In my life I have met so many people who said: “Oh, you are working on a cruise ship?! That must be an amazing job!” But is it?! Let me explain you how it truly works on a cruise ship from the point of an employee and what the pros and cons of working on cruise ships are.
Firstly some practical information how I got this job and when and where I started. My very first season started on RIVERS in France in 2014. I successfully completed the whole season – from March till November. This year (2017) I have started to work for the same river cruise company but we are sailing from Switzerland, through Germany to Netherlands.
I am very grateful for this opportunity to work on a cruise ship to Slovakian agency called BackUp Jobs Agency which helped me get this job without paying any fee. The only thing I had to pay was 80 euro which will be reimbursed to me after three months of working on a ship.
If you want to know WHY I decided to work on cruise ships, then read my articles “5 Things which Helped my Dream Come True” or “How I Quit my Jobs & Start from Zero“.
PROS & CONS
I will describe pros and cons of working on river cruise ships from my personal point of view, therefore, it may differ from your experience (especially if you worked on ocean liners).
WHY CRUISE SHIP JOB MAY SEEM LIKE DREAM JOB
- possibility of HIGH SALARY including tips from customers
- possibility of SAVING LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN VERY SHORT TIME (as the accommodation, food and sometimes even travel expenses are reimbursed and/or paid) – from the money I saved in 2014 I travelled almost whole South America, Thailand and some European capitals
- opportunity to travel the world (especially if it comes to ocean liners)
- getting to know new people and cultures as most people on board (customers and crew) are from the whole world
- one of the best test of your determination and patience
- an awesome life lesson which will make you stronger and more resistant to any life situation which may come up in the future
WHY CRUISE SHIP JOB MAY SEEM AS HELL
- working 10 – 15 hours a day, 7 days a week, months straight is not a dream job for everyone (day off is a matter of discussion but at most cruise ship companies such thing as DAY OFF doesn´t exist)
- everyday routine will (may) possibly make you crazy after couple of months of everyday work
- harsh physical and mental exhaustion (already after 7th, 8th week)
- so called “submarine disease” on cruise ships truly exists – even for people you really like
- listening to everyday complains of customers is part of this job – and as a bonus everything must be handled with a big smile on your face 😉
- forget about comfortable clothes – you will get strict uniform followed by strict appearance rules etc …
Very shortly I described 6 advantages and 6 disadvantages working on cruise ships. As I mentioned above, it may differ from your own experiences as each company has its own rules, vacation plan (if there is any), etc …
To conclude, I don´t regret my decision to work on cruise ships though I went through hell in some moments. However, thanks to job onboard I learned a lot about myself, my limits, I was given an amazing life opportunity but most importantly I was able to save large amount of money out of which I backpacked a lot. And travelling subsequently changed my way of thinking, widened my horizon and open my mind to new things. And MiliMundo blog is a result of all of this! 🙂
So my lovely readers, would you go for it? How does a cruise ship job seem to you? Dream or hell?
In case you would like to read about my personal experience with working on ships with more specific situations, click HERE and choose one of many articles based on my personal experience. 😉
If you have more questions, don´t hesitate to contact me on FB of MiliMundo or on email milimundo88@gmail.com
And has been the article useful and you want to buy me some chocolate in exchange?! No hesitation and do it! 😉
SUBSCRIBE to MiliMundo
z tohto clanku sa clovek vela nedozvie, viac menej veci ktore su jasne, chcela by to konkretne zazitky 🙂
No tak toto bol len taky uvodny clanok k lodiam (kedze som sa len teraz vratila opatovne na lod, necely tyzden), chcela by som napisat aj ine zazitky, ale musim mat na pamati “company policy” ktora nedovoluje vela zdielat z pracovneho zivota na lodi 😉
Nezávidím ale ako ta poznám zvládneš setko lebo to chceš a chceš prekračovať vlastne limity a sny ✌️ Držím palce na ďalšej výprave do sveta
Dakujem Tomas – ano ako pises, chcem cestovat dalej a mam skvelu motivaciu, tak preto sa to posnazim zvladnut, ale miestami a chvilkami to bude doslovne peklo 😀 ale co clovek nespravi pre cestovanie 🙂
Ahoj, chcel by som sa ťa opýtať či si mala predošlé skúsenosti čo sa týka prace v obsluhe.
Ďakujem vopred za odpoveď.
Ahoj Martin, áno mala. Nič veľké, ale životopis niekedy znesie veľa. 🙂
Ďakujem, pýtam sa pretože ma čaká v utorok pohovor pre lodnú spoločnosť Viking a neviem či som vhodný kandidát. Síce mám vyštudovanú Hotelovú akadémiu a tiež jazykové znalosti no i tak neviem čo mám od toho očakávať. Nejaké rady na pohovor ? ?
Working on a cruise ship is often portrayed as a glamorous, adventure-filled career, but is it truly a dream job? Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
Travel Opportunities: One of the biggest perks is the chance to travel to exotic locations and experience different cultures, often while saving money since accommodation and meals are provided.
Unique Lifestyle: Living and working at sea offers a unique lifestyle that’s different from traditional 9-to-5 jobs. The dynamic environment can be exciting and fulfilling.
Networking and Friendships: You’ll meet people from all over the world, forming lifelong friendships and professional connections.
Skill Development: Working on a cruise ship helps you develop diverse skills in hospitality, customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Income Potential: With accommodations and meals covered, many employees can save a significant portion of their income.
Cons:
Long Hours and Hard Work: Cruise ship jobs often require long hours with few days off. The work can be physically demanding and stressful.
Limited Personal Space: Crew quarters are typically small and shared with other employees, offering little privacy.
Time Away from Home: Being away from family and friends for extended periods can be challenging, especially during holidays and special occasions.
Strict Regulations: There are strict rules and regulations to follow, both in terms of work and personal conduct.
Variable Working Conditions: Job satisfaction and working conditions can vary significantly depending on the cruise line, ship, and specific role.
In conclusion, while working on a cruise ship can be a dream job for some, offering unparalleled travel opportunities and a unique lifestyle, it also comes with significant challenges. It’s essential to weigh these factors carefully and consider your personal preferences and circumstances before deciding if this career path is right for you.