People go on a cruise because they want to have a good time. But how much of a good time are they having – and are they enjoying the crew’s company a little too much at the same time?
A lot of cruise lines talk about how the crew are there to take care of anything a passenger needs, but that doesn’t mean they take care of ‘those needs’, does it?
Don’t expect it to be rampant…
Cruise ship workers are not supposed to hook up with passengers, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. It is rare though – most crew follow the rules because they know they’ll lose their job if they’re caught.
You won’t be surprised to hear that cruise lines ban crew from having sex with passengers. It’s basic standards of professionalism really.
However, the question isn’t “are crew allowed to hook up with passengers?” – it’s whether or not they do it anyway.
And yes, some do.
Indeed one former cruise ship officer named Jay Herring, who used to work for Carnival Cruise Lines, has written a book called “The Truth About Cruise Ships” in which he gives details about the escapades (sexcapades?) of the crew with passengers.
Not only does he describe how it did happen, but that it happened enough to be given a nickname – “coning”, with the passengers referred to as cones.
In his book, he describes how the nickname either came from how passengers looked like neon traffic cones during boat drills, or how the passengers would eat everything in sight on a ship, just like the aliens in the 1993 film Coneheads.
Others online have spoken about it too, both former crew and passengers. A former photographer on a cruise ship explains how the rules have been in place for a long time, but they weren’t quite as strict:
One element remains consistent – when crew do sleep with passengers, it doesn’t happen in the stateroom, but instead happens either in a public area of the ship away from cameras, or in the crew quarters.
The fact that there is a nickname for the act of sleeping with passengers, and detailed plans that entail giving the passenger fake crew details, show that this isn’t something which only happens once in a blue moon.
That being said, guests shouldn’t expect to be able to proposition a crew member and be accepted. Most crew value their jobs and will turn down any advances for fear of being caught.
The repercussions (for crew) are severe!
Crew members who are caught having sex with guests, or even fraternising with them in other ways such as kissing, will almost always be fired. For that reason, most crew follow the rules.
Cruise lines draw a very hard line against this kind of fraternising, and with good reason. So crew should expect to be fired very quickly if they are caught sleeping with a passenger.
That being said, Jay Herring does admit in his book that it would not always result in the termination of the crew’s contract.
He says “Getting caught did not guarantee that a crew member would get fired. There was a shade of grey, and politics governed such situations. A crew-ranked crew member was more likely to get fired than an officer. A male crew member might be more likely to get fired than a female crew member.
“If a passenger filed an official complaint, then it usually didn’t matter who it was because he or she would probably get fired, but otherwise it was at the direction of those who enforced the rules.
It’s worth bearing in mind that Herring’s book was written in 2011 and was about his past experiences, so these stories may not have even been recent then. And even in the past 20 years, cruise lines have really tightened up on the rules.
There’s another reason why crew don’t tend to sleep with passengers often too:
“Mostly because there are plenty of crew members on board who are open to casual relationships. Little to no risk of getting fired there.”
There are plenty of stories online from past (and some current) cruise ship crew that talk about how prevalent sex is with other crew members – and so there’s not really a need for the crew to pursue passengers.
Because everyone lives in such close quarters, the crew often get it on with each other instead, and they can’t get fired for that (provided they do it when they aren’t on shift and in their own cabins).
Reasons why crew are banned from fraternising with guests
The obvious reason why the crew are banned from fraternising with guests is that it’s unprofessional.
Cruise lines want to provide guests with a relaxing holiday that feels safe – and if crew were suddenly allowed to flirt with guests and perhaps take things further, it might please some passengers but most would be uncomfortable.
However, there’s another reason too. There was a trend of honey trapping – where guests would invite crew to have sex with them, and then falsely accuse them of sexual harassment in order to open up a lawsuit against the cruise line and potentially win huge settlements.
So it’s even more understandable why cruise lines ban crew from hooking up with guests – it’s to protect their own interests.
Final word
Yes, there are some incidents of cruise ship crew hooking up with passengers, but it’s extremely rare due to the severe consequences if the crew are caught.
So that’s good news if you want to avoid unwanted attention from crew during your cruise. And if you were hoping for a crew hookup as a passenger, you’ll need to try your luck with other guests instead.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
When you’ve taken a cruise, you may have noticed a small boat appear alongside the ship as it enters or leaves a port.
This isn’t a tug boat, it’s a pilot boat, carrying a very important person who boards the ship to help guide it in and out of port.
But what exactly does a ship’s pilot do? And why are they needed? I interviewed a port pilot to find out…
What is a ship’s pilot?
A ship’s pilot (also known as a port pilot) is a seafarer with detailed knowledge of a port and expertise in ship manoeuvring. They board a ship and help the crew guide the vessel safely in and out of ports or other dangerous navigational areas.
Although the captain (also known as the master) always has command of a ship, the pilot is responsible for directing the course and speed of the vessel while it’s within the port area.
What do ship pilots do?
To learn exactly what ship pilots do, as well as what qualifications are needed to become a ship’s pilot, I spoke to an experienced pilot by the name of John.
He very kindly gave up time from his busy schedule to answer all of the questions that we often wonder about port pilots.
Hi, John. What’s your job title and where do you work?
I’m a port pilot and I work for the Port of London Authority, so that is the River Thames. It’s the biggest port in the UK.
We have every type of vessel on the river, including the world’s largest container vessels and some cruise ships. These berth at Tilbury, Greenwich and alongside HMS Belfast in Central London.
How long have you been a port pilot?
I’ve been a pilot since 1991. I started at sea when I was 16, in 1975. So I’m getting close to retirement now.
Pilot boat at the Port of London
Do you just work at the Port of London or other ports too?
Pilots are specific to their district. We all start off with the same ship’s officer training and have the same qualifications (Masters Foreign Going Certificate of Competency) as a cruise ship master (captain). But then we train in a particular district, so we’re limited to working only in that district.
We can swap districts, but then you would have to go through the whole process of acquiring licences again.
I started off in the port of Shoreham, which is a very small port, when I was 30 years old. I spent two years there. Then I came up to the River Thames, and had to go through another six months of training and progress over a number of years to unlimited vessel size authorisation.
If I were to go to, for example, Southhampton, I would have to do a tailored training programme. It would take at least three months or more to learn the district, complete a series of port-specific examinations, and then I would still have to progress through the class sizes. So I wouldn’t jump on the biggest ships straight away.
Do you just pilot cruise ships or container ships as well?
We do both. On the River Thames, we pilot some of the biggest container ships in the world: tankers, roll-on roll-off bulk, basically all ship types, all the way down to small coasting ships, as well as small and medium-sized cruise ships.
How do the two compare?
Well, the early morning pastries are definitely better on a cruise ship! They all have their challenges and they are equally complex. The weather and tide influence things much more than the type of ship.
Let’s compare the container ship I’m piloting tomorrow, a Hapag Lloyd container ship, versus Anthem of the Seas…
They’re a similar length – the container ship is 333 metres and Anthem of the Seas is 347 metres. The gross tonnage (volume) and beam (width) are almost the same too.
The biggest difference is the draft (depth). Anthem of the Seas has a maximum draft of approximately 8 metres, whereas this container ship can load to about 13 metres. This equates to a considerably increased displacement. However, we have had vessels of up to 16 metres draft on the river.
Both ships have similar windage. They’re like big sails so they can be affected a lot by the wind – 25 knots of wind equates to about 125 tons.
With the container ship, we’ll use tug boats to help control the ship against the wind and current, and to assist the manoeuvre. Whereas the Anthem of the Seas has powerful transverse bow thrusters.
Because the propellors on a cruise ship are now commonly Azidpod type (not always, they could be a conventional twin-screw arrangement), they will rotate directionally 360 degrees. So you’ve got much more control over a cruise ship than a container ship. That’s why container ships need tug boats and cruise ships don’t. Unless the port has a compulsory tug usage code, of course.
Small tug being used as a pilot boat
How does the ship’s pilot actually get onto the ship?
I take a small boat called a pilot launch. They’re powerful boats that can get up to speeds of 20 to 26 knots quite easily. They need to have a powerful acceleration so that they can get out of trouble very quickly.
There are two crew on the pilot boat: a cockswain and a deckhand. The cockswain decides whether you go to sea, because if it’s really rough, you don’t.
As we approach the ship, we check the ladder to make sure it’s correctly rigged. The pilot boat comes alongside, and the pilot and the deckhand walk out round the outside of the boat. We’re not tethered on, we walk along the deck holding the guide rails.
Once the boat is alongside the ship, I will time it with regards to ship and boat movement, and step onto the ladder. The ladder has rope sides and wooden steps, except for the bottom four which are rubber because that’s more durable.
It’s not like the rope ladder you use to go up a tree, it’s much stronger – each step can hold 800kg. Complex international rules govern the construction and rigging of pilot ladders.
This video shows another pilot transferring on the Oosterdam cruise ship in the Queen Charlotte Sound in New Zealand:
Do pilots ever fall into the water?
Yes, sometimes. One of my colleagues fell in the water a few years ago.
It was a small ship. He didn’t manage to transfer from the ladder into the ship because there was a problem with it. He fell about five or six metres, bounced off the pilot boat and dropped into the water. It was dark and the water was very cold. It’s not like the Caribbean. He was successfully recovered.
Pilot launch crews regularly practise ‘man overboard’ rescues. This wasn’t an isolated incident. Worldwide, pilots do and have fallen into the water, and some have paid the ultimate price.
Being a ship pilot is a dangerous job. A ship is doing about seven knots when the pilot boards. So in ten seconds, you’re 30 metres away from where you fell in the water, relative to the ship’s position.
The most dangerous bit is the transfer from the ship to the pilot boat, as you’re going backwards down the ladder. But boarding can, at times, be equally dangerous.
With a cruise ship, you don’t normally have to climb very far, maybe two or three metres. Within the regulations that govern pilot ladders worldwide, we can climb a maximum of nine metres. Over that, other arrangements apply.
In 2023, a pilot in the port of Nagasaki tragically lost his life after falling into the water while attempting to board Diamond Princess. The pilot was experienced, he was wearing a lifejacket and the seas were calm – so it’s unclear what caused him to fall.
Unfortunately, while he was successfully pulled from the sea, he passed away two hours later. This illustrates John’s point about this being the most dangerous part of the job.
Pilot ladder on a tanker
What happens once the pilot boards a ship?
One of the officers will conduct the pilot through the vessel to the bridge – that’s the rules. On a cruise ship, it’s generally one of the security people who have been trained to observe the pilot embarkation procedure in operation. When we’re taken up through the ship, it’s sometimes through the passenger area, sometimes not.
After all of the hellos and pleasantries, we conduct a master-pilot exchange, where I present my plan to the captain for the whole passage.
We discuss the timings, the route, and the amount of water we have at the state of tide. There’s particular reference to under-keel clearance, traffic, weather, tugs if required and a myriad of finer details – all of the pertinent information to the conduct of that passage. This is called a ‘Master Pilot exchange’.
He will reciprocate. The ship will have its own passage plan, which the bridge team are obliged to create. The navigating officer would have prepared the passage plan for the conduct of the vessel into the port.
We will compare plans and amend them so that we’re singing from the same hymn sheet, so to speak. As a general rule, the pilot’s plan is the plan. But the captain is still in command.
The plan can and will be amended continuously, because it’s a dynamic business. There’s traffic (be it ships, yachts, fishing boats etc.), ships manoeuvering in front of you and changing weather conditions.
Radar and Electronic Chart Display and Information System on a ship
Who’s ultimately in charge of a cruise ship when it’s entering or leaving a port – the pilot or the captain?
The pilot has conduct of the vessel, as in the control of the course, the speed, etc. but the captain always remains in command. This is mandatory in the UK, but in other countries, it may be only advisory.
The captain could relieve the pilot of his duties, if he thinks the pilot’s not competent. But that doesn’t really happen, of course. But he could, in terms of the law.
When it comes to the manoeuvre of the ship, the pilot controls everything verbally. We dictate the speed, initiate operation of the thrusters, put power on at a tug, etc.
Strictly speaking, if I say “Dead slow ahead,” the captain then says to his officer “Dead slow ahead.” But in reality, the command is carried out directly.
With cruise ships, the masters are skilled at handling their own vessel’s complex propulsion and manoeuvring systems. So the whole arrival or departure manoeuvre is an excellent example of two professionals working towards one result.
The bridge of a container vessel
Is this always done in English, no matter what country you’re in?
Yes. English is the language of the sea. So even if everybody on the bridge is mixed nationality, the whole pilotage is conducted in English.
What are your hours like?
We have a roster of nine days on and six days off. We can work at any time within a 24-hour period.
In nine days you rotate around the system, depending on how busy it is. There are fatigue management protocols to adhere to. In a nine-day period, I do about seven or eight ships.
That’s just for the Port of London, though. Each port has its own roster arrangements. In the Caribbean, it could be very different. One pilot may do four or five arrivals or departures in a day, each an hour apart, because each ship is quicker and simpler to pilot in and out.
What does it take to become a port pilot?
The training to be a ship pilot can be very long, especially in the large and complex ports.
To get to what we call ‘class one unlimited level’, which allows you to do most of the biggest vessels, takes around six years. And then to pilot the ultra-large ships takes another good few years after that.
To be a pilot, you’ve gotto have some luck. You have to be in the right place at the right time, with the right qualifications.
Every port has its own way of selecting pilots. Here in London, we conduct interviews and test ability using a simulator.
Miami, for example, operates an examination system to select their pilots. Every year they conduct a set of examinations. If they need just three people that year for training, they will take the top three from those examinations and, following a successful interview, offer them a training position. I believe this is unpaid, but I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.
There are approximately 600 marine pilots spread over all of the UK ports. Some ports are large, some are small. We have approximately 115 pilots in London, as it’s the UK’s largest port.
Over in Rotterdam, I believe there are in excess of 200 pilots. Smaller ports like the island of St Maarten in the Caribbean may have only two pilots.
It depends on how big and how busy the ports are, and how long it takes to guide each ship in.
Container ship with tugs alongside
What attracts people to want to be port pilots?
If you’re the captain of a ship, sailing around the world with all that entails, but then you had the opportunity to work in a port, come home every day, have a sort of shore-based life, what would you do?
That said, being a pilot is not everybody’s cup of tea. Many seafarers love their ability to sail worldwide.
In my opinion, though, the best bit of the whole job of being on a ship is the end and the beginning of a voyage. And pilots get that every day.
Ship’s second officer at work, keeping the watch
What’s your favourite thing about your job?
Everything! I love going to work. You’ll find very few pilots that will not tell you the same. It’s a profession and a way of life as opposed to a job.
Every day is different. If you took a ship today at 12 o’clock and then it came back a week later at 12 o’clock, the whole job would be totally different. The draft (depth of the ship in the water) changes, the weather changes, the timing’s change, the tides change, etc.
Seafarers are probably some of the best people in the world. They are just wonderful people to meet. Definitely the unsung worldwide heroes during the recent virus breakout!
Is there anything you dislike?
Well, none of us like two o’clock in the morning because, who would? This job is 24 hours a day and it never stops.
Do you like to take cruise holidays yourself?
Yes, I do, and a lot of my colleagues do as well. It’s nice to see somebody else doing the driving for a change! You can sit in the bar and watch it all happen. I’ve been on between six and ten cruises, but I don’t keep count.
When we went to the Baltic on Cruise & Maritime’s Magellan, I was the pilot for the ship going out and also coming back in. So there were no small boats involved that time, as I just happened to be already on board.
It saves the cruise line the cost for the pilot boat if I’m already on board. It also saves on fuel, because the ship doesn’t need to slow down to meet the pilot boat and subsequently speed up.
After the ship’s got to the edge of the district, as I walked out of the bridge door, my status changed and I became an ordinary passenger again.
What’s the best cruise you’ve been on?
I loved cruising to Alaska. We went to the beginning of the 2019 season, so it was the first ship and there was still ice around. It was cold, but it was wonderful.
We’ve enjoyed Caribbean cruises as well. We tend to try and go on cruises to places that we didn’t go in my seagoing career. I never went to Alaska. I sailed through the Caribbean, but I never went to the Caribbean islands, only to the mainland Caribbean ports.
My next cruise is on in Anthem of the Seas to the Canaries in September, and I’m looking forward to that.
A pilot boat seen from the top deck of MSC Virtuosa
Thanks to John for agreeing to this interview, and for providing many of the photos in this article.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Have you ever wondered how much cruise ship employees make? Perhaps you’ve noticed that many cruise ship waiters originate from countries like India and the Philippines where wages are lower?
Or maybe you’ve seen that the cruise director always looks happy and are wondering how much he must be making to have such a big smile on his face?
Perhaps you’ve always fancied a life at sea and want to know how much money you make working on a cruise ship?
This article looks at the average salaries of cruise ship workers with cruise lines such as Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean.
The median average salary for a cruise ship worker is less than that of the average American, but more than the average salary of many other countries.
The last time cruise lines published information on their median salaries, these were the figures for three of the biggest cruise companies:
They may have changed since those figures were published – it was 2018, after all. But cruise lines haven’t reported updated data, and it’s unlikely there have been huge payrises.
We can compare these with the median annual earnings of the populations of various countries:
Whilst the average cruise ship workers earn less than the average American, this amount is more than the average salary in many countries in Asia, South America and Eastern Europe.
One American cruise ship worker recalled how crew members from developing countries would show him photos of their new three-bedroom houses with swimming pools and ocean views which they bought with their cruise ship salaries.
Of course, average salary data doesn’t take into account the number of hours worked. Some cruise ship workers work up to sixteen hours per day, seven days per week. Others, such as entertainers, may work for only a few hours each day.
Cruise ship contracts can last between two and eleven months, with most lasting four to eight months. In between contracts, cruise ship employees usually get to go home for a couple of months.
It’s important to factor in the benefits that workers get
A cruise ship employee’s living costs are generally much lower than they would be for someone employed on land.
Employee benefits for cruise ship crew may include:
Accommodation
Food
Laundry
Training
Flights to and from the ship
Medical care
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance
Cruise discounts for family members
Cruise ship workers have access to a crew bar with a bar allowance. If they go over the allowance they must pay for drinks, but these are lower-priced than in the guest bars.
Cruise ship staff do not get access to free wifi, which is why you’ll often see so many of them heading to the nearest wifi hotspot on port days.
Average salary by role
Captain
The average salary of a cruise ship captain is $95,000. Cruise ship captain salaries vary from $50k for a less experienced captain of a small cruise ship to $200k for a captain of a mega-ship with over 20 years of experience.
On top of their salary, cruise ship captains may get bonuses of up to $40k per year, as well as profit sharing of up to $3k.
Cruise ship captains often work for three months and then get three months off. They are on call 24 hours per day.
The average cruise director salary is $60,000. A newly-appointed cruise director can expect to make around $45,000, whereas the most high-profile cruise directors will make over $100,000 per year.
Guests usually see cruise directors up on stage introducing entertainers and making people laugh, but behind the scenes, a cruise director has much more responsibility.
The cruise director is the head of the entertainment department and is responsible for hundreds of staff including performers, stage staff, sound and lighting technicians, musicians, activities staff and youth staff.
Cruise directors work 11 to 14 hours per day on a sea day and six to eight hours per day on a port day. They usually work for six months at a time, with six weeks off to go home in between contracts.
Cruise ship waiter salaries vary from $1,200 per month for a junior waiter to $5,000 per month for the head waiter on an ultra-luxury cruise ship. These salaries generally include gratuities which are collected and shared automatically.
If people choose to tip extra in cash on top of the standard gratuities, then waiters can make more money.
The hours for a cruise ship waiter or waitress can be very long, as they often have to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with little time off in between.
The executive chef on a cruise ship will make up to $6,500 per month, depending on the ship. A Chef de Partie will make $3,200 to $4,600 per month. Trainee cruise ship cooks make from $800 per month with wages rising as they work their way up the ranks.
Cruise ship chefs usually have several years of experience working in similar roles in luxury hotels, restaurants or other high-volume food service facilities.
Cruise ship chefs work long hours, usually at least ten hours per day, up to seven days per week.
Cruise ship bartenders make between $1,400 and $2,600 per month depending on the cruise line. This includes gratuities which are automatically collected and shared, but they can make more if people tip extra in cash.
Cruise ship bartenders work long hours, often around 12 hours per day with few days off.
Cruise ship doctor salaries range from $7,500 per month for a cruise ship physician to $12,000 per month for a chief doctor, depending on the cruise line and the level of experience.
Most cruise ships have one doctor and two nurses on board, but larger ships will have two doctors and three or four nurses.
Cruise ship nurse salaries range from $4,200 per month for a ship nurse to $4,800 per month for a chief nurse and $5,200 to $6,100 per month for a nurse practitioner.
Each cruise ship will have up to four nurses on board, as well as one or two doctors and some paramedics.
The salary of cruise ship entertainers varies depending on the cruise line, the job that they do and how much experience they have. Here are some averages.
Musicians – The salary for cruise ship musicians starts at $1,400 per month for Caribbean Calypso band members up to $3,500 per month for piano bar entertainers.
Dancers – Cruise ship dancers who perform in the various productions make between $2,400 and $3,800 per month.
Guest entertainers – Comedians, magicians, ventriloquists and acrobats make upwards of $6,000 per month, depending on the popularity of the act.
Most cruise ships have spas, beauty salons and hair salons that offer services such as massage, hair styling, nails, acupuncture, teeth whitening and skin treatments.
As well as earning a salary, those working in the spa and salon can make extra money by earning a commission on products sold and from tips.
Beauty therapist – Salaries for cruise ship beauty therapists and aestheticians range from $2,400 to $4,200 per month.
Nail technician – Salaries for cruise ship nail technicians range from $2,400 to $4,200 per month.
Hairdresser – Cruise ship barbers and hairstylists make between $2,200 and $4,400 per month.
Massage therapist – Cruise ship massage therapists make between $2,800 and $4,500 per month.
The top-paying job on a cruise ship isn’t always the captain. Often chief engineers and ship doctors earn more, along with celebrity guest entertainers who are hired for short contracts.
There is no correlation between the hours worked and the money earned. Room stewards, waiters and captains work some of the longest hours at sea, while musicians, photographers and entertainers have much shorter days.
More useful info about working on a ship
Days off
Generally, cruise ship workers don’t get days off. Instead, they work intensively for seven days a week for the duration of their contract. Many crew members then choose to have a break on land for a month or two, before returning for another contract.
Crew quarters
Cruise ship employees live on one of the crew decks. These are situated below the guest decks, normally just above the waterline. Officers and the Captain sometimes have their own accommodation close to the bridge.
Tax
Tax rules vary depending on where you live, but most cruise ship workers will pay tax in their home county on any earnings at sea. UK cruise ship workers can claim a Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction if they spend fewer than 183 continuous days on land.
The bottom line
So you can see, there’s no easy answer to the question of how much do cruise ship workers make – there’s a wide range between each cruise ship worker salary depending on the seniority of the role.
You also can’t just look at the cruise ship crew salary without considering the benefits – it’s not like earning a wage on land, where you need to pay for your rent and food.
But it is possible to earn a very good wage on a cruise ship, especially if you commit to the career and gain a lot of experience.
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If you found this interesting, please share!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Ever wondered about a cruise ship captain’s quarters? The captain is a pretty key person on your cruise, so surely they must have some pretty swish accommodation to keep them happy, right?
Or are they like the rest of the crew – given the most basic features, so that guests are always the priority?
Well, I spoke to the deputy captain of Azura and asked him what his room was like. He said it was nice and had a window. But sadly no balcony.
I love it when cruise ship captains take the time to chat with guests!
So, what is the captain’s bedroom like on cruise ship? Let’s take a look….
The captain will have their own quarters
A cruise ship captain will always have their own quarters, unlike the general crew who will typically share a room. Typically all senior officers onboard a ship will be given more spacious, well-appointed accommodations to reflect the seniority of their role.
The Captain’s bedroom on Celebrity Edge
The captain’s quarters will vary by ship but typically there’ll be a separate bedroom and office space, so that the captain is able to switch off for a few hours of sleep without being in ‘work mode’.
However, they will be on call, so if there’s an urgent situation they’ll be summoned to the bridge to handle it. The cruise ship captain is one of the few roles where there are no relief workers – captains are responsible for the ship 24/7 during their working time, and there is no actual time off while they’re on the ship. They’ll either be working or on-call.
They don’t have a special name
There isn’t a special name for a cruise ship captain’s quarters – they can be called the captain’s quarters, the captain’s cabin, or the master stateroom or suite. It varies by ship, instead of being a standard name. Most people will colloquially refer to them as the captain’s quarters.
The reason most people will refer to them as “quarters” rather than a room is that they aren’t usually just one room. Most captains will have a full-blown suite with multiple rooms, but calling it a “suite” sounds too luxurious.
Entrance to the Captain’s Quarters on Harmony of the Seas
With other types of ship, there may be two cabins, instead of one larger room. They’d be called the in-port cabin and the at-sea cabin. The in-port cabin is the main accommodation and the at-sea cabin is a more basic option close to the bridge, where a captain might sleep during times when urgent action may be necessary.
But on cruise ships, the captain is always on call so they tend to just have one quarters.
Not much of a commute!
The captain’s quarters on a cruise ship will always be close to the bridge, often with a door giving direct access to the bridge from the cabin. This allows the captain to get onto the bridge immediately if there is an emergency or other situation which requires their instant attention.
As you can see here, the bridge will usually be visible from the captain’s window…
Being a cruise ship captain is not easy – you don’t really get downtime and even your own private quarters are directly linked to the space where you work. Plus your cabin will likely contain an office.
Captain’s office
You could argue the same applies to everyone on a cruise ship – you don’t really get separation between work and private time – but it’s worse for a captain since their private space is so close to where they work.
Why captain’s cabins tend to be at the starboard
Traditionally, the captain’s cabin would be situated on the starboard side of the ship because it was considered to be the superior side of the ship. However, as shipping laws developed, ships now pass on the starboard side and so the captain’s quarters being on that side allows the captain to monitor traffic.
With a modern cruise ship and all of the technology onboard, you’ll know of any ships approaching you for miles before they reach you. That being said, it’s always good for the captain to have the best visibility of oncoming ships, just for added safety.
Captain’s Office
Having their cabin on the starboard side of the bridge, therefore, means they get an unimpeded view of the ships that will pass.
The facilities are pretty good too!
Because the role of captain is so senior and respected, most cruise ships will make sure that their captains are very comfortable in their accommodations. Not only that, but they will provide space for entertaining, as there are some occasions where a captain may wish to invite guests, or it may be expected of them.
The size of cruise ship captains’ quarters will vary by each ship, and the dimensions aren’t made public. You won’t see them on deck plans either. But there have been a few insights into what a captain’s quarters look like.
Typically, the captain’s quarters will have a master bedroom with a spacious en-suite bathroom, and there will likely be a walk-in wardrobe. This is important because a cruise ship captain has to look their best – so they need space for their uniforms to be properly hung once laundered and pressed.
Captain’s Bathroom
There’ll be a living area, which will typically include some form of small kitchen. A cruise ship captain will avoid dining in the restaurants onboard the cruise ship most of the time, because they won’t have the time to meet with all the guests who will want to say hello and likely take selfies.
Having a small kitchen area allows a captain to prepare their own lighter meals when they aren’t getting food delivered from the galley, and helps a captain to keep themselves fueled with snacks during any busy times.
The Captain’s Kitchen on Harmony of the Seas
There’ll be a living area too, designed for the captain to relax. It may incorporate a dining table, because captains can sometimes host parties which could include dinner for elite guests. If that’s the case, expect there to be a guest bathroom too, so that guests aren’t walking through the main bedroom belonging to the captain.
From what we know of the captain’s quarters, it seems like private balconies are not too common. That’s probably because they’re not needed – cruise ship captains get enough time looking out to sea during their actual job, and any downtime is likely to be spent watching TV or catching up with family online.
Finally, a captain will have an office space, and it’ll either be within the quarters or it’ll serve as the gateway between the living quarters and the bridge. These offices are often tech-heavy, with various monitors showing important readouts about the ship and the surrounding waters.
There’ll be a fast PC too, which the captain will use to carry out some of their daily tasks, file reports and communicate with the necessary people at the cruise line’s headquarters and at each port of call. The best WiFi connections will be saved for the captain since their work is so important.
And there are other benefits too…
There are other perks that cruise ship captains enjoy as part of their accommodation.
The WiFi access they have is not limited to working hours, and they’ll be able to spend as much time online as they want to when they’re relaxing. This can be used to stream box sets on their large TV, or to chat with family.
But sometimes, chatting with family online isn’t enough – so one of the best perks captains enjoy is having their family onboard the ship. Individual cruise lines will set their own policies on this but they may allow families to be onboard for extended periods of time, or to make occasional visits.
And it’s not just humans – cruise ship captains may also be allowed to have a pet living with them! Captain Kate McCue of Celebrity Cruises travels with her cat. This is her tour of the quarters on Celebrity Edge:
You only get a fleeting view of the cat in the video but you can see the litter box and the cat food in the fridge too, so it’s not a temporary visitor.
Don’t expect a tour!
You usually won’t be able to visit a cruise ship’s captain’s quarters to see them for yourselves. Cruise ship captains are very busy people and when they’re not working in their office, they’ll be relaxing in their room – they don’t want to be disturbed just to host a tour!
Some cruise ships do offer behind-the-scenes tours and they might show some of the crew accommodation, but only rooms that aren’t being used. Because the captain is always on the ship, that rules the captain’s quarters out. The tour may show off the bridge and there may be a view into the captain’s quarters from there, but discretion is usually maintained.
It used to be a lot more common for cruise ship captains to host the occasional party for the most elite guests but it’s an older tradition from the days of ocean liners. Some cruise ship captains may still choose to entertain within their room, but it wouldn’t be widely available.
Captain’s drinks or parties are still relatively common on cruise ships but they’ll be hosted in a different venue on the ship.
If you want to see inside a captain’s quarters, your best option is to keep tabs on social media and look out for quick video tours, like those I’ve included in this article. They’re rare though – captains are usually too busy to share things like this!
Captain Mikael Degerlund
Final word
There you have it – a little bit of insight into how a cruise ship captain lives while they’re on a cruise ship.
Usually, a cruise ship captain will be at sea for three months at a time, so it’s important they’re comfortable, but they also need to be close to all the action for when they’re needed at short notice.
The videos I’ve included in this guide are from one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, and one of the most modern with Celebrity Edge. Older ships may have smaller quarters but they’ll still be as big as some of the suites on-board the ship.
If you want to know more about cruise ship captains, check out this guide to Captain Kate McCue, the Celebrity Cruises captain who shared her quarters on Celebrity Edge in the video above.
And if you want to know how much the captain gets paid (because we’re all a bit nosy about that, aren’t we?) make sure you read my guide on Cruise Ship Captain Salary Stats.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
If you’ve ever cruised before, you’ll have had plenty of interactions with the crew. Whether it’s your cabin attendant making sure your room is spotless, or the bartender serving up your favourite drink, they all try to do it with a smile.
But what jobs would cruise passengers love to do if they were the ones working on a ship? They’ve seen it from the guests’ perspective, so what jobs look like the best?
The role of the captain is a dream for many, often seen as the pinnacle of authority and responsibility aboard the ship.
Captains command respect and have a significant influence over the entire cruise operation, making it an appealing position for those who love leadership and adventure.
You get to see the world, and it’s a nice title to be able to feel like you’ve earned. Captain Cruise Mummy has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
Also, of all the roles available on a ship, it pays pretty darn well! So I’m sure that’s part of the appeal too.
2. Cruise Director
Cruise directors are the life and soul of the ship, responsible for entertainment and activities.
This job is popular due to its dynamic nature, social interactions, and the opportunity to be at the centre of guest experiences.
You get to organise all the fun things onboard with your entertainment team, and spend your day interacting with guests to make sure they’re having the best time possible.
Many cruise directors get quite the fanbase – that’s why so many Carnival fans love to keep up to date with the Carnival Cruise Director Schedule, so they can even plan a cruise around who they’re sailing with.
3. Shore Excursion Manager
Managing shore excursions allows for interaction with guests while organising exciting trips at various ports.
I’ll be honest, I was a little surprised at how highly this placed on the list, but then when you think about it, it does make sense.
The role is a mix of planning, travel, and guest engagement, providing a taste of the destinations visited. You often have to try the excursions yourself too, to make sure they’re suitable – and that’s a pretty nice responsibility to have.
4. Bartender
Bartending on a cruise ship is a favourite for those who enjoy a lively atmosphere and socialising with guests.
The job offers a fun environment, the chance to be creative with cocktails, and often comes with good tips too, which is always a nice bonus.
Of course, some of the suggestions were from people who said they might struggle to not enjoy too many of their own creations, and that’d certainly get you fired quickly.
But it would be fun while it lasted at least!
5. Chef
Working as a chef is attractive for culinary professionals eager to showcase their skills and work with diverse cuisines.
Working on a cruise offers a unique setting to experiment and serve a large, appreciative audience.
And while those reasons would definitely appeal to an actual chef, I do wonder how many of the people who said it would be their dream job just love cruise food and want to be involved with it.
Especially when it needs to be tasted before it’s served.
6. Entertainer (Singer, Musician, Comedian)
Entertainers such as singers, musicians, and comedians are highly sought after for their ability to really bring the cruise experience to another level.
The appeal of this job lies in performing regularly for enthusiastic crowds and the opportunity to travel while doing what they love.
It’s also one of the best jobs on a ship in terms of the hours worked, and the freedom provided. While a cabin attendant might be working 12-14 hour days, an entertainer may work much less.
Comedians especially – you don’t need to rehearse much, and your set might only be an hour or so each night.
So that means you get more time to explore ports of call and just relax.
7. Photographer
Cruise ship photographers capture memories for guests, making it a rewarding job for those passionate about photography.
The role could be a popular one because it combines creativity with travel and the joy of helping guests preserve their experiences.
Cruise ship photographers are also sometimes employed on more thrilling projects, to capture the destination, and you could basically be paid to shoot wildlife or dramatic scenery. I know I’d love this.
Working in the casino, either as a dealer or host, is an appealing option for anyone who likes the vibrant and exciting atmosphere of a casino floor.
Not everyone goes to a casino on a cruise, but if you like to gamble, you might prefer to sit on the other side for once. If you’re a dealer then you’ll at least enjoy the variety of the job, seeing how games pan out and which guests win big.
9. Nurse
Nurses on cruise ships provide essential medical care, making it a critical and respected role.
The job is popular among healthcare professionals who seek adventure, the chance to travel, and the unique challenges of providing care at sea.
It’s also relatively well paid – not as well paid as a doctor onboard, but you’d make a decent salary, especially since your accommodation and food are free.
Hours could be an issue though, as you might need to be on call for long periods. If you work on a very small ship where you’re the only healthcare professional onboard, then you’ll be on call 24/7.
10. Youth Entertainer
A couple of people mentioned wanting to work as a youth entertainer or in the kids’ clubs.
If you’re someone who enjoys working with kids, then a cruise is an ideal place – sure there is some educational element to the activities, but it’s mostly all about having as much fun as possible.
It’s a lot of responsibility too, so it’s not for everyone, but if childcare is your passion then a cruise ship would be the perfect place.
Final Word
There were, of course, plenty of ‘fun’ suggestions on the Facebook post, such as wine taster, deck chair tester or towel animal expert.
While I’m sure these would be a ‘dream’ job, I wanted to keep the list to the realistic ones. Would your dream role be one of the 10 above, or something different?
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Choosing the best cruise line to work for depends on what you’re looking for, as well as your own experience, education and skill set.
Larger cruise ships have more crew members, so there are more job opportunities, while smaller ships have equally smaller teams. However, you do get to know the guests much better and build a rapport with them, which can mean more tips!
There is a huge variety of job roles to apply for on a cruise ship, from working behind the scenes to front of the house, and there’s bound to be something for everyone.
I’ve researched the best cruise lines to work for by spending over eight hours studying online forums to see what real cruise ship employees think about their jobs. I’ve also taken a close look at each of the cruise lines’ own career pages to see what they have to offer.
Here are the top five cruise lines to work for, according to their current and past employees…
1. Royal Caribbean
As one of the biggest cruise lines in the industry, Royal Caribbean offers a great package to those seeking to join their team.
The fleet consists of 28 ships and counting and sails across six continents of the world. Royal Caribbean International is owned by Royal Caribbean Group, the umbrella company which owns five other cruise lines as well.
Benefits of working at Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers plenty of benefits for staff members, including cruise discounts for staff and their families, discounts on shore excursions, free accommodation while working aboard, and much more.
There are also crew activities arranged, including parties and sports tournaments, to encourage a fun work environment and allow the crew to enjoy life on board.
Royal Caribbean work contracts
Royal Caribbean contracts vary depending on the role. The Royal Caribbean careers page states that ‘most senior management roles have 4-month contracts while the rest of the positions have 6-8 month contracts.’
As for time off, Royal Caribbean advises that due to the round-the-clock nature of guests on board seven days a week, staff might not get a full 24-hour period off but will still get time to rest, visit ports, and participate in fun events.
Job opportunities vary by department, from hotel, which involves casino, culinary, entertainment, and guest relations, to marine, which comprises electrical, engine, security, and environmental. There are also opportunities within their private destination department.
You can find all the current job posts for working at Royal Caribbean here.
2. Cunard
Joining a cruise line as a crewmember also means you will learn the ins and outs of the history of the company, and which company could be better for that than the 185-year-old Cunard Line?
This cruise line was founded in 1839 and has grown over the years to become a renowned British cruise line, owned and operated by the largest cruise operator in the world, Carnival Corporation.
Cunard has a fleet of four ships, and sails to countless destinations across Asia, Alaska, Europe, Africa, and, of course, North America, where the famous transatlantic crossing embarks!
Benefits of working at Cunard
Benefits for working at Cunard include access to crew gym and deck privileges, discounts on shore experiences, retail and leisure, learning and development programme to help progress and develop, flights paid for from your home to the ship, free meals and accommodation while you travel the world, plus much more. You can view all of the benefits here.
The company boasts a tight-knit, diverse global team built on offering the White Star Service, which Cunard is known for.
Cunard’s work contracts
Contracts with Cunard vary depending on your role, for example, applicants choosing to work as part of the youth team would have busier contracts over the summer holidays and shorter ones outside, due to peak times.
These can vary between four- or six-month contracts, with two months of leave in between each period you’re at sea.
Job opportunities include ship and ashore vacancies in departments such as medical, finance and marketing. These also vary by contract type, including permanent, full-time, and temporary.
Each of the ships holds a crew of between 977 and 1,246, from roles within entertainment and accommodation to front of house or administration.
You can find all the current job posts for working at Cunard here.
With a fleet of 22 ships and more on the horizon, it’s a great option for those seeking a role within a leading business that is continuing to grow.
There are 114 nationalities working across the fleet, while over 50% of the workforce employed ashore are women, so diversity is truly important to the cruise line.
On the MSC Cruises careers site, the cruise line says “MSC Cruises totally embraces cultural diversity for the enrichment it brings our guests, crew and office colleagues. The diversity of our teams is a key element in MSC Cruises’ success.”
Benefits of working at MSC Cruises
The benefits of working with MSC Cruises include your accommodation, use of onboard facilities including a crew gym, bar, pool, medical support and laundry service, crew shore excursions and parties, and much more!
MSC Cruises’ work contracts
Contracts typically range between five and seven months, followed by a period of a two-month holiday. You can even take a test on their careers site to see if working on board MSC Cruises would suit you – you can find this here.
Vacancies vary depending on your department of choice, either hotel, deck or engine. You can find all the current job posts for MSC Cruises here.
4. Disney Cruise Line
If you’re a Disney fan and want to travel, working for the Disney Cruise Line just makes sense! Where better to enjoy seeing the world while working than on board a cruise ship that is Disney-themed?
Everything from social spaces to staterooms is given the Disney flair, including how staff conduct themselves and ensure customers are having a truly magical experience.
The cruise line has five ships in the fleet, with a further eight in production to join in the coming years. Currently, the ships mainly sail to Alaska, the Caribbean and Europe, depending on the ship.
Some of the things that Disney Cruise Line looks for in an employee include the relevant experience to the role being applied for, as well as a proven passion for quality guest service within a family environment. After all, you and I know this is the bread and butter of what the wider Walt Disney Company offers and the cruise ships are no different!
Benefits of working at Disney Cruise Line
Benefits to working with Disney Cruise Line include discounts on merchandise, experiences and more; complimentary theme park admission for staff and their family; competitive salaries; development opportunities; recognition programs; medical coverage to support health and well-being and much more.
Disney’s work contracts
Contract lengths vary with Disney Cruise Line, starting from three to eight months. The cruise line encourages development and advancing careers while working with them, thanks to the in-depth onboarding and training given in the first few weeks of employment. As roles develop and staff advance with the company, benefits also expand as a result.
You can find all the current job roles available for Disney Cruise Line here.
5. AIDA Cruises
Consistently regarded as one of Germany’s best employers, AIDA Cruises is recognised for its training and development, compensation and benefits and corporate culture. The cruise line is a key choice for those seeking a proven and award-winning company. It’s also a part of the Carnival Corporation.
Currently, the cruise line has 11 ships, each of which is aimed at active and young holidaymakers looking to travel across the world.
Benefits of working at AIDA Cruises
The cruise line is one of the few cruise lines that offer EU citizens an employment contract following EU guidelines, including comprehensive social insurance.
Other benefits to working aboard an AIDA cruise ship include recreational activities, including a crew sauna, sundeck, and fitness studio, as well as free Wi-Fi and shore excursions. There’s also a corporate learning tool AIDA Train Me Up, which employees can access at all times to further their careers.
AIDA’s work contracts
Roles with AIDA Cruises typically vary in length, from four to six months. There are three departments to choose from when working aboard AIDA Cruises: guest services, nautics and technics, and entertainment. These include chef de partie, housekeeping, electrician, engineer and camera operations roles.
You can find all the current job roles available for AIDA Cruises here.
Which cruise line pays the best?
The statistics for the best-paying cruise lines are skewed, because cruise lines tend to only release average salaries – so smaller cruise lines, with more senior officers, appear to pay better.
But some of the best paying cruise companies are Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages and ultra-luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas and Silversea.
The bottom line
There’s no right answer for everyone when it comes to choosing the best cruise line to work for. This depends on what you value and how you fit into the culture.
I’d advise applying for multiple roles, as it’s a competitive industry. Huge cruise companies such as the Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group are umbrellas to multiple cruise lines, so you could even have the option to move around if successful.
Meanwhile, smaller cruise companies are more independent and offer a more family-friendly atmosphere.
While there are differences between ships, and you might want to know the best cruise ship to work for, bear in mind that you likely can’t choose a ship. You can get hired by a cruise line and then they’ll assign you to a ship.
When you’re experienced, you can even move into more luxury or specialist cruise lines, such as expeditions or yacht cruises, which have smaller teams but more indulgent amenities. These typically pay more salary-wise and offer better benefits, as well as visiting off-the-beaten-track destinations.
There is no single standout best cruise line company to work for. No matter which you pick, travelling the world while working is a great perk and one of the reasons 1.8 million people work within the industry!
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Have you ever fancied working on a cruise ship? Me too! When you’re on a cruise ship, it’s a common feeling to never want to get off. And, to start thinking about whether there’s a way that you could live the cruise life full time.
Around a quarter of a million people work on-board cruise ships, and new vacancies come up all the time. So, how do you go about getting jobs on cruise ships with no experience?
I know that many people struggle to find out how to apply for cruise ship jobs because I regularly get asked this question in my Instagram DMs. I had no idea either, so I spent eight hours doing the research online to find all the answers for you.
In this guide to getting a job on a cruise ship, I’ll show you the best cruise ship jobs that don’t require any experience, where to find these jobs, and how to apply for them.
It’s tough to get a job on a cruise ship!
It’s always been hard to get a job on a cruise ship. There’s always been a lot of competition for jobs onboard because people like to dream of a life at sea.
However, it’s certainly not impossible either – you just need to be persistent.
The easiest way to get your dream cruise ship job is to take an entry-level job to get your foot through the door and then you can work your way up to the job that you aspire to do.
Cruise ship workers do tend to work long hours and will generally work seven days a week with no days off. However, many workers talk about the camaraderie amongst the crew and how it helps to create a fun atmosphere.
There are some basic requirements for working on cruise ships
To work on a cruise ship, you must meet the following requirements:
Be at least 18 or 21 years old
Meet the language fluency requirements
Have a valid passport
Have the required visa or work permit
Have a basic safety training certificate
Pass a medical examination
Pass a criminal background check
Have no visible tattoos or piercings
Depending on the job you are interested in, there will be some additional requirements specific to that job. Whatever job you do, being multi-lingual will certainly increase your chances.
Cruise ships are staffed by multinational crews. Many cruise ship workers hail from southeast Asia, with Royal Caribbean alone employing over 11,000 Filipinos along with many Indonesians and Malaysians.
Cruise lines tend to hire younger workers more, but that doesn’t mean they never hire older people to work on-board. Cruise ship work is demanding and crew are expected to maintain a positive and welcoming atmosphere, and so it needs high energy levels.
How to apply for a job on a cruise ship
It varies when it comes to how to work on a cruise ship. Some cruise lines require you to apply directly via their head office and some require you to apply via their preferred agency or hiring partner. You’ll find the application instructions in the careers section of each cruise line website.
Once you’ve found a job that you’d like to apply for, you can follow the instructions to apply online. You’ll need to submit a cover letter and resume along with anything else that is specified in the job advertisement. Just because for some cruise ship jobs, no experience is needed, that doesn’t mean you can get away without your resume!
There are several fraudulent companies in the world that claim to represent cruise lines’ human resource departments. To check that any company that you are working with is legitimate, look at the official cruise line’s website for a list of authorised recruitment partners. If you can’t find their name listed, be careful.
Cruise ship job vacancies
Here are some links to the best places to find cruise ship jobs:
Typical jobs on cruise ships
There are hundreds of different job roles that you can do on a cruise ship. If you’re already a qualified nurse, massage therapist or IT professional, then it makes sense to apply for one of those jobs on board.
But can you work on a cruise ship with no experience or qualifications? In many cases, yes. There are some entry-level cruise ship jobs that don’t require you to have done the job before or to have ever been on board a ship.
If you’re open to suggestions about your future career and would do almost anything for the chance to work at sea, then perhaps you should consider these entry-level cruise ship jobs…
Jobs that don’t require experience
Galley cleaner – Cleaning the kitchens
Potwasher – Washing dishes
Bar utility – Cleaning and restocking bars
Deckhand – Cleaning deck areas and stacking deckchairs
Ordinary seaman – General cleaning and maintenance
Cabin steward – Cleaning passenger cabins
Bell staff – Moving luggage, running errands and cleaning
General cleaner – Cleaning public areas
Laundryperson – Washing and ironing clothes, bedding and towels
Engine wiper – Cleaning machinery and equipment
If you want to work on a cruise ship with no experience or qualifications, one thing’s for sure, you’d better like cleaning! A cruise ship cleaning job, whether you’re cleaning the kitchen, the cabins or the engine room can get your foot in the door so that you can work your way up to a better-paid and more exciting position.
Alternatively, you look to gain qualifications and work experience in the area that you’re interested in. Look for jobs on yachts, sailboats or even hotels as a way to gain the experience that you need before applying for your first cruise ship job.
The best cruise ship jobs
The best job on a cruise ship is totally subjective. A job that would be an amazing job to one person would be unbearable to the next. However, certain cruise ship jobs do have a very high level of job satisfaction.
Doctor – The ship’s doctor is often the highest-paid person on the ship with average monthly earnings of $9,750
Captain – Cruise ships captains get the best staterooms on the ship and typically work for three months then get three months paid leave
Youth Staff – If you love kids then working in a cruise ship kids’ club can be a lot of fun
Cruise Director – Friendly and charismatic, cruise directors are often up on stage, making people laugh as they introduce entertainers
Gentleman Host – The sole purpose of this role is to dance with ladies who have nobody to dance with!
Entertainer – Whether you’re a singer, dancer, acrobat or comedian, you’ll have lots of free time when you’re not on stage
Shore Excursions Manager – The biggest perk of this job is that you get to try out all of the shore excursions before you sell them
Bartender – If you’re sociable and like to meet new people, a cruise ship bartender job can be a lot of fun
Firefighter – Fires on cruise ships are very rare, so you’ll spend a lot of time checking equipment and training crew on fire safety
Hairdresser – Helping people to look glamorous for formal nights is very rewarding
Typical cruise ship salaries vary – but remember your perks too!
The pay for working on a cruise ship ranges from $500 per month for a galley cleaner to over $10,000 per month for a cruise ship doctor.
The hours vary as well, which means that some jobs are paid at a much lower rate than the US minimum wage. These jobs are usually done by people from countries with a low cost of living, who want to send money back home to their families.
Contracts for cruise ship roles vary depending on the job and cruise line, but on average most workers are employed for between four and eight months at a time. This allows workers to renew their contracts without committing to years of service.
Visible tattoos will often be a problem…
Most cruise lines require that crew with passenger-facing roles do not have any visible tattoos. Some cruise lines are more strict than others and you may be allowed to cover any tattoos with make-up or a plaster.
I’ve been on several cruises where waiters and bar staff have noticeable tattoos on their hands. So, it’s certainly possible to get a job on a cruise ship with tattoos. It just might mean that you’re limited in terms of the jobs you can do or the cruise lines you can work for.
Bartender with tattooed wrists on a Disney cruise ship
NCL used to be stricter but then relaxed their rules in a policy change in 2023.
The best cruise lines to work for (drum roll…)
Which is the best cruise line to work for depends on many factors such as the salary for your role, hours, progression opportunities, food and policies.
Several cruise ship workers report that the ship is just as important as the cruise line, as each ship in a fleet may have a different culture. Some cruise ships might have amazing crew parties, others may be more relaxed.
Generally speaking, the best cruise lines to work for are large companies that you know will not go out of business.
In terms of the best cruise ship to work for, that’s completely subjective. You might want to work year-round in the Caribbean, so you’d hope to work on a ship home-ported there all year. Or you might prefer a modern ship to enjoy better crew accommodations, or a smaller ship that’s quieter.
You won’t always have the choice though. Typically with working on cruise ships, you’re employed by the cruise line and then assigned to a ship.
The bottom line
Living and working on a cruise ship is a dream job for people from all over the world and from all walks of life. Getting work on a cruise ship can be hard, but if this is your dream then don’t give up.
If you have no cruise ship experience, you may need to work your way up from an entry-level position. Getting a job in a large hotel, on a yacht or developing your language skills will all help you to prepare to apply for your dream cruise ship job.
While you are welcome to leave comments below, please note that I cannot help anyone to get a job in the cruise industry, aside from directing you toward the links above.
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If you found this interesting, please share!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
