The lowdown
● World cruises operate year-round and follow the sun so, for instance, in September or October they leave the Mediterranean and head to the Caribbean.
● Salaries can start at £1,200 a month but they depend on the type of company, candidate experience, company structure and size and may be augmented with other perks. On the whole, salaries are paid monthly in US dollars and are tax-free.
● Crew are expected to work for the whole of their contracts without a contracted day off. Some roles may mean working more than 12 hours a day in up to three split shifts. Contracts vary, but might be six months on and two off, or four months on and one off.
● You get to save money and travel. All your accommodation and food is usually paid for, as well as any necessary connecting flights – and you get tips. Some companies will give you great discounts on cruises or on other resorts they own, so it’s a great social life.
● The downside is that you tend to work seven days a week, 10 to 14 hours a day, for the length of your contract, and you may have to share your cabin.
Top tips on getting
a foot on board Decide whether you are prepared to live a completely different lifestyle. If so, research lots of cruise companies and then find one that suits you. Consider too whether you want to work on an exclusive private yacht or a large family cruise ship. All the websites have a recruitment page, so it’s easy to apply direct to the company. Another route is to use an agency, but apply to more than one cruise company as positions can be filled quickly.
39
● The upside is you can work a four-month contract, say, and take a month off. You can also nip off for a sunbathe between shifts.
● Some of the biggest ships today can take up to 4,000 passengers and the guest to staff ratio is about two or three to one.
● Despite the exotic destinations, don’t forget, you are still at work – not on holiday.
● For those who get seasick, this may not be a great career, although many salty seadogs claim that today’s ships are so stable you can’t tell you are at sea.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132