By Barbara Bean-Mellinger Updated June 29, 2018
Working on a cruise ship can be grueling, with long shifts and little time off. For most crew members, salaries are low. Yet many people spend years working on cruise ships for the unique benefits the lifestyle provides. If they decide to work on land again at some point, they have resumes full of unusual experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
Travel the World
One of the main reasons people choose to work on cruise ships is the chance to travel to many places they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. Since they live on the ship, they receive room and board as part of their compensation. They travel the world without paying for expensive hotels and food. Employees typically sign contracts to work on a ship for six to nine months. Although they don't receive a lot of time off per week, they do have the chance to explore the ports where the ship docks. At the end of their contracts, they can sign on to another ship going to new destinations.
Save Money
Cruise crew members' salaries are low partly because they receive food and a place to live. Jobs that involve customer service, such as room stewards and dining table waiters, are highly dependent on tips. Ship workers find they don't need to spend a lot of money, though, and are able to save money or send it home to support their families. Crew members say that after some initial splurging, they spend very little in ports because they go to them so often. Ships host crew parties on a regular basis, too, covering part of what they'd spend on entertainment.
International Friendships
Many crew members say the friends they make from all over the world are the best part of working on a cruise ship. Most live in two-person rooms and get to know their roommates well. This naturally includes learning about their countries, cultures and beliefs. Working in close quarters on long shifts and going ashore together during time off, they get to know other crew members well too – experiences they wouldn't have if they only visited a country for a week at a time.
Great Food
Crew members eat some of the same food as the passengers, but their cooks also prepare food that's common in employees' home countries. Most consider the food to be very good. Rules usually forbid eating with passengers or in passenger restaurants, but food in the crew quarters is of the same quality and just as plentiful. Staff members – different from the crew and including the captain, the captain's staff, hotel employees, entertainers and retail store workers – have a separate dining room and can sometimes eat in passenger areas as well.
Good Weather
With the exception of Alaskan cruises, most cruise ships travel to places where the weather is pleasant year-round –warm-weather locales like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico and Hawaii – and the scenery is beautiful. Employees choose the cruise they sign on to, so if weather's important to them, they can choose a cruise that matches their ideal climate.
FAQs
What are the top 10 reasons to cruise? ›
- Choose to cruise for VALUE. ...
- Choose to cruise for ROMANCE. ...
- Choose to cruise for CUISINE. ...
- Choose to cruise for VARIETY. ...
- Choose to cruise for ACTIVITIES. ...
- Choose to cruise for SIMPLICITY. ...
- Choose to cruise for NEW HORIZONS. ...
- Choose to cruise for FAMILY.
- To earn Money, So that you can support your family.
- To improve your skills and Knowledge.
- To Earn money and At the same time, you can roam/travel around the world.
- I have my own reason.
- Team work. Hundreds of people work on board a cruise ship at any given time. ...
- Perseverance. Persistence can help a great deal in learning skills on board. ...
- Attention to detail. ...
- Adaptability & flexibility. ...
- Patience. ...
- Time management.
One of the main reasons people choose to work on cruise ships is the chance to travel to many places they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. Since they live on the ship, they receive room and board as part of their compensation. They travel the world without paying for expensive hotels and food.
Why do you want to work in the shipping industry? ›The shipping industry plays a vital role in international trade and in the economic progress of most countries. Because of its international involvement and operations it is different in many respects from other industries. Because of this it offers interesting and diverse career opportunities.
What was the most important reason why you want to try out cruising? ›On a cruise, you can see the world, unwind completely, experience diverse cultures, dance the night away, feast on fabulous cuisine, learn new skills, make new friends and bond with your family. The possibilities are endless, and the benefits are plentiful…
What are some positive and negative things about cruising? ›Positive | Negative |
---|---|
Unpack less often | Don't get to experience the local hotels/hostels |
See multiple locations and ports | Limited time in each local |
Lots included in the price | Anything not included is expensive |
Activities and lots of company | Can be loud and busy |
- Big Groups. Cruising works very well for large groups. ...
- Busy Parents. ...
- Little Explorers. ...
- Active Travelers. ...
- Lifelong Learners. ...
- People Who Hate to Fly. ...
- Kids of Different Ages. ...
- Groups with Budget Variety.
A feeling of belonging and the building of relationships were found to be significant motivations to cruise (Hung & Petrick, 2011; Jones, 2011) due, arguably, to a reduced sense of anxiety. Indeed, the cruisers' experiences of community and their sense of belonging echoed the communitas posited by Maffesoli (1996). ...
What are the 8 important job seeker qualities? ›...
8 Essential Skills for Career Success
- Self-Regulation. ...
- Growth Mindset. ...
- Resilience. ...
- Passion. ...
- Empathy. ...
- Conscientiousness. ...
- Openness to Experience. ...
- Social Skills.
Why are you interested in this position? ›
“Why are you interested in this position?” asks you to describe your existing skills, what you value in the company, and your knowledge about the company and its goals as they relate to this specific role.
Why should we hire you example? ›For starters, I have all the skills and experience listed in the job description, and I'm confident that I can make an immediate impact on your company. It's not just my background in leading successful projects for Fortune 500 companies, but also my passion for the industry that drives me to succeed.
How do I pass a cruise interview? ›- Be ready for a virtual interview. ...
- Read through your CV. ...
- Brush up on your knowledge. ...
- Do some self-reflection. ...
- Research the cruise line. ...
- Dress appropriately. ...
- Demonstrate your enthusiasm and energy. ...
- Prepare for common questions.
2. Why should we hire you? You should hire me because I strongly believe that I am competent graduate of __________ and I am very confident with my skill and knowledge for my apprenticeship training. I also have the necessary training certificates and documents that are required for my Cadetship.
What are 10 most common interview questions and answers? ›- Tell me about yourself.
- What attracted you to our company?
- Tell me about your strengths.
- What are your weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Tell me about a time where you encountered a business challenge?
Carnival offers many opportunities such as traveling to exotic locations, building meaningful friendships with diverse colleagues, and gaining valuable professional skills in a world-class environment. Carnival is rated number five in best employee pay two years in a row.
How much do cruises pay employees? ›FAQ on Cruise Staff Salary
A cruise ship crew member for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian Cruise Line can earn an annual average between $16,000 to $20,000. For leadership staff onboard cruise ships, the annual salary can be much higher from $30,000 to $100,000.
As of Dec 15, 2022, the average annual pay for a Cruise Ship Worker in the United States is $48,891 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.51 an hour. This is the equivalent of $940/week or $4,074/month.
Why cruise ship workers make the best employees? ›They know that the more skills they learn and apply, the better they will do their job. That is why most cruise lines employ permanent trainers and human resource managers on their ships and spend money to continually develop training programs for all employees on board.
What are some unique cruising opportunities? ›- The Best Unique Cruises.
- Antarctica Expedition.
- Amazon River Cruise.
- South Pacific Cruise.
- Ha Long Bay Cruise.
- Alaskan UnCruise.
- Nile River Cruise.
- Three Gorges, China.
What is the most important part of a cruise ship? ›
1. Dining is the Best Predictor of a Positive Review: No matter how we ran the numbers, dining always comes out strongly on top. It makes sense when you think about it: if the entertainment on your cruise is boring, don't go. If that one bar has a rude server, try a different bar.
What do I need to know about cruising 2022? ›- 8 Tips For Preparing to Cruise in 2022. By Orlando Martinez. ...
- Know the cancellation policies before you book. ...
- Buy travel insurance. ...
- Plan to get a COVID-19 test before your cruise. ...
- Begin the check-in process for your cruise ASAP. ...
- Stay informed. ...
- Boost your family's health. ...
- Bring whatever you need to feel safe and healthy.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Walk me through your resume.
- How did you hear about this position?
- Why do you want to work at this company?
- Why do you want this job?
- Why should we hire you?
- What can you bring to the company?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- Present: Talk a little bit about what your current role is, the scope of it, and perhaps a big recent accomplishment.
- Past: Tell the interviewer how you got there and/or mention previous experience that's relevant to the job and company you're applying for.
It's a common misconception that life as a cruise ship worker is just one big holiday. Regardless of the role employees take, they can expect to work hard. Crew members work every day of their contract, taking time off in hours rather than in full days.
How much do cruise ship workers make an hour? ›How much does a Hourly Cruise Ship Worker make? As of Dec 30, 2022, the average hourly pay for a Hourly Cruise Ship Worker in the United States is $23.11 an hour.
Do cruise ships leave you behind? ›A cruise ship will leave passengers behind on shore if they arrive back at the ship too late. But ship staff have procedures in place to help you out.
What is cruise slang for? ›[ I or T ] slang. to go around public places looking for someone to have sex with: He spends the weekends cruising bars.
What are cruise workers called? ›Commonly Available Positions on Cruise Ships:
Deck Crew. Cruise Directors. Disc Jockeys. Expedition Leaders.
- Job positon: Lawnkeeper Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises.
- Job Position: Ice captain Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International.
- Job Position: Dog Butler Cruise Line: Cunard Line.
- Job Position: Brewmaster Cruise Line: AIDA.
- Job Position: High Diver Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean.
What are four basic travel motivations? ›
The table shows that there are four main motives which arise whatever the travel experience; Novelty Seeking, Escapism/Relaxation, Relationships and Self Development.
What are visitor motivations? ›The study discovered that first-time visitor motivations were composed of four factors: “relaxation and rest”, “novelty”, “self-exploration”, and “accessibility”.
What are your 3 ideal job qualities? ›- Leadership. Even in entry-level positions, most employers look for evidence of leadership qualities. ...
- Teamwork. ...
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills. ...
- Analytical Skills. ...
- Dependability and a Strong Work Ethic. ...
- Maturity and a Professional Attitude. ...
- Adaptability and Flexibility. ...
- Good Personality.
- Livable wages. ...
- Mobility and growth opportunities within the company. ...
- Workplace flexibility and schedule control. ...
- Benefits. ...
- Working conditions and safety.
- your enthusiasm for the profession and the employer and your desire to make your mark.
- your personal qualities, such as your drive and willingness to learn.
- the skills the employer seeks and how you have demonstrated them in the past – your answer should show why you would be competent in the job.
- Talk about your priorities and preferences – identify three key things you really like about the role.
- Discuss areas of the role in which you excel and support those with examples using the STAR technique. ...
- Mention the opportunities the role offers to further develop special knowledge or skills.
Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, which are used for transport, cruise ships typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports-of-call, where passengers may go on tours known as "shore excursions".
Why cruising is the best way to travel? ›Ultimately, cruises are great for enjoying a varied, fulfilling experience. They give you a chance to explore the world in more depth but without committing to a sole location – perfect if you want to travel but without the worry of organising your trip or the stress of train and bus travel between locations.
What are the questions asked in an interview of cruise ship? ›Common interview questions might include 'Can you tell us a bit about yourself? ' or 'Why do you want this job? ' Meanwhile, job-specific questions could include: 'What skills can you bring to this cruise line?
How long are cruise workers away for? ›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.
Do cruises drug test? ›
Does American Cruise Lines have a drug test policy? Yes. Random drug screens. Are you watched during the drug test?
Which cruise line is best for employees? ›- Carnival Cruise Line Jobs.
- Norwegian Cruise Line Jobs.
- Holland America Jobs.
- Costa Cruises Jobs.
- Cunard Line Jobs.
- P&O Cruises Jobs.
- Disney Cruise Line Jobs.
- Royal Caribbean Jobs.
- Stress-Free Planning Means I Want to Take a Cruise. ...
- Enjoy Multiple Destinations While Only Unpacking Once. ...
- Health Benefits of Taking a Vacation. ...
- Great Value Cruises. ...
- Cruise Fun for Everyone with Plenty of Onboard Options. ...
- So Many Choices Leads to Choosing Cruising.
For travelers who want to see the world without compromising on accommodations, today's cruise ships offer the best of both worlds: transportation, adventure, and ever changing views, plus cosseting and comfort via private balconies, fluffy bedding, butler service, gourmet restaurants, and ethereal spas.