Work on cruise ships is often characterized by traveling the world, visiting lots of beautiful and exotic locations, and having the time of your life. And although these things do make up a part of the job, there is another side to the job that you need to be aware of before making the decision to work aboard a ship.
The truth is, work on cruise ships can be tough, and not everyone is cut out for it. Homesickness is often one of the main problems during the first few weeks. But other things that can become a problem with work on cruise ships are the lack of privacy, the lack of 'me' time, and not being able to make a real base for yourself back home because of all the time that you spend at sea.
There is also the actual living at sea to consider. Even large cruise liners can rock a lot when out on the waves, and this can prove quite hard to get used to for some. If you get seasick, it's probably not the job for you! But most people become accustomed to it in no time at all.
Work on cruise ships also involves very different living conditions. You will be living in quite a small cabin, most likely sharing it with someone else, so you won't get much space to yourself. You might be lucky and share with someone that you get along with, but it's also a real possibility that you'll end up sharing with someone that you don't like. Being adaptable and relaxed will help a lot, but it can still be very tough.
Of course, there are also lots of benefits to working aboard a ship. No rent, no clothes washing, no commuting, no cooking. This means you won't be spending time doing chores, so you'll be able to spend your free time doing the things you want to do.
You really have to be honest with yourself about your motive for wanting a cruise ship job. If you want to go and see lots of exotic places and get to spend lots of time in each port, then there are a few jobs that you should avoid. There are demanding positions such as cleaners, engineers and cabin stewards that involve a lot of work, and they don't get a lot of time ashore to explore the magical island where you've just docked.
However, if you could find yourself a position in fitness and beauty, photography, the casino, admin or entertainment, it's more likely that you will be able to spend a lot more time ashore exploring the exotic locations during the voyage. These jobs will also be tough, but they probably have a greater chance of getting you time off to explore.
Of course, if your aim is to progress in your career in the hospitality industry, then this should be your main concern. It's great to get to see lots of new places, but when you finish your contract you'll have a wealth of experience to take into a new job back on the land.
So always consider your motive for applying for work on cruise ships, as well as carefully considering whether you are really cut out for it, and your experience will be a lot more productive.
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Neil Maxwell-Keys is a former crewmember, hiring expert and founder of WorkOnCruiseShips.com: a website dedicated to showing you how to realize your dream of landing cruise ship jobs. Get Neils *free* insider's report by visiting =>
http://www.WorkOnCruiseShips.com
