Best Cruise Line to Work For

Before I start writing about the best cruise line to work, I would like to say a brief about myself. I am a seafarer since 2015 and I have seen lots of pros and cons of the Cruise Industry.

Here I will explain the reality of Cruise Ship Jobs, What I personally feel onboard? What is the feeling of other crew members on board? What is the basic salary of seafarers when someone start from scratch level jobs? and What are facilities they will get on board, Life onboard, Opportunity of crew members, policies of cruise company and basic requirements, etc?

But we need to understand the difference between the Best Cruise Line in the World and Best Cruise Line to Work.

Best Cruise Line to Work
A day in Bermuda

Difference Between Best Cruise Line to Work and Best Cruise Line In the Fleet

The Best Cruise Line In The World: There are many best Cruise Line companies which are growing every year. Many of the companies have future plans and almost every year they are launching brand new ships as well as their price in the share market also increasing.

The health and wealth of the company are growing which means this company is really very good. But it does not mean this company will be also the best company to work for. Of Course, a few of them will be really good.

The Best Cruise Line In the Fleet are:

  • Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd.
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Princess Cruise Line
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Celebrity Cruise Line
  • Mediterranean Shipping Company(MSC)
  • Seaborn Cruise Line
  • P&O Cruise Line
  • Appolo Cruise Line
  • AIDA Cruise Line
  • Azamara Cruise line
  • Jalesh Cruise Line
  • Virgin Voyage Cruise Line

Above all the Cruise Line are World Best Cruise Company and they are growing every year and most of them are going to launch a brand new Ship in the future.

Best Cruise Line to Work

The brand name can not define which cruise line is the best to work, I personally feel if crew members are not happy with the work environment, with the management, with the present boss under he/she working then that Cruise Company is not the best to work.

If the crew members are happy with the work environment, with the management, and with the present boss on board then he/she will definitely give their 100% to the Company.

It is very hard to find which Cruise Line is the Best Cruise Line to Work and if you are a job seeker then you must be very confused about the cruise company where you are going for jobs. And I believe there are many questions that may arise in your mind:

  • How much do cruise ship employees get Paid?
  • How many hours do cruise ship employees work?
  • Do cruise ship workers get their tips?
  • How many tips can make a cruise Ship employee?
  • Do the cruise ship employee get weekly off or not?
  • How long will be my contract?
  • Is Cruise Company will pay my travel expense?
  • Do cruise ship employees get free food?
  • What if I got sick on board?
  • What if any emergency back home when I am onboard?
  • Is there any WI-FI or Internet facility for the crew?
  • What is the minimum age to work on Cruise ships?
  • What is the maximum age to work on cruise ships?
  • How much does a captain of the ship make?
  • How to send money home from Cruise Ship?
  • What is work experience do I need for Cruise Ship Job?

How to choose the best cruise line to work

You need to check, what are the facilities company will provide you? Job opportunity for crew members on board, How will be the life on board of crew members? the basic requirements for cruise ship jobs, what if I am a Couple and want to work together? etc.

Related: Employment Agency

Working as a Couple

If you are a partner and you are working on a cruise ship then most of the cruise line will not allow you to work on the same ship due to company policies but Norwegian Cruise Line has a very nice policy for the couple. If you are a legal couple and want to work together then Norwegian will allow you to work on the same ship but you will have to stay in their own room. Apart from that, you can do whatever do you want to do in your personal life with due respect to company policies.

Job Opportunity for Crew Members on board

Many cruise companies are giving priorities to crew members and providing lots of opportunities onboard like, the Promotion of newly join crew members from time to time, etc. Everyone wants to grow in terms of health and wealth so if you will get promoted then your salary will increase by default which helps you to increase your wealth.

Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise line give promotion to their crew members but it’s very hard to get promoted in their 1st or 2nd contract. Most of the crew reveal that we get a promotion here but most probably 3rd or 4th contract which is very frustrating sometimes.

But the Norwegian Cruise Line follow the seniority procedure like 1st join the company,1st will get promoted if you deserve and your work performance is good. Most probably they promoted in their 2nd contract if all the criteria match with policy.

Most of you think that how to get promoted in my 1st contract but I will be very transparent with this policy. If you have any questions like this in your mind then please remove it because I know its never gonna be happen.

In your 1st contract company will teach you all the aspects of the company like policies, SOP and safety procedure, etc., and then the 2nd contract they will give you a chance for the next level. At the bottom, you will find a lot of FAQ so please go through once it will help you to choose the best cruise line to work.



Q. Which Cruise Line Pays their employees Best?


Most of the Cruise line pays good amount to their employees like:
Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line Pays the average salary of their crew is $1400 per month and $16,800 yearly. You can take a mid-month advance salary as well which I personally like this, it’s not only me most of the crew like these facilities.

Royal Caribbean Cruise: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Pays the average salary of their crew is $1300 per month and $ 16,200 yearly.

Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line Pays the average salary of their crew is $1108 per month and $13,300 yearly.

MSC Cruise Line: MSC Cruise line pays the average salary of their crew is $1091 per month and $13,100 yearly.

Apollo Cruise Line: Apollo Cruise Line pays the average salary of their Crew is $ 950 per month and $ 11,400 yearly.
P&O Cruise Line: P&O Cruise Line pays the average salary of their crew is $825 per month and $9,900 annually.


Q. How many hours do cruise ship employees work?

Ans. If you are going to join as a crew member then this question also arises in your mind. The minimum working hours of crew members are 10 hrs every day and 79.5 hours in a week maximum. If you are working more than 10 hours per day then you will get paid overtime money but you can not exceed more than 80 hours a week.


Q. Do cruise ship workers get their tips?

Ans. Onboard you will get two types of tips, One will be centralized tips which are given by the company with your salary and Second will be personalized tips, it means if you will get any cash tips from guest then you are free to keep that money with you or if you want to share with your partner then you can do it.

Q. Do the cruise ship employee get weekly off or not?

Ans. If you are working on a cruise ship then forget about weekly off, there is no weekly off on board. If you are medically not well then you will get off for limited hours if the onboard doctor approved.

Q. What is the alcohol policy on Cruise Ship?

Ans. Most of the cruise companies have their own alcohol policy for the crew. The crew members are not allowed to bring alcohol from the shore side to drink on board. This policy is applicable for all cruise company but Norwegian Cruise line crew members can drink alcohol 0.04% if he/she is off duty. They can buy beer or wine from the crew bar from a designated area and drink in the bar as well in the cabin. They do random checks twice a month for alcohol, if someone gets a cough with more than 0.04% then he/she will have to fry in the next port.

Q. How long will be my contract?

Ans. The length of the contract depends on company to company and position to position. Most of the Cruise Company have a 6 to 8-month contract for their crew members and for officers have 3 to 4-month contact.

Q. Is Cruise Company will pay my travel expense?

Ans. Travel expenses are also depending on company policy some of the companies pay both side travel expenses even it’s your first contract Like Norwegian Cruise Line but some companies don’t pay both side travel expenses even it’s your 1st contract like Carnival Cruise Line, Apollo Cruise Company, etc.

Q. Do cruise ship employees get free food?

Ans. Yes, all the Cruise Company provide free food to their crew members on board, there will be the choice of vegetarian and nonvegetarian option on a daily rotation basis.

Conclusion: As per my point of view most of the Cruise companies are good to work like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Princess Cruise, etc but if I have to choose the best Cruise Line to work then I will Choose Norwegian Cruise Line.

Why I will choose Norwegian Cruise Line? Because Norwegian pays best to their employee compare to others, they provide both side travel expenses even it is my 1st contract. The management is also very good with the crew members and guests.

They have most of the crew members from Asia and the Caribbean but onboard you will find the best culture. They celebrate for everyone like the Philippines, Indonesia, Indian, Chinese, Caribbean, etc. A very friendly nature of crew members, staff, and management.