(In this Picture Luciana one of the co-founders of OS Passport Stamps is in Madagascar)

Ahoy, maritime enthusiasts!

Are you ready to embark on a thrilling career with some of the world's leading cruise lines?

Passengers frequently wonder whether the crew must pay for the food. In brief, cruise ship crew members do not pay for their meals while on board. The cruise line covers the entire cost of food and endeavors to offer a diverse selection based on the nationalities of the crew. However, it is important to note that crew meals are typically not on par with the culinary offerings provided to passengers.

It's crucial to acknowledge that not all crew members have negative sentiments about their experiences on cruise ships. Nevertheless, some individuals may encounter challenges or have unfavorable feelings about their time at sea. These issues vary significantly from person to person, and it's essential to understand that these concerns are not universally held among all crew members. Here are some common reasons why a subset of crew members may not relish their work on cruise ships:

We're about to embark on an exhilarating journey into the heart of life at sea. We'll be your trusty guides as we explore strategies for maintaining a sunnier outlook, managing stress like a pro, and cultivating positive relationships with your shipmates. This picture is from Juliana Schmidt’s first contract onboard the Celebrity Century working as a Shore Excursion Staff. Hoist the anchor and let's set sail on this exciting voyage!

When people choose cruises for their vacation, they aim to live in an idyllic paradise on the high seas. Naturally, they have a vision of what that looks like—which occasionally contrasts with other guests' wishes. While many cruise-goers don't mind reserving themselves a deck chair early on in the day, others denounce deck hogs for marring their cruise experience. Some adore the formal attire and glamor of gala nights. Others can't stand this and want it to be t-shirts and flip-flops all the way.

Ah, the crew mess. Crew members share a love-hate relationship with the mess, with the hate side often dominating. The crew's primary dining area, the mess is where you'll have most of your meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. The mess is typically divided into food categories, one catering to Asian cuisine (as most crew members are from Asia), and another section offering non-Asian dishes like pasta, rice, vegetables, pizza, and burgers.

Cruise ship crew are some of the hardest-working people in the travel industry. Working long days, with some shifts lasting up to 12 hours and no days off for contracts that can stretch up to 10 months, can seriously take a toll. The cruise lines are aware of this and have measures in place to ensure the crew's mental and physical well-being.

There are numerous engineering jobs available on ships, depending on your skills, experience, and interests. Individuals with engineering positions can work on various vessels, including cruise ships, naval ships, or container vessels, for weeks or months at a time. If you are interested in the technical processes that enable a ship to operate correctly and enjoy working aboard for extended periods, an engineering job on a ship may be an ideal career choice.

1. Opportunity to See the World

Being a cruise ship crew member is a window to the world. You will have the chance to explore incredible destinations, from idyllic beaches to cosmopolitan cities. When you have time off in port, a new adventure awaits you, enriching your life with unique cultural experiences.

Passengers often encounter the same crew members throughout the day and wonder about the actual hours cruise ship employees put in. Irrespective of their job positions, cruise ship employees typically work between 8 to 12 hours on a "sea" day and sometimes fewer hours on a "port" day. This duration does not include breakfast, lunch, and dinner breaks, which can range from 30 minutes to over an hour. Some roles require almost no hours on a port day.