Welcome Aboard! Cruise Ship Jobs

By Michele Blandino

A job aboard a cruise ship can provide a wonderful opportunity to travel to far-away places and meet people from different cultures.

But, unless you have an undying sense of wanderlust, chances are you won't want to spend your entire professional career aboard a cruise ship. However, it can - if only for a few years - provide a chance to experience a completely different lifestyle while gaining experience that you can apply to your "after-cruise" career.

And, because the cruise industry is enjoying rapid growth - a total of eleven ships have been added to the fleets of major cruise lines during 2004 - jobs are fairly plentiful.

A Cheap Way to Live

For those interested in seeing the world and saving some money in the process, cruise ship employment may be the way to go. With no rent to pay or groceries to buy - crew members are provided living quarters and food - it's entirely possible for you to bank your entire paycheck. Some cruise lines also offer perks such as bar allowances, and crew-only pools and recreation areas.

While the living conditions vary among cruise lines, staff members generally are assigned to quarters in a separate part of the ship. Depending on your specific assignment, you may find yourself sharing a cabin with a roommate, although senior staff members generally rate their own cabin.

The Downside

The typical workday aboard a cruise ship, particularly for those in entry level or service positions such as waiters and cabin stewards, can be long. It is not uncommon for these employees to put in 12-14 hours per day, 7 days a week for 4 months straight. While this may make it difficult to spend much time in the various ports the ship may visit, chances are, you will get to spend at least some time ashore.

Another thing to consider is the time commitment. Most cruise lines require their employees to sign on for 4-6 month intervals, and it is difficult to break that commitment once it is made.

What Types of Jobs are Available?

Most cruise lines want their ships to be thought of as floating five-star hotels and so the ships will have many of the amenities you would expect to find on land. As a result, there is a need for a variety of service providers such as bartenders, beauticians, photographers, masseurs, day-care personnel, and wait staff.

While pay varies among cruise lines, staff members in entry level service positions such as cabin stewards and members of the wait staff can expect a base salary of between $500 and $1500 per month. This amount can easily double when tips are factored in.

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