Behind the Scenes: 11 Unexpected Parts of Cruise Ship Jobs

Working on a cruise ship is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, both professionally and personally.

It pushes you to grow in ways you never expected—developing skills you didn’t know you had, honing your potential, building strong work habits, and enhancing your professional abilities. It’s a unique journey of self-discovery and growth.

But let’s be real—life on a cruise ship isn’t without its challenges. Being surrounded by thousands of strangers for months, far from home, family, and friends, can be tough.

The job demands hard work, long hours, extended contracts, and no days off. Yet, surprisingly, you adapt quickly. The structured routine makes the days fly by faster than you’d imagine. Stay focused, stick to your schedule, and you’ll find your rhythm in this extraordinary lifestyle.

But is “your job” really all there is to do onboard a cruise ship?

In this article, I’ll reveal 11 tasks that are part of your cruise ship job duties—plus a few unexpected responsibilities that might catch you by surprise.

Keep in mind that these aren’t official duty descriptions, and they can vary depending on the cruise line. What I share here is based on my personal experience as a former crew member.

11 Unexpected Parts of Cruise Ship Jobs

1. Cruise Ship Dry Dock: What You Need to Know

When I first joined a cruise ship, I had no idea what a dry dock was—until I experienced one on my first contract. Simply put, a dry dock is when a ship is taken out of the water for maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.

Required by maritime safety regulations, these overhauls happen every few years and can last from a few days to several months, depending on the ship’s condition.

My ship’s dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas, lasted two months—yes, two months in the middle of nowhere!

1.1. What Does Dry Dock Mean for Crew Members?

Your role during a dry dock depends on your contract and the ship’s management. Some crew are sent home early or transferred, while others stay onboard to assist with operations.

For those who stay, duties often shift. The ship transforms into a construction site with contractors working on various areas.

The crew may assist contractors, clean guest cabins converted for their use, or perform “fire watch” duties, ensuring safety during construction. Fire watch involves wearing safety gear and monitoring for fire hazards, which can be exhausting but manageable for shorter dry docks.

Dry dock in Freeport

1.2. Perks of Dry Dock

Time Off: With fewer passengers and responsibilities, some crew enjoy shorter shifts and more free time.
Access to Guest Areas: Public spaces like dining rooms and pools (if not under maintenance) are often open to crew.
Exploring Destinations: Dry docks near city centers, like Cadiz, Spain, offer opportunities for sightseeing and fun.
Single Cabins & Free Internet: Fewer crew onboard may mean solo accommodations and occasional free Wi-Fi.
Crew Activities: Management often organizes parties or outings to boost morale.

Crew parties are often organized during dry dock, depending on the ship’s location.

1.3. Challenges of Dry Dock

Tough Working Conditions: Fire watch and other duties can be grueling, with dirt, dust, and heavy gear.
Frequent Alarms: Daily safety drills and checks can disrupt rest.
Facilities Issues: Expect occasional malfunctions in air conditioning, water supply, and other systems.
Isolation: Shipyards are often far from towns, making it hard to access basic supplies or enjoy off-ship activities.

Wearing safety equipment is mandatory at all times while moving around the ship during dry dock.

Despite the challenges, the dry dock is a unique experience, offering a behind-the-scenes look at cruise ship operations. It’s not always easy, but it’s certainly unforgettable!

Have you experienced a cruise ship dry dock? Share your stories in the comments!

I can’t say dry dock is all bad! This photo was taken at a resort in Freeport during some well-deserved time off. Not too shabby, right?

2. Training And Cruise Ship Safety

2.1. Cruise Ship Training

Working as a cruise ship crew member comes with strict rules and regulations that you must follow. When you first join the ship, you’ll go through an intensive two-week training program. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including safety, security, cultural awareness, ship policies, alcohol regulations, crowd management, and more.

But training doesn’t stop there. Throughout your contract, you’ll be required to attend new sessions and refreshers as directed by your supervisors. These can be in-person or online and may last an hour or more, depending on the topic.

Training is tailored to different roles, from crew to officers, with the goal of keeping everyone informed and continually developing their skills.

2.2. Ship Safety Drills

Safety is the top priority on a cruise ship. Every crew member is responsible not only for their own safety but also for the safety of coworkers and passengers.

To prepare for emergencies, crew members participate in regular mandatory safety drills. These drills simulate emergencies and train the crew to respond effectively.

Each crew member has a designated muster station—the location they report to during an emergency—and specific responsibilities, such as operating lifeboats or launching life rafts. I’ve been part of both lifeboat and life raft teams, and learning how to manage these was an unexpected yet rewarding challenge.

From driving lifeboats to ensuring safety procedures are followed, the drills are a vital part of cruise life and a reminder that surprises are always around the corner!

During some drills, wearing a safety life jacket is mandatory—but taking a selfie is definitely not part of the drill lol!

3. Cruise Ship Maintenance

Keeping the ship clean isn’t just the responsibility of the Housekeeping department—it’s a shared duty for all crew members. Each division is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their cabins and work areas.

There’s a strict schedule for sanitizing venues, and the ship provides pre-approved cleaning chemicals to ensure everything meets safety standards. While it usually doesn’t take much time, this is one of the most crucial duties onboard.

4. Gangway Duties

“Gangway duty” is an extra responsibility for crew members, ensuring the smooth embarkation and disembarkation of passengers while the ship is in port. Crew from various divisions, including Casino, Cruise Activities, Bar, and Next Cruise, may be assigned to this role.

Key gangway duties include sanitizing the hands of returning passengers, maintaining order, assisting with lines, and supporting security staff as guests re-enter the ship. For disabled guests or those in wheelchairs, dedicated assistance teams are available to help them board and disembark safely.

Although it’s an extra task, gangway duty is essential for keeping things running smoothly and making sure passengers are well taken care of.

5. Transfer to Another Ship

Cruise lines often transfer crew members to different ships based on business needs and departmental requirements. This decision typically comes from the Head Office and is communicated by your supervisors.

Transfers can happen with weeks or even just a day’s notice, and sometimes you might end up on a ship halfway around the world.

While it’s usually in your best interest to comply, you can try requesting to stay on your current ship—just don’t be surprised if the answer is no. In some cases, crew members switch ships multiple times during a single contract.

While this can be exciting, it’s also physically and emotionally draining. It’s tough to adjust to a new team or environment repeatedly, especially if you’ve built friendships or relationships onboard. I’ve even met people who were transferred six times during a 7-month contract!

6. Unexpected Perks: Hotel Stays Between Contracts

I know I may have sounded a bit discouraging earlier, but not all extra duties on a cruise ship are bad—some come with unexpected perks!

For example, a friend of mine was scheduled to transfer to another ship but had to wait three days in a hotel before the new ship arrived in port. He spent those days in Cartagena, enjoying an all-inclusive hotel stay, completely paid for, with nothing to do but relax.

Not too shabby, right? Three paid days off in a beautiful destination sounds like a dream! Unfortunately, I never got that lucky—I ended up with two months in a dry dock and a lifeboat team card instead.

7. Entertaining Cruise Guests

In some restaurants, crew members from the Restaurant division are required to sing, dance, and perform short shows to entertain the guests. While this is usually a hit with passengers and adds a fun, lively atmosphere, doing it every few days for months on end can become exhausting.

Similarly, the Cruise department, which handles activities and entertainment, sometimes enlists help from other departments to organize events. This means crew members from various areas may be asked to join performances or assist in making the events a success.

8. Event Attendance

Depending on your role and department, you might be required to attend formal events, either with your coworkers or alongside cruise ship guests. For these occasions, you’ll need formal attire, so I strongly recommend bringing at least one formal outfit and a pair of suitable shoes with you.

When I first joined as a new hire, I didn’t have anything formal, which made things challenging—don’t make the same mistake! You don’t need a wardrobe full of formal clothes, but having one reliable dress or suit can save you a lot of stress.

Formal event attendance is more common for higher-ranked positions, like management and officers, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared, just in case.

The New Year celebration with my team

9. Extra Duties for Fellow Crew Members

Sometimes, depending on the HR team, you may be asked to take on extra duties to support your fellow coworkers.

For example, if you’re a DJ onboard, you might be asked to play music in the crew bar—for free—in addition to your regular gigs for guests. While HR often gives you the option to decline, there are times when you’re required to step in due to a lack of alternatives.

Similarly, the Cruise division often organizes activities like bingo or raffles exclusively for crew members. These events, while fun, often happen late in the evening when most crew members are trying to unwind, making it extra tiring for those responsible for organizing them. The same applies to musicians, the restaurant department (which prepares food for crew events), and several other divisions.

While these activities aim to make life onboard more enjoyable, they can be exhausting for those involved, especially since they’re not part of the official job description. That said, many crew members see these duties not just as work but as a chance to create fun moments and spend quality time together.

A donut station for all crew members, thoughtfully set up by the Restaurant department, is always a sweet treat and a morale booster!

Private Celebrations

Onboard life isn’t all work—crew members often get the chance to organize their own private celebrations and activities, depending on the HR team.

National Day celebrations are a highlight, where crew members from the same country come together to share their culture. These events are authentic, featuring traditional songs, costumes, and music.

Private celebrations are another way for the crew to unwind and connect. Whether it’s a birthday, farewell, or just a casual gathering, coworkers may ask for help with tasks like serving drinks or DJing. Unlike formal duties, these moments feel more like lending a hand to friends, and most are happy to pitch in and be part of the fun.

Celebrating the Independence Day of Bresil

10. Sometimes You Pay for Your Uniform

How you get your work uniform depends on the cruise line. Some companies provide them for free, while others require you to purchase them, which can cost hundreds of dollars. This policy varies from one cruise line to another and is subject to change, so it’s an expense you should be prepared for just in case.

11. You Can Get Rewarded

Working hard on a cruise ship can come with perks beyond your regular paycheck. Many companies have reward systems to recognize outstanding performance or long-term service.

This could mean bonuses, prizes like laptops or iPhones, or even team dinners. Sometimes, you might even get lucky and win extra cash or prizes in a crew raffle or bingo game.

At the end of a dry dock on my ship, the company held a raffle to thank the crew, with incredible prizes like vacations at 5-star resorts.

While reward systems vary from one cruise line to another, most companies find ways to show appreciation for their hardworking employees. It’s one of the things I’ve truly valued about working onboard.

I was nominated for the Smile of the Month award, but unfortunately, I didn’t win the final competition. Guess I should’ve smiled a bit more! 😊

To Work on a Cruise Ship, Flexibility is Key

To wrap up, working on a cruise ship requires flexibility. The phrase “that’s not my job” doesn’t really apply onboard—you’ll be expected to step up and do what’s required, or risk facing penalties.

When you join a cruise ship, you’re entering a completely different world. If you’re serious about building a career at sea, you need to accept that your responsibilities will often go beyond your official role.

Life at sea is not just a job; it’s a lifestyle. By embracing its rules and adjusting your habits, you’ll make the experience far smoother for yourself!

I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try. Working on a cruise ship offers an unparalleled experience—an adventure filled with fun, travel to incredible destinations, and connections with people from around the globe. There’s truly nothing like it.

For tips on how to apply for a cruise ship job and more insights into life onboard, check out my articles below!

Jeremiah Cruz

at 4:09 pm

Thanks for this. I was kind of nervous, thinking that it is my first time joining a cruise. I just hope I won’t regret anything. I was supposed to join Celebrity Solstice in March but the Covid-19 Pandemic made it impossible for me, and the rest who were supposed to join that month. Hoping for the resumption of cruises. Keep safe Katarina! 🙂