Working on a cruise ship

What is a typical day like working on a cruise ship?

On a sea day, the cruise ship remains at sea, allowing passengers to fully enjoy the ship's amenities and entertainment. Throughout the day, crew members are constantly on the move, attending to guest requests, maintaining public areas, and ensuring the ship's smooth operation.

Sea days can be demanding for staff, with shifts often lasting 10 to 13 hours depending on the department and cruise itinerary. The time you'll have while off shift in port also depends on your role and shift pattern.

What jobs are on offer?

Whether your background is in hospitality, entertainment, or IT, there's likely a role suited for you.

• Accommodation - Keep cabins clean and guest areas inviting. This department is ideal for those with a passion for hospitality. Positions include laundry staff, cleaners, and stewards.
• Casino - Experienced croupiers can find excellent opportunities dealing cards and managing table games.
• Children's services - Keep young passengers entertained and safe. Qualified nannies and experienced children's entertainers are in high demand.
• Deck and engine - These technical roles are ideal for individuals with engineering degrees or relevant experience. Strong language skills can be a bonus.
• Entertainment - Singers, dancers, activity hosts, and qualified swimming instructors are needed alongside holiday representatives, tourism officers or tour managers.
• Fitness and beauty - Qualified professionals in hairdressing, massage therapy, personal training, and other beauty services provide rejuvenating treatments to passengers.
• Food and beverage - Bartenders, waiters, waitresses, and chefs are needed to create delicious dining experiences for passengers.
• IT - Keep the ship's IT systems running smoothly. If you have a degree or experience in information technology, this could be your ideal role.
• Management - Lead the way and oversee various onboard operations. Cruise lines offer management positions for individuals with experience or qualifications in business, leisure, travel, or tourism management.
• Medical - Ensure the wellbeing of passengers and crew. Doctors, nurses and paramedics are essential roles on every cruise ship.
• Retail - On-board shops will employ graduates with experience working in a retail environment to sell duty-free goods or other merchandise.

Cruise lines offer seasonal and full-time work. They often promote from within, so starting in an entry-level position can open doors to advancement.

Discover the skills employers want.

How much money can I make on a cruise ship?

Your salary depends on your specific role and level of experience. Entry-level cruise ship jobs, such as hospitality, housekeeping, retail, or waiting staff positions, typically pay around £1,000 to £1,500 per month, often with accommodation and meals included.

With experience and progression into specialist or management roles, salaries can rise to between £2,000 and £4,000 per month. Senior officers, entertainment managers, engineers, and technical staff may earn considerably more.

Cruise companies usually pay salaries in US dollars (USD), although rates can vary depending on the:

• cruise line
• employment contract
• hiring region
• role.

Working on a cruise ship can also offer tax advantages for UK residents through the Seafarers' Earnings Deduction (SED), which may reduce taxable income depending on how much time is spent working outside the UK. Tax rules can be complex, so it's worth seeking advice from a qualified tax specialist to understand your individual circumstances.

How long is a crew member contract?

Your contract duration can vary, ranging from six to nine months, or even 12 months, depending on the specific job requirements. After completing a contract, crew members usually receive several weeks of leave before beginning another assignment, although the exact length varies by employer and role.

Once you're onboard and your initial contract nears its end, you might be able to extend your stay. This allows you to continue working beyond the initial six-month period, for an additional two or three months.

Extending your contract can be beneficial if the ship requires more workers, or if it's more efficient to keep you on board while your replacement is assigned to another vessel.

Cruise companies invest time and resources in training their employees, creating excellent opportunities for career advancement. Once onboard, you'll be encouraged to seek promotions, and your hard work will be recognised.

How much time do crew members get off?

Crew members do not usually receive traditional weekly days off during contracts, although they are entitled to minimum rest periods under maritime regulations.

Workload varies by department; for example, departments such as casino operations and entertainment may have more downtime during daytime hours while the ship is in port.

What are the benefits of working on a cruise ship?

It offers numerous advantages, with the most obvious being the opportunity to travel the globe.

As an onboard staff member, you'll get to explore a range of destinations such as:

• Asia
• the Caribbean
• Europe
• the Mediterranean
• South America.

When working on a cruise ship, your accommodation and meals are covered. This means you can save a significant amount of money without worrying about rent or other living expenses, as you're typically onboard for at least six months of the year.

Another benefit of working on a cruise ship is connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. You'll forge new friendships and establish valuable international contacts that will benefit you throughout your career.

Which cruise companies can I work for?

Cruise ship jobs are available with a variety of cruise companies, including:

• Avalon Waterways
• Carnival
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard
• Disney Cruise Line
• Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
• Holland America Line
• Marella Cruises
• MSC Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Saga Cruises
• Seabourn
• Silversea Cruises

How do I get a cruise ship job?

You'll find that cruise ship companies hire year-round, but you might have better chances of finding a job during high season.

At a minimum, you'll need to:

• be at least 18 years old, although some roles and cruise lines require applicants to be 21+
• demonstrate English language proficiency
• hold a valid passport
• maintain a clean criminal record.

Before applying for jobs, thoroughly research the cruise line that interests you. Understanding their offerings and target market is essential. Each company has a unique brand identity, so familiarise yourself with their mission statement.

Many large cruise lines use recruitment agencies for hiring. Ensure you understand both the agency's and the cruise line's application procedures.

Most applications involve submitting a CV and cover letter or completing an online form. Tailor your application to the specific role, highlighting your relevant experience.

Competition can be fierce, with hundreds of applicants per position. For entertainment roles, include a professional photograph. Remember, you're applying to the cruise line, not a particular ship.

There will likely be several application stages, including a video or telephone interview, before you receive an invitation for a face-to-face interview.

Personality is a key factor in selection. Applicants should possess a positive and can-do attitude, as cruise lines seek confident, outgoing team players with a passion for exceptional customer service.

What qualifications do I need?

Working on a cruise ship can be highly competitive, so having relevant qualifications and work experience is key to impressing potential employers.

The specific qualifications needed for a cruise ship job depend on the position and the cruise company you're applying to. Entry requirements can vary between cruise operators, so thorough research is essential before applying.

For IT, management, and medical roles, a degree-level education is usually required. A degree in engineering can be beneficial for those interested in working in the engine room. On the other hand, professional qualifications are typically preferred for positions like:

• chef
• beauty therapist
• nanny
• personal trainer.

When it comes to accommodation, bar and restaurant staff, and entertainers, some prior experience in a similar role is often necessary. It's possible to get a cruise ship job with no qualifications or experience, but you'll likely start at an entry-level position and work your way up.

Basic safety training is mandatory for everyone working on a cruise ship. This training covers essential skills like:

• basic firefighting
• first aid
• personal survival techniques.

These training programmes are incorporated into the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for mariners. You'll also need a seafarer's medical certificate. Ports around the world have varying visa requirements that you'll also need to fulfil.

If you're interested in advancing your career in the cruise industry, consider pursuing further education. Search postgraduate courses that can help you achieve your career goals.

Are there disadvantages to working on a cruise ship?

Although accommodation and meals are typically included, some entry-level cruise ship salaries can be relatively modest compared with the long hours worked. You'll also work long hours with little time off, and homesickness can be a challenge for some.

Living quarters on a cruise ship can be cramped, requiring you to adapt to sharing small spaces with other crew members. Maintaining a good work-life balance is also difficult, as you're confined to the ship for most of your time, with no option to clock off and go home like those working on land.

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