Pleasure cruising is one of the most popular vacation categories today. Board a ship with a few hundred (or a few thousand) other tourists and you'll be transported to a range of exotic destinations – and you'll have the chance to enjoy a range of on-board activities too.
Modern cruise breaks don't have to involve long-distance travel. You can board a cruise ship in Southampton and enjoy a tour of the beautiful UK coastline, enjoying the island from a whole new perspective.
If the idea of frequent travel and life at sea appeals to you, you might look into a career on a cruise ship. But before you do, it's worth taking stock of some of the positives and negatives that such a lifestyle can have.
Working on a cruise ship and traveling around the world
For those who want to see the world, a cruise ship can seem like a tempting prospect. You will travel from one port to another and spend a lot of time looking at the open, endless sea. In that sense, the experience is very different from, say, working in air travel, where you won't really get a chance to see much of the cities you're traveling to beyond the confines of the airport and your hotel. .
Living on board
The good news is that your stay on a cruise ship is already paid for. So, in practice, you will spend a large part of your working life in net profit. This makes it extremely easy to save money for when you decide to end your career.
There are, of course, strings attached. The quality of your accommodation can vary greatly from ship to ship and you will often need to share a living space with colleagues. If you make friends easily, then this might not be such a big deal. if you don't, it can be unbearable.
Working hours
You can expect to work long, often difficult hours on board. You won't have much in the way of time off – and, in practice, you may find yourself working even when you're not technically supposed to. It can also be difficult to achieve a work-life balance, as you will be at your job for six or maybe even nine months straight. Homesickness can be a problem, especially if you haven't spent much time at sea before.
Jobs you can expect to find on board
A cruise ship can only function with the help of many different kinds of professionals. Let's examine some of them.
Cruise ship patrons will expect to be entertained. This can mean musicians, magicians, comedians or just about anything else. There are also the staff who keep amenities such as cinemas and swimming pools working properly.
Medical personnel are also essential. If someone suddenly has a heart attack in the middle of the sea, then a doctor should be available. Cruise ship doctors are in high demand and in fairly low supply – meaning salaries are often very attractive.
We must not forget that this is a complex piece of floating machinery. Like any other seagoing vessel, it will need hands on deck – and in the engine room. If you have experience, perhaps gained during a stint in the Navy, it can come in handy here.
Finally, we should consider catering staff in bars, restaurants and kitchens. It's easy to get in the door, but expect to work long, hard hours.