What Is the Difference Between Crew and Staff on a Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

When booking a cruise, it’s important to understand the difference between crew and staff on a cruise ship. Cruise ships have both crew and staff members, who each serve a specific purpose.

Crew are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the ship, such as steering, navigation, maintenance, engineering, and safety. They are also responsible for providing customer service to passengers and ensuring that the ship is running smoothly.

The crew typically consists of officers (captain and higher ranking personnel) and ratings (lower ranking personnel).

Staff on the other hand, are not responsible for the day-to-day operations of the ship but rather provide services that are related to passenger comfort and enjoyment. This includes entertainment staff (dancers, singers etc. ), spa personnel (massage therapists etc. ), restaurant staff (chefs etc.

), hospitality staff (concierge etc.) and retail staff (salespeople etc.).

In conclusion, it is important to understand the difference between cruise ship crew and staff in order to select a cruise that meets your needs. Crew members are responsible for ensuring the safety of passengers as well as keeping the ship running smoothly while staff members provide services that help make your vacation more enjoyable.

What Is The Difference Between Crew And Staff On A Cruise Ship?

The key difference between crew and staff on a cruise ship is that crew members are responsible for keeping the ship running smoothly while staff members provide services that make your vacation more enjoyable. Crew typically consists of officers and ratings while staff includes entertainment personnel, spa personnel, restaurant personnel, hospitality personnel, and retail salespeople.