What's it like to work on a cruise ship, and is working and living on a cruise ship the right career path for you?
Royal Caribbean employs thousands of crew members that live on their cruise ships in order to work there for months at a time.
Across the Royal Caribbean Group brands, the company employs 100,000 employees from over 130 nationalities that work both on ships and on land.
One crew member shared on Facebook his experience working on a ship.
"Exciting and challenging"
Ervin Rebuyas posted in a Facebook group dedicated to Filipino crew members working on Royal Caribbean his reasons to consider working onboard.
Ervin's photo is a self-portrait taken on Icon of the Seas, which could indicate he does (or did) work on that ship.
He started by listing the five reasons being a crew member is worth it:
1. Travel opportunities
Ervin said you can, "visit multiple destinations and experience different cultures," as a crew member.
Royal Caribbean's ships sail around the world, and often ships transition from one part of the world to another during a single contract.
2. Meet people from diverse backgrounds
Because crew members live on cruise ships, they run into both other crew and passengers from all over the world.
Ervin said the opportunity to, "interact with passengers and crew from around the world," is a benefit to working there.
3. Career development
Royal Caribbean is a big company, and there's room to grow.
Ervin believes working on a ship provides, "skills and experience in hospitality, tourism, and customer service," that could benefit his career within the company and beyond.
4. Competitive salary and benefits
While Ervin did not disclose his pay, he believes the compensation is good as a crew member.
He mentioned the fact crew get not just salary, but accommodations, meals, and access to onboard amenities.
The crew member only restaurants serve international cuisine to ensure everyone has something they like. There are also crew lounges, gyms, pools, and recreational activities.
Examples of social events held onboard a ship include crew gatherings, parties, and themed events.
5. Unique lifestyle
Most crew members work a number of months on the ship, then go home for a break for a few months, and then return again for a new contract.
Contracts typically range from 3-12 months. He estimates time off between contracts is usually 2-6 weeks. He also said vacation days accrue during contracts, and are usable during time off.
He said you get to, "enjoy a distinctive work-life balance, with time off between contracts."
The downsides to working on a ship
No job is perfect, and Ervin also listed five negatives to working on a cruise ship.
1. Time away from family and friends
Because you live on the ship, you don't get to commute back home after the day's work is over.
Crew members' contracts are many months, and that means they don't get to see loved ones in person until the end of the contract.
2. Confined living space
It's no secret cabins on a cruise ship are small, and that applies to crew cabins too.
Crew members have shared or single accommodations, often with bunk beds.
Ervin said crew members share small cabins with limited personal space.
3. Long working hours
Every crew member has their own work schedule that corresponds to their duties, and Ervin said shifts include working evenings, weekends, and holidays.
4. High stress levels
Just like many jobs on land, a crew member job is not a cushy one.
"Manage demanding passenger expectations and tight deadlines," are how Ervin described the work environment.
5. Limited personal freedom
Ervin said the "strict rules, regulations, and safety protocols" mean you have to live differently than on land.
Ships have stricter safety regulations to mitigate danger, especially fire. Crew members drill regularly to know what to do in the case of an emergency.
Ervin's advice before applying
For anyone who might consider a career working on a cruise ship, Ervin spelled out what to think about first.
He boiled it down to five key points:
- Research roles and departments
- Meet current or former crew members
- Understand the lifestyle and challenges
- Check requirements (age, education, certifications)
- Apply through cruise lines or recruitment agencies
