This is my advice if you are searching for a cruise ship employment .
I’ve been working on ships for over 6 years now. In my opinion it is a life changing experience that has many positives and very few negatives.
You will have the opportunity to spend time with like minded people with adventurous spirits and a common love for travel. Depending on the cruiseline, you will have the chance to see many countries around the world.
The pay varies depending on your experience, the cruise ship job you do and your length of service. The advantage is that you will not pay tax, have your accommodation, food, medical and return flights paid for. Due to this, you save 95% of what you earn. To give you an idea, when I started, I earned a measley US$1000 per month. Today, I earn about US$6000 per month and get paid vacations. Do you know anyone who can pay $5,500 a month off their mortgage? *If you are from the US, some cruiselines deduct Federal Taxes from your pay, others do not.
The negatives…
1) You will be away for your family for 4-6 months at a time
2) When you first start, you will share a cabin (a very small Cabin)
3) Long hours
4) Work 7 days a week
The cruise lines lately have worked out that happy staff that stay for a few years are more productive then staff that stay for 6-12 months. Therefore, there are retirement packages for long service, crew gym, crew bar, free tours in port, crew activities, crew parties (free beers etc), crew group tours. One thing you will never be is bored.
Cruise Lines jobs don’t just hire anyone that wants a cruise ship job. You have to have several years experience in your field before you will be considered. Contrary to popular belief, there are not many Americans onboard (not because of the pay) but because not many Americans (with some exceptions) are willing to work the hours required. The minimum age to work onboard is 21.
The best idea is to see working for ships as a very fruitful and rewarding career rather than a good summer cruise ship job. If you do this, you will become very comfortable financially, will see the world and will make friends from all corners of the globe. Good luck.