global news | January 22, 2026

Do cruise ship workers get days off?

There are no days off

On ships, weekends and holidays don't exist. You work every day of your entire contract and just have hours off between shifts each day.

Do you work 7 days a week on a cruise ship?

Rather than working traditional five-day weeks, cruise-ship employees often work seven days a week for the duration of their contracts, which can range from about two months to 11 months. The hours can also be intense, from eight to nearly 20 hours a day.

Why don t cruise workers get days off?

There's little to no overlap in skills and duties. Another reason there are no days off for crew is that cruise ship jobs are very specific to the individual or department of crew members.

How many hours do cruise ship employees work?

Passengers often see the same crew members all day long and wonder how many hours cruise ship employees actually work. Regardless of the job position, a cruise ship employee generally works between 8 to 12 hours on a “sea” day and sometimes less on a “port” day.

Is working on a cruise ship good money?

While it sounds like an exciting adventure, there is a great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes to make things happen. According to Business Insider, a cruise ship crew member for Carnival, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line can earn an annual average between $16,000 to $20,000.

How much time off do you get working on cruise ships & what job onboard gives you the most time off?

Do cruise ship employees get their own room?

Crew and staff members often have one roommate, though they sometimes have three. Their rooms are furnished simply, giving occupants some combination of a bed, a desk, a closet, a few shelves, and a small bathroom.

Who is the highest paid person on a cruise ship?

5 Highest-Paying Jobs on Cruise Ships

  • Executive Chef.
  • Cruise Director.
  • Chief Purser.
  • Hotel Director.
  • Human Resources Manager.

What is the salary of a cruise ship worker?

According to Business Insider, the median annual earnings of cruise ship workers is between $16,000 to $20,000. The salary ranges depending on the crew positions from $10,000 per year to $177,000 per year for the ship's captain.

Do cruise ship employees get free WiFi?

All Cruise Lines offer internet access for crewmembers by using Wi-Fi access and access from the onboard crew internet cafés. Unlike before when crew members had only access per minute, today cruise lines offer various packages such as Social media package and all internet access charged by Megabytes.

Where do cruise ship workers sleep?

Unlike guest staterooms, crew cabins are pretty small and usually located on deck 0, or below the sea level – deck A and B. Most of the crew cabins don't have portholes (windows) – this luxury is reserved for some staff and officers – so for first-time crew members this might be a little confusing.

Is there a curfew on cruise ships?

Ship's management reserves the right to enact and enforce curfews on an individual, group, or ship-wide basis, if in the sole judgment of the ship's Captain, such steps become necessary to ensure guest or crew safety. Children under the age of 17 are not allowed unaccompanied by an adult after 1:00 am.

How long can you work on a ship?

ILO Maritime Labor Convention states that a number of ship working hours should be: Eight hours a day, under normal circumstances, with one day as a rest day. A maximum of 14 hours in any 24 hour period. A maximum of 72 hours in any seven day period.

Do cruise ships have jail?

Yes, cruise ships have brigs, which is the nautical term for a jail on a vessel, including a cruise ship. The term comes from the word “brigantine,” which is a type of two-masted sailing ship formerly used to house criminals.

Do cell phones work on cruise ships?

Do cell phones work on cruise ships? It's a common question with varying answers. Guests are free to utilize their cellular data or connect to our onboard Wi-Fi on any ship. But, please be aware that cellular data used on the ship or in certain ports of call will result in charges from your cell phone provider.

Is WhatsApp free on a cruise ship?

Using messaging apps to text for free on a cruise ship

If you use text messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, WeChat, or WhatsApp, you can use them on a cruise ship whenever you have a WiFi connection.

Do cruise workers get their tips?

Most cruise lines distribute the gratuity charges among a number of workers, including some, like laundry workers, who previously didn't receive tips, Guilford said.

Do cruise ship workers pay taxes?

All U.S. citizens working for a U.S. based cruise line such as Norwegian Cruise Lines or Carnival Cruise Lines, will automatically have income tax deducted from their paychecks as per federal and state laws.

What qualifications are needed to work on a cruise ship?

To work on a cruise ship, you must meet the following basic requirements:

  • Be at least 18 or 21 years old.
  • Meet the language fluency requirements.
  • Have a valid passport.
  • Have the required visa or work permit.
  • Have a basic safety training certificate.
  • Pass a medical examination.
  • Pass a criminal background check.

What happens if you don't tip on a cruise?

When you forego tipping on your cruise, you aren't hurting the corporation. You're just lowering the pool of funds that hard-working service employees share at the end of the journey. Automatically added gratuities take the confusion out of tipping on your cruise.

How much do cruise workers make in tips?

What are the cruise industry tipping standards? For a seven-night cruise on the major lines, the "auto-gratuity" currently has a wide range starting under $20 a day, per person, up to over $100 a day, per person. Passengers staying in suites will usually pay a bit extra per day, per person.

Which cruise line is best for employees?

Cruise Job Finder lists several cruise lines that are the best to work for, including Carnival, Norwegian, Holland America, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises, Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Princess.

Is working on cruise ship fun?

There's a big party culture, but it isn't always as fun as it seems. Cruise ships have a reputation for fostering a party culture among employees fueled by long hours and cheap drinks available at crew-only bars.

Can married couples work together on a cruise ship?

It's a family affair

Cruise lines know that happy crew members will stay longer with the company, and give married couples the opportunity to apply for contracts working on the same ship and to share a cabin.

What is the salary of a cruise ship captain?

According to Payscale, the average salary of a cruise ship captain is $96,000 per year, in a salary range that varies from $48,485 to $180,308. A captain's responsibilities are far broader than just steering the ship.

Do murders happen on cruise ships?

Although cruise ship murders are incredibly rare, they do happen. Murders are usually committed by a person that the victim knows and the majority of cruise ship murders involve arguments that escalate or a previous history of abuse. For obvious reasons murders which happen on cruise ships are very rarely pre-planned.