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How Some People Get Free Cruises By Teaching Their Hobbies Onboard

August 11, 2026

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Work On A Ship

Free cruises sound like the ultimate travel hack – and for some people, they’re very real. Not through loyalty points or casino perks, but by sharing something they already love doing.

From teaching bridge to leading photography walks at sunrise, cruise lines regularly bring guests onboard to run sessions, workshops, and talks.

And the surprising bit? Many of these roles don’t require you to be a world-famous expert. But there’s a catch most people don’t hear about until much later.

What “Teaching Onboard” Actually Means

Cruise lines often run enrichment programmes – think of them as a timetable of activities that go beyond quizzes and pool games. On longer sailings especially, there’s demand for structured, engaging sessions that give passengers something to learn or immerse themselves in.

That’s where guest hosts come in. Instead of being full crew members, they’re usually passengers with a skill to share. In return for hosting sessions – whether that’s a daily class, a few talks across the voyage, or informal meet-ups – they may receive a free or heavily discounted cabin.

The exact deal varies wildly, which is where things get interesting.

Who Can Get Free Cruises By Teaching On A Cruise?

1. Bridge And Card Game Instructors

Bridge is a cruise staple, particularly on longer voyages and more traditional lines. A dedicated bridge instructor will typically organise daily sessions, tournaments, and beginner lessons.

It’s not just about knowing how to play – you need to be able to teach it clearly and keep a group engaged over multiple sea days. Some instructors travel almost full-time this way, moving from one sailing to another. On certain lines, it’s one of the more established “free cruise” routes, but competition can be surprisingly high.

2. Clergy And Faith Leaders

Many cruise lines – especially those with a large British or American passenger base – will have a clergy member onboard for Sunday services and pastoral support.

This role is often more about presence than packed schedules. Services might only take place once or twice during a sailing, but the expectation is that the clergy member is available to passengers throughout. In return, they’re typically offered a complimentary cabin, sometimes for themselves and a partner.

3. Guest Lecturers And Enrichment Speakers

If you’ve got a deep knowledge of a subject – history, wildlife, politics, even true crime – guest lecturing can be one of the most rewarding ways to cruise.

These speakers are particularly common on expedition cruises or itineraries with a strong destination focus. Think talks on Norwegian fjords before sailing through them, or wildlife briefings ahead of an Antarctic landing. Cruise lines usually look for credible experience or professional backgrounds, but you don’t always need to be an academic – engaging delivery matters just as much.

4. Arts And Crafts Hosts

From watercolour painting to knitting circles, arts and crafts sessions are hugely popular with passengers looking for a slower-paced activity.

Hosts might run daily workshops or drop-in sessions, helping people complete small projects over the course of the cruise. It’s a sociable role, often with repeat attendees, and it suits people who are patient and happy to guide beginners. Materials are sometimes provided by the cruise line, but not always – and that’s one of those small details worth checking upfront.

5. Photography Experts

Photography hosts often wear a few hats. They might run classroom-style sessions on composition or editing, host photo walks in port, and offer informal advice throughout the sailing.

With so many people keen to improve their holiday photos, this is a popular enrichment area. Cruise lines tend to favour those with a strong portfolio or teaching experience, but enthusiasm and approachability count for a lot. Early mornings and late evenings can be part of the deal if you’re chasing the best light.

6. Dance Instructors

Ballroom and Latin dance are cruise classics, especially on ships with dedicated dance floors. Instructors usually host classes ranging from absolute beginner to more advanced sessions, often leading into evening dances.

Some roles are filled by professional couples, but solo instructors can also be brought onboard. It’s a fairly visible position – you’re not just teaching, you’re helping to create a lively atmosphere onboard. Energy levels matter here just as much as technical skill.

7. Language Teachers

On longer or more culturally focused itineraries, basic language sessions can be a hit. Think “Italian for travellers” or simple conversational Spanish before a series of port stops.

These aren’t formal classes – they’re designed to be fun, accessible, and immediately useful. You don’t necessarily need to be a qualified teacher, but you do need to keep things light and engaging. Passengers aren’t looking for homework – they want confidence to order a coffee or ask for directions.

8. Fitness And Wellness Coaches

Yoga, Pilates, meditation, even posture workshops – wellness has become a big part of cruise programming in recent years.

A group fitness class on a Carnival cruise ship is in full swing, with participants smiling and engaging in exercises on blue mats. The room is surrounded by mirrors and bathed in natural light from the ceiling, enhancing the energetic atmosphere of the workout session at sea.

Some ships already have dedicated fitness staff, but guest instructors may be brought in for specific styles or themed sailings. Sunrise yoga on deck is a common highlight. It’s worth noting that this can be one of the more demanding roles physically, with multiple sessions and high expectations around professionalism.

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9. Music And Performance Coaches

This is a slightly lesser-known one, but some cruises bring onboard vocal coaches, choir leaders, or even amateur theatre directors.

Passengers might rehearse throughout the sailing and then put on a small performance at the end. It’s a great way to build a sense of community onboard, but it does require organisation and confidence managing groups. Not every cruise line offers this, but it’s more common than people think.

10. Cookery And Food Demonstrators

Food-focused sessions can range from simple demonstrations to interactive workshops. Think knife skills, regional dishes, or even chocolate-making.

These roles are sometimes filled by guest chefs or specialists rather than professional instructors. On certain itineraries, there’s a strong link to destinations – local cuisine, wine pairings, that sort of thing. It’s a good fit if you’re comfortable speaking in front of a crowd and keeping things entertaining as well as informative.

11. Technology Tutors

Not everyone onboard is confident with smartphones, tablets, or cameras – and that’s where tech tutors come in.

These sessions can be surprisingly popular, covering everything from organising photos to using social media or video calling family back home. Patience is key here, as skill levels vary massively. It’s less glamorous than some roles, but often in steady demand.

12. Wine And Drinks Experts

Wine tastings, cocktail workshops, whisky appreciation – these sessions can be a real highlight for guests.

Cruise lines usually look for formal qualifications or industry experience here, particularly for wine. Sessions might be ticketed rather than included, which changes the dynamic slightly. It’s not just about knowledge – presentation and storytelling play a big role in making these events memorable.

13. Special Interest Hosts (From Genealogy To Astronomy)

This is where things get really varied. Genealogy experts helping passengers trace family roots, astronomy guides leading stargazing sessions at sea, even hobbyists running niche interest groups.

Inside the elegant planetarium on a Cunard cruise ship, with rows of comfortable seating under a dome featuring images of outer space, providing an educational and entertaining stargazing experience to guests at sea.

If there’s a genuine audience for it, there’s a chance it could work onboard. These roles tend to pop up on themed cruises or longer voyages where passengers are looking for something a bit different.

What Cruise Lines Expect In Return

This isn’t a free holiday where you occasionally show up for an hour. Cruise lines expect commitment, reliability, and a polished experience for guests.

You’ll usually be given a schedule in advance – sessions, meet-and-greets, possibly even social hosting duties in the evenings or helping out on excursions.

You’ll likely have to provide your own resources, such as art supplies or musical instruments.

You’ll be epresenting the cruise line, so professionalism matters. It’s closer to a working holiday than a traditional break.

How You Actually Land One Of These Roles

There’s no single application portal for this, which is where many people get stuck.

Cunard Garden Journey Cruise - garden talks

Some cruise lines work with agencies that specialise in guest speakers and enrichment hosts. Others recruit directly, particularly for niche skills. Networking can play a surprisingly big role – having a visible profile in your field, even at a local level, helps.

A clear proposal outlining what you can offer – including session ideas and how they’d benefit passengers – can go a long way. It’s not just about what you know, but how you’d translate that into an onboard experience.

Not Actually “Free”

Here’s the bit most people don’t realise: “free” rarely means everything is covered.

You might get a complimentary cabin, but still need to pay port taxes, gratuities, flights, or even some onboard expenses. Internet access and drinks packages aren’t always included either.

And then there’s the time commitment. You’re not free to do whatever you like all day – your schedule comes first. That said, you still get to experience the ship, visit ports, and enjoy the journey in a way most crew can’t.

Final Word

Getting a free cruise by teaching your hobby isn’t a myth – but it’s not quite as effortless as it sounds either. For the right person, though, it’s a brilliant way to travel with purpose. You’re not just ticking off destinations, you’re adding something to the experience for other passengers too.

And if you’ve got a skill people genuinely want to learn? You might be closer to your next cruise than you think.

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Why I Would NEVER Remove Cruise Gratuities

May 15, 2026

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Money saving tips Work On A Ship

The fastest way to start an argument in a cruise Facebook group is to mention gratuities. Someone will always say they remove them if the service is bad, and plenty of people will agree.

I’ve never done that. Not once.

That probably sounds stubborn, or even a bit soft on cruise lines. But it’s not about defending the companies at all. It’s about who actually gets hurt when those charges come off your bill.

Most people don’t realise where that money really goes, or how many people rely on it who never step foot into a dining room or a cabin corridor.

Once you understand that side of cruising, the whole “just remove the gratuities” solution starts to look very different.

What Cruise Gratuities Actually Are

On most cruise lines, gratuities are a daily charge added to your onboard account. They’re sometimes called service charges, which already tells you a lot about how they’re meant to function.

Royal Caribbean gratuities breakdown — An leaflet breaking down gratuities. (Prices increased slightly since)

They aren’t just a tip for your waiter or your cabin steward. On most mainstream lines, they’re pooled and shared across a much wider group of crew.

That includes ‘other hotel services’, which may be people you never see – laundry workers, cleaners, galley workers, assistant waiters, bar back staff, and those working long shifts below deck to keep the ship running smoothly.

The exact amount varies by cruise line, but it’s usually a fixed daily figure per person. Some lines let you remove or adjust it. Others build it into the fare from the start, so you don’t see it as a separate charge at all.

The key point is this: in practice, gratuities are part of how crew are paid. They’re not a little bonus on top in the way many people imagine. For many roles, that daily charge forms a significant portion of expected earnings.

That doesn’t make the system perfect. It does mean it exists for a reason – and it supports far more people than just the person who brings your drinks at dinner.

Why People Remove Gratuities

I can understand why people do it.

Cruises aren’t cheap, and nobody likes paying extra when something has gone wrong. When you’ve saved for months – sometimes years – for a holiday, expectations are high.

Very occasionally, service does fall short. You might wait ages for drinks. Your cabin might not be cleaned to the usual standard. Mistakes might keep happening in the dining room.

But it’s important to say this clearly: that’s the exception, not the rule.

On the vast majority of cruises, the service is outstanding. Crew members are known for remembering names, dietary preferences, favourite drinks, and small personal details that make people feel genuinely cared for. That reputation doesn’t exist by accident.

When problems do happen, they tend to stand out precisely because they’re unusual.

And when they do happen, it’s normal to feel frustrated. It’s also normal to want some kind of financial acknowledgement that the experience wasn’t what you paid for.

There’s also the argument that tips should be earned. If the service is bad, why should you still pay?

Add in the fact that gratuities are often presented as “optional,” and it can feel like removing them is simply using the system as intended.

Read more: Can You Refuse Cruise Gratuities?

None of that makes someone unreasonable. It just means they’re reacting to a disappointing experience in the most obvious way the ship presents to them.

Who Actually Loses Out When You Remove Them

This is the part many people don’t fully realise until they look into it more closely. Removing gratuities almost never affects only the person who gave poor service.

On many ships, gratuities are shared across departments. That means your decision impacts people who may have done an excellent job all week – and who may never have interacted with you directly.

The person washing your sheets
The crew member scrubbing public toilets at 2am
The galley team prepping hundreds of meals while you sleep
The assistant server quietly topping up water glasses all evening

They’re part of that pool.

Those crew members have no control over whether your waiter was slow, whether a section was short-staffed that day, or whether a system broke down at peak time. They still rely on that money.

For many crew, gratuities aren’t pocket money. They’re a meaningful part of take-home pay. Removing them can mean a real loss, not just a symbolic one.

So while it might feel like you’re sending a message about poor service, the reality is that the message lands on a lot of people who did nothing wrong.

Why Bad Service Is Rarely Just One Person’s Fault

Cruise ships are intense places to work.

Contracts are long. Days are longer. Time off is limited. Crew members may work seven days a week for months at a time.

Staffing levels can change mid-season. People get moved between roles. New hires are constantly being trained. Ships sail full. Turnaround days are tight. Technology fails. Supply deliveries run late.

All of that affects service.

A Disney cruise crew member is serving a family at a beautifully set dining table on the ship. The waiter is placing a bread basket on the table as the family, including a young girl, looks on with smiles. The elegant dining room features other guests enjoying their meals, with polished decor and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Sometimes what looks like indifference is actually exhaustion. Sometimes it’s inexperience. Sometimes it’s a temporary staffing gap. Sometimes it’s simply that the system is under pressure that day.

That doesn’t mean you should accept poor service without complaint. It does mean that punishing the entire gratuities pool is a very blunt tool for a very specific problem.

Most of the time, the issue is bigger than one crew member – and smaller than the whole team deserves to suffer for.

What I Do Instead When Service Is Bad

If something isn’t right, I deal with it while I’m still on board.

That gives the ship a chance to fix it. And more often than not, they do.

The modern and welcoming Guest Services desk on a Carnival Cruise ship, featuring a curved counter with several computer terminals, informational screens, and elegant lighting, ready to assist passengers with their inquiries.

If your bathroom isn’t clean – tell your cabin steward, they will clean it again. If you food is cold – tell your waiter – they will bring you some more.

If that doesn’t work, a quiet word with a supervisor or a visit to guest services often sorts things out faster than people expect. Cruise lines care deeply about onboard satisfaction scores, and they’re usually keen to put problems right before they escalate.

I also make a point of recognising good service at the same time. Two things can be true. One department might be under pressure, while another is delivering something exceptional.

If something is serious or keeps happening, escalate it properly. That creates a record. It gives management something concrete to respond to.

None of that requires taking money away from people who may have had nothing to do with the problem.

“But Shouldn’t Tips Be Earned?”

This is probably the most common – and most understandable – argument.

On land, in many countries, tips are a direct response to the service you personally receive. You reward or withhold based on that individual interaction.

Cruising doesn’t really operate like that anymore, even if the language still suggests it does.

The system functions much more like a service charge than a traditional discretionary tip. In reality, most of us are paying part of the crew’s wages through that daily amount, whether we like the wording or not.

That’s not me defending the structure. It’s simply acknowledging how it works.

Opting out doesn’t reform the pay model. It doesn’t push cruise lines to redesign compensation structures. It just shifts the financial impact onto crew members who are least able to absorb it.

If gratuities were rolled into the fare and the word “tip” disappeared, very little would change in practice. The money would still need to come from somewhere.

So for me, this is less about “earning” a tip and more about recognising how the industry has structured pay – and who carries the consequences when passengers opt out.

When It’s Fair to Escalate or Complain

Not all problems are minor. And not all of them should be handled with a polite shrug.

If there are hygiene issues, safety concerns, repeated service failures, or anything that genuinely affects your cruise, that absolutely deserves escalation.

Guest services and onboard management are the right channels. They can investigate, log issues, review staffing, and take corrective action in a way your onboard account simply can’t.

Formal complaints – both on board and after the cruise – are also far more powerful than silent financial protests.

Cruise lines respond to documented trends far more than they respond to one passenger quietly removing gratuities at the end of a sailing.

Holding companies accountable matters. But taking pooled income away from crew members who may not even know there’s a problem is a very indirect way of trying to do that.

Removing Gratuities and Tipping Cash Instead Isn’t a Solution

Some people argue that they don’t really avoid tipping. They just remove the automatic gratuities and hand cash directly to the crew members who looked after them.

And honestly, if you want to give extra cash tips to people who gave exceptional service, I think that’s a lovely thing to do.

But replacing the pooled gratuities with cash tips isn’t quite as fair as it sounds.

The problem is that cash almost always goes to the visible crew members. Your waiter. Your bartender. Your cabin steward.

It usually doesn’t go to:

The laundry crew washing thousands of sheets
The galley staff preparing food behind the scenes
The cleaners working overnight in public areas
The assistant staff quietly helping service run smoothly
The crew members you never actually meet

When you remove the automatic gratuities, you’re not removing money from “the cruise line.” You’re changing who receives it.

The people who are already most visible and most likely to receive extra cash often end up doing fine. The quieter behind-the-scenes crew can lose out.

That’s why I see cash tipping as something extra, not something that should replace the shared gratuity system.

If someone gives amazing service, I’ll absolutely hand over extra cash. But I’ll still leave the daily gratuities in place because I know they support a much wider team.

And honestly, one of the best things you can do for exceptional crew members isn’t financial at all.

Fill in the comment cards. Mention names in post-cruise surveys. Tell guest services when somebody went above and beyond.

Cruise lines take that feedback incredibly seriously. Positive mentions can help crew members get bonuses, better contracts, promotions, and preferred assignments in future.

That kind of recognition can have a much longer-lasting impact than a few extra dollars slipped into a handshake at the end of the cruise.

The Bigger Picture

Every cruise relies on thousands of people doing unglamorous, exhausting work behind the scenes. Most of them will never be thanked directly by passengers.

Gratuities, for all their flaws, are one of the ways that work is recognised and paid for. Removing them changes real pay packets, not just abstract numbers on a screen.

I’d much rather challenge poor service through complaints, feedback, and pressure on the cruise line than through a system that mostly hits the wrong people.

That doesn’t mean accepting bad experiences. It means being precise about where responsibility actually sits.

For me, keeping gratuities in place isn’t about blind loyalty to cruise lines. It’s about fairness.

It’s about aiming consequences at systems – not at the lowest-paid people working within them.

And that’s why, no matter how bad the service is, I wouldn’t remove them.

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Jenni with Disney Cruise ship at Castaway Cay

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Cruise Crew Don’t Get Free WiFi, And The Real Cost Is Shocking

May 11, 2026

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise Lines Cruise News Work On A Ship

Cruise ships feel like a digital playground for guests – provided you’ve paid for the WiFi. You can FaceTime from the pool, WhatsApp your cabin mate from the buffet and livestream sailaway to jealous friends back home.

But life online looks very different below deck. For many crew members, the internet is not just entertainment. It is the only way they can be present in their family life while working thousands of miles away.

The trouble is, that connection still comes at a huge cost.

Most Cruise Crew Do Not Get Free WiFi

It surprises a lot of passengers to learn that in most cases, cruise crew must pay for their own internet access. Despite spending half the year onboard, they are not simply given unlimited WiFi as part of the job.

There are exceptions of course. Virgin Voyages, Viking Ocean and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection are some of the cruise lines offering complimentary crew WiFi as standard. These lines tend to position themselves as progressive employers with smaller ships, higher fares and more modern tech.

"I wish I was shocked by the number of people on here who are so callous about this. Of course they should get free wifi. They basically "work from home" and for 14 hours a day 7 days a week. For our comfort. Anything that can be done to make that bearable, like making it easy to be in touch with their families, should be."

Mainstream ocean lines, however, still largely charge crew for data. Some allow free access to internal company networks or essential training sites, but that does not help when you want to check if your child has learnt to walk yet. The reality for most crew is: to stay connected, they must pay up.

Personally, I think crew should get at least some free WiFi. It is not a luxury for them. It is a lifeline.

How Much Crew Pay For WiFi

One of the biggest issues is that there is no standard across the industry. Prices vary by cruise line, by ship and sometimes even by itinerary. Cruise lines do not tend to publish crew rates publicly, so the clearest picture usually comes from crew members sharing what they actually pay onboard.

And when you line those figures up, it becomes clear why so many crew describe WiFi as their biggest expense at sea.

On Carnival, one crew-shared breakdown showed a $4 package for 24 hours of access to selected social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger.

That sounds manageable until you stretch it across a month. Used daily, that comes to roughly $120 a month just for basic social and messaging access.

Carnival also reportedly offered $10 for 100 minutes, $40 for 450 minutes, $12 for 24 hours or 250MB, and around $4 for one hour of broader internet use.

Royal Caribbean’s crew packages are often time-based too. Crew have shared examples including $3.99 for 60 minutes over 24 hours, $29.99 for 300 minutes over seven days, $59.99 for 900 minutes over 30 days and $89.99 for 1,800 minutes over 60 days.

That top package sounds substantial until you do the maths – 1,800 minutes is just 30 hours of internet over two months.

MSC crew have shared data-based pricing instead, with examples such as $9 for 400MB, $30 for 1.6GB and $80 for 6GB.

Disney crew have reported packages of$10 for 250MB and $20 for 500MB.

On Norwegian Cruise Line, crew have described plans like $5 for 55 minutes, $10 for 110 minutes and $20 for 220 minutes.

There are cheaper examples. P&O Cruises has been described by crew as offering 65p for 24 hours of social access, £1.25 for 24 hours of broader surfing, £18 for 28 days of social access and £32 for 28 days of surf access.

Compared with some of the dollar-based packages elsewhere, that looks far more reasonable. But it is very much not the norm across the industry.

Even when free messaging is included, it is often limited. On some Royal Caribbean ships, for example, crew have described free WhatsApp messaging capped at tiny amounts of data, with no photos, no videos and no voice notes. Useful, yes. Generous, not really.

Here’s a rough snapshot of real crew-reported pricing across major cruise lines. These aren’t directly comparable (some are time-based, others data-based), but they give a clear sense of the scale.

Cruise Line	Example Crew WiFi Pricing	Notes
Carnival	$4 per 24h (social only)	~$120/month if used daily
Carnival	$10 for 100 minutes	Time-based usage
Royal Caribbean	$3.99 for 60 minutes	Entry-level package
Royal Caribbean	$89.99 for 1,800 minutes (60 days)	~30 hours total
MSC Cruises	$9 for 400MB	Data-based pricing
MSC Cruises	$80 for 6GB	Larger bundle
Disney Cruise Line	$10 for 250MB	Data-based
Norwegian Cruise Line	$20 for 220 minutes	Time-based
P&O Cruises	£0.65 per day (social)	One of the cheapest reported
P&O Cruises	£32 for 28 days (surf)	Monthly-style access

Why Minutes Vs MB Makes Such a Difference

The pricing only tells half the story. The other problem is the way these plans are structured.

Some plans are sold by the minute. That means time starts running the moment you log in and keeps going until you log out. If a crew member checks messages, gets called back to work and forgets to disconnect, those paid minutes can disappear for nothing. Crew members often say this is one of the most frustrating parts of ship internet – not just the cost, but how easy it is to waste it.

Other plans are sold by data usage instead. That can sound fairer, until you remember how much background activity smartphones get through without you noticing. Apps refresh, photos download, updates run quietly in the background, and suddenly a small allowance is gone.

A single video call can eat through hundreds of megabytes. So can uploading photos or downloading voice notes. That is why a package that sounds reasonable on paper can vanish in one conversation.

This is also why crew often become extremely cautious online. They turn off auto-downloads, avoid video, keep calls short and rely heavily on text because it is the only way to make the money stretch.

How Fast Costs Add Up

This is where the “shocking” part of the headline really starts to earn its place.

A few dollars here and there does not look dramatic at first glance. But spread across weeks and months, the total can be huge.

Take that Carnival social package at $4 per day. Over 30 days, that is about $120 a month. Royal Caribbean’s $89.99 package works out to 30 hours across 60 days, so crew using more than around half an hour a day could burn through it quickly and need more time.

On smaller plans, one crew member described spending $20 for 220 minutes – less than four hours online.

Some crew estimate they can easily spend $50 in a week if they are trying to keep up with regular calls home. Over a six-month contract, that would be around $1,300. Even a more modest spend of $90 to $120 a month adds up fast over a long contract.

And that is before you factor in the quality. Crew are not paying for premium, home-speed internet. They are paying for access that is often slow, unreliable and heavily limited.

One active Royal Caribbean crew member even showed an onboard statement including an $89.99 WiFi purchase in a single week’s account summary. In that case, internet was one of the biggest personal expenses listed.

There are occasional ways around it. One Royal Caribbean crew member shared that by working an hour or two a week at the WiFi desk, she earned 300 free minutes per hour worked, giving her around five to ten free hours of internet a week. But that is hardly a standard benefit. It is a workaround.

For most crew, staying connected simply means paying.

Why Crew Need WiFi

Crew contracts are long. Anywhere from four to nine months is standard, and some roles stretch even longer. Imagine missing every school pick-up for half a year. Missing your sister’s wedding. Not being able to comfort a parent through illness except over a sometimes-glitchy call.

Moments slip by quickly when you are at sea. Families grow and change while crew are busy serving thousands of guests.

So, they cling tightly to every chance to connect with home. A birthday video. A mischievous pet photo.

Crew also rely on the internet for life admin: banking, visa renewals, travel planning and helping relatives who cannot use the internet themselves. Without WiFi they are cut off not just emotionally, but practically too.

Slow Speeds and Little Privacy

Even when crew pay for WiFi, they do not necessarily get much use out of it. Speeds fluctuate hugely as satellites struggle to serve thousands of smartphones mid-ocean. Passenger networks often get priority, leaving the crew version sluggish or temporarily unusable during peak times.

Location matters too. Many crew cabins are deep inside the ship where thick steel competes with signal strength.

Crew tend to gather in corridors, stairwells or designated crew-only lounges in hopes of a stronger connection.

Privacy is another hurdle. Most crew share a cabin with one or even two colleagues. Video calling a spouse while someone else sleeps three feet away is awkward at best. Some crew say they time calls to the middle of the night or sit in uniform on the floor outside the laundry room… just to hear a loved one say hello.

What Crew Do Get Included

To be fair, cruise lines do provide a lot: accommodation, meals, uniforms, essential toiletries, some medical care, and laundry service for work clothes. Crew also have their own recreation room, bar and gym where they can unwind after long shifts.

But these benefits are designed to support work life at sea, not life back home. WiFi is the only direct connection to family, and right now that still sits outside the list of essentials.

"So? I’m sorry but this is ridiculous. They provide an income, room, and board which is normally covered.. Bills outside of that are the responsibility of the employee. My employer does not cover any of my bills aside from the ones I choose to pay for."

Guests often see the fancy parts of cruising. Behind the scenes, crew live a different reality, juggling limited downtime with the digital thread that keeps them tied to home.

With new technology making internet access cheaper and faster, many hope that basic connectivity will soon be considered a necessary welfare benefit rather than an add-on.

The Role of New Tech Like Starlink

There is some good news. Starlink and other modern maritime systems are transforming guest WiFi, making it more affordable and substantially faster. On the bridge and in the offices, better connectivity is already a safety and operations upgrade.

Wifi receivers lined up on a cruise ship to provide internet on cruisers.

For crew, the improvement is less guaranteed. Some lines roll out new service tiers for guests first. Crew networks are improved later or not at all. Others are doing it more equitably, introducing unlimited texting and modestly priced plans tied to the new tech.

Many crew members are hopeful that in a few years the idea of crew paying to call home might feel outdated.

Free WiFi Ashore: The Great Connection Dash

If you have ever noticed crew dashing down the gangway on port days, this is why. Cafés, cruise terminals, fast-food chains and even the rocky walls near a harbour hotspot become gathering points. Phones light up with hundreds of missed messages, photos flood in and the real catch-ups begin.

Crew rapidly download TV episodes to watch later when off-shift. They update parents on their health. They video call children without worrying the picture will freeze. Port days can be work days too, but even a short break ashore can restore a frayed connection to home.

You can always spot the crew WiFi corner: maximum focus, minimal small talk and chargers plugged into every available socket.

How Guests Can Be Supportive

There is no expectation that cruise passengers need to do anything to help out crew members who need WiFi. Having said that, a little bit of kindness goes a long way.

Some guests like to buy international calling cards or a small top-up voucher as a thank-you to someone who has made their cruise special.

Again, it’s by no means expected, but it can make a world of difference to someone far from home.

Of course, not everyone agrees that it’s needed…

"They are very lucky people. This world was much better off without any social media or Wi-Fi. It’s not a necessity. There are things called phones to contact their love ones. Funny how people can’t live without their social media! Actually, it’s quite sad!"

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Final Word

Cruise crew make holidays feel effortless. Every meal served, cabin cleaned, cocktail poured and show performed depends on people working hard while living far away from the people they love.

And in most cases, they still have to pay extra just to stay part of life back home.

When you look at the actual numbers – $4 a day here, $20 for a few hundred megabytes there, $89.99 for a limited block of time, or hundreds of dollars over a single contract – it stops sounding like a small onboard expense and starts looking like something much bigger.

Staying connected should not be a luxury for the people keeping the ship running.

It should be easier. It should be cheaper. And really, it should be free.i will not erase the distance, but it will make those long months feel that little bit closer to home.

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13 Weirdest Jobs on Cruise Ships

March 26, 2026

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise Lines Cruise News Work On A Ship

Some cruise ship jobs are exactly what you’d expect. Waiters, cabin stewards, entertainers.

Others are wonderfully weird.

Here are some of the strangest cruise ship jobs you’ll find, and yes, they’re real roles in one form or another on different ships…

1. Skydiving Instructor

Royal Caribbean ships feature one of the most unusual attractions you’ll find at sea: a skydiving simulator.

Known as RipCord by iFLY, the experience lets passengers try indoor skydiving in a vertical wind tunnel that simulates the feeling of freefall. Guests float on a powerful column of air while trained instructors guide them through the experience.

Because this activity involves specialised equipment and safety procedures, the ship employs professional skydiving instructors to run it. Their job includes training guests before they enter the wind tunnel, supervising each flight session and ensuring everyone follows proper safety techniques.

Most instructors come from real skydiving backgrounds and have experience working in indoor skydiving facilities on land.

2. Ice Skater

Imagine telling people your job is professional ice skater… on a cruise ship.

Several Royal Caribbean ships feature full-size ice rinks used for spectacular skating shows performed in the ship’s theatre. These productions combine figure skating with theatrical lighting, music and costumes.

The performers are elite athletes recruited from competitive skating backgrounds. They rehearse extensively to perform complex routines on a rink that is constantly moving with the ship.

As the ice rinks are often open in the daytime for guests to use, the role may also involve acting as a safety steward and helping any guests who fall over on the ice.

3. Submarine Pilot

One of the most unusual, and also exciting, cruise ship jobs in the world is submarine pilot.

Inside the Seabourn Venture, a sleek white and black submarine is stationed, ready for underwater exploration. This modern submersible features a prominent, clear spherical cabin for viewing, aimed to offer guests an immersive ocean experience. Also visible are safety gear and another submarine in the background, emphasizing the ship's focus on unique guest adventures.

Some expedition cruise ships now carry small tourist submarines that allow passengers to explore deep underwater environments without needing diving experience. Luxury expedition ships such as Scenic Eclipse and Seabourn Venture offer submarine excursions that can take guests hundreds of metres below the ocean’s surface.

The submarine pilot is responsible for operating the vessel, navigating underwater terrain and ensuring the safety of everyone onboard. These pilots are highly trained professionals with specialist certifications in submersible operations. Their work also involves explaining marine life, geological formations and underwater ecosystems during the dive.

4. Helicopter Pilot

On most cruise ships, the helipad is used only for emergencies. But on some luxury expedition ships, helicopters are part of the adventure.

Ships like Scenic Eclipse carry onboard helicopters that take passengers on aerial sightseeing excursions over glaciers, remote islands and polar landscapes. These flights give guests a chance to see areas that would otherwise be impossible to reach by ship or on foot.

That means the ship employs professional helicopter pilots who live onboard and operate the aircraft throughout the voyage.

For aviation professionals, it’s a career unlike any other. Instead of flying between airports, they spend months travelling the world while launching helicopter flights from a luxury expedition ship. So cool.

5. Assistant to the Chief Dog Officer

Some Royal Caribbean ships have resident dogs whose official role is to boost guest happiness. These dogs, such as Rover and Sailor, hold the title of Chief Dog Officer (CDO) and have even been given three-stripe officer status on the ship.

Their human colleague is known as the Chief of Staff, and their job is essentially to care for the ship’s most popular crew member.

The Chief of Staff lives in the dedicated Chief Dog Officer cabin, which is shared with the dog. The stateroom has ocean views and plenty of comfortable spots where the CDO can relax with toys, treats and occasionally accessories for special occasions. Making sure the dog stays healthy, comfortable and happy is a big part of the role.

During the day, the Chief of Staff accompanies the dog around the ship for surprise guest appearances. These moments often delight passengers, who may suddenly encounter the ship’s canine officer in the corridor or public areas. Guests are encouraged to say hello and give plenty of pats if they’re lucky enough to meet the dog.

Beach days are also part of the job. When the ship visits Perfect Day at CocoCay, the CDO enjoys time running on the sand with their Chief of Staff close by.

You can usually spot the Chief of Staff by their official treat-filled fanny pack, used to reward positive interactions and keep the dog engaged during meet-and-greets.

6. Kennel Master

Another ideal job for dog lovers who also want a life at sea is a kennel master onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

The ship is the only ocean liner in the world that offers a dedicated kennel service for dogs and cats travelling across the Atlantic. And those pets receive VIP treatment crew member who work in the kennels.

The kennel master’s job is to care for the animals during the voyage. This includes feeding them, cleaning the kennels and organising playtime.

The kennel area also includes a small lamppost and fire hydrant, because the designers wanted the space to feel a little like a New York park for the dogs travelling between the UK and the US.

It’s certainly not a typical cruise ship role. But for animal lovers, being paid to look after dogs while crossing the Atlantic might sound like a dream job.

Suggested read: 5 Ways to Cruise With Your Dog

7. Tattoo Artist

Cruise lines like Virgin Voyages amd Margaritaville at Sea have partnered with professional tattoo artists to create fully licensed tattoo parlours at sea. Guests can get tattoos during their holiday as a unique souvenir of the trip.

That means cruise ships employ tattoo artists who live onboard and work in these studios throughout the voyage. They consult with guests, design custom artwork and carry out tattoos in a controlled studio environment.

The idea may sound surprising at first, but tattoo studios have become extremely popular on some ships. Many guests enjoy marking a special trip with a permanent piece of art.

For the tattoo artists themselves, it’s an unusual way to travel the world while practising their craft in a floating studio.

8. Gardener

It might surprise you to learn that some cruise ships employ professional gardeners.

Modern ships often feature large landscaped areas filled with real plants, flowers and even trees. On ships like those in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class, there is an entire outdoor neighbourhood called Central Park, which contains thousands of living plants and trees right in the middle of the ship.

These spaces require trained horticulturists whose job is to care for the plants throughout the voyage. Their work includes watering, pruning, replacing plants and ensuring everything stays healthy despite the challenging marine environment.

Some ships have even stranger gardening roles. Several vessels from Celebrity Cruises feature a real grass lawn on the top deck called the Lawn Club. Maintaining it requires a dedicated lawnkeeper, who mows, seeds and waters the grass while the ship sails around the world.

9. Bridge Instructor

On longer cruises, particularly world cruises, you may find a bridge instructor onboard.

Bridge is a traditional card game popular with many cruise passengers, especially older guests on longer sailings. Cruise lines sometimes hire specialists whose job is to organise games, teach beginners and run tournaments during the voyage.

Bridge instructors may not be paid by the cruise line. Instead, they may receive a free cruise in exchange for hosting bridge lessons and tournaments on sea days.

Most bridge instructors host bridge retreats on land as well, so they may use cruises as a way to find keen bridge players to invite along to their future experiences.

10. Surfing Instructor

11. Art Auctioneer

Many cruise ships host regular art exhibitions and live auctions where guests can bid on paintings, prints and sculptures. These events are often run by specialist companies such as Park West that partner with cruise lines and bring trained auctioneers onboard for entire sailings.

An art auctioneer on Royal Caribbean's cruise ship engaging with guests during an art auction, gesturing towards a colorful framed artwork, providing an entertaining and cultured experience at sea.

The auctioneer’s job is part salesperson, part entertainer. They organise gallery displays, host educational talks about artists and art collecting, and run the actual auction events, encouraging passengers to bid on pieces.

The job requires knowledge of art, confidence on stage and strong sales skills, because much of the income comes from commission on the artworks sold.

12. Dance Host

A job that feels straight out of another era is the dance host, sometimes called a gentleman host, as this is a role that’s only open to men.

These crew members are hired to dance with guests who want someone to partner them on the dance floor. These are usually older women who travel alone or whose husband is not able to dance.

Dance hosts are typically excellent ballroom dancers who can perform styles such as waltz, tango and foxtrot. Their role is not romantic but social. They help ensure everyone feels included in the evening’s entertainment.

13. Astronomer

On some cruise ships, especially expedition vessels and ships with observatories, you may find an astronomer onboard.

Their job is to help passengers explore the night sky while at sea. Away from city lights, the ocean can offer some of the darkest skies in the world, making it an incredible place for stargazing. Cruise ship astronomers host evening observation sessions using telescopes, explain constellations and planets visible that night, and give talks about space, cosmology and astronomical discoveries.

The interior of the planetarium on the Cunard Queen Mary cruise ship features rows of plush, patterned seats facing a central stage and screen. The room is adorned with ornate decorations and has a large circular ceiling design, creating a luxurious and immersive atmosphere.

Some ships have dedicated facilities for this. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, for example, has the only planetarium at sea, where astronomers present immersive shows about the universe.

The Bottom Line

Cruise ships are like floating cities, so it’s no surprise that they need people with all kinds of unusual skills to keep everything running smoothly.

From submarine pilots exploring the ocean depths to canine assistants caring for four-legged passengers, many of the jobs that exist at sea are far from typical careers on land. Some involve specialist training, others are more about creating memorable experiences for guests.

And as cruise ships keep getting bigger and more ambitious, the list of unusual roles is only likely to grow.

So the next time you’re onboard, take a moment to look around. Somewhere behind the scenes, there might be a gardener tending a park in the middle of the ocean, an astronomer pointing out constellations, or even a skydiving instructor helping passengers experience freefall at sea.

It’s just another reminder that life on a cruise ship can be a lot stranger – and a lot more interesting – than most people realise.

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How Much Do Cruise Ship Waiters Make? https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bhRkoH0T-mMF2hkB1MRDdncqucl9KqEJm5PmrKf2-7Y/edit?tab=t.0

March 4, 2026

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Work On A Ship

Cruise ship waiters are among the most visible crew members on any cruise.

They’re the friendly faces who greet you at breakfast, remember your coffee order at lunch, and guide you through multi-course dinners each evening. And because they seem to be everywhere at once, many guests are curious about how much they actually earn.

If you’re thinking about working at sea yourself, or simply want to understand where your gratuities go, it helps to know what affects a cruise ship waiter’s pay and what life is really like behind the scenes.

How Much Waiters Make

Rather than guessing at how much cruise waiters make, I’ve been able to pull together some research from the website Shiplife.

This is a site that covers all kinds of information about working on cruise ships – and it allows cruise staff to anonymously share details of their salary, to help others find out how much they could earn in a similar career.

From that data, I’ve been able to work out some averages for you.

Junior/Assistant Waiters: $1,210 per month
Senior Waiters: $1,435 per month
Head Waiters/Team Leaders: $1,965 per month
Room Service Waiters/Bell Person: $850 per month

These are base salary only – they don’t include tips, gratuities or commissions. Which is important, as you’ll see…

And of course, it varies quite a lot by cruise line. So read on for more info about which cruise lines pay the most, and the least.

Junior/Assistant Waiters

Junior or assistant waiters support the main dining team by carrying trays, resetting tables, serving drinks and helping with orders. It’s an entry-level position that involves long hours but offers a clear path to promotion.

The lowest reported monthly salary for a junior waiter was $550 for Celestyal Cruises.

The highest reported salaries for these positions are on Virgin Voyages, at $1,800.

Cruise Line	Assistant Waiter Salary (USD)
Celestyal Cruises	550
Costa Cruises	717
Carnival Cruise Line	770
Adora Cruises	850
Marella	850
MSC Cruises	850
Crystal Cruises	998
Norwegian Cruise Line	1,000
Hapag-Lloyd	1,100
Disney Cruise Line	1,160
Holland America	1,180
P&O Cruises	1,200
Royal Caribbean	1,200
SAGA	1,200
Silversea	1,350
Regent Seven Seas	1,400
Celebrity Cruises	1,500
Hurtigruten	1,500
Oceania Cruises	1,525
Princess Cruises	1,600
Seabourn	1,650
Viking Cruises	1,650
Virgin Voyages	1,800

Senior Waiters

Senior waiters are responsible for their own station, taking orders, managing guest relationships and ensuring meals run smoothly from start to finish. They typically earn more because they handle greater responsibility and receive a larger share of gratuities.

A smiling waiter in a vest and tie taking an order from guests at a well-appointed dining table, with a focus on customer interaction in a sophisticated restaurant setting. A smiling waiter in a vest and tie taking an order from guests at a well-appointed dining table, with a focus on customer interaction in a sophisticated restaurant setting. A smiling waiter in a vest and tie taking an order from guests at a well-appointed dining table, with a focus on customer interaction in a sophisticated restaurant setting.

There’s less data for these roles – some cruise lines may only use assistants and heads. Of those that have salary information available, Aroya Cruises pays least but Princess Cruises pays quite generously.

Cruise Line	Senior Waiter Salary (USD)
Aroya Cruises	971
MSC Cruises	978
Norwegian Cruise Line	1,100
Carnival Cruise Line	1,200
Cunard Line	1,400
Hurtigruten	1,500
P&O Cruises	1,550
Seabourn	1,700
Crystal Cruises	1,800
Princess Cruises	1,950

Head Waiters/Team Leads

Head waiters oversee sections of the dining room, support the wider service team and handle any guest issues or special requests. Their role is more supervisory, and they often earn higher gratuities thanks to their leadership position.

Costa Cruises pays $760 for this senior role, while Virgin Voyages offers over 4x that amount, at $3,225.

Cruise Line	Head Waiter Salary (USD)
Costa Cruises	760
Fred Olsen	900
Celestyal Cruises	1,300
Carnival Cruise Line	1,400
Cunard Line	1,500
TUI Cruises	1,520
Disney Cruise Line	1,540
Silversea	1,600
Celebrity Cruises	1,615
MSC Cruises	1,700
Phoenix Reisen	1,775
Royal Caribbean	1,780
Holland America	1,925
Princess Cruises	2,000
P&O Cruises	2,025
Norwegian Cruise Line	2,025
Azamara	2,400
Regent Seven Seas	2,500
Seabourn	2,700
Oceania Cruises	2,900
Viking Ocean	2,970
Crystal Cruises	3,150
Virgin Voyages	3,225

Room Service Waiters

Room service waiters deliver meals directly to guests’ cabins, often working across a 24-hour schedule depending on the ship.

Scenic Eclipse Owners Penthouse Suite Bedroom - Room Service

Earnings can vary widely as tipping behaviour differs for in-cabin service compared to the dining room.

Cruise Line	Room Service Waiter Salary (USD)
Costa Cruises	625
MSC Cruises	625
Celestyal Cruises	780
Royal Caribbean	829
Disney Cruise Line	850
Viking Ocean	850
Norwegian Cruise Line	878
AIDA	930
Carnival Cruise Line	958
Celebrity Cruises	1,200

Factors That Impact Wages For Cruise Waiters

Cruise ship waiters don’t all earn the same amount. Their income varies considerably depending on the cruise line, the region where the ship sails, their level of experience and the type of dining venue they work in.

One of the biggest influences is the cruise line itself.

A well-dressed butler helping to serve a meal on a cruise ship terrace with a beautiful sea view

Luxury brands such as Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Seabourn tend to offer higher basic wages and more generous tipping environments.

Mainstream lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC generally sit somewhere in the middle, although earnings can still be excellent when gratuities are strong.

Smaller or budget-focused cruise lines can offer lower starting pay, though this may be balanced out by an attractive itinerary or faster career progression.

Where the ship is sailing also matters more than people realise. North American passengers typically tip more readily, and that can have a noticeable effect on a waiter’s total monthly income.

An empty teacup with a small amount of tea remaining, placed on a saucer with a spoon, and two one-dollar bills underneath the saucer, symbolizing a gratuity left for service.

Cruises in the Caribbean, Alaska or Mexico are often the most lucrative.

By contrast, cruises departing from Australia or parts of Europe can result in lower take-home pay simply because tipping culture differs from region to region.

Experience plays an important role too. Junior waiters usually assist more senior team members, and so their share of the gratuity pool is smaller.

Once promoted to a full waiter, earnings increase significantly. Head waiters, who oversee larger sections of the dining room, can earn more again thanks to additional responsibility and a larger share of service charges.

A professional butler on a Cunard cruise ship attentively inspects a wine glass for cleanliness. He is impeccably dressed in a vest and tie with white gloves, holding a tray with one hand, embodying the high standards of service and attention to detail that are hallmarks of luxury cruise hospitality.

It’s also worth noting that not all restaurant roles are equal.

Those working in speciality dining venues often earn more because guests are more inclined to tip after a fine-dining meal.

Main Dining Room waiters, on the other hand, rely heavily on the standard gratuity system. Buffet roles tend to be the least well paid because tipping is much less common in a self-service environment.

Tips For Cruise Waiters

Tips form a major part of a cruise ship waiter’s earnings. Most cruise lines add an automatic daily gratuity to every guest’s account, and a large portion of this goes directly to the dining team, including waiters, assistant waiters and head waiters.

On lines such as Royal Caribbean, this service charge is around US $18.50 to US $21.00 per person, per day, depending on the cabin category.

A waiter in a formal vest and tie presents a silver tray with a rolled banknote, symbolizing the discreet and appreciated gesture of tipping for excellent service.

This is pooled and shared among hundreds of front-of-house crew. When guests remove this charge – which cruise lines strongly discourage – it reduces the entire pot, not just the income of the waiter who happened to serve that table.

Suggested read: Can You Refuse Cruise Gratuities?

Many guests do still choose to give additional cash tips, particularly at the end of longer cruises when they’ve built a rapport with their waiter.

For some crew members these extra envelopes can make a measurable difference, especially during peak holiday seasons or on voyages with a large number of returning cruisers.

Speciality dining restaurants are another source of additional income. While a service charge is usually included, diners often add something extra for particularly attentive service, and those working in these venues can see a meaningful boost in their monthly pay.

Working Hours for Cruise Ship Waiters

To understand a waiter’s salary, you also have to consider their working hours. A typical day can stretch from early morning until late evening, with only short breaks in between. Most waiters work every day for the duration of their contract, which normally lasts between six and nine months.

The day usually begins with breakfast service, followed by a short rest before lunch.

After another brief gap they return to prepare the dining room ahead of dinner, which is the busiest and most time-consuming shift. Even once the final course has been served there are still tables to reset, side stations to organise and cleaning tasks to complete.

All in all, many waiters work between ten and sixteen hours each day. It’s physically demanding work involving heavy trays, thousands of steps and constant interaction with guests.

But for those who thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy providing good service, it can also be an incredibly rewarding career.

Benefits That Add to the “Real” Salary

When comparing cruise ship salaries to land-based hospitality jobs, it’s important to factor in the difference in living costs.

Cruise ship employees have very few expenses while working at sea, which means they’re often able to save a far greater proportion of their earnings.

Accommodation, food and laundry are provided at no cost. Medical care on board is free, uniforms are supplied, and crew are offered discounted drinks in the crew bar.

Part of the reason that medical care is covered is because waiters – and all crew – undergo very strict medicals before they begin a contract. So any illness or medical issue onboard isn’t going to be as a result of something pre-existing – meaning cruise lines are more inclined to pay.

Many cruise lines also pay for flights to and from the ship at the start and end of each contract, which is a huge saving for anyone travelling from overseas.

Because they aren’t paying rent, utility bills, transport costs or groceries, many waiters are able to save far more than they could working in a land-based restaurant – especially if they receive strong gratuities during their contract.

Some waiters report that they are able to only spend their tips and send all of their salary home to their families.

How Cruise Waiter Pay Compares to Other Cruise Ship Jobs

Waiters generally sit somewhere in the middle of the cruise-ship pay scale.

Their earnings can be very good when tips are strong, meaning they often earn more than youth staff, room stewards, buffet attendants and some bar staff.

However, they typically earn less than casino staff, spa employees, chefs, dancers, nurses, engineers and the ship’s senior officers.

It’s a role with a wide earning range and excellent potential, but it isn’t one of the very highest-paid positions on board.

Here are some average salaries, as a comparison:

Job	Approximate monthly earnings
Doctor	$9,750
Chief engineer	$9,000
Captain	$8,200
Guest entertainer	$6,000
Firefighter	$5,300
Nurse	$5,100
Cruise director	$4,900
Chef	$3,650
Massage therapist	$3,650
Casino dealer	$3,300
Waiter	$3,300
Beauty therapist	$3,300
Nail technician	$3,300
Hairdresser	$3,300
Dancer	$3,100
Gift shop assistant	$2,400
Photographer	$2,300
Musician	$2,150
Plumber	$2,150
Bartender	$2,000
Youth staff	$2,000
Room steward	$2,000
Security guard	$1,600

Source: CruiseShipJob.com

Read more: How Much Do Cruise Ship Workers Make?

How to Become a Waiter on a Cruise Ship

Most cruise lines require previous experience in a hotel or restaurant, together with strong English-language skills and a proven ability to deliver friendly, professional service. Working on a ship also requires a good level of physical fitness, as the long hours and constant movement can be demanding.

Applicants must hold a valid passport and will need to pass medical checks before joining the ship. They also need to be comfortable living in close quarters, sharing a cabin and working away from home for months at a time.

Recruitment is usually done either through a cruise line’s own careers website or via approved hiring partners in different regions. Some positions are filled internally too, with buffet staff or assistant waiters being promoted into more senior roles.

Pros and Cons of Being a Cruise Ship Waiter

Being a waiter on a cruise ship can offer excellent earning potential, especially when gratuities are high.

Crew also enjoy very low living costs and the opportunity to travel to destinations they may never otherwise visit.

Many waiters progress quickly into more senior roles, and for those who enjoy hospitality it can be an exciting international career.

However, the job is not without its challenges. The hours are long, days off are rare, and living conditions can be tight.

Income can vary from one contract to the next depending on the itinerary and passenger mix, and time away from family can be difficult, particularly on longer contracts.

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Final Word

Cruise ship waiters work incredibly hard, but the rewards can be substantial – especially once gratuities and the lack of living expenses are taken into account.

It’s a role that offers the chance to save well, gain valuable experience and see the world at the same time.

For anyone considering a career at sea, it’s worth weighing up the long hours and lifestyle alongside the financial benefits. For many, the opportunity to travel while earning a strong income makes it a compelling choice.

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7 Rules Cruise Crew Members Break When Nobody’s Watching

January 13, 2026

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Work On A Ship

Cruise ships run like floating cities, with strict rules designed to keep everything safe, professional and picture-perfect.

But behind the smiles and uniforms, crew life is a world of long hours, cramped cabins, and the occasional bit of quiet rebellion.

How do we know this? Well, Lucy Southerton is a popular YouTuber who shares stories of life at sea on her channel ‘Cruising as Crew’, and she was interviewed by Dan and Jay of Sail Away Magazine on some of the rules that crew members break.

From secret romances to sneaky phone breaks, here are seven of the most common rules crew members break when they think no one’s looking – and why you might find them strangely understandable.

1. Crew–Passenger Relationships

One of the biggest no-nos in cruise ship life is any kind of romantic or sexual relationship between crew and passengers.

A cruise ship bartender serving a drink to a cruise guest

It’s strictly forbidden, and for good reason: cruise lines have to protect both their staff and their guests from awkward situations or worse.

And by worse, imagine those guests who regret their consensual encounters and decide to sue the cruise line big for sexual assault or worse. That’s why it’s so serious – it has happened.

Still, the rule doesn’t stop everyone. Crew/guest encounters happen – sometimes ending in tears, sometimes in trouble, and occasionally in serious accusations when things go wrong.

It’s risky territory, but when people work long hours far from home, emotions can blur. Crew and passengers share small spaces, the same social events, and a constant sense of adventure – which makes it tempting.

For those caught, the best-case scenario is being sent home. The worst-case scenario can involve police and legal trouble. It’s one rule that’s broken often enough that everyone onboard knows it goes on – even if no one admits it out loud.

However, and let me be absolutely clear on this, that doesn’t mean it’s happening with every crew member. Far from it. It might be well-known, but it is still only a small minority that are involved.

So do not, under any circumstances, assume that the crew are up for a bit of fun at sea if you’re single and cruising. Be respectful and don’t chase them.

2. Crew–Crew Hookups

You’d think crew members would at least be allowed to date each other freely – and it’s sort of true, but not quite.

Officially, romantic relationships between crew are discouraged, especially between staff from different departments or ranks. It’s meant to keep things professional and avoid drama in tight quarters.

After all, you might be cooped up on the ship with the same people for six months or more. Do you want to get into a relationship with someone only for it to end badly after a month, with another five months to go?

Still, in reality, shipboard romances are common.

One particularly memorable tale from Lucy involves a crewmate being found handcuffed to her bunk after a “game” gone wrong – proof that even at sea, love (or lust) finds a way.

Cabins are tiny, privacy is non-existent, and emotions can run high. Crew work, eat, socialise and often live within arm’s reach of one another for months. It’s a pressure cooker environment where friendships and flirtations naturally cross the line.

While the rules say no, the sea has a funny way of ignoring them – especially after a few drinks in the crew bar.

3. Breaking the Alcohol Limit

Crew members are allowed to drink, but only a little.

The legal onboard limit is usually 0.05% – roughly one beer – and it’s enforced because staff must always be ready for an emergency. If something happens, passengers rely on the crew to stay sober and in control.

Still, it’s an open secret that many push their luck.

Drinks in the crew bar are cheap, stress levels are high, and off-duty socialising almost always involves alcohol.

As Lucy said, the real problem isn’t having a drink – it’s getting caught. Random breath tests can happen, and if you’re over the limit, you’ll likely be disembarked at the next port.

Some captains are known to schedule tests late in the day so crew have a fair chance to sober up, while others prefer to “catch them out” early in the morning.

Either way, most crew quickly learn how much they can get away with – and when it’s safe to have “just one more.”

4. Petty Theft at Sea

Just like on land, not everyone can resist temptation.

Lucy revealed stories of crew quietly helping themselves to goods from the onboard shops – anything from expensive face cream to chairs and even a painting from the ship’s art gallery.

Most cruise staff are hardworking and honest, but small acts of theft do happen. It’s easy to see why: they work surrounded by luxury items that passengers can buy, but that they themselves can’t afford.

Sometimes it’s boredom, sometimes greed, and sometimes it’s just the thrill of seeing if they can get away with it.

Security teams usually handle these cases quietly to avoid scandal, but when someone is caught, the consequences are immediate – dismissal and repatriation.

Still, stories like the one Lucy tells (of a crew member caught with three chairs and a painting) show that a few people at sea are every bit as daring as the ocean itself.

5. Happy Endings In The Spa

It’s not something cruise lines ever want to acknowledge, but it does happen.

Lucy admitted that during her years working in the onboard spa, some therapists offered “extras” for a cash tip.

As with everything on this list, it’s not common, and certainly not every therapist would dream of it, but it’s a well-known secret in the industry.

The mix of privacy, tips, and lonely passengers can lead to blurred lines.

For some crew, it’s a way to make fast money – a “side hustle” that can earn more than their regular wage. For others, it’s purely rumour. Either way, the rule is clear: any kind of sexual service, paid or not, is grounds for instant dismissal.

It’s one of those uncomfortable realities of ship life – a reminder that when people live and work in such intense, isolated conditions, the normal rules of behaviour can start to drift.

6. Using Mobile Phones on Duty

Most cruise lines have strict policies banning phone use during work hours. Crew are meant to stay professional, focused, and available to guests.

But just like anywhere else, temptation wins.

Phones are lifelines for crew far from home. They’re a way to message family, scroll through social media, or simply escape for a moment of normality.

It’s possible you might see cleaners or maintenance staff “taking a break” somewhere quiet, pretending to scrub a surface while really checking their messages.

One of the most amusing sights is a cleaner standing in a toilet cubicle with a mop in hand, apparently polishing the same spot for ten minutes – when in reality, they’re catching up on WhatsApp.

It’s against the rules, yes, but when you’re working twelve-hour shifts with little downtime, it’s hard to blame them for wanting a few minutes of connection.

7. Cabin Rules and Crew Misbehaviour

Crew cabins are private spaces, but they’re also strictly controlled. Crew are only allowed in their own or authorised cabins, and visitors are usually banned.

Still, it can happen that crew members can either enter a cabin that they shouldn’t be in, or they may linger unnecessarily when they have the authority to be there.

If that sounds ominous, don’t worry. I’ve my own story to share here and it’s really not too bad.

I once walked into my cabin to find two of the cabin attendants in there playing a little game of football using my son’s ball!

Some of you might be mortified but I honestly found it really funny, and didn’t mind at all. Even the most professional workers need a bit of fun sometimes.

Of course, many crew enter cabins as part of their cleaning or maintenance duties – that’s completely normal.

What’s not allowed is lingering, socialising, or playing games inside. Still, moments like that show that at sea, even the staff can feel like mischievous kids now and then.

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Final Word

Life at sea isn’t as polished as the brochures make it look. Behind the uniforms and rehearsed smiles are real people trying to balance discipline with a sense of normality.

Cruise crew work incredibly long hours, live in cramped conditions, and spend months away from home – so it’s hardly surprising that some rules get quietly bent along the way.

From sneaky phone breaks to secret romances, these stories aren’t about bad behaviour as much as they are about being human. For most crew, the small rule-breaking moments are what keep them sane in a world where work and life blur together.

So next time you’re on a cruise, spare a thought for the crew who make your holiday effortless. They’re not just part of the ship – they’re the heartbeat of it, doing their best to follow the rules… and sometimes breaking them a little.

Here’s Lucy’s interview with Dan and Jay in full, if you want to see more:

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Cruise Ship Waiter Reveals The Intense Medical Exams They Have To Pass

October 17, 2025

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise News Work On A Ship

A crew member has shared details of the gruelling medical tests they have to take before stepping onboard, and it’s way more intense than you ever imagined.

With contracts for the food and beverage team usually lasting around eight months, cruise lines are extremely stringent when it comes to making sure that crew members are fit for the job.

So if you’d like a peek behind the curtain into what that entails, read on, as one cruise ship waiter has shared her medical forms on social media,

A Full Day of Medical Tests

The medical exam for cruise ship crew isn’t something you can pop in and out of on your lunch break. It usually takes a full day, as there’s so much to get through.

Because several tests require fasting, crew are often told not to eat or drink anything except water for 8 to 10 hours before their appointment. So, most start early in the morning, stomach rumbling, and spend the day moving from one floor to another for each stage of testing.

That means arriving early in the morning, hungry and ready to start the medical marathon.

1. Blood Tests

As many of these require fasting beforehand, these are done first. Blood is taken and tested for

FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar) – Measures glucose levels to screen for diabetes or other blood sugar issues.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) – Checks how well the kidneys are working.
Creatinine – Looks for signs of kidney damage.
Cholesterol (With Fasting) – Measures total cholesterol to assess heart health.
Triglycerides (With Fasting) – High levels can indicate a higher risk of heart disease.
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) – The “good” cholesterol that helps remove excess fat from the bloodstream.
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – The “bad” cholesterol that can clog arteries.
SGOT and SGPT (Liver Enzymes) – Show how well the liver is functioning and detect possible liver disease.
CBC (Complete Blood Count) – Gives a detailed look at red and white blood cells to check for anaemia, infection, or immune problems.
Blood Typing – Determines the person’s blood group in case of emergency transfusions.
HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen) – Screens for Hepatitis B infection.
HEPA C Test (Hepatitis C) – Checks for signs of Hepatitis C, which can cause long-term liver issues.
HIV/AIDS Test – Detects HIV infection, which affects the immune system.
RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) – Screens for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection.
Salmonella Test – Detects exposure to salmonella bacteria, which can cause severe food poisoning.

2. Ultrasound

Before crew can even think about breakfast, they’re sent for an abdominal ultrasound, which is also done on an empty stomach.

This scan checks all the major internal organs, including the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.

It helps doctors spot gallstones, liver problems, kidney disease, and other hidden issues that could cause trouble. Because the test requires a clear view of the organs, fasting ensures there’s no food or gas in the stomach to block the images.

3. Specimen Tests

After finishing the fasting procedures and grabbing a much-needed snack, the crew member moves on to what’s politely called the specimen tests. This means providing both urine and stool samples. It’s not exactly the most glamorous part of the day, but it’s an an important one.

The urinalysis checks for signs of infection, dehydration, kidney problems or high sugar levels that could point to diabetes. Even traces of blood or protein can reveal early warning signs of illness that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Then there’s the fecalysis, or stool test. This screens for parasites, bacteria and other digestive issues, making sure the crew member isn’t carrying anything that could spread in the close quarters of a ship’s galley or dining room.

It may sound unpleasant, but these tests are essential for maintaining strict hygiene standards at sea and ensuring that everyone handling food is completely healthy before boarding.

4. Drug and Alcohol Screening

Next comes one of the strictest parts of the medical exam – the drug and alcohol tests. Every crew member, no matter their role, must prove they’re completely free from illegal substances before joining the ship.

A urine sample is tested for traces of amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine and marijuana (THC). Even a small positive result for illegal substances means automatic disqualification.

There’s also an alcohol test, which checks for recent drinking. While having a glass of wine at home is fine, turning up to a medical with alcohol in your system is a definite fail. Cruise lines have a zero-tolerance policy for substance use, so this step ensures every crew member boards fully sober, safe and ready to work.

5. X-Ray

Once all the lab work and samples are out of the way, the crew member heads to radiology for their chest X-ray. This is one of the most important parts of the exam. It checks for tuberculosis (TB), pneumonia or any other lung or heart abnormalities that could make life onboard unsafe.

If the X-ray shows anything suspicious, the crew member would need to see a specialist or undergo further testing before being cleared to work. Otherwise, it’s a quick in-and-out procedure – one deep breath, one snapshot – and then it’s on to the next test.

6. ECG

The ECG (Electrocardiogram) measures the electrical activity of the heart. Small sensors are placed on the chest, arms, and legs to record the heartbeat and rhythm.

This test can detect irregularities such as arrhythmias, high blood pressure effects, or other heart problems that might not show any symptoms yet.

7. Lung Function Test

Next comes spirometry, a simple but crucial lung function test. The crew member blows into a special tube connected to a machine that measures how much air they can exhale and how quickly.

This checks for conditions like asthma or reduced lung capacity, both of which could affect endurance or breathing in physically demanding roles.

8. Hearing Test

The audiometry test checks hearing levels by playing a series of tones at different pitches and volumes through headphones. The crew member presses a button every time they hear a sound, helping to identify even slight hearing loss.

Clear hearing is crucial on a ship, whether it’s listening for alarms, safety announcements or guests placing orders in a noisy dining room.

9. Eyesight Test

The visual acuity test measures how well the crew member can see at various distances. If they wear glasses, they will take the test both with and without their glasses, to make sure that the eyewear that they have is suitable.

There’s also an Ishihara test, which checks for colour blindness. If someone is severly colour blind they may not be approved for work on a ship, even as a waiter, as they may need to be able to distinguish colours for safety reasons.

10. Dental Examination

As part of the physical assessment, every crew member undergoes a dental exam. With limited access to dentists during the contract, cruise lines want to be absolutely sure every crew member’s teeth and gums are healthy before they step on the ship.

During the check-up, the dentist looks for cavities, gum disease, infections, or broken fillings, and checks that the crew member’s bite and jaw are normal. X-rays may be taken.

If the dentist finds any dental work that needs doing, the crew member must have it completed before being cleared as “fit to work.” The clinic will hold their medical file until a dentist signs off that the problem’s been treated.

11. Pregnancy Test

For female crew members, a pregnancy test is mandatory before they can be declared fit to work.

The test is quick urine sample and results are usually available within minutes. If it’s positive, the crew member will be placed on hold until after pregnancy and recovery, at which point they can reapply for a new contract if they wish.

12. Physical Examination

The last stage of the medical is the physical exam, where a doctor gives the crew member a full head-to-toe check-up. This part ties everything together, confirming that all systems are working as they should before anyone is declared fit for duty.

It starts with the basics, height, weight, BMI, blood pressure and pulse.

Then, there’s a general physical inspection. The doctor checks for things like hernias, varicose veins or skin conditions that could worsen during long contracts at sea.

Finally, there’s the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). It’s not the most comfortable moment, but an important one. It allows the doctor to check for any abnormalities that could signal more serious health issues.

By this point, the crew member has been examined inside and out, ensuring they’re genuinely healthy and ready for life on board.

What Happens Next

After completing what feels like a full body MOT, the final step is waiting for the results, which are usually available with a couple of days.

Once every test has been reviewed, the clinic compiles everything into one crucial document: the Fit to Work certificate.

If all results are normal, the crew member is cleared and ready to travel. But if something shows up, perhaps high cholesterol, a dental issue, or an infection, they’ll need to get treatment and repeat the relevant test before clearance can be issued.

Only when that final signature is added does the crew member officially pass their medical. So the next time you see your waiter smiling through dinner service, remember – before they ever stepped onboard, they’d already passed one of the toughest exams of their life.

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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.

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The Life of a Cruise Director

September 17, 2025

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise News Cruise Tips Work On A Ship

Most people step on board a cruise ship ready to relax with cocktails and sunsets.

For the crew, though, it’s a very different story. Life at sea is a mix of long hours, new adventures, and the occasional surreal moment that you simply couldn’t make up.

Few people know this better than Anette Taylor, Cruise Director at Riviera Tra v el, who has spent decades helping guests see the world while calling a ship her workplace.

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A Career That Started by Chance

Anette didn’t set out to work on cruise ships. In fact, the whole thing began by accident.

“After my husband and I married, he suggested we try working together,

“Within a week, we were offered roles as Cruise Director and Social Director on a Mediterranean ship.”

That one decision turned into 13 years sailing together on ocean liners.

Eventually, the couple returned to England, but for Anette the pull of life on the water was too strong to ignore.

Anette Taylor, Riviera Travel Cruise Director with husband

She joined Riviera Travel and, 26 years later, is still leading river and ocean cruises with the same enthusiasm.

What a Cruise Director Really Does

To guests, the Cruise Director might look like the friendly face who introduces entertainment or joins the odd excursion. In reality, the role is a constant juggling act.

“Port time is crucial…I use it to plan programmes, confirm excursions, check flight delays, and coordinate with the Captain and Hotel Manager on special celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries.

“It’s also my time to catch up on emails and research the next destination.”

In other words, while many passengers are out exploring, Anette is working behind the scenes to make sure every detail is in place.

She also accompanies travellers on trickier tours, ensuring they’re safe, smooth, and fun.

A Floating Community

One of the biggest differences between river and ocean cruises is what life is like for the crew. On smaller river ships, there’s less space, and staff often share cabins.

Ocean liners, on the other hand, usually offer gyms, bars, and even crew-only restaurants.

“Crew life is about more than work…

“People pursue passions, from studying for degrees to training for marathons, and socialising is a big part of life on board. Many friendships last a lifetime; I’m still in touch with colleagues from 35 years ago.”

Those bonds are forged partly because the crew live in such close quarters. I

t’s an environment that can be intense, but it also means there’s always someone around to share a coffee, celebrate a birthday, or swap stories from the day.

Packing for the Job

Contracts typically last between one and three weeks, with breaks in between. While uniforms are provided, crew still need to pack carefully.

“Crew members need to pack for varying climates and destinations, bringing essentials like medications, toiletries, and seasonal clothing,”

With the constant change in weather and locations, it’s about being ready for anything, whether that’s rain in Amsterdam or blazing sunshine in Budapest.

And while technology makes it easier to keep in touch with loved ones back home, life on board has its own social scene.

“Staying connected with family and friends is easier than ever, but life at sea can also spark romances, some that last, some that end when contracts do.”

Tales You Wouldn’t Believe

If there is one thing that defines a life at sea, it is unpredictability. No matter how carefully a cruise is planned, surprises can and do happen.

Over the years, Anette has collected a catalogue of memories that prove working on a ship is anything but ordinary.

“Once, 300 school students on a short cruise got completely out of hand… Nothing worked until the captain disengaged the stabilisers. Calm returned almost instantly.”

For anyone who has worked with large groups, the image is instantly relatable: teenagers full of energy, excitement and little interest in rules. But on a ship, normal crowd-control tactics don’t always apply.

The solution in this case was as unusual as it was effective. Switching off the stabilisers would cause the ship to rock more noticeably, immediately distracting the students and cutting through the chaos.

It is a reminder that at sea, even the ship itself can be used as a tool to restore calm.

On another occasion, the drama was less about disruption and perhaps a little funnier.

“A gust of wind blew a passenger’s toupee into the Danube, and we all watched it float gently downstream,”

It’s the kind of moment that no amount of training can prepare a crew member for. While the passenger may not have seen the funny side at the time, it became one of those stories that lives on in crew folklore.

For Anette, it illustrates how the smallest, most unexpected events often stick in the memory long after the grand destinations fade into the background.

Together, these tales capture the variety of life on board. One moment you’re finding creative ways to calm 300 teenagers, the next you’re watching a toupee sail off into Europe’s second-longest river.

They are the kind of memories that make a cruise career so unique, and the kind of stories that keep crew members swapping anecdotes years later.

Advice for Newcomers

For anyone tempted to trade an office desk for the open sea, Anette doesn’t sugarcoat it. The job is rewarding, but it’s demanding too.

“Gratuities are welcome year-round, and while downtime is limited, the rewards are plenty; new destinations, lifelong friendships, and the thrill of seeing the world from a truly unique perspective.”

A Life Less Ordinary

Anette’s journey shows that working on a cruise ship is about far more than ticking off ports on a map. It’s about being part of a community, creating special moments for guests, and collecting a few unforgettable stories of your own along the way.

From toupees floating down the Danube to lifelong friendships forged at sea, it’s a career that proves work can sometimes feel a lot like adventure.

Today, Anette continues to share her expertise and passion for travel as a Cruise Director with Riviera Travel, the UK’s leading river cruise and tour operator.

For 40 years Riviera has been curating holidays with care, bringing to life the world’s most fascinating destinations.

Their focus is on quality rather than quantity, ensuring every itinerary is thoughtfully balanced so travellers can explore at a relaxed pace while enjoying the best each destination has to offer.

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How Much Cruise Crew Really Earn – One Crew Member Reveals All!

August 28, 2025

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Work On A Ship

Ever wondered how lucrative it would be to work on a cruise ship?

Can you make a decent living, or do you sacrifice that for the benefit of a job that may not pay well, but lets you travel and see the world?

One crew member from Royal Caribbean has revealed all by sharing his payslip – and you might be surprised.

Chris Wong Shared His Payslips With Us

Chris Wong is a British crew worker who joined Royal Caribbean in 2013, starting out in the gift shops before finding his niche in the casino.

Away from the tables he runs @ChristopherWongVLOGS, one of the most-watched cruise-life channels on YouTube, with 114,000 subscribers.

And in one of his most popular videos, titled “How Much Money I Currently Earn Working On A Cruise Ship in 2025”, he announced that his current contract will be his last – but not before revealing exactly what a month in the job paid.

Crew Pay Revealed

Royal Caribbean pays its crew every two weeks, and Chris shared that in January 2025 he received two payments.

Pay Period	Net Pay (USD)	Net Pay (GBP)
First half of January	$2,890.21	£2,145.52
Second half of January	$1,450.09	£1,076.50
Monthly total:	$4,340.30	£3,222.93

What’s important to remember is that this salary doesn’t take into account Chris’ lifestyle as a crew worker, and what he doesn’t have to pay for.

Because he’s working on a cruise ship, he enjoys:

Free accommodation
No utility bills, except optional internet expenses
Free food

“That’s a lot of money, especially when you’re not paying rent or car payments… It’s actually pretty difficult to earn that kind of salary back in the UK right now.”

Chris, in his video

Why the Numbers Change

A casino host’s income is made up of:

Base salary – fixed each month.
Commission – a percentage of casino revenue, usually higher on larger, North-American-based ships.
Guest tips – often added to a player’s account or handed over in cash at the tables.

When Chris worked as an assistant host on the Caribbean-based Icon of the Seas, a bumper month of tips pushed his earnings close to US $5,000 – more than he currently makes in a more senior role on a smaller ship sailing from Australia.

In other words, where the ship sails and who the guests are can matter as much as your job title.

How Gratuities Work on Royal Caribbean

Many crew rely on tips to make up part of their salary, and those on Royal Caribbean are no different.

Guests on Royal Caribbean see an automatic service gratuity added to their SeaPass account unless they choose to pre-pay before sailing:

US $18.50 per person, per day in standard cabins
US $21.00 per person, per day in suites

Those amounts are pooled and divided among hundreds of “front-of-house” crew – stateroom attendants, dining-room waiters, assistant waiters and head waiters.

A cheerful bartender in a vibrant blue Hawaiian shirt and straw hat pours a drink at a Royal Caribbean bar, sharing a moment of joy with laughing guests clad in tropical attire, encapsulating the lively spirit of a cruise vacation.

Back-of-house teams (galley, laundry, provisions) are paid fixed wages, while revenue-generating departments such as the casino rely on a mix of salary, commissions and discretionary tips.

Because the pot is shared, removing the automatic charge at Guest Services – something the cruise line allows, but discourages – reduces the entire pool and everyone’s share, not just the service you happened to be unhappy with.

Seasoned cruisers who prefer to hand over cash tips still tend to leave the automatic amount in place, then reward individuals on top.

Where Extra Cash Tips Make the Biggest Impact

Stateroom attendant – the person who turns your cabin around twice a day.
Dining-room wait team – especially on longer voyages where they get to know your preferences.
Bar staff – drinks carry an 18 per cent service charge, but an extra dollar or two per round goes straight to the server.
Casino staff – dealers and hosts are usually excluded from the main gratuity pool, so consider tipping directly if you enjoy their service.

Because casino staff aren’t generally included in automatic gratuities (although it varies by cruise line), typically anything you pay as a cash tip in the casino will be pooled and shared equally amongst the casino staff.

That way, all crew members in the casino get to share in some form of tipping pool even if they aren’t the ones dealing the winning hands to the guests (when they are often at their most generous).

Chris Wong’s Next Chapter

After eleven contracts Chris is handing the casino-host baton to a colleague and “sailing into the next phase” of his life.

He has not yet said whether dry land or another cruise line is in his future, but with a healthy savings pot, a thriving YouTube channel and a decade of stories to tell, his options are wide open.

His example shows that ship life offers more than sunsets and buffet dinners; it can provide a solid income with minimal overheads if you are willing to work hard, live in close quarters and keep smiling when the passenger at the roulette wheel asks for five more red chips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPBtETB6jw0

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12 Things Cruise Crew Do With Their Precious Time Off

June 16, 2025

by Luxury Cruising Editorial Cruise Lines Cruise News Work On A Ship

I tell you what – the crew on a cruise ship are a special breed. I don’t think there’s anyone in travel that works harder than these fantastic folks, who do so much to make our cruises special.

They work darn hard, for long hours, and it’s not an easy job by any means. But how do they relax when they do get some precious time off? What are they allowed to do?

Whether you’re thinking about signing up for a job, or you just want to know more about the wonderful people who make everything run ship-shape onboard, there might be some surprises once you know…

1. Hit the Crew Bar

The crew bar is a social hub unlike any pub on land. Cheap drinks, loud music, and a rotating cast of international friends make it the go-to spot after a long shift.

It’s where birthdays are celebrated, frustrations are vented, and unlikely friendships are forged over beers, card games, and spontaneous dance parties.

Expect more than just drinks – theme nights, wine and cheese evenings, and special parties all add different vibes.

Prices at the crew bar are super-low compared to what guests will (around $2–$3 for drinks), and crew can pre-order bottles to keep in their cabins. Dress code? There isn’t one. Crew might show up in pyjamas or go all out with hair and makeup, depending on their mood.

The vibe ranges from mellow to wild depending on the night, the weather, and the energy onboard – but once work wraps up, it’s usually buzzing with life. With no real “weekends” at sea, any night can feel like a Friday.

2. Go Sightseeing

Some crew take every chance they get to explore new places. Even with limited time, a quick walk to a beach, a famous landmark, or a local market can be just the reset they need.

Repeat itineraries help – by the third or fourth visit, many know exactly where they want to go. But at the same time, it can mean that sightseeing quickly becomes a little repetitive itself.

Still, whether it’s ticking off bucket-list sites or just taking in the vibe of a new town, sightseeing helps keep wanderlust alive.

What crew often do, if they’re lucky enough to have time ashore on a regular basis, is hunt out the hidden gems. The spots that are off the beaten track.

Next time you’re on a cruise, if you get the chance to strike up a conversation with a crew member, ask if they’ve got any recommendations. You might be surprised.

3. Try New Food and Drink Shoreside

Crew are fed for free on a cruise ship, which is a great perk – except that things can get a bit repetitive. It’s not like the menu is changing constantly.

So while crew will often try to save as much money as possible, some may see local cuisine as a huge perk of working on a cruise ship.

For food lovers, trying the best jerk chicken in Jamaica, the freshest ceviche in Cozumel, or authentic pizza in Naples becomes a hobby. Even grabbing a local beer or coffee can feel like a little vacation.

Crew often have their favourite go-to spots in port, and recommendations travel fast onboard – if a place is cheap, tasty, and fast, everyone hears about it.

4. Find Free WiFi

Cruise crew get several perks when living on the ship, but WiFi doesn’t tend to be one of them – and if it is, we’re talking a strict limit on minutes.

WiFi onboard is expensive and even then it’s not always reliable, so shoreside internet becomes gold.

Crew members often have their favourite cafes or hidden WiFi spots mapped out in every port. The moment they connect, it’s a race to download messages, call home, scroll social feeds, and check in with the world.

It’s not glamorous, but sitting on a curb outside a fast-food place FaceTiming family is a common – and meaningful – scene in cruise life.

Again, if you’re on the hunt for free WiFi yourself, ask the crew – there’s a good chance they’ll know some places.

5. Shop for Essentials and Snacks

Life at sea means limited access to basic items, so port days are a chance to stock up.

Crew head ashore to grab everything from toiletries and vitamins to local snacks and clothes. For many, it’s about comfort: their favourite shampoo, a proper snack stash, or something that feels “normal” after weeks onboard.

Discount stores and supermarkets are top stops, especially in big ports like Miami or Barcelona where selection is wide and prices are low.

However, Bryan James (a prolific YouTuber who works on cruise ships) has suggested that sometimes the onboard crew stores have everything the crew need or want.

I’m surprised he calls the prices cheap, though!

6. Hook Up – But Not With Guests (Normally…)

Romance and flings are part of ship life, but the unspoken (and sometimes spoken) rule is: not with passengers.

Most crew know the risks and stick to crew-only liaisons, which can range from casual to surprisingly serious.

With limited privacy, secret codes, and quick connections, shipboard romances can be both intense and short-lived. Still, the unique social environment makes it easy to bond – and for some, those hookups turn into long-term relationships or even marriage.

Some cruise lines will let crew register as a couple, which can just help ensure they get the same contracts together or, where possible, share a cabin.

Still, that can cause issues if those relationships sour at all…

7. Relax Shoreside

Sometimes the best use of time off is to simply be somewhere else.

For many crew, stepping off the ship – even just to sit by the water or stretch out on grass – offers a rare kind of peace. It’s a moment without uniforms, rules, or noise.

A cold drink, some sun, and no one asking questions feels luxurious. Especially after long, stressful days, the mental reset of quiet relaxation can be the best kind of self-care.

8. Crew Events

Behind the scenes, ships often host crew-only events: movie nights, talent shows, bingo, sports tournaments, or themed parties.

These moments break up the routine and give people a chance to shine outside of their job roles. Events like crew appreciation days or cultural nights can bring a surprising sense of community.

It’s also a space to decompress with co-workers, share laughs, and celebrate small wins. And with little cost involved, they’re a morale booster.

9. Exercise

Health-conscious crew squeeze in workouts wherever possible.

Some ships may have small crew gyms, while others may allow crew to use the guest gym outside of normal hours (provided they don’t cause a huge amount of noise).

Time ashore means the chance to go for a run or hike for some, but typically it’s too precious and the exercise will be kept to the onboard spaces.

A lot of crew members see exercise as more about mental health than physical fitness – an escape from tight living quarters and constant company. Whether it’s a quick stretch, a soccer match on a beach, or hitting the gym between shifts, movement helps crew feel human again.

10. Personal Development

Some crew members see their contracts as an opportunity to grow.

That could mean taking online courses, learning a new language, saving money for future plans, or even practicing musical instruments – there are plenty of entertainers onboard to learn from (if they’re feeling generous with their own time off, anyway).

Quiet hours in cabins or lounges become study time, and a surprising number of crew are actively working toward certifications, side hustles, or creative projects.

Life onboard can be intense, but it also offers structure – and for those motivated, time to plan what’s next. Perhaps the next steps towards becoming an officer?

11. Run Errands

Not all time off is glamorous – sometimes it’s just about catching up on life stuff.

Need a new phone charger? Need to send money home? Need a check-up at a local clinic? Crew often use port days to squeeze in things they can’t do at sea.

Some errands are practical, some bureaucratic, but they’re all vital. Even a trip to a post office or pharmacy can feel like a win when you’re used to living on a floating city.

12. Rest!

Above all else, crew are often just exhausted. The hours are long, the work can be physical, and sleep is inconsistent. So when they get a break, many simply crash.

That might mean curling up in their cabin for a solid nap, lounging in a quiet corner with noise-cancelling headphones, or zoning out on Netflix.

Rest isn’t always the most exciting thing, but for most crew, it’s the one luxury they actually need the most.

What About During Dry Dock?

When a cruise ship enters dry dock for renovation, it’s often one of the biggest periods of downtime for cruise crew.

Some cruise lines will manage the contracts to make sure that crew return home during this time, but others will still have crew members retained, and may offer them some precious extended time off from their typical duties.

Final Word

There are plenty of options available to crew members when they do have down time, but unfortunately they just don’t get many hours in which to enjoy them.

That being said, a lot of people still really enjoy the lifestyle, so if you’re thinking about working on a cruise ship, don’t be put off too much. As you can see, there’s a varied lifestyle to enjoy around your work.

Here’s another video from Bryan James, showing a rare full day off – and how he squeezed in a few of the things from this article. Check it out:

And if you’re just an interested passenger? Make sure you’re as respectful as possible with the crew’s time. They’re there to work hard for you, but don’t be ridiculous with your requests.

A lot of crew love little gifts of snacks and treats too, just a heads up…

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What “Teaching Onboard” Actually Means

Who Can Get Free Cruises By Teaching On A Cruise?

1. Bridge And Card Game Instructors

2. Clergy And Faith Leaders

3. Guest Lecturers And Enrichment Speakers

4. Arts And Crafts Hosts

5. Photography Experts

6. Dance Instructors

7. Language Teachers

8. Fitness And Wellness Coaches

TODAY’S BEST CRUISE DEALS!

9. Music And Performance Coaches

10. Cookery And Food Demonstrators

11. Technology Tutors

12. Wine And Drinks Experts

13. Special Interest Hosts (From Genealogy To Astronomy)

What Cruise Lines Expect In Return

How You Actually Land One Of These Roles

Not Actually “Free”

Final Word

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What Cruise Gratuities Actually Are

Why People Remove Gratuities

Who Actually Loses Out When You Remove Them

Why Bad Service Is Rarely Just One Person’s Fault

What I Do Instead When Service Is Bad

“But Shouldn’t Tips Be Earned?”

When It’s Fair to Escalate or Complain

Removing Gratuities and Tipping Cash Instead Isn’t a Solution

The Bigger Picture

Get the best price on your cruise…

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Most Cruise Crew Do Not Get Free WiFi

How Much Crew Pay For WiFi

Why Minutes Vs MB Makes Such a Difference

How Fast Costs Add Up

Why Crew Need WiFi

Slow Speeds and Little Privacy

What Crew Do Get Included

The Role of New Tech Like Starlink

Free WiFi Ashore: The Great Connection Dash

How Guests Can Be Supportive

TODAY’S BEST CRUISE DEALS!

Final Word

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1. Skydiving Instructor

2. Ice Skater

3. Submarine Pilot

4. Helicopter Pilot

5. Assistant to the Chief Dog Officer

6. Kennel Master

7. Tattoo Artist

8. Gardener

9. Bridge Instructor

10. Surfing Instructor

11. Art Auctioneer

12. Dance Host

13. Astronomer

The Bottom Line

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How Much Waiters Make

Junior/Assistant Waiters

Senior Waiters

Head Waiters/Team Leads

Room Service Waiters

Factors That Impact Wages For Cruise Waiters

Tips For Cruise Waiters

Working Hours for Cruise Ship Waiters

Benefits That Add to the “Real” Salary

How Cruise Waiter Pay Compares to Other Cruise Ship Jobs

How to Become a Waiter on a Cruise Ship

Pros and Cons of Being a Cruise Ship Waiter

TODAY’S BEST CRUISE DEALS!

Final Word

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1. Crew–Passenger Relationships