Have you ever wondered what it's like to work on a cruise ship?
From cabin stewards who keep staterooms tidy to bartenders serving up crafted cocktails, there's no denying that crew members help everything run smoothly.
That said, life at sea is vastly different than regular 9 to 5 jobs. It takes a special kind of dedication, adaptability, and resilience to thrive on a cruise ship.
One crew member employed by Carnival UK took to Reddit to share insight into what their life on P&O ships is like.
In the post titled, "I work and live on a cruise ship. [Ask me anything]," breckdeep candidly answers questions about the realities of ship life, including what the food for crew is like, as well as the demanding schedule.
breckdeep is an Entertainment Host with P&O Cruises and gets paid £2,000 per month
breckdeep explains that their role in the entertainment department involves hosting quizzes, game shows, and sports. The high-energy position requires confidence and quick thinking.
"I believe confidence, communication skills and being able to work under pressure are the only things you need. A lot of people in my role come from performing backgrounds however I had no previous role or performing experience," they explain.
Although breckdeep claims they get paid £2,000 (tax-free!), they don't typically receive tips; they're reserved for crew who work in bars and restaurants. They add that cash is definitely preferred when tipping crew members.
Still, they are content with the pay since they don't have to pay for food, housing, etc.
"It's a great way to save. You really do work for your wages but after 180 days at sea you are exempt from income tax in the UK which makes a huge difference," they say.
Read more: Crew member reveals shocking truths about cruise ship tipping
Crew members miss their families
As a UK citizen, breckdeep strategically chose the cruise line they wanted to work for. However, there are hundreds of crew members who spend months thousands of miles away from their families. Consequently, breckdeep recommends asking the crew about their families.
One Reddit user adds that they had a heartfelt interaction with a crew member aboard their last Royal Caribbean cruise:
"Last time I was on royal Caribbean with my family my son was a year and half old, at dinner I would set my phone up with blippi (kids show on YouTube) while we ate, our head waiter seen it and almost started to cry, he said he always watch’s blippi with his kid at home."
"[F]rom then on he would watch blippi with my kid while we ate! Next port we got off at my wife and [mother-in-law] went to a store and got him a blippi toy to give to his kid," writes I_G84_ur_mom.
Continuing, breckdeep explains that Wi-Fi makes it easier to stay in contact with loved ones. On P&O, crew members are charged around £1 per day for Wi-Fi. Normal browsing is perfectly fine, but streaming varies depending on where your ship is.
Additionally, P&O allows the crew to invite their friends and family onboard for a small fee.
"We are allowed to apply for accompanied travel with friends and family where they can pay a small fee and join you on a cruise if a cabin is available. It’s a nice perk!" says breckdeep.
When family and friends are onboard, they can be in the guest and crew areas, so they can explore the ship more freely, while also spending time with their loved ones.
Crew members don't work regular 9-5 hours
During breckdeep's contract, they typically work 9 hours per day, 7 days per week.
"I work in the entertainment department and, like most departments, sea days are our busiest days where we reach our contracted hours. Port days...can be a bit quieter with more time off, but we work every evening regardless," they explain.
No crew members get a full day off — unless they're musicians or performers outsourced by agencies.
The length of contracts varies. Typically, though, crew work anywhere from 4 to 6 months onboard, followed by 4 to 8 weeks off.
"I’ve worked a 9-5 previous to this job and I have to say, sometimes I feel like I could never go back and sometimes I feel like I miss it. Working [every day] for 6 months is exhausting, and towards the end you’re begging for just one day free to recharge," breckdeep remarks.
They add that the break between contracts is great, but since it's unpaid, the end of leave can be tough.
The crew is wilder than you think
One curious Reddit user asked about the wildest things that breckdeep has seen.
"I’ve watched grown men cheat on their wives with [20-year-old] performers and people form [full-blown] relationships with somebody they met 5 days prior, and then cheat on them a week later. A lot of adultery [is] going on and nobody is to be trusted," breckdeep blunty replies.
Although crew members aren't supposed to mingle with guests in a flirtatious way, it's not uncommon. However, breckdeep has seen crew members lose their jobs because of inappropriate relations with passengers.
Food is served buffet-style
The buffet is a popular dining spot for passengers seeking a quick breakfast or a laid-back dinner. You won't see a horde of crew members in line, though. Instead, they have their own mess hall that breckdeep claims is like the guest buffet, "but on a smaller scale."
"The food is good," they explain, "[There's] a good assortment of different cuisines in a [buffet-style] setting."
However, because they hold Officer status, they can go to other restaurants onboard and will sometimes splurge on a nice steak if they have the time.
breckdeep can also purchase beer when working — if the environment allows. But the crew bar is where crew members go to unwind, buy a drink, and hang out after their shifts end.
Read more: Cruise bartender shares how much she makes working on a ship
Private cabins are rare
"As a 1 stripe Officer, I share a cabin with one other person and we share a bathroom...Crew can sometimes share up to 4 on our ships and I’ve seen 2 cabins share one bathroom!" says breckdeep.
However, crew with officer status have a stateroom attendant who tidies up their cabins, as well as officer laundry service. Rather than hauling clothing to the onboard laundromat, they can send their laundry off and have it returned washed and dried.
breckdeep adds, "Other crew are expected to keep their own cabins clean and wash their own sheets."
Read more: Photos show what tiny crew-only cabins on Icon of the Seas look like
Most crew members like their jobs
Working on a cruise ship isn't easy, but it's worthwhile for many. If you don't like what you do, breckdeep says it's a tough environment to be successful in.
"You’ve got to be resilient! Working on cruises for a long period of time can be seriously tough. Working every day for months on end is exhausting and cruise life can be incredibly strict. It can also be very lonely, despite being onboard with thousands of others," they write.
For many, ship life becomes more than a job. Although the contacts are long with demanding hours, visiting new destinations and making new friendships is worth it — even if they never see some coworkers again.
"My personal favourite part is visiting new places. I love docking somewhere completely new and exploring and ticking it off my list! The social aspect of cruise life is also up there. It’s a vital part of life on board and a good social circle can really make your contract," breckdeep says.
They add that the worse part is making friends and never seeing them again, claiming it's easy to become close with people who you live and worth with every day.
Read more: Passenger thanked crew member with money. The extra tip started a debate
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
