life as cruise ship crew

Crew Life on Cruise Ships: Ship Life & Crew Areas | Ultimate Guide

All You Need to Know about Crew Life onboard a Cruise Ship: Ship Life & Crew Areas

Before I joined a cruise ship for the first time as a Shore excursions staff , I couldn’t imagine how the life onboard cruise ships actually looked like. All I knew was that I was going to spend seven months at sea, with people I didn’t know and doing a job that I didn’t know much about.

The first few days on a cruise ship were confusing, both fun and challenging… On the first day, I didn’t manage to find my cabin for 45 minutes. I was literally wandering around corridors trying to figure out the ship’s layout. The first days were stuffed with trainings, familiarization with the crew areas, rules, regulations, ship in general, and learning about the job itself, of course.

Whether you are joining a ship as a new hire , or you are just curious to see how the crew life onboard a cruise ship looks like, in this article, I share with you useful insider information and an insight into the crew areas and how we spend our days at sea.

Cruise Ship Crew Life – What to Expect

One of the things you will often hear people saying is that once you experience life at sea, the life on land will never be the same – and I couldn’t agree more.

Living and working on a cruise ship is one of the most rewarding experiences you can get for a lifetime. It involves not only getting paid for what you do but also traveling and seeing the world, interacting with people from different social backgrounds, meeting new cultures and traditions. Working on cruise ships is more of a lifestyle than a simple job where you get to earn money for what you do.

Depending on the ship’s size, you will be sharing your living space with hundreds and thousands of people from all around the world. You will be eating, sleeping, working, hanging out, partying, and spending time together. You will make new friends, relationships, experience break-ups, tough times with your coworkers, go through ups and downs.

Be prepared for hard work! Your free time will mainly depend on your job position, as well as your “privileges” and rights. However, whatever your job position is, we all get the same chance to enjoy the ship life and the opportunities offered.

Suggested articles:

10 Things to Know Before You Apply for a Cruise Ship Job

11 Things You Would Never Expect to Be Part of Your Cruise Ship Job

In the sections below, I want to share with you some basic things you need to know about the organization of crew life on a cruise ship and walk you through the crew areas where the crew spends most of their free time.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that many things have changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and that rules, regulations, and ship life organization mainly depend on current cruise line policies and health protocols. 

Given the fact that crew members’ contracts vary from 2 to 9 months, crew life is organized in a way to facilitate the crew members’ life onboard. Accommodation, food, and the use of crew areas are free for all crew members during the whole duration of their contract, which allows us to save money and not spend it on basic life needs.

The majority of crew areas are located on decks zero, 1, 2, or 3, however, this varies by ship size and layout. Read below about the main crew areas onboard cruise ships.

1. Crew Cabins

Most people and new hires are curious to know how our crew cabins look like. First of all, there are two types of crew cabins – single-shared and double-shared cabins , meaning that most of us need to share a cabin with a roommate, usually from the same or similar department.

They are normally located on decks zero, 1, and 2, whereas Bridge officers have their cabins on higher decks closer to the bridge.

Crew cabins are tiny and usually consist of a bunk bed, a closet (with drawers and shelves), a mini-fridge, a TV, a small desk, a chair or two, and a bathroom. Each cabin has its own bathroom, which is good because you share it with only one person.

Depending on your job position and title, you may be assigned a single cabin, meaning that you will have your own privacy and most probably housekeeping service.

If you want to read an in-depth review of crew cabins, I suggest you read my article Inside Cruise Ship Crew Cabins Full Review (2021)

2. Main Crew Corridor

Known as I-95 onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships (named after the famous highway in the USA), every cruise ship has the main crew corridor that runs from the aft (the back of the ship) to the forward of the ship on deck 1.

The majority of the crew cabins are located around this main corridor, which can get extremely busy during the embarkation/debarkation times.

On the surrounding walls, you will find numerous boards filled with important ship rules, regulations, announcements, trainings, activities, and all relevant information for the crew.

While walking down the i-95 corridor, make sure you wear appropriate footwear as it can be very slippery and busy with trolleys and working crew.

Suggested article: Life Onboard a Cruise Ship: 18 Crew Cabins Must-Haves

3. Crew Mess

Crew members onboard cruise ships have their own places to eat, known as “crew mess” and “staff mess”. These are practically buffet-style canteens offering various food choices, from Asian to international cuisine. Depending on the ship size and the number of crew members, there might be a couple of these, two or more, onboard each ship.

Accommodation and food are free for all crew members. Besides the three main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), there are snacks in between and you can always go for filtered coffee, tea, or water in a crew mess. If you want to drink a cappuccino or more quality coffee options, you can order it in a crew bar for an extra fee.

Water on cruise ships is usually potable, however, it is strongly recommended to use bottled water that you can buy in a crew shop for a reasonable fee. You can always buy a case of water and store them in your cabin.

Now, the canteens for crew members are known as crew mess and staff mess .

“Crew mess” is normally dedicated to crew members without stripes, and the food served here is usually Asian cuisine, as the majority of crew members come from the Philipines, India, and other Asian countries.

“Staff mess” usually offers international cuisine and is dedicated to staff and officers.

However, there is usually no difference and everyone is allowed to eat whenever they want.

Based on your rank or title, you may be allowed to eat in guest areas and restaurants in the evening, and this applies only to staff members and higher positions. You may also be allowed to have dinner at specialty restaurants for an extra fee with discounts applied.

Bridge officers and higher management positions are welcome to eat in guest restaurants whenever they want.

4. Crew Bar

Crew bar is one of the most lively areas on a cruise ship. Based on the size of the ship, there might be one or more crew bars on each ship.

It normally consists of an inside area and so-called “back deck”, an open deck where smoking is allowed and where parties and crew events take place. You need to pay for the drinks in a crew bar (starting at $2 per drink), except when the HR department throws theme or “all crew parties” where they offer free soft drinks and beers for all crew members.

There are various events organized on a weekly level, including bingo, raffle, music and food events (wine and cheese, fish and chips nights, etc.), movie nights, and more. These are announced on an information board that you will find in crew areas hanging on the wall.

However, keep in mind that due to the new regulations following the Covid-19 pandemic these might be limited, and vary by companies’ and ships’ management.

5. Crew Laundry Area

Crew members have their own dedicated laundry area that consists of a multitude of washing and dryer machines that are operational 24/7.

The laundry service is free and every crew member is responsible for washing their own clothes and uniforms (although there is an option to have your uniforms washed by the laundry department, however, this takes a few days and I always used to wash uniforms on my own).

You need to use your own washing products that you can purchase in a crew shop known as “slop chest”. Inside the laundry area, you will find ironing boards where you can iron your stuff as ironing inside the crew cabins is not allowed.

As for your cabin sheets, pillowcases and towels, you don’t need to wash these – You can simply discharge the dirty items in the main laundry room and ask the laundry crew to get you the clean ones. Here, you can also grab toilet paper and cleaning products for your bathroom.

Useful tip: I mentioned that the laundry is operational 24/7, however, it usually gets busy during specific peak hours when the majority of crew members have their break. If you are planning to wash your stuff, make sure you avoid these hours.

6. Slop Chest

Every cruise ship has its own slop chest, which is basically a store where the crew can buy snacks, water, soft drinks, hygiene products, cleaning items, and more.

Prices here may be higher than if you buy the products outside in port, so I suggest you buy all you need in a supermarket/shops outside the ship if you find any because that will most probably save you some money.

7. Crew Gym

Every cruise ship has a dedicated gym for its crew members. The size of a gym varies by the ship size and the number of crew members, and these are free, fully equipped, and open 24/7.

Some job positions (staff members, stripe officers) are allowed to use the guest gym at specific time slots (mostly in the evening) however this is now vastly limited and is nowadays based on the Covid-19 regulations.

8. Internet Cafe

Cruise ships feature an internet cafe where crew members can surf and chat with their friends and family back home. This room is equipped with a multitude of computers that crew members can also use to do their job duties, more specifically the company-assigned tasks and trainings, and other online and IT-related jobs.

Some programs and websites can be accessed for free (if it’s for business purposes), however, you need to pay for the internet you use.

Wi-fi internet can be quite expensive and there are several packages you can opt for (daily, weekly, monthly packages). During the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies have provided their crew with an hour or more of free internet.

9. Playroom/Crew Lounge

Besides the crew bar and a coffee shop, there is normally a dedicated area for the crew who wants to play pool table games, table tennis, table football, darts, and other social games.

There is also a library filled with books that the crew members can borrow for free.

10. Incinerator Room

You have probably been wondering where the crew members throw their garbage. Saving and taking care of the environment is a high priority for cruise lines, and there are numerous programs applied to maintain and save the ocean and the environment in general.

Recycling is widely promoted among the crew members and there is a multitude of trainings that enforce us to take the whole save-the-environment concept very seriously.

All crew members collect the garbage inside their crew cabins (bins are available) and once it’s full, the trash needs to be taken to the incinerator room where the items are sorted into differently designated bins. There are bins for glass, paper, plastic, electronics, cans, and there are a couple of incinerators where the rest of the trash is burnt under the supervision of trained staff working in that division.

The incinerator room is normally smelly and can be very slippery, so it’s very important to wear comfortable shoes while walking around (avoid flip-flops, slippers, etc.).

The incinerator crew is always there to assist you to separate the trash in case you need it.

11. Medical Facility

Guests’ and crew members’ health is a top priority for cruise lines and there is a dedicated medical facility onboard each cruise ship for both guests and crew. This medical facility is usually located on deck 1 and is shared, however, there are separate entrances for guests and crew.

All crew members are provided with health insurance and medical care free of charge during the whole duration of their contract. Depending on a cruise ship size, there are a couple of doctors and nurses in charge of the Medical department that you can always address to.

Besides performing their job duties, crew members spend most of their free time outside in ports when available, or inside the crew areas that I mentioned above.

The crew life is organized in a way to make life easier and fun for all crew members, and the department in charge of this is the crew HR department.

Crew HR Department

Every cruise ship has a dedicated HR department that takes care of crew members’ needs, paperwork, payments, crew activities, and everything related to the crew members in general.

This is the first place where you’ll go once you join the cruise ship, regardless of whether you are a new hire or a returning crew member.

The HR department will assign you a cabin based on your job position and vacancies available; they will issue you a cabin key, an ID card that you’ll use for payments onboard the ship, exiting/entering the ship, etc., an emergency card…

If you have some special requests, or you want to complain about something, you can head to the HR team who will help you resolve your issues.

The HR department is also responsible for organizing all crew-related activities, including parties, bingo, raffle, movie nights, and more. These can widely depend on the HR team and HR manager themselves, so the organization of the crew life is not the same on all the ships.

There are usually a couple of crew ATMs onboard each ship and they are located within crew areas. They allow you to withdraw your money in dollars and there is a small fee to pay for each withdrawal transaction (around $2 per transaction). In case that these don’t work, you can go to the HR department who will assist you.

Crew Drills

Safety and security are the top priorities for all crew members working onboard a cruise ship. There are drills organized every cruise, and each crew member is assigned an emergency function and muster station during the whole duration of their contract.

All crew members must be familiarized with the ship’s layout, fire zones, main crew/guest areas, emergency stations, and all relevant to the ship’s safety and how to manage emergency situations.

There are many trainings that all crew members need to go through, both online and onboard, and these are constantly updated.

Whether you are joining a ship as a new hire or a returning crew member, there will be a lot of trainings that you need to do, both online before joining a ship and onboard.

The trainings are organized on various topics, including environmental topics, zero tolerance, safety and security topics, crowd management, and many others.

You will be advised which trainings to do by your direct supervisor or a dedicated app.

In this article, I did my best to give you a simple overview of our crew life and areas where we spend our time when working on a cruise ship.

However, bear in mind that many rules and regulations have changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and these widely depend on the cruise companies’ health protocols and policies.

If you want to read more about crew life, I suggest you take a look at my articles:

Working on Cruise Ships: How to Apply for a Cruise Ship Job?

Inside Crew Cabins on Cruise Ships – Full Review 2021

Food and Beverage Department – Working as a Cruise Ship Waiter?

10 Things to Know before Applying for Cruise Ship Job

Security Jobs onboard Cruise Ships – What You Need to Know

New Hire? This is How Your First Day on a Cruise Ship Looks Like

Life Onboard a Cruise Ship: 18 Crew Cabins Must-Haves

Life of a Cruise Ship Photographer – Crew Member’s Story

Working as a Guest Services Representative on a Cruise Ship

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What Working on Cruise Ships is Really Like: Pros & Cons

Ever wondered what cruise ship crew life is really like or if working on ships is worth it? Keep reading to find out all the good and bad that comes with living at sea!

Working on cruise ships often sounds like a dream, and it definitely can be.

But there were also many times in my three-year career at sea where it honestly felt like a living nightmare.

If you’re considering a life at sea or you’re just curious about cruise ship crew life, here’s some information about the pros and cons from my experience as a pirate seafarer for your entertainment and/or research purposes.

My Experience Working on Cruise Ships

There are always advantages and disadvantages to every job and working on cruise ships is no different. 

Cruise ship crew life can be intense: long hours, no days off for months, lots of rules, demanding guests, small living quarters and little to no privacy.

But working on ships also allows you to travel to places some only dream of while making some amazing connections with fellow seafarers from all over the world.

Despite all the ups and downs of ship life, I wouldn’t change a thing.

You can party all night over international waters, fall asleep to the sound of the ocean, and wake up in a completely different country.

View this post on Instagram Please, please, please don’t ever let me take this for granted: the fact that I can work in the morning, run around Saint Petersburg for a few hours, go back to work until midnight and see this amazing sunset, and then get back off the ship to see people all over the world celebrating the World Cup together in the streets before I return to the floating tin can I call home at 4am. All summer long, every single week #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Jul 6, 2018 at 4:43am PDT

You’ll often hear crew members joking that they’re never coming back; that this is their last contract.

But the truth is that more often than not, we somehow always come crawling back for just one more contract because once you get a taste for life at sea, living anywhere else isn’t the same.

I’ve had the chance to live on foreign land abroad in Japan and even on the ice in Antarctica .

Related: 7 Continents & 7 Seas: How I Got Paid to Travel the World

They were amazing experiences that were less physically demanding than ship life with better pay and fewer work hours. 

But if given the chance to return to just one of my past lives in my journey across all seven continents and seven seas , I would go back to working on cruise ships without batting an eye. 

My heart will always be at sea.

View this post on Instagram Another farewell to this floating home, although I’m sure I’ll be back soon enough ?⚓❤️ #marineradventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Sep 30, 2019 at 12:42pm PDT

The Pros of Working on Cruise Ships

1. you get paid to travel.

This is probably the biggest and most well-known perk of working on ships, and for good reason.

It is the ultimate work and travel job opportunity that has allowed me to travel to 35 countries, frolic on more Caribbean beaches than I can count, spend a month in the Mediterranean, sail through the Arctic Circle, dock in Russia all summer during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, cruise with Jazz legend Dave Koz, visit Greenland , and see endless prismatic sunsets at sea.

All while getting paid.

View this post on Instagram Day 17: Geiranger, Norway | Find the mop of hair by the cliff that just set foot on her 50th country today! ??? #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Jun 5, 2018 at 4:26am PDT

2. Little to no cost of living

On ships, you live where you work.

Unlike life on land, there is no rent to be paid or monthly utility bills that need to be taken care of.

All basic living expenses are covered at sea for crew members: accommodation, water, electricity, and food. 

3. Free medical care

This may not seem that special for most people, but if you’re American like me, this is such a huge benefit to ship life.

When I had an infection during one contract, I was able to get an exam done and receive the necessary antibiotics all between my work shifts, and all at no cost.

Back on land, I avoid seeing my healthcare provider unless I absolutely have to because I know how much it’ll cost me.

4. Flights to and from the ship are provided

While this varies by company and possibly by job, ships generally pay for crew flights.

5. Easily rack up airline flight miles

Because most of the flights my company books for me tend to be with either United or American Airlines, I’ve been able to get mileage credit for all of my flights just going to and from work and have used them to fully fund my vacation flights to Mexico on multiple occasions. 

6. Short work commute

Well, this is obviously after you’ve made it onto the ship.

But once onboard, your daily commute to work is just a few minutes.

I’ve had many late nights out with early morning start times where I rolled out of bed ten minutes before I had to be at work and made it to my shift on time.

7. 6-8 week vacation in between contracts

Times are changing, but typically, you can’t just take an extended multi-week long vacation from work.

One of the perks of working in Japan was that I had week-long vacations three times a year.

On ships, crew members must have a minimum of six weeks of time off between contracts, because, well you don’t have any days off for your entire contract.

While this period is unpaid, it does provide ample time to travel freely for more than just a week.

This is an aside, but for Americans to go anywhere out of the country, I personally find that one week is just not enough time to comfortably enjoy any destination abroad due to the amount of travel time that it takes to simply get out of the States and return.

With ships, I don’t need to request or arrange for extra time off.

8. Save money

If you’re smart, you can save the majority of your paycheck because there are no costs of living or large bills that need to be paid every month.

9. Crew discounts

In many ports, crew members can get discounts on nearly every service possible: taxis/shuttles, restaurants, bars, beach resorts, etc.

Lots of businesses understand that while guests are simply one-time visitors, crew members come back each time the ship returns to the area and can bring in a lot of regular business.

View this post on Instagram Day 44: Cozumel, Mexico | When things don’t go as planned, find a private beach club that doesn’t charge a cover for crew members and eat all the seafood for lunch ???? #navigatoradventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Dec 6, 2017 at 1:38pm PST

10. Escape reality

Working on cruise ships is like living in a floating metal bubble.

Because of the long work hours and limited internet access, I usually don’t have time to keep up with what’s happening back home or anywhere else in the world unless it’s major news that affects us, like a hurricane in the Bahamas or cruise ships no longer being allowed into Cuba. 

11. International connections

While the majority of cruise guests might be primarily from one or two countries, the crew area is like a small, diverse city with people from dozens of countries.

You work and live with people from all around the world, and it’s such a unique experience to learn about their lives and country through interaction.

After three years at sea, most of my closest friends are from ships and not living in the U.S.

While I can’t just drive a few hours to see them, I have an added incentive to vacation or travel to wherever they live.

12. Charter cruises

Sometimes companies or organizations buy out the entire ship for their employees or events at sea.

The guests’ demographics and atmosphere of the ship varies dramatically compared to typical cruisers.

Charters are always exciting for crew, especially if they’re music festivals.

While your rank dictates how much of the events you can partake in (if at all and more on that later), I’d say 70% of the charter cruises I’ve worked on have been very pleasant with better-than-usual guests.

Also dependent on your job position, sometimes charters are better for you, but also sometimes they’re worse.

As a youth counselor, charters that are adults-only tend to be wilder (that’s another story that will have to wait), but it also means that I get a rare break from the typical childcare duties.

View this post on Instagram Day 3: Stockholm, Sweden | Starting off this contract with a seven day Dave Koz charter with no kids ??? #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on May 22, 2018 at 5:55am PDT

13. You get to be part of meaningful humanitarian work

While being able to provide a guest with an amazing and memorable vacation is of course satisfying, the proudest I’ve ever been to be a crew member working for Royal Caribbean was when we were giving back to communities in need and looking out for our neighbors.

Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines have a history of providing aid and humanitarian relief in times of disasters, from evacuating hurricane-stricken islands like Puerto Rico and the Bahamas to supporting those affected by wild and bush fires in California and Australia .

During Hurricane Dorian, the ship that I was on ( Mariner of the Seas ) was called to provide assistance to the Bahamas.

The crew was briefed on the situation and we were informed that we’d be supplying food as well as evacuating as many Bahamians as we could.

Heartwarming: Crew members aboard @royalcaribbean ’s Mariner of the Seas are at sea preparing 20,000 meals to deliver to the people of Freeport in the Bahamas Saturday morning. Staff worked all day and prepared the meals overnight on their own time instead of sleeping. @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/p8hmsGtWRW — Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) September 7, 2019

Even though most of the packaging of meals took place late at night after everyone had finished work, there was not one crew member complaining about the extra hours of work being put in.

While evacuees were on board, the kids’ program staff was asked to entertain the Bahamian children who were evacuating with their families.

Us staff had divided activities and games to host between us, and I got to help out with face painting the kids.

It turns out though, the children wanted to paint as well, so I ended up letting the kids use me as a human canvas and I was left with some pretty sick body art for the rest of the day.

Especially in a job that can get mundane and frustrating from demanding and sometimes ungrateful guests, these small opportunities where we get to actually do something meaningful makes me happy to work at sea.

14. CV/Resume boost

Working on cruise ships requires a lot of skills that make crew members some of the most eligible employment candidates : international experience and the ability to work with a diverse team; skills in customer service and crisis management; and capable of learning quickly. 

Most of all, I think what makes crew members stand out is their mental strength.

It’s not easy to work long hours for months at a time, isolated from land and friends and family.

But if you can do that, there’s not much else you’re not psychologically capable of. 

I know that for me, this was the biggest selling point that made me a quick hire to work and live in Antarctica .

Related: How I Got Paid to Live in Antarctica: FAQ About Working on the Ice

Related: What to Pack When Working on a Cruise Ship

The Cons of Working on Cruise Ships

1. there are no days off.

On ships, weekends and holidays don’t exist.

You work every day of your entire contract and just have hours off between shifts each day.

On land, you can go hard on a Friday night and have a couple of days to recover.

On ships, you still have to get up and go to work the next day.

2. You work long hours

The most I ever clocked in in a day was about 13 hours, but of course this will vary according to job position and possibly whether or not it’s a busy cruise.

The majority of crew members work anywhere from 9-11+ hours every day, the average amount being on the higher end of the spectrum.

Shifts are also split, so you might start work in the morning and not finish for the day until late at night. 

3. Contracts are 4-9 months long

You will get tired and you will feel overworked.

You’ll be away from home for a long while and in that time you will also miss out on a lot of life.

View this post on Instagram All’s well that ends well. 151 days, 8 countries, 1000s of little screaming rascals, and some really great new friends. Thanks for the memories, Anthem ❤⚓️ #anthemadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Jul 20, 2017 at 10:41am PDT

4. You’re on call 24/7

Every crew member is responsible for responding to designated emergencies: medical, fire, security threat, man overboard, etc.

No matter where you are or what time it is, when the announcement is made, you have roughly seven minutes to get to your emergency station.

In the shower? Better get dressed.

On the other side of the ship? Run.

In my three years onboard, I’ve been woken four times in the early morning hours between 2-5 a.m. to my emergency call, which I then had to run up 10 decks and the entire length of the ship to reach my response station.

And once the emergency was over, I still had to go to work at the regularly scheduled time just a few hours later.

5. Small living quarters

If you think guest cabins are small, wait until you see what crew cabins look like.

Unless you’re a higher ranked staff or officer, your room will be generally small.

Most crew typically live with one other roommate in a cabin that is just large enough for the absolute basics: a bunked bed, a small table with a couple dresser drawers and shelves, two small wardrobe closets, and a restroom where you can shit, shower, and shave all at the same time. 

As a 5’2″ fun-sized human who doesn’t mind confined spaces, the small cabins don’t really bother me.

I can fit comfortably on my bed with room to spare.

If you’re any taller or larger than me though, crew cabins can be claustrophobic-inducing and extremely uncomfortable.

6. No privacy

There’s nowhere to hide.

Sure, you have your room, but like I mentioned, you’ll probably have a roommate.

This can be extremely difficult for introverts such as myself especially if your job is a front of the house position.

Luckily, many crew cabins have bunked beds with curtains for each bed so you have your own personal coffin of solitude.

7. It’s like college all over again

With the confined quarters and small community of stressed out humans, you can only imagine how sloppy things get.

All those cruise ship crew hookup stories?

They’re all true and sometimes too horrifically real.

You’ve either walked in on your roommate on they’ve walked in on you.

Sometimes you wake up and your roommate is hooking up in the bunk above you.

          View this post on Instagram                   Day 5: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, France | Despite the drama I’ve had with cabins and rooming issues since I’ve gotten here, today was a good one. Now to douse my room with Oxivir (AKA super ship bleach) and hopefully get some sleep #freedomadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Oct 2, 2017 at 1:30pm PDT

8. The food is not the same for crew and guests

Crew members have their own cafeteria (“mess”) separated from guests and even sometimes split between ranks.

Because the majority of crew members tend to be from Asian countries (the Philippines, Indonesia, and India), a lot of the food in the crew mess is catered to their cuisine.

If you’re lucky, some ships will try to include both Asian and Western food options, but it’s not always the case.

View this post on Instagram Day 18: Barcelona, Spain | When you ask the gelato lady if you can just buy a banana because this ship don’t wanna feed this girl her potassium ??‍♀️ #freedomadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Oct 15, 2017 at 3:28am PDT

9. It’s a bit military-esque

Everything is highly regulated and there are a lot of rules: what you’re allowed to do, where you’re allowed to be, and even what you’re allowed to wear.

There’s a dress code for everything: day, night, formal, smart casual, all black. 

Cabins are inspected regularly and beds must be made.

If we fail, our supervisors are notified.

Disciplinary action is super formal: verbal warnings, written warnings, hearings with the master (captain), and dismissal.

Your privileges depend on how many stripes you have (your rank).

There are typically three tiers in the ship social hierarchy: officer, staff (front of the house), and crew (back of the house).

As I mentioned above, some ships have separate messes, one for officers and staff and another for crew.

Depending on how many stripes you have, you may be allowed to be seen around the ship in the public areas such as the shops or eating at one of the restaurants.

10. Crew drills

Every cruise, crew members need to take part in mandatory emergency drills where you have to respond to a simulated incident and answer questions about crisis response protocol.

Sometimes this can last hours, especially if the crew fail to respond properly.

11. Trainings and certifications

If you’re a new hire, expect to spend the entirety of your first few weeks in training courses: basic ship safety, emergency response, evacuation protocol, lifeboat/life raft operations (aka flipping a raft in a pool with a life jacket on while guests watch you), crowd management, security certification, and more. 

You’ll need to attend all of these classes in addition to working your actual ship job.

When I was a new hire, I don’t think I had time to get off the ship until the second week.

12. Crew aren’t treated the same as guests

Ever notice that crew members have to go through extra security checks when arriving back onboard, like taking their shoes off and getting a pat-down but guests don’t?

This is because crew are often targeted by locals to smuggle drugs and security is checking to see if we’ve got any contraband on us.

But it’s not just ship security that treats us differently.

Sometimes, unfortunately, local port authorities give us a hard time.

Story time .

This happened when I was in Bermuda and multiple female crew members were stopped at the port security checkpoint by staff who requested a pat-down and weird strip search.

When I was stopped, they separated me from my partner and tried to usher me into a secluded room so that I would be out of public view.

I, set on making a scene in front of everyone, including guests, asked them what they needed to check, and they said they needed me to remove my dress.

They tugged my arm and tried to pull me into the office but I insisted on taking my dress off right there since I was wearing a bikini and I didn’t want to be moved to a secondary location .

They kept trying to convince me to cooperate until I, like the often spiteful child that I am, finally just pulled my dress up to my head like a toddler and asked if that would suffice.

Then they yelled at me for not following directions.

Once back onboard, I’d heard several other crew ladies had refused the antics and weren’t allowed shore leave there for the next few cruises.

While this definitely isn’t the norm, instances like this do happen unfortunately.

13. You’re always “on stage”

Prepare to smile a lot and always be “on” around guests.

Even if you’re off duty and walking through public areas of the ship, you are still a working employee if guests stop you to ask you a question or need help.

14. Customer service on ships can be demanding and is often brutal

I honestly don’t know what it is that makes some cruise guests the worst types of customers I’ve ever encountered, but it’s definitely helped me build up my patience and Resting “Are You Done” Face.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been yelled at for the most trivial things.

I think some guests think that if they make enough of a fuss, they will be rewarded with some discount or compensation.

Ok, I don’t think this is the case, I know it is as I’ve heard more than a few guests laugh about this. 

But us crew members build up a tolerance for poor adult behavior and find ways to cope with it, like corralling a parent into a corner akin to a farm animal after they’ve physically pushed you and barged their way into the secured kids’ facility, all while you talk to them like a child until they calm down.

Side note, if you’re a guest anywhere, please be a decent human to people providing you with services.

It’s not that difficult.

15. The seas can be rough

While guests might deal with seasickness by laying down in their cabins, crew members still need to be at their work areas operating the same as usual no matter what the weather or sea conditions are.

16. The air on ships is extremely dry

As guests, you can spend most of your day outside getting fresh air.

Most crew members work inside the ship though, and in addition to living in a floating metal can of recycled air for months on end, the dry air and dust will definitely affect your health. 

After a couple of years on ships, my eyes were completely wrecked to the point that I could no longer wear contacts without my eyes turning bloodshot and I had to have laser correction to remove the chapped top layer of my cornea as well as to restore my vision.

You’ve been warned.

View this post on Instagram Day 134: Curaçao ?? | 10 days left, get me off this ship ? Side note: any recommendations on places to get LASIK done in the Bay Area would be much appreciated. Ship air has dunzo’d these eyes #navigatoradventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Mar 6, 2018 at 1:44pm PST

17. Ship life affects your hormones and health

Blame it on the recycled air, the desalinated water, the fluctuating food quality, high stress, or close living quarters, but your health may take a hit while working on ships.

Some crew members gain weight, some break out with acne, and I, unfortunately, get my period every other week.

I’ve talked about this before in my post about my experience working with Peace Boat and circumnavigating the globe on a world voyage, but basically, be prepared for your body to change.

Related: How I Cruised Around the World for Free with Peace Boat

18. Internet is limited and expensive

I’ve had so many guests ask me if crew members get free Wi-Fi and the truth is that our internet packages actually tend to be more expensive than the guests’.

On Royal Caribbean, an hour of internet for the crew is USD 4 and expires within 24 hours.

While there are other package options for more time or over an extended period, the price per hour is generally about the same.

19. You rarely have control over your assignments

For many crew positions, you won’t be able to request a specific ship or itinerary for several years.

And even then, your preference request might not be granted. 

You usually stay with the same ship for the entirety of your contract but there are cases where you might be abruptly transferred to another ship and there’s nothing you can do about it.

They might not even give you 24 hours’ notice.

View this post on Instagram Day 91: Kristiansand, Norway | After a couple dramatic cruises and a near transfer with less than 24 hours’ notice, I’m grateful more than ever to call this floating tin can my home. Good days or bad, I’m not leaving ✊ #serenadeadventures #latergram A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Aug 18, 2018 at 4:44am PDT

20. Long-term relationships are difficult to sustain

Most relationships between crew members are short and limited to the length of the contract.

While it’s not impossible to get a following ship assignment together, it is very difficult and often unlikely.

This of course varies by company, but in my experience, couples need to submit official paperwork that proves they are in a formal, legally binding relationship of some sort and even then there is no guarantee that crew couples can be placed on the same ship.

It used to be easier to produce simple paperwork such as an apartment lease or utility bill with both names on the document to prove your relationship, but rules have since become stricter on many ships.

21. You’re away from family and friends for long periods of time

You end up watching life going on without you through social media: birthdays, weddings, kids growing, pet adoptions, game nights, brunch dates, etc.

Is Working on a Cruise Ship Worth It?

If you’re willing to put in the work and sacrifice the comforts of life at land, working on a cruise ship offers a lifestyle with travel opportunities you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Of all the jobs I’ve had that paid me to travel or let me see the world for free, my time working on cruise ships is the one chapter in my journey around the world that I look back on the fondest.

There is so much pride in cruise ship crew life, both the work and lifestyle.

While it’s definitely not the easiest travel job, it is the most rewarding.

View this post on Instagram Recovering from the best 147 days I ever worked at sea #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Oct 16, 2018 at 1:03pm PDT

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Michelle is a freelance writer who has traveled to all seven continents and 60+ countries through various forms of employment. Over the last ten years, she’s worked as an ESL teacher in Japan, a youth counselor aboard cruise ships, and a hospitality manager in Antarctica.

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24 comments

I enjoyed reading this informative yet engaging post. Your mental strength is admirable and I love your honesty here. Thank you for sharing an insight into working on cruise ships.

Thanks for reading! Working on ships definitely takes some mental strength but you get used to– and addicted to– the lifestyle after a while.

Thank you for such a great and informatively written article on your experiences, and life working on a cruise ship, very helpful in my consideration. I appreciate your candor and humor as well.

Glad I could help!

A must read. Very well-written. Shared your article to my students who are cruise ship worker aspirants. 👏🏼☺️ 🛳

Wow, I’m flattered! I hope it’s helpful for them :)

Thank you for sharing your amazing journey! Your authenticity is both inspiring & appreciated.

Beautifully written. You answered many questions I had and even some I didn’t know I had :) I enjoyed your writing. I’ve applied to a few cruise ships. Wish me luck. Think we could possibly keep in touch through email?

Glad I could help and sending positive thoughts your way! Feel free to email me if you have further questions and I’ll do my best to help :)

I really enjoyed the read. I have been looking at what a day into he life would be. I wish I would have done this when I was in my 20s. This would have been perfect and to see the world.

i dont know how i got here but thank you its so informative. I have always wanted to work for cruises and I will safely say am still going to apply for it. hopefully will come back with some nice memories if I get it

Hi Michelle, it was very nice and informative to read your post! You could write novels on life on bord! Thank you for the time it took you to write it. Solange from London UK

This is extremely well written, informative, and enjoyable!

Love this because it answered questions I had and was written in a warm, relatable way. Great job and thank you.

Beautifully written, pros and cons are nicely explained, the way it is written with pictures made me to give a thoght about good and difficult times, this article can be an introduction for those who are thinking about pursuing cruise ship life. cruise ship life is really a hard nut to crack. You are a strong person, wish you happiness and more power to you. I enjoyed reading this article.

Thank you! Cruise ship life definitely has its challenges but I also found it to be a rewarding experience.

Wow. I really appreciate and admire you♥️ Im planning to apply for a cruise after experience of 5 star hotel. The disadvantage is too hard whether will i be able to fit. However, im gonna try since it’s my dream to work at cruise🙂 Thankyou so much you gave me alot knowledge about cruise♥️

I stumbled across your stories when I Googled crew life aboard a cruise ship. I will be joining the Pride of America ship with Norwegian Cruise Lines as soon as my MMC credentials have been completed. You are so detailed and the added photos have made this so enjoyable to read and your knowledge has helped me tremendously. Especially with what I need to pack, prohibited items etc. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with all of us! I am very much looking forward to my life living and working on a cruise ship as a Bartender.

Hey!!!! This was a really great article and really helped with the questions I always had about cruise ship job. Thank you so much!

OMG I am so happy I found you. I will start my first contract in April. And this definitely helped me a lot. I wonder if you have a list of what to bring on board or some tips on what to pack. Thank you

Happy to help! Here’s an article I have for what to pack when working on a cruise ship .

Thanks for this interesting, well-written, behind-the-scenes look at working on a cruise ship!

Thoroughly enjoyed your stories and your views, great enlightenment on what to expect and what are the highlights and restrictions that you cover.

Keep writing

Privacy Overview

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Cruise Ship Crew Life

Working on a cruise ship is unlike any other experience out there. Part of it feels like living in a college dorm where you don’t have homework and go to a bar every night. This page takes you through cruise ship crew life from someone that’s been there. Hopefully this page gives you some helpful information to decide if working on a ship is for you or to help you know what to expect as you go to work at sea. Cruise ship life for crew is different than really any other kind of life out there. Here’s a look at cruise ship crew life and what it’s like as crew on cruise ships.

Working on a cruise ship is an incredible opportunity to explore the world, save a bit of money, have a career, or maybe even meet the love of your life (or maybe just your love for a night), but it’s not for everyone. We try to answer as many questions as we can to help you on your way to find out if the life of a cruise ship crew member and life at sea is for you. Have questions about what cruise ship crew life is like? Or maybe about what it’s like to be crew on a cruise ship? Comment below and we’ll try to answer it for you.

*Disclosure: All views are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.*

Wondering About Cruise Ship Crew Life? Start Here:

Picking which cruise line to work for might be the biggest decision (other than which job) that you have to make in your cruise ship career.

There are pros and cons to nearly every cruise line. From onboard different onboard perks to better itineraries to salary and time off.

Take a look as we take a deep dive into things to think about before working taking the job.

In this post we answer the most common questions about cruise ship crew life , what a crew members life at sea is like, and what it’s like to be crew on cruise ships.

Questions about ship life seem to be never ending. These questions dive into whether or not cruise ship crew pay taxes, where cruise ship crew sleep, and more. In this post we take a look at five new questions about cruises and crew life .

There are a lot of perks to being crew on a cruise ship. Cruise ship life for crew can be pretty great. In this post we take a deeper look at five perks of working onboard a cruise ship.

There are some things that I wish I knew before I worked onboard… when I asked my friends, I guess they did, too. Take a look at 10 things to know before working on a cruise ship .

What kinds of jobs are there on a cruise ship?

So, you’re still thinking of working onboard. Great! What kind of jobs are there on a cruise ship? On a ship there are seemingly a million different jobs suited towards every background and every personality. Cruise ships have anywhere from a hundred to over two thousand crew on a cruise ship. This means there is likely a job suited for you.

You’ve probably heard of the Cruise Director and the Captain – well, here are ten cruise ship jobs you probably didn’t know about .

Technical Things to Know About Ship Life:

You’ve made it this far – fantastic! Being crew on a cruise ship isn’t just about the fabulous islands and it’s not as simple as just hopping onboard. There are all sorts of parts of cruise ship crew life, crew life at sea, and what cruise ship life for crew really is like working onboard a ship and being a cruise ship crew member that would be nice to know before you go. Here’s a good place to start:

If you’re joining a cruise ship most likely you’ll have to fly somewhere – it might be a few hours or it might be literally around the world. Wondering who pays for what? And what about those air miles? (Spoiler – you get to keep them!) Take a look as we dive into who pays for air travel and transportation costs getting to and from a ship.

One of the first steps in your journey to work onboard – aside from applying for the job – will be to secure the right visas. If you are on a ship heading to the United States this is a great place to get the basic knowledge of which visas cruise ship crew members need to work onboard .

Think that you’ll be ashore every time the ship is in port exploring the incredible places, lounging on the beach drinking margaritas? That’s now quite how it works. In this post we explore what shore leave and in-port manning is and how it impacts your life onboard.

So, you can’t go ashore every port, and you’ve got to work pretty much every day. But, how long do cruise ship crew members work ? Is there a limit to how much you can work? Take a look at how many hours cruise ship crew can work to find out.

Working onboard a cruise ship might look like a vacation but it’s hard work, often working every day for months at a time. But do cruise ship crew really work every day? Or do cruise ship crew get days off?

Wondering when you’re working onboard a cruise ship if you can still get packages from Amazon? What about a care package from you great Aunt Suzie? How does it all work. Take a look.

You might be able to get snail mail while onboard a cruise ship, but sometimes the internet is so frustrating you’ll think it’s the dial up you used to have at your parents house on your family Compaq Presario.

One part of working on a cruise ship is how it affects your family. Bringing your kids onboard is one way of getting that family time… but only if your position allows it. In this post we answer, “ can you work on a cruise ship with a child ?”

Can you work on a cruise ship while pregnant? Let’s take a look at everything that goes into answering this question (from first hand experience!)

Sailing around the world with your dearly beloved is a lovely idea. How often can that happen though? What do you need to do to make that happen?

It’s possible to work on a cruise ship as a couple and a happy crew makes for a happy cruise. It’s not simple though. Take a look at some of the challenges to be able to work on a cruise ship as a couple .

For those first contracts as a Cruise Ship Crew Member:

You’ve gotten your assignment and you are so excited for this adventure in life. Congrats! It’s an incredible, wild, unlike anything else experience. These posts will get you started about cruise ship life for crew.

Wondering what to pack for your first cruise ship contract? Crew life at sea is unlike anything else. Take a look at this packing list with some of the more unusual things you might want to consider bringing onboard. There’s a lot to fit into your suitcase (and your cabin) but this will help you start things off right.

You’ve got your first assignment and you are so excited…but how does all of this work? How do you get to the ship for your cruise ship contract ? So many questions! In this post we explore what it’s like getting to the ship.

Will you have to work on your first day onboard? What about paperwork? There are so many questions to answer about what your first day working onboard a cruise ship will be. This posts dives into a bit of what to expect as your first day as a cruise ship crew member and why you should get a good nights sleep the night before.

Think port days and sea days are equal? Which one is better? The answer actually depends on your job onboard. Cruise ship life at sea is very different between port days and sea days. Take a look as we dive into port days vs. sea days .

Another helpful packing list put together by a whole bunch of world travelers. Take a look at what experienced travelers take with them .

Wondering how do cruise ship crew get home from the ship ? What do those last few days look like as a cruise ship crew member and what are some things that you need to get done before heading home. Take a look.

Nevermind work… Do Cruise Ship Crew Hook Up?

You’ve seen The Love Boat and watched Below Deck . From falling in love, to hookups, to breakups you have no idea how much of it you should believe and how much is, well, just on a TV show. Take a look at these posts as we go through all the stages of dating on a cruise ship. Crew on cruise ships still date and hook-up and all of it. Crew life at sea lends itself to lots of love, fun, and of course…drama.

Can cruise ship crew date each other? Do cruise ship crew hook up? Are the rumors and gossip worse than high school? (Often, yes.) Find out all the gossip and drama that goes into cruise ship crew life. In this post we look at whether or not cruise ship gossip really is that bad (it is) and what dating on a cruise ship is like.

First comes love, then comes… living together on a cruise ship. It’s not all romantic walks on the beach and drinking champagne. Take a look at what the next stage of romance at sea looks like in this post about living together on a cruise ship .

Some cruise ship relationships end in marriage… go figure. Take a look at some of the ups and downs that go along with navigating an often long distance, bi-continental, long term, ship relationship .

Understanding Ship Life Rank/Stripes Side of Cruise Ship Crew Life

Wait, what’s a rank? Why does it matter? I have a rank? The rank system onboard a cruise ship is a huge part of life onboard. Crew on cruise ships have a rank and it impacts your life onboard – from where you can eat to what cabin you have, this post explains how cruise ship ranks work .

Trying to figure out who is who onboard? Maybe you’re trying to figure out who is actually even sort of maybe your boss? Take a look at this to help understand those cruise ship officer stripes .

Those officers walking around have a pretty good life… right? In this post we dive into some of the misconceptions about life as an officer onboard a cruise ship . Full disclosure, my husband is an engineering officer so I am totally biased.

Crew Onboard During the Pause

Oh the pandemic. Oh how we are all sick of it. The pandemic decimated the cruise industry – and I was onboard for the first few months of it, spending 100 days at sea sailing around hoping anyone would take us in. Otherwise, here are some posts for for those onboard during this time. Crew life at sea during this time has been very different. Crew on cruise ships during the pandemic had it rough (everyone had it rough though, right?). Take a look at some thoughts on it.

Ships sitting at anchor for months at a time. Sailing back and forth the Indian Ocean hoping a country will let crew go home. Cruise ship crew life has been interesting over the last year. Take a look at 100 days at sea , during the first 100 days of the cruise ship layup.

Thinking of going back to work? Sweet! (But, seriously, so happy for you!) A lot of places are having a hard time getting help – I don’t think cruise ships will though. Take a look at why .

Wondering why there were still cruise ship crew onboard ships during the layup? You’re not alone. Take a look at why there were still crew onboard even with no passengers .

Most cruise ship crew joining during the pandemic have had to or will have to quarantine. Here’s a look at some things to do to make quarantine the best it can be .

Just a Quick Disclaimer:

This blog is in no way affiliated with any particular cruise line. All views are my own, those of a contributor, and do not in any way represent the views of a particular cruise line. They do not necessarily represent those of my (or my husbands) employer.

When presenting information I do my best to remain unbiased and base it on my personal experience or the recommendations and experience of others.  However, I am employed by a major cruise line, and as such my opinion is likely biased.

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own or are those of a contributing writer, reviewed, and published by myself.  All information provided on this blog is true to the best of my knowledge and was done with no malicious intent to any party.

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Working Onboard a Cruise Ship

We help create lasting memories.

There's nothing like bringing people together to share unique experiences and see the world, making them feel special and becoming part of the stories they tell for years to come. That's what we do and what you'll do if you join us.

As part of the Princess® family, you’ll develop your skills, work with committed crew members and travel to some of the most breathtaking places around the globe. And while an adventure at sea is its own reward, we offer a variety of programs to recognize employees who go above and beyond. Princess offers a winning combination of pay, benefits and lifelong friendships, so come aboard the Love Boat. We’re expecting you!

Why work onboard a Princess Cruises ship?

Don’t take our word for why it’s great to be at Princess — let our team members tell you! In the "I Love My Princess Job" video series, our colleagues on shore and at sea share what they love about their work.

Cruise Career Opportunities

Onboard departments.

We offer exciting cruise career opportunities in a variety of onboard departments. Working for Princess Cruises is ideal if you are looking to take your career to the next level and enjoy working in a challenging and unique environment. We employ team members of over 70 nationalities, creating a diverse and welcoming environment.

International recruitment partners

Princess Cruises cooperates with a world-wide network of recruiting agencies to select only the most qualified crew. Resumes may be forwarded to the agency that is nearest the applicant’s residence. Once received, candidates will be processed based on current available positions.

Fraudulent Employment Opportunities We have recently been made aware of fraudulent entities around the world claiming to represent Princess Cruises as recruitment partners. We are working closely with our Security department and local police authorities in various countries to prevent individuals from wrongly representing themselves as Princess' recruitment partners. We strongly suggest that you only discuss employment opportunities with the agencies/partners listed below. If you have any suspicion about the nature of ads or websites claiming to recruit on behalf of Princess Cruises, please contact the approved Princess agency located nearest your place of residence (choose from the list below).

Living & Working at Sea

Life onboard.

Not sure what to expect while working onboard a cruise ship? A career at sea affords you many unparalleled opportunities such as travelling to world-famous locations, building meaningful friendships with diverse colleagues, and gaining valuable professional skills in a world-class environment.

Unlike careers on land, however, working onboard a cruise ship has some unique conditions. Princess Cruises takes great pride in our efforts to make the adjustment to sea life as easy as possible so you can focus on making our guests feel special.

Total rewards

Here at Princess Cruises, we understand how challenging it can be for our crew to work away from home for such substantial periods of time. Therefore, as a company we strive to help give you all the necessary resources and comforts to enable you to take care of our guests – and yourself.

While working onboard a Princess cruise ship, you can enjoy these living essentials provided by the company:

• Furnished living accommodations
• Crew cafeterias (also known as Crew Mess) with a variety of menu items from around the world
• Laundry facilities and services
• Crew Store with discounted convenience items such as toiletries and snacks
• CrewCard pay system to help manage your finances at home while you are at sea

Cruise Employment Application Process & FAQs

As a well-known premium brand in the cruise industry, we receive a high volume of cruise employment inquiries each day. To help you understand what to expect if you are being considered for a position, we’ve outlined the application process below.

Princess Cruises works with a global network of authorized recruiters to attract and select the most qualified candidates to join us at sea. If you are being considered for a position, there could be several steps after your initial application before you are notified with a decision. Depending on the job you are applying for, these could include follow-up interviews with our corporate hiring managers.

If you are successful in your application, there are also several steps you will need to take to become travel-ready to work onboard. You will partner with a manning office that will help you obtain the required seafarer medical certificates, travel visas, and other required documentation to work at sea.

Life Onboard

Every day of your life as a team member aboard a Carnival cruise ship will offer new adventures as you enter a world of self-discovery, excitement, and fun.

Accommodations

• Accommodations Accommodations Recreation Gym Lounge Dining Mail Laundry

Most cabins are double occupancy with bunk beds. However, some positions receive single-occupancy cabins. Clean bed linens and towels are provided. The cabins are air-conditioned and equipped with TV, desk, chairs, electrical sockets, closet space, and drawers.

Carnival provides its team members with opportunities for recreation and fun. Our onboard activities include everything from crew parties, movies, spa or karaoke nights, in-port excursions, crew bingo, and talent shows to sporting events such as ping pong, yoga, dodge ball, basketball, mini-golf, and foosball. Crew activities encourage social bonding and team spirit as well as an opportunity to relax and unwind with fellow employees. In addition to organized activities, team members have access to dedicated crew facilities such as Learning Resource Center, crew gym, a crew-only outdoor space, and more.

Regular exercise is a terrific way to keep fit and reduce stress. It’s vital that we do all we can to remain healthy so we can fulfill our duties with enthusiasm. Each ship has a 24-hour gym available to all crew members free of charge. Carnival Entertainment team members may use the guest gym facilities, including the sauna. We also have a number of crew wellness programs to promote healthy living, including exercise and yoga classes for team members.

After the day is done, you can relax, enjoy a beverage, and socialize with fellow team members in our crew lounge. In the crew lounge, team members may buy soft drinks, snacks, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages at discounted prices. The crew lounge is a popular venue for watching sporting events; playing games such as pool, foosball, and ping pong; or simply relaxing with fellow team members. The crew lounge is also a venue for karaoke, game nights, and other crew events. For the safety of our guests and crew, team members must adhere to Carnival’s policy regarding responsible alcohol consumption on board at all times.

Crew dining areas are assigned on each ship and serve an international variety of cuisine. To accommodate our team members’ varied shifts, meal times on board are scheduled four times a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midnight buffet. With so many palates to please, the Staff Chef rotates the menus constantly and takes into account the variety of nationalities on board. Our meal selections include several courses and dessert. Along with multiple hot meal options, there is a sandwich station, salad bar, and healthy snack options like fruit and yogurt. All crew-area meals are served buffet style and provided to shipboard team members free of charge. Entertainment team members have the privilege of using the guest dining rooms and specialty restaurants during specified hours.

Mail is delivered every time a ship is in its port of embarkation. Most ports have facilities from which you can mail letters and/or parcels. Crew members may receive packages directly from Amazon or other online sites.

All ships have laundry facilities available for washing, drying, and ironing clothes. Crew laundry machines and detergent are free of charge. Uniforms are laundered for you for free. For safety reasons, ironing is prohibited in crew cabins.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

The one thing cruise ship passengers do that drives crew mad

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Cruise ships have their own set of rules , and a holiday at sea isn’t like your average getaway.

Lucy Southerton, 28, from  Birmingham , has been working on cruise liners for the past nine years, meaning she knows all the tips and tricks to get the most from your time aboard .

On her YouTube channel, Cruising as Crew , she shares her knowledge to ensure first-time passengers avoid common pitfalls – and the mistake cruise newbies make most can end up ruining your break.

According to Lucy, ‘treating a cruise like an all-inclusive holiday’ is the main faux pas she notices at work.

She said: ‘If some people have solely done all-inclusive holidays, they make the mistake of thinking a cruise vacation is very similar to that.

‘So a lot of people do not budget for extra expenses while they are on board because they have the misconception that most things will be free.’

The crew member says that although things like buffet meals will be included in the price of your trip, dining at certain restaurants on board or going on excursions often costs extra.

Forgetting to factor this into a budget can ‘really ruin people’s vacation’, Lucy says, as they have to miss out on things they perhaps looked forward to.

Gratuities are a big deal on a cruise too, so it’s recommended to set aside some cash to tip staff at the end of your holiday.

She said: ‘With a lot of cruises, you get hit with the gratuity bill at the end, which I have also seen a lot of people not budget for.’

Want to win a cruising holiday for 2?

Do you love cruising? Are you an intrepid traveller? Maybe you just like looking at pictures of luxe ships. No matter which, we want you to vote!

Metro has partnered with the Sailawaze Excellence Awards , highlighting the very best in cruising when it comes to sustainability, wellness, entertainment and beyond.

And we need YOU to simply select what you’ve been most impressed by.

The best bit? By voting you’ll automatically be in with a chance of winning a cruise for two worth £2,500.

Say bon voyage to the more traditional categories of 'best large ship' or 'best luxury cruise line' and instead ahoy to innovation, food and drink and showstopping performances.

Vote for your favourite here .

Nominations in the Sailawaze Excellence Awards 2024:

Food & beverage.

Virgin Voyages

Aqua Expeditions

TUI River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Explora Journeys

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Judges’ Picks:

P&O Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Emerald Cruises

Amawaterways

Swan Hellenic

Princess Cruises

MSC Cruises

Royal Caribbean

Judges’ Picks

Sustainability.

AE Expeditions

The Majestic Line

Portsmouth International Port

Hurtigruten

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Oceania Cruises

Havila Voyages

Pandaw Expeditions

Holland America Line

CroisiEurope

Celebrity Cruises

VIVA Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Saga Cruises

A- Rosa Cruises

ENTERTAINMENT

Carnival Cruise Line

Marella Cruises

COLLABORATIONS

Ambassador Cruise Line

A-Rosa Cruises

Alongside this, Lucy claims first-time ‘cruisers’ can struggle with the tight timings ships have to adhere to and miss their departure after a stop.

She said: ‘They get off at the port, go off and explore by themselves, which is part of the fun – but what they don’t allow for is time to get back. It obviously makes things very difficult for the cruise line and it is just an all-around mess.

‘So, when you’re on a cruise, it is very different from a hotel that is going to stay stationary. You absolutely have to make it a priority to get back to the ship on time and ask crew members what the traffic is like at each port if you’re getting a taxi to a certain destination.’

Her next warning is around travel insurance, which is particularly vital to get at the time of booking because cruises can get cancelled or flights to your starting destination can be delayed.

Lucy said: ‘Unlike a land holiday, where if your flight is eight hours late and the hotel stays where it is, the cruise ship moves so if your flight is eight hours delayed that’s going to mean you’ll miss it.

‘You absolutely have to get travel insurance as soon as you book the cruise.’

Overbooking excursions is another no-no, so try to balance ‘some exciting days but some relaxing days’ when planning out your itinerary to avoid ending up exhausted.

Lucy also advises pre-booking activities or excursions rather than leaving it to the last minute, ensuring you pack essentials (including medication), researching ports ahead of time, and listening carefully to safety briefings so you’re prepared for emergencies.

And, last but not least, she urges first-timers to always consider where their cabin is – particularly if they might be prone to seasickness.

She says: ‘You want to be in the centre of the ship. You don’t want to be in the back, you definitely don’t want to be in the front, because that’s where you’re going to feel the movement the most.

‘So when you book a cabin, make sure it is in the centre of the ship, and make sure the cabin you book is surrounded by other cabins.’

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Lucy adds: ‘The cheaper cabins will have a restaurant or a gym above them and it’s going to be noisy, so cabin location is really important.’

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Cruise ship lifeboats and rafts: How your ship is prepared for an emergency

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Do cruise ships have enough lifeboats for everyone?

It’s a question that comes to many cruisers’ minds, especially if they’re hesitant about sailing across oceans and seas, far from land.

You can rest assured that cruise lines have many safety systems in place in the rare instance that a major emergency occurs at sea. Among these systems are, of course, the brightly colored lifeboats that you’ll see lining the sides of your ship. Not only are they there to carry passengers to safety if the ship needs to be abandoned, but they’re also used as tender boats in a port where the ship can’t dock at a pier.

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

You may have other questions about lifeboats, either from curiosity or safety concerns. How reliable are the small vessels? What supplies are on board? Do they have restrooms?

Here are the top things to know about cruise ship lifeboats, so you’ll feel safe and confident when heading out on your next voyage.

What does a lifeboat look like?

Lifeboats are orange or yellow watercraft that you’ll find lining the sides of the ship. You’ll find two main types of lifeboats on many cruise ships: enclosed lifeboats and lifeboat tenders. The majority of cruise ship lifeboats are enclosed lifeboats, which are tough and built with superior watertight integrity, with the ability to easily right themselves if tossed around by rough waves.

Lifeboat tenders are partially enclosed and are designed for two main functions: to serve as a lifeboat if needed and to ferry guests from the ship to the shore during a port call where the vessel can’t dock. Lifeboat tenders are more expensive to maintain than traditional lifeboats, so cruise ships will usually have just enough lifeboat tenders to operate port tender service while the rest are the standard enclosed lifeboats.

The interior of a lifeboat includes rows of seating, which may or may not have a seatback. A steering area with windows and a hatch is located toward the top of the vessel. According to lifeboat manufacturer Fassmer, enclosed lifeboats have no windows besides those in the steering area, while lifeboat tenders have windows for viewing the surroundings from the seats. These windows do not open.

Fun fact: When Disney Cruise Line launched in the ‘90s, regulations required all cruise ship lifeboats to be orange. However, Disney wanted the exteriors of its ships to match the colors of Mickey Mouse, so it requested an exemption to paint its lifeboats yellow to match Mickey’s shoes.

The U.S. Coast Guard granted the unique request, and the lifeboats were painted in Mickey’s yellow, Pantone 99, which is a patented color that only Disney can use. Since then, other lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Costa Cruises , have painted their lifeboats yellow.

What’s the typical capacity of cruise ship lifeboats?

The maximum capacity of a cruise ship lifeboat is 150 people, according to the International Maritime Organization’s International Life-Saving Appliance Code. Most cruise ships have lifeboats that can hold this maximum number of passengers because it is easier, more cost-effective and takes up less space to have fewer large lifeboats instead of a greater number of smaller ones.

Despite the LSA’s 150-person capacity limit for lifeboats, an exception allows for larger lifeboats on some of the world’s largest cruise ships.

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

Royal Caribbean’s massive Oasis of the Seas, which holds 8,880 passengers and crew members in total, was the first ship to use 370-person CRV55 catamaran lifeboats (or “rescue vessels”), designed and built by marine life-saving equipment company Umoe Schat-Harding. The enclosed vessels are unique in that they can be lowered directly from their storage position on the ship into the water (no moving outward needed), and passengers can board on two levels simultaneously, reducing the loading time. Their catamaran-style hull increases stability, while twin diesel engines and twin propellers allow these “mega” lifeboats to move at speeds of up to 6 knots.

On a cruise ship, there must be enough lifeboats to accommodate 37.5% of passengers and crew members on either side (75% total), according to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. What happens to the other 25%? This leads us to our next question.

Do cruise ships carry inflatable life rafts?

The remaining 25% of passengers that can’t be accommodated in the traditional lifeboats can use cruise ship inflatable life rafts. These are generally designated for crew members, while guests will board the lifeboats first — though rafts can also be used for guests if necessary.

Collapsible cruise ship life rafts are stored in fiberglass canisters and usually utilize a high-pressure gas to automatically inflate once deployed. While lifeboats have motors, life rafts do not. They do, however, have oars. Ships may also carry rigid, noninflatable life rafts, but they aren’t as common for large cruise vessels.

On newer cruise ships, life rafts may be used with a Marine Evacuation System, which utilizes a fully enclosed inflatable spiral slide to transfer passengers from the embarkation deck to an automatically inflated raft in the water.

If some lifeboats become damaged or can’t be lowered during an emergency, cruise ships have extra life rafts to pick up the slack. SOLAS requires that there are enough additional life rafts for 25% of the ship’s capacity. Cruise ships have also been designed to allow lifeboats and life rafts to deploy even if the ship is listing up to 20 degrees.

Where are lifeboats located on cruise ships?

Lifeboats are located outside on both sides of the cruise ship, typically stored on or just above one of the middle decks with an outdoor promenade so passengers can easily board them. This spot is ideal because it’s a central location for both the upper- and lower-deck cabins, as well as many public indoor and outdoor venues and amenities.

It also works because it keeps the lifeboats high enough out of the water that they won’t be in the way when the ship docks and most likely won’t be affected by rough waves. On the flip side, it keeps them low enough that they don’t have to be lowered the entire height of the ship (plus, no one wants a lifeboat view from the lido pool or their upper-deck suite).

In an emergency, passengers should not head directly to the lifeboats. Instead, every cabin is assigned an assembly station, where they will meet with crew members and be escorted to a lifeboat if an evacuation is deemed necessary. Passengers must attend a muster drill to identify their assembly station and learn about their ship’s emergency procedures. These drills must take place before a cruise ship can set sail.

Related: What is a cruise ship muster drill?

What can be found on a lifeboat?

While this list is not exhaustive, here’s most of what you’ll find on a cruise ship lifeboat, according to the LSA:

• Enough fuel to travel at 6 knots for at least a full day (24 hours)
• 48 hours’ worth of anti-seasickness medication per person
• 2 seasickness bags per person
• 3 liters of fresh water per person
• 2,390 calories’ worth of food rations per person
• Life jackets
• Enough thermal protective aid suits for 10% of the lifeboat’s capacity
• Three can openers
• First aid supplies
• Buoyant oars
• Illuminated compass
• Hand and parachute flares
• Smoke signals
• Survival manual
• One whistle
• One jackknife
• One searchlight that can work continuously for at least three hours
• Portable fire extinguishing equipment
• Fishing gear
• Tools to repair the engine

Do lifeboats have bathrooms?

Traditional 150-person lifeboats don’t have toilet facilities, but the 370-person catamaran lifeboats used on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships do.

What are other requirements for lifeboats on cruise ships?

Cruise ship lifeboats must be made of noncombustible and flame-retardant materials, according to SOLAS. Modern lifeboats are usually made of fiberglass.

All seating on the lifeboat must support a person weighing a minimum of 220 pounds. In addition, the lifeboats and the wires that move them up and down must be strong enough to allow the lifeboat to be lowered at full capacity.

How are lifeboats tested?

During the manufacturing process, lifeboats are tested using water weights, which can mimic the weight of passengers in various spots around the vessel. These water weights are pumped to fill and drain with water remotely. They’re placed in various spots in the lifeboat throughout the testing period to gather data on how the watercraft would handle passenger weight in various locations and scenarios.

Once a lifeboat is delivered to the shipyard for installation on a ship, the inspections and tests do not stop. Throughout the life of the cruise ship, time, weather and use all mean that — like with any type of equipment — things on the lifeboats will degrade and endure wear and tear over time. This is why SOLAS includes requirements for regular lifeboat drills and inspections.

Related: 15 cruise ship rules you shouldn’t break

Cruise crew members conduct weekly and monthly lifeboat inspections and undergo periodic training so lifeboat operations stay fresh in their minds.

A more thorough inspection — by either a certified lifeboat technician from an independent company or an inspector from the lifeboat manufacturer itself — occurs annually. According to the International Maritime Organization, this process includes an inspection of these key components:

• The hull is inspected for cracks, damage or other defects.
• The propulsion system, including the engine, is inspected to ensure it’s in good working condition. The cooling, exhaust and fuel systems are also examined.
• The electrical system, including the battery, charging, lighting and communications systems, are checked for defects or malfunctions.
• The maneuvering system is inspected, including the steering mechanism, the rudder and other steering gear.
• Lifeboat equipment, such as life jackets and survival equipment, is examined to ensure it’s in good condition.
• The davit and winch system, including the winch and wire ropes, are checked for defects or damage.
• The lifeboat undergoes a load test to ensure that it can withstand its maximum weight of crew and passengers.

Any equipment or systems found to have defects or deficiencies during the inspection are either repaired or replaced.

Bottom line

The chances of passengers ever experiencing an emergency on a cruise that requires abandoning ship via lifeboats is extremely slim. Still, it’s good to know your ship is outfitted with safety equipment to give you peace of mind when taking your next cruise.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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

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

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Cruise ship worker says there are six things you should never do while on one

Listen to those who spend much more time on them than you.

Tom Earnshaw

A cruise ship worker has explained exactly what you should never do when setting sail - and some of the pointers might shock you.

The summer season is almost upon us and with that, a boom in travel as millions head on their annual breaks abroad.

And for many Brits , Spain is the go to destination with recent guidance giving the 16 million UK residents heading there a sigh of relief .

But some fancy something a little different, with the likes of cruise ship excursions extremely popular if you can afford them .

With one cruise ship staff member recently explaining why you should 'get ready to spend a lot of cash' on one thing in particular , another in the industry is here with six things she says you should never do if you're getting ready to set sail on any boat.

Tammy Barr has been sailing around the world , working on cruise ships, for years on end before now doing it as a customer.

Originally shared with Business Insider, here are six things she says she would never do following her experience as a cruise ship worker and now customer.

A big no-no to the drinks package

For many, this is the big question before setting sail across the world. But for Tammy, you shouldn't pay if your drinking habits aren't on the overindulgent side of things.

"I enjoy a pina colada by the pool or a Manhattan while listening to a jazz set after dinner," she says.

"Even so, it doesn't make sense for me to pay in advance for 12 to 15 cocktails a day."

For Tammy, the math doesn't add up especially if the trip you're on will see you leaving the ship for multiple port-heavy trips. Going ashore means less time on the ship to drink its booze.

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

Touching surfaces

It's time to utilise those elbows and knuckles with Tammy never using her fingers to touch stuff in the public areas such as elevator buttons.

"Some cruise lines are better than others at wiping down commonly touched surfaces, but I don't take any chances," she says.

"I avoid touching things others frequently touch, and I wash my hands frequently."

Illnesses such as norovirus can quickly spread on cruise ships, given there are thousands of people in a confined space, so taking this little measure could be the different between holiday bliss and holiday bliss.

Upgrading your food

Most cruise liners will include the main dining room meals in your package, which is one part of why the price is so much, given you're essentially paying for perks like this in advance.

But if you want something fancy, expect to pay more on top.

Tammy says that, while ' $12 may not seem like much for a steak of lobster tail', it defeats the point. She will stick to what she's got.

Calling the ship by the wrong name

A quirky one from Tammy, but one that comes down to looking the part when you're on board.

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

Basically if you want to look savvy and knowledge, drop the 'the' before the ship name. It's just not correct.

Room key does not go around your neck

Tammy thinks this is a bit naff for a few reasons. For one, it can be seen as flaunting your status by showing off how often you cruise.

No one likes a show off really and the longer you are at sea, the fancier your room key.

It's also an invitation to those who have sinister means. She says: "In port, that room key bouncing off your chest looks like an invitation to be robbed. It screams 'I have money! Come and take it from me'."

There's no need for super busy port day

The idea of missing your cruise ship's departure and being stranded somewhere on the other side of the world is mortifying.

For Tammy, the best way to avoid this is to have pretty chilled port days so you're never at serious risk of missing your cruise ship before it leaves port.

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

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

Topics:  Cruise Ship , Hacks , Holiday , Travel , World News , Money , Health , Alcohol

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pay for upgrades in the main dining room

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

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

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

Buy the drink package

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

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

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

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

Touch shared contact surfaces with my fingers

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

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

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

Wear my room key around my neck

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

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

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

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

Misname the ship

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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