Yes, cruise workers do get days off. Managerial staff typically have five days off per month while lower level staff have seven days off, both of which are usually consecutive. Additionally, cruise lines typically give workers 14 days of vacation time over a six month period, depending upon their specific contract.
For seasonal work, employees may be granted vacation time after a specific period, such as three months. Most workers are required to work for six to seven months at a time without a break and then the cruise line generally offers a month off.
That being said, the days off are dependent upon the cruise line and the employee’s position.
What do cruise ship workers do in their free time?
Cruise ship workers have a variety of activities available to them to spend their free time while onboard. During their days off, they may choose to relax and take in the scenery in their allotted cabin, catch up on their sleep, or take a short trip ashore to explore the sites.
Many choose to take advantage of onboard entertainment such as movies, shows, and live concerts. They also have access to various recreational activities like swimming, sunbathing, and taking part in various events and competitions.
Most cruise lines offer sports facilities for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. Furthermore, the larger cruise ships offer casinos, spas, mini-golf, rock climbing walls, surf simulators, outdoor movie screenings, table tennis, and other activities.
Cruise ship workers often strike up conversations with fellow crew members from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, creating close friendships. Joining clubs on the ship is another way to meet like-minded people and enjoy engaging in activities like casino nights, virtual gaming, and karaoke etc.
Who gets paid the most on a cruise ship?
The Captain of a cruise ship typically earns the highest salary of any employee onboard. The Captain is ultimately responsible for the overall operation of the vessel and all personnel, and is ultimately responsible for the safety of passengers and crew.
The Captain’s total compensation package is often competitive with other industries, and can include a base salary and additional bonuses for performance, length of duty, and other benchmark metrics.
The base salary for a Captain of a large vessel – typically weighing more than 75 tons – is typically greater than a Captain of a smaller vessel, and may range from $40,000 to $160,000 per year, with the potential bonus packages equaling upwards of $50,000 or higher annually.
Second to the Captain, Cruise Directors are among one of the highest ranked and highly paid positions on a cruise ship. Their duties typically include organizing and running the entertainment and recreational aspects of the voyage, as well as supervising the ship’s staff, security personnel, and bounty hunters on-board.
Their base salary can range from $40,000 to as much as $100,000 or more, depending upon the size of the ship, length of voyage, and the catering nature of the voyage. Possible bonus packages, per their performance, can yield salaries closer to $200,000 or more.
Other high-end positions include Cruise Ship First Officers, Pursers, Hotel Managers, Restaurant Managers, and Chief Engineers. Wages for these positions range from $45,000 to as much as $150,000 per year, sometimes with the potential for a bonus package as well.
Finally, Cruise Ship Dining Room Managers, Chefs, and Sommeliers, are among the most talented cooks and food service professionals onboard, and are often among the most highly paid positions, earning salaries of up to or surpassing $75,000 per year.
In general, salaries aboard a cruise ship can be higher than in other areas of hospitality, including land-based hotels and resorts – sometimes double the salaries of their counterparts – due to the extra level of responsibility required, and the added knowledge and skill sets needed to work in a cruise ship environment.
How many months does a cruise ship captain work?
The number of months a cruise ship captain works can vary depending on the shipping company. Typically, most cruise ship captains work between five-to-eight months at a time. Most captains enjoy two to four months of leave between tours to rest and spend time with their families.
Additionally, the cruise line’s schedule usually determines a captain’s work hours. Some cruise lines only cruise during certain months of the year, which means the ship’s captain may have longer seasonal or year-round contracts.
In the case of year-round contracts, captains may only receive two months of leave during the entire year and could work for 11-to-12 months.
Captains also need to take into account the ship size and assigned routes. Cruise ships with a larger capacity or longer routes may take several months to complete, which can leave captains away from home for extended periods.
On the other hand, smaller cruise ships or routes that stay close to home will likely require minimal time away.
Overall, cruise ship captains work between five-to-eight months, but it can vary depending on their employer’s policies and the ship’s size and itinerary.
What does a ship captain do all day?
A ship captain plays a key role in ensuring their ship and crew arrive safely and on time at their destination. On a typical day, a ship captain is responsible for supervising and directing the operation of their vessel and crew.
This includes the safety of passengers, crew, and cargo; navigation of the vessel and maintaining sea safety regulations; financial operation and management of the voyage; keeping and updating logs; and managing communications between the ship and shore.
A ship captain is responsible for the personal conduct and performance of their crew, and must ensure they adhere to rules and regulations. They also must dispute any complex situations such as communications with other vessels, steering, and vigilance at sea.
The captain must also manage the ship’s supplies and equipment, taking into account factors such as cargo weight and balance, fuel consumption, and vegetation or ice build-up around the vessel.
A ship captain must be able to take the helm and navigate, oversee loading, unloading, and refueling of the vessel, and respond to any hazardous conditions, medical, or security problems that may occur during the voyage.
During the voyage, a ship captain also coordinates with the shore and port operations teams to ensure smooth port calls. They are also responsible for dealing with paperwork, permits, and other documentation.
Overall, a shipping captain’s primary responsibility is for the safety and security of those onboard and for navigation of the vessel. Although no two days are the same, a captain’s duties generally involve monitoring and ensuring the ship’s performance, loading and unloading of cargo, management of administrative tasks, and providing guidance and supervision to the crew.
How long do cruise ship captains stay on a ship?
The length of time a cruise ship captain remains on board depends on the type of service being provided and the needs of the individual cruise line. Generally, a captain will stay with a given ship between two to four years.
On smaller vessels, such as river cruise ships, the turnover rate is higher, with a captain typically staying with a particular boat for an average of one year. On larger ocean-going vessels, a captain is much more likely to stay with a single ship for a longer period of time, often up to four or five years.
There are captains who remain with the same vessel for much longer than this and some who may switch to a different cruise line or transfer to a different type of vessel after a few years. Ultimately, the length of time a cruise ship captain will stay aboard is based on the discretion of the cruise line, their needs, and the captain’s own personal preferences.
Do cruise ship employees get to leave on the ship?
Yes, cruise ship employees do get to leave on the ship. There are a variety of conditions and rules that cruise ship employees have to follow in order to leave the ship, depending on the company and the nature of the contract.
For example, most contracts usually include a certain number of days off during each rotation, usually one to three days, where the crew can depart the ship for some rest and relaxation. However, depending on the country and the ship’s itinerary, these days off might have some restrictions such as staying within the port’s vicinity.
Additionally, many cruise lines offer longer vacation packages for crew members to disembark the ship and explore beyond the ports of call for a certain amount of time. Finally, most cruise ship contracts also include end-of-contract trips, which are often round-trip flights and hotel accommodations in a certain port of call.
Crew members can take advantage of this opportunity if they wish to discover a different part of the world or country.
Can you bring your family if you work on a cruise ship?
It is possible to bring family members if you work on a cruise ship, but it can be difficult to make it work due to the stringent requirements to become an employee on a cruise line. The majority of cruise line positions are considered to be “live-aboard” positions, meaning that the crew member is required to live onboard the ship while they work.
This means that the family members of the employee must also live on the ship as well, which can be a difficult situation for many families. Furthermore, cruise lines generally only allow a select few to bring family members aboard, such as entertainers or senior staff members.
In order to bring family members onboard, the family members would also need to fill out separate applications and meet the exact same requirements as the employee. This includes a full criminal background check, medical evaluation and proof of citizenship.
Additionally, family members that are brought onboard may need to pay full cruise fares and any related costs, such as onboard services, meals and drinks, amenities, onboard activities and more. Cruise lines can be very strict about whom they allow onboard, so it is important to check with the particular cruise line and do thorough research first.
Can cruise ship crew go ashore?
Yes, cruise ship crew can go ashore, depending on the port of call. The policies regarding crew shore visits can vary from port to port, so it is important to check policies with the shore excursion manager prior to disembarking.
Generally, crew are able to go ashore in certain locations during the day, as long as they are each assigned a shore pass and have specific tasks to perform while on shore. However, they must always ensure they adhere to the local laws and customs at the port of call, and should also check the local time before coming ashore.
In most cases, crew are not allowed to go ashore alone and must be accompanied by a designated person, such as a senior member of the crew. All crew members should be aware that their crew member contracts will specify any additional guidelines or regulations.
What do cruise ship employees do for fun?
Cruise ship employees can have lots of fun during their work on the ship, depending on their job description. Different ships have different entertainment and amenities, but most offer some kind of activity or activity center where employees can socialize and interact with passengers.
Employees can participate in onboard activities like movie nights, karaoke, trivia, theme parties, and bingo, as well as enjoying the ship’s bar or lounge. During their free time, employees can also take part in onboard recreational activities such as swimming, volleyball, yoga, work out classes, and more.
Additionally, employees can usually access the onboard spa, gym, and casino at a discounted rate. There are usually boat tours offered by the ship, and employees are encouraged to take part in these excursions.
Off the boat, shore excursions can be arranged for the staff, and depending on the destination, this can include swimming, exploring, sightseeing, and shopping. Onboard events and parties organized by the crew are also common and give employees the chance to mingle and have fun.
Cruise ship employees can have a lot of fun if they take advantage of what’s available.
Do you get free time working on a cruise ship?
Yes, you do get free time while working on a cruise ship. Every crew member is given designated days off to explore different ports of call, as well as designated days off in between sailings. During your free time, you can spend time in your designated crew areas, explore the ship and its on board amenities, and explore the ports of call.
Depending on the length of the itinerary, you may also have one or two days off in a row to do whatever you’d like. Most cruise ships offer a variety of activities, including movies, music, and various classes.
You can also take advantage of the on-board shops, restaurants, and activities offered by the venues, such as cooking classes, art lessons, and more. There is also usually time for personal activities like reading and sunbathing on the decks.
As a crew member, you will be able to enjoy many special crew discounts and benefits.
Is working on a cruise ship good money?
The potential to make good money while working on a cruise ship depends on a few factors, including the type of job you have, what position you hold, and the cruise line you are working for. Most lower-level jobs, such as housekeeping, bartenders, waiters, and casino workers, earn about $2,400-$2,800 per month – not including tips which can significantly increase your salary.
Many of these positions offer free food and lodging, which makes it easier to save money. Upper-level jobs, such as department heads and cruise director positions, can earn significantly more, with the highest-paid positions on the ship reaching upwards of $10,000 per month.
Additionally, many cruise lines offer other incentives such as onboard discounts, travel benefits, and a bonus when you successfully finish a contract. As with most jobs, the potential to earn good money depends on your skills, experience, and dedication.
What is a cruise ship workers schedule?
A cruise ship worker may have a different schedule depending on their job and the needs of the cruise line. Generally, a shift could last up to 8 to12 hours a day and includes housekeeping, waiters, bartenders, deck and technical crew, entertainment staff and medical staff.
Some cruise ship workers may be required to work round the clock depending on their job or the needs of the cruise line.
Working nights, weekends, and holidays during galley shifts may also be part of the job and the shifts may last up to 12 hours, depending on the job. Generally, crew members may get to spend 7 to 8 hours a day off during the long occupational periods.
This may also consist of doing maintenance and repairs on the ship, updating equipment and supplies, taking part in safety drills, or other duties specified in their job roles.
Breaks usually consist of 30-minute lunch or dinner. Dining hours differ depending on the shift and ship’s operation, but when available can extend to 90 minutes or more. Sometimes, meals, snacks and soft drinks are provided free of charge.
Crew members are also entitled to shore leave, this ranges from one to four days and times scheduled per contractual agreement.
Working aboard a cruise ship can be an exciting opportunity, but it is important to understand the job responsibilities and schedule before taking such a role.
