Can you help?

Question

I was looking for a job and I came across this web site to work on a cruise ship. Has anyone worked on one or know someone who has ? I want to know the good and bad on working on one. It sounds fun, but I don't want to apply for it then I find out something bad about it. I really need some fed back on this. Also my fiance agreed to go on it with me. He's off of work until May, he thought it would be fun too.

Answer 1

My daughter went on a few cruises specifically to meet and talk with crew members and concluded that unless you are a peformer, it's darn near slave labor.

Answer 2

I actually worked on ships for 5 years and I loved the experience. It was very hard work (10-15 hours per day) and the pay was great unless you are from the states. US citizens are charged tax for working and therefore do not take home much pay. Very few US residents work onboard because of this. However, if you are not going for the money just for the experience then it is worth it.

There are many positions you could look for onboard; however, most seem to be allotted by country of origin. The cruise industry is notorious for racial bias. Most North Americans work in the entertainment areas of the ship. If that is your interest stress any entertainment experience you have on your resume. Unfortunately don't count on you and your fiance to be on the same ship, sometimes it can take a few months to have that happen - just request it upon hiring so that you are not disappointed later.

I have made some great friends from all over the world. The last ship I was on we actually had over 52 countries represented and everyone got along. Now if the world could emulate this...

Good luck...you are in for an experience of a lifetime.

Answer 3

I have been on four cruises and talk to the workers alot when onboard. There are many postions that seem fun, but foodservice seems like the most strenuous for the least pay. Also cerain positions are regerded as "low class" jobs. The employees often have different floors they sleep on and different cafeterias. For example, the last cruise I was on the girl that worked in the spa told me that she got a room on the 10th floor, just right under the salon, but most everyone else was on zero. She also got to eat in a nicer cafeteria with the officers.

Before you get into this you have to remember that you will be working HARD day in and day out, watching other people stuff themselves like pigs and having a great time. To me that might get old. You do get certain days off to enjoy the ports though. I also heard that you have to really watch your money, because if you like to party it is very easy to spend your paycheck on alcohol in the employee lounges.

If you are young though, I would go for it. I think the contracts are usually six months. You could do it for six months and see how you like it. Six months isn't very long...

Hope this helped.

Answer 4

Depending on what type of job you are looking for, cruise ship work can be very hard, long hours, small rooms with bunk beds. I have been on alot of cruises and spoke with waiters bartenders and room stewards and they are all away from home up to 1 year they can work up to 18 hours a day they get paid below min wage and pray for tips. Now this isn't for all the jobs, there are many more but that depends o your qualifications. Good Luck KG

Answer 5

I saw one time a report on TV how it is to work on a cruise ship.It's realy good money but you have to work realy a lot and have almost no free time.If i had no kids i would do it right away cause you can travel a lot,make realy good money and you can meet maybe new friends.And the good thing about it is,that your fiance can be there too.So you don't miss him after many weeks away from at home.I wish you and your fiance good luck!!!! And enjoy working on a cruise ship-it sounds like fun!!!

Answer 6

The only cruise line that pays America wages to U.S Citizens is Norweigan Cruise Lines and ONLY in the Hawaiian Islands. The information posted above by others is correct ans the staff of most cruise ships are non-Americans unless they are cruise company higher-ups (like cruise director, purser, etc) or performers.

Answer 7

My friend is a dancer on a ship. She really loves it. Parts that she does complain about though is missing her family. You have to be really sure that you want to do it. I think it sounds really fun. I do think that you are contracted to work for a certain period of time though, so you might want to think about that.