10 Things to Know Before Applying for Cruise Ship Jobs

Before joining a cruise ship or even considering cruise ship jobs, I had no idea what to expect. The thought of spending seven months onboard, far from my country, friends, and family, seemed both exciting and intimidating.

A friend of mine, who worked as a Sales Associate in the Sales department for Royal Caribbean International, played a big role in shaping my decision. He often shared stories about how amazing ship life was and the incredible places he had traveled to. His enthusiasm motivated me to apply for the position of Shore Excursions Staff—and I’ve never regretted it!

Working on cruise ships has been one of the most rewarding jobs and life experiences I’ve ever had. However, there are important things to consider before taking the plunge into this unique and adventurous career path.

10 Things to Know Before Applying for Cruise Ship Jobs

1. Cruise Ship Jobs Mean Hard Work

Working on a cruise ship is no walk in the park. There are no days off, and contracts typically range from 2 to 9 months, sometimes even longer. The hours are long, often stretching from morning to late evening, with only short breaks in between. While you do get some time to rest, the work is demanding and relentless.

The length of your working hours largely depends on your role and department. Cruise ships have numerous departments, including Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Entertainment, Photo, Casino, Guest Services, Marine, and many more. Each department has supervisors who schedule their team to ensure everyone gets some rest and free time.

The workload also varies by department. For example, Housekeeping and Restaurant staff often work longer hours than those in the Cruise Entertainment department.

Regardless of the role, working on a ship is far more intense than the typical 8-hour, 5-day workweek on land. It’s a tough job, but for many, the unique experiences make it all worthwhile.

2. You Have to Be Mentally Strong

Working on cruise ships is not just physically demanding—it’s a test of mental strength as well. Being away from your friends and family for months at a time can take a toll, especially when you have limited time for yourself.

While you’ll make new friends onboard and share amazing moments with them, there will still be times when loneliness creeps in. After all, these are people you’re just getting to know, not the close circle you’ve left behind.

Life on a cruise ship also comes with a strict set of rules. Personal freedom to make decisions or organize your day is limited, as business needs always come first. You have to follow strict schedules and meet high expectations, so being adaptable and mentally strong is key to handling the challenges of this unique lifestyle.

3. Ship Life is Full of Rules

Cruise ships are massive, accommodating up to 6,500 passengers or more. With so many people onboard, safety is the top priority. To ensure this, strict rules and regulations are in place, overseen by the Marine Department, which includes the Captain, Staff Captain, Bridge Officers, Engineers, and the Security Department.

Crew members are required to participate in regular safety drills and follow strict ship policies, including conduct, safety, and security procedures. Mandatory training sessions and tasks are part of daily life, ensuring a clean, safe, and well-maintained environment for everyone onboard.

Reporting is taken very seriously, and crew members are instructed to report any problems, rule violations, or safety concerns.

While this system is essential for maintaining order, it can sometimes be misused, leading to penalties or even severe consequences for those involved. This strict adherence to rules ensures the smooth operation of the ship but requires a high level of discipline from the crew.

4. You Have to Smile All the Time

It might sound strange, but yes—working on a cruise ship means always being polite, patient, and tolerant, no matter the situation.

While it’s natural to feel hurt, angry, or annoyed at times, you can’t let those emotions show. Smiling and maintaining a positive attitude is part of the job, whether you’re interacting with guests or your coworkers.

With more than 60 nationalities onboard, each with different habits, cultures, and ways of interpreting things, it’s crucial to be mindful of how you treat and communicate with others.

A simple gesture or phrase might mean something entirely different to someone from another culture, so maintaining a professional and friendly demeanor is key to navigating ship life successfully.

5. Say Goodbye to Privacy

Life on a cruise ship can sometimes feel like living in a reality show—think Big Brother—where it seems like everyone knows everything about everyone. While that might not always be entirely true, one fact stands: privacy is hard to come by onboard.

Most crew and staff members share small cabins equipped with bunk beds and minimal storage space. Although newer ships are introducing more single cabins, private accommodations are usually reserved for higher-ranking positions like Bridge officers, engineers, supervisors, and managers.

For me, the lack of personal space was one of the toughest adjustments, as I value having a place to recharge and reflect. However, some of my colleagues loved sharing cabins, finding it fun and a great way to bond. Ultimately, it comes down to personality—some thrive in close quarters, while others find it challenging.

6. You Will Spend Money Onboard

While food and accommodation are included when working on a cruise ship, other expenses can quickly add up. Drinks and snacks purchased at the crew bar or shop are not free, and they’re often pricier than what you’d find in ports.

The crew bar is a popular hangout spot after work, and it’s easy to spend money on drinks without even realizing it. The HR department frequently organizes parties, which can be another source of spending for many crew members.

If you enjoy specialty coffee like cappuccinos or espressos, those are only available for purchase at the bar, and they don’t come cheap. Snacks can be brought onboard from ports, but drinks are not allowed. For dining, crew members get discounts at specialty restaurants, but meals still require payment.

Sales onboard, organized by the Sales department, often tempt crew members with discounts on items that are often cheaper in port. Many fall into the trap of buying onboard for convenience, even though they could save money elsewhere.

One of the biggest expenses is internet access. On most ships, you’ll need to pay for Wi-Fi, and it’s far from cheap. Packages are available by the hour, day, week, or month, but they often feel overpriced. For example, an hour of internet can cost around $4, and the connection is frequently slow. Personally, I rarely used onboard Wi-Fi because I didn’t find it worth the cost.

While many assume working on a cruise ship is a great way to save money, the reality varies from person to person. It depends on your goals and habits.

I managed to save some money but still spent a lot on social activities like dining with friends, visiting the crew bar, and buying items. For me, having a bit of a social life onboard was essential—I couldn’t imagine spending seven months on a ship without it.

That said, everyone’s experience is different. I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share and comment below!

7. Limited Time in Ports of Call

One of the biggest perks of working on a cruise ship is the chance to travel the world and explore incredible destinations. For me, that was the main motivation to apply for my job.

I was fortunate to join one of the largest and best cruise companies as a Shore Excursions Staff member, working in the department responsible for organizing tours. This allowed me to visit amazing places and join many of the excursions offered to guests—a privilege and one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

However, not all crew members have the same opportunities to enjoy ports of call. For those in other departments, time ashore is often limited due to work schedules, port manning duties (when some crew members must stay onboard while the ship is docked), or other responsibilities.

How much time you get to spend in port also depends on the ship’s itinerary. Sometimes the ship is docked for only a few hours, while other times it may stay all day or even overnight. Business needs always come first, so getting time off to explore isn’t always guaranteed.

For many crew members, even a short break in port is a chance to use free internet to call their families or catch up online. However, ports are often located far from city centers, so getting to town might require a shuttle bus, taxi, or simply settling for exploring the port area itself.

While time in port can be limited, even brief moments off the ship offer a refreshing change and the opportunity to make the most of your travels.

8. Cruise Job Salaries: It Depends on Your Role

One of the most common questions from cruise job applicants is how much cruise ship employees earn and whether it’s worth the hard work. There’s also a misconception that cruise jobs pay enormous salaries and that everyone onboard earns well. However, that’s not entirely true.

Salaries vary widely depending on the company and job position, ranging anywhere from $800 to over $15,000 per month. Some positions come with a fixed salary, while others include tips or commissions.

On average, crew and staff members in departments like Guest Services, Shore Excursions, Spa, Photo, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Cruise Entertainment, and Sales earn between $1,300 and $2,000 per month. Supervisors and higher-ranking positions naturally earn more.

Tips and commissions are additional sources of income but aren’t as lucrative as they once were. They depend heavily on the cruise, the level of service provided, and the generosity of guests. Because they’re unpredictable, it’s best not to rely on them as a significant part of your income.

Is it worth it? That depends on your priorities. While the salary can vary, my personal view is that the overall experience of working on cruise ships—the travel, the friendships, and the unique lifestyle—outweighs the money you earn. It’s a decision that’s different for everyone.

9. Covid-19 Transformed Cruise Ship Travel

The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to the cruise industry, with stricter health and safety protocols now in place. Vaccination requirements for the crew, in some cases, are standard, alongside enhanced measures like regular testing and increased sanitation.

Crew members now often take on additional responsibilities to enforce these protocols, making ship life more structured than before.

10. Set a Clear Goal before Applying for a Cruise Job

One of the biggest mistakes people make when joining a cruise ship is doing so without a clear life goal. As I’ve mentioned, ship life isn’t easy—it demands hard work, sacrifices, and resilience. Without a purpose, it’s easy to lose focus.

I’ve met many crew members who spent years working on ships but failed to save enough money to invest in something back home. They end up returning to the ship repeatedly, and at that point, it becomes more of a lifestyle than just a job. While some enjoy this way of life, it’s not for everyone.

If you don’t see yourself spending most of your life onboard, it’s crucial to set clear goals from the start. Whether it’s saving for a business, a home, or further education, begin working toward those goals from day one. With discipline and planning, your time at sea can be a stepping stone to a brighter future.

To Conclude

I hope this article didn’t discourage you! My intention is to give you a realistic idea of what life and work on a cruise ship are like. Despite the challenges, working onboard is an incredible experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime!

If you ask me, I believe everyone should try a cruise ship job at least once. It’s an opportunity to discover new skills, unlock hidden potential, and grow both personally and professionally. The experiences you gain, the people you meet, and the friendships you make are truly priceless.

The overall journey is beyond rewarding, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a shot. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share below—I’d love to help!

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• Working on Cruise Ships: How to Apply for a Cruise Ship Job?
• Crew Life on Cruise Ship: Ship Life and Crew Areas
• Inside Crew Cabins on Cruise Ships – Full Review
• Food and Beverage Department – Working as a Cruise Ship Waiter?
• Why Shore Excursion Staff is One of the Best Cruise Ship Jobs?
• Life of Shore Excursion Staff – Job Description and Daily Duties
• Security Jobs onboard Cruise Ships – What You Need to Know
• 11 Things You Would Never Expect to Be Part of Your Cruise Ship Job
• New Hire? This is How Your First Day on a Cruise Ship Looks Like
• Life Onboard a Cruise Ship: 18 Crew Cabins Must-Haves
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