How Long Do Cruise Ship Employees Work?

By Robert Palmer

Cruise ship employees are the lifeblood of the cruise industry, providing a high level of customer service to ensure a passenger’s vacation is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. As such, many passengers may be curious about the working conditions and hours of cruise ship employees.

Generally, cruise ship employees work for nine months out of the year with a two-month break in between contracts. However, there is some variation from ship to ship. Some ships may require that their employees work for six months at a time or even longer. During their working period, they are usually on board for 8-10 hours per day, but they can also be called upon to do extra shifts if necessary.

Cruise Ship Employees’ Working Hours:

Cruise ship employees typically have an 8-10 hour shift each day. On long voyages, they may be required to take part in a 24-hour shift rotation system which would include working overtime or night shifts. Additionally, some employees may be asked to work on Saturdays and Sundays if there is an increase in passenger activity over the weekend or special events scheduled on board.

In addition to their normal working hours, cruise ship personnel may also be expected to attend training sessions or meetings before and after their shift and take part in activities such as cleaning and maintenance tasks as part of their job duties.

Cruise ship personnel may also find themselves working in different departments during their contract period depending on the needs of the vessel.

Conclusion:

Overall, cruise ship personnel are expected to work for nine months out of the year with 8-10 hour shifts per day plus additional training sessions and activities outside of normal working hours. The length of time they work can vary depending on the needs of the vessel but most ships expect their employees to work full-time contracts over a period of six months or more.

How Long Do Cruise Ship Employees Work?
Cruise ship employees typically work for nine months out of the year with 8-10 hour shifts per day plus additional training sessions and activities outside of normal working hours.