to the shoreline and icebergs during nearly all their transit. Vessels sailing in these waters will typically be under pilotage the entire time by using two pilots. This type of piloting arrangement is typical in places like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve .

What qualifies a pilot over the ship’s captain to direct a ship into port?

“Marine pilots are the most highly trained mariners in the world,” says Diamond.

After many years of working in the maritime industry as a pilot apprentice and training in the waterways where they work, they are experts in their ports. Ship pilots must be able to chart the pilotage ground from memory, including the channel, landmarks, docks, buoys and any hazards to navigation.

“A pilot also has comprehensive knowledge of the local environments such as the hydrographic, wind and currents and tidal conditions,” Petitson adds.

Ship captains who sail into different ports around the world do not have the comprehensive knowledge and training that marine pilots do in one specific port. Essentially, marine pilots are maritime specialists in their port of expertise.

Related: How is cruise ship speed measured, and how fast is a knot in miles per hour?

Does every port have a pilot?

There are only a handful of ports in the world where pilotage isn’t mandatory. In Miami and all U.S. ports, pilotage is compulsory and provided by local pilots for all inbound and outbound ships.

A state regulatory board oversees the number of pilots needed in each port. The board determines the number based on the port’s shipping and cruise traffic. The goal is to have enough pilots working to avoid delays.

What happens in foreign ports? Do all pilots have to speak English?

All pilots around the world are required to speak English.

“In certain destinations where English is not the primary language,” Petitson explains, “the pilot can communicate in their native language with other ships in the channel, traffic control and other pilots to eliminate possible misunderstanding, especially in an emergency situation.”

Related: Boat vs. ship: What’s the difference? The annoying mistake some cruisers keep making

If the pilot and captain disagree, who has the final say?

The captain is always in charge of the vessel and the safety of the crew and passengers as the cruise ship is navigated into or out of port. If a disagreement arises, the captain will take over navigation until the situation is resolved.

Is the job dangerous?

If you’ve watched videos of pilots boarding ships by ladder, or have seen them jump from a moving ship to a pilot boat alongside, you’ve probably wondered how safe the process is.

Diamond tells us that the ladder has been deemed the safest way to board and disembark ships. The American Pilots’ Association focuses on safety and routinely works with the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization to improve and enhance the regulations for the ladders and pilot transfers. However, eight marine pilots have been killed since 2006.

Related: Are cruises safe? Here’s what you need to know about cruise ship security and safety

How do you become a cruise ship pilot?

Individuals interested in becoming a ship pilot, or a pilot candidate, typically attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, or one of the six state maritime academies in the U.S. After completing the program, a pilot candidate will spend anywhere from eight to 14 years on ships to gain firsthand experience at sea.

Once they have earned their master’s credential, they can “master” a ship or become a captain. It’s usually during this time when a candidate enters a pilot apprenticeship program, which can take up to seven years to complete. Becoming fully licensed, where an individual can pilot the world’s largest ships, can take an additional four to five years.

Are there many female marine pilots?

No. The number of female pilots with an unlimited tonnage master’s credential is .01% overall. The number of female pilots in the APA is 4%-5%. Diamond tells us that the number is considerably better than what you’ll find in most other countries, but the APA would like it to be higher.

Bottom line

When you see that small pilot boat pull next to one of those giant cruise ships, you now know that the person coming on board to guide that ship safely into port has spent decades in education and training — and most of their career has been spent learning to expertly navigate one specific port. You can feel safer knowing that your captain can rely on a local expert to help guide the ship into or out of port.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

I worked on cruises for 3 years. Here are 6 things I'd never do on board.

• I used to work on cruises. After many days at sea, there are things I'd never do on a cruise .
• I never wear my room key around my neck and try to avoid misnaming the ship.
• I never buy the drink package or pay for meal upgrades in the main dining room.

I've sailed around the world as a cruise-ship employee , and now I enjoy cruising as a passenger.

I love the salty sea air, waking up in a new country, and lazy days by the pool, but a week at sea could get more complicated this year with cruises predicted to be in high demand .

While fighting a little harder to secure a prime seat on the pool deck, you may as well also avoid some rookie mistakes.

Here are six things I'd never do on a cruise after working on them for three years.

Pay for upgrades in the main dining room

Typically, main dining room meals are included in the cost of a cruise. But in recent years, it's become common for cruise lines to charge guests extra if they want to upgrade to "supplementary" items like lobster or certain steaks.

I know $12 may not seem like much for a steak or lobster tail at dinner, but the cost of the cruise is supposed to include your food.

So, even though I enjoy lobster, I stick with the items without the upcharges.

Buy the drink package

I enjoy a piña colada by the pool or a Manhattan while listening to a jazz set after dinner. Even so, it doesn't make sense for me to pay in advance for 12 to 15 cocktails a day.

I've done the math on typical unlimited drink packages , and the cost simply isn't worth it for me.

This is especially true with a port-heavy itinerary. If I've gone ashore to explore all day, that means I'm not sidled up to the bar slurping down alcoholic slushies.

Related stories

I prefer to buy as I go and take advantage of happy hour and other drink specials that are available on certain cruise lines. I also check the beverage policy in advance and bring on my own wine, if allowed.

Touch shared contact surfaces with my fingers

Fellow guests will never see me touching the elevator buttons with my fingertips. Knuckles and elbows do the trick.

Some cruise lines are better than others at wiping down commonly touched surfaces, but I don't take any chances. I avoid touching things others frequently touch, and I wash my hands frequently.

This strategy has worked for me, as I have never contracted norovirus, even when it was running rampant on a ship I was on. It's quite contagious and can linger on your fingertips even after using hand sanitizer . I'd definitely rather be safe than sorry.

Wear my room key around my neck

I never walk around the ship with my room key around my neck, and I especially never do this when on land.

There are two reasons for this. First, I see many passengers using the room keys dangling from their necks to flaunt their cruise loyalty status . It just looks pretentious.

The sophisticated cruisers with the highest status, with the most days at sea, never show off their fancy room keys.

That's because they know the more important reason — safety. In port, that room key bouncing off your chest looks like an invitation to be robbed. It screams, "I have money! Come and take it from me."

Misname the ship

English is a funny language that has its quirks. Naming conventions make that even more complicated.

Ships have proper names, and so do not require a definite article. For example, "Tomorrow I am embarking on Discovery Princess," or "I enjoyed scenic cruising on MS Westerdam."

If you want to look like a savvy sailor, learn to drop the "the!"

Plan my port-day itinerary so tight that I may not make it back to the ship on time

Oh, the recurring nightmares I've had about not making it back to the ship on time during a port day.

I've never missed a sail away, but I have cut it too close at times and have had to run down a pier or two. Just recently, as a passenger, my taxi driver got lost returning our group to the port at night.

When I realized how late we were going to be, I forked over $8 per minute to be connected with the ship. I pleaded with them to wait for us. It was a sprint through the port to get back on and we received quite a scolding from the first officer.

That time, we got lucky. In the future, I'll be giving myself more time than I think I need to make it back.

Watch: Why it costs $1 million a day to run one of the world's biggest cruise ships

• Main content