Have you ever wondered what it is like to live and work on a cruise ship?

I worked onboard as a photographer and, during that time, I had the opportunity to visit different countries, live alongside people from dozens of nationalities, and experience a completely different lifestyle from living and working on land.

So, in this post, I want to share 10 things I consider positive about working on a cruise ship, especially from the perspective of someone experiencing Crew Life.

1 - Visiting new places

This is probably the first thing that comes to mind when people think about working on a cruise ship.

Depending on the itinerary, you can wake up in a different port almost every day — and sometimes in a different country.

You get the opportunity to explore new places, try different food, and experience cultures that are completely different from your own.

We don't always have many hours to explore each destination, but in my opinion, it is almost always worth getting off the ship and seeing whatever you can.

From going on an excursion to simply sitting in a local café, I always enjoyed getting out and experiencing a little bit of the local culture.

In Europe, for example, there were periods when almost every day was a port day. You could go to sleep in Norway and wake up in Iceland, or go to sleep in Italy and wake up in France.

That is an experience that is difficult to replicate in almost any other job.

2 - Going on excursions

Yes, crew members can go on excursions too.

The same excursions sold to guests may be available to crew members at significantly lower prices. During my experience, some excursions that cost passengers hundreds of dollars could cost crew members around US$45–60.

Availability depends on the cruise line, department, position, and sometimes your manager's approval.

I also had some special opportunities because I became friends with people from other departments. On one occasion, for example, I was able to join an excursion for free through a friend who worked in Shore Excursions.

This is one of the interesting aspects of ship life: you meet people from different departments and sometimes discover opportunities you would never have found on your own.

3 - Making friends

Onboard, you meet people from so many different countries that sometimes it is difficult to keep track.

And I'm not talking only about other crew members. Depending on your position, you can also build friendships with guests.

You are constantly exposed to different cultures, stories, accents, and ways of thinking.

It is also a great way to practice your English.

And there is another important benefit: networking.

Just like anywhere else, professional relationships can be extremely valuable. Working in such a multicultural environment can significantly expand your network.

4 - Improving your English while getting paid

You should already have at least a good level of English before applying.

After all, English is essential for the interview and for your day-to-day work onboard.

But there is a big difference between knowing English and actually communicating every day with people from dozens of different countries.

You learn new accents, expressions, and ways of communicating.

And the best part?

You are getting paid while you practice.

I had friends who spent tens of thousands of Brazilian reais on exchange programs to study English for a year.

Working onboard can provide a very intense immersion experience without paying for a traditional language school or exchange program.

One important note, though: salaries and conditions vary significantly depending on the position and cruise line, so the salary figures mentioned in my original article should not be used as a reference for current jobs.

5 - Recreational activities

Life onboard isn't only about work.

Cruise lines also offer different activities for crew members. During my time onboard, some of them included:

• crew raffles and bingo, often with prizes;

• special spa nights;

• junk food nights, with burgers, waffles, sweets, and music;

• tournaments involving table tennis, pool, foosball, video games, soccer, and basketball;

• Crew Talent Shows;

• theater performances;

• books and movies available for crew members.

There were also movie channels available in crew areas and cabins.

These activities may seem small, but they can make a big difference when you spend months living and working on a ship.

6 - Food onboard

Obviously, food is one of the practical benefits.

Cruise lines have to feed a huge number of people every day, so there are usually different meal times and food options available for crew.

During lunch and dinner, for example, you may find salads, meat, pasta, pizza, fruit, desserts, ice cream, juice, tea, coffee, and other options.

Depending on your position and the company's rules, you may also have access to some of the restaurants intended for guests.

Some restaurants may be free for certain positions or circumstances, while others may be available at a discounted price charged to your onboard account.

The rules vary significantly between cruise lines.

7 - Sports and physical activities

If you enjoy sports and staying active, there are usually options available.

Besides the tournaments I mentioned earlier, during my time onboard we had access to:

• a gym;

• a running track;

• a basketball court;

• a soccer field;

• bicycles that could be reserved for use in ports;

• board games and cards.

Some ships also have facilities such as climbing walls and other recreational areas.

So, despite the intense schedule, it is possible to continue exercising during your contract.

The real challenge is finding the time and energy to do it.

8 - Crew Bar and drinks

The Crew Bar is one of the main social spaces onboard.

It is where crew parties, karaoke nights, themed events, and gatherings take place.

During my time onboard, I attended Brazilian, Latin, and Indian-themed parties, electronic music nights, and many other events organized by the crew.

The available drinks and consumption rules depend on the cruise line.

At the company I worked for, the options included soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, water, beer, wine, and prosecco, according to the company's rules.

Consumption was added to our onboard account and later deducted from our salary.

9 - Shopping onboard

There is also something called Crew Shopping, where crew members can buy snacks and personal necessities.

This is particularly useful during sea days, when you cannot simply leave the ship to buy something.

There is also the Duty Free shop intended for guests.

Depending on the cruise line and your position, crew members may have access to special sales, such as Crew Sales, when certain products are offered at discounted prices.

During my experience, it was even possible to purchase some of the alcoholic beverages sold onboard. The difference was that they had to be stored and could only be collected at the end of the contract.

10 - Parties

Crew Party!

If you enjoy parties, this is probably one of the most anticipated activities onboard.

Besides the regular nights at the Crew Bar, during my time there were dedicated crew parties, usually at least once a month.

Depending on the location and weather conditions, they could take place at the bar or in other areas of the ship.

There could be a live band, DJ, and drinks included according to the event's rules.

And there is an interesting part to it: different departments would take turns helping organize and serve at the parties.

You don't just work onboard. You also become part of the community that keeps ship life running.

*Bonus: Free time and saving money

There is a common perception that working on a cruise ship means working very little while traveling all the time.

That's not really how it works.

Some positions have different schedules, such as certain musicians, dancers, and performers. But many other positions work approximately 8–12 hours a day, depending on the role and operation.

The routine can be intense.

You have to remember that a cruise ship is essentially a huge hotel operating 24 hours a day — except it is in the middle of the ocean.

The operation has to work whether you are tired or simply want to enjoy your time in port.

That is why you need to find a balance between working, saving money, and enjoying the experience.

The possibility of saving money is also one of the reasons many people choose this type of job. Since accommodation, meals, and several other expenses are covered during the contract, there is potential to save a larger portion of your salary.

But that also depends heavily on your financial habits.

You can save a lot — or spend everything in port.

How much should you spend in port?

This depends entirely on your travel style.

Sometimes we only have a few hours to explore a destination. Even so, we are often in famous tourist destinations with restaurants, shops, attractions, and plenty of things to do.

I usually preferred walking or using public transportation whenever possible, avoiding taxis.

I also liked finding an inexpensive local restaurant and buying a small souvenir.

If you go on excursions, eat at restaurants, and shop at every port, your expenses can increase quickly.

I usually set aside a certain amount of US dollars for each destination and tried to save as much as possible.

This also creates an interesting situation: you quickly learn how to decide what is actually worth doing in each port.

Thinking about working on a cruise ship?

Working onboard can give you the opportunity to travel, experience different cultures, develop professionally, and live an intense international experience.

But it is not a vacation.

You may work long hours, spend months away from home, share small spaces with other people, and adapt to rules and routines that are very different from life on land.

The benefits are real, but they come with personal and professional costs that you should understand before accepting a contract.

If you are considering working on a cruise ship, it is worth learning not only what life onboard is like, but also how the hiring process works.

I also recorded a video showing the 7 questions I was asked during my interview for a cruise ship job and what the process was actually like.

Seaya :D

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