Work on a Cruise ship?

[LockOut]

I have an skype interview with a cruise company on Tuesday. Pending that going well, and my references not hating me, the prospect of a job offer seems good. They have told me they are holding a large hiring of paramedics, with training in LA for the first two weeks in aug and then a year contract of 4months on/2months off. It seems like it would be a good gig, As a medic on a boat the info have states I would be ship staff, not crew. Which means I get the fancy white duds and can spend all my off hours in the "passenger" areas, rather than being segregated to the bowels of the boat.

Has anyone ever done anything like this. Did you enjoy the travel? Anything i should be aware of? Or anything i should specifically ask about the interview as I do not know a significant amount about the industry.

[Ogre]

Sounds interesting brother. Keep us informed as the progress goes on.

[CigarNut]

Good Luck!

[MrWolf55]

Read an interesting story one time about an American who worked on a cruise ship as a waiter and how he basically was ostracized by the entire crew. They all came from poor foreign countries and couldn't understand why someone from the richest and most prosperous country on earth would want to work on a cruise ship and would be willing to work for such low pay. They all thought he was a moron and apparently he had a hard time fitting into the life.

That being said, you mentioned you would be staff and not crew, so I'm sure your situation would be much different. On every cruise I've ever been on, most of the upper-jobs (like chefs, guest relations, casino pit-bosses, cruise directors, etc.) were all from the United States or Europe. So you would probably be in good company. But I bet it's probably difficult to get past all the different cultural barriers between you and your shipmates. Would certainly be an interesting work environment. At any rate, it seems like an adventure and I hope it works out for you. Keep us posted!

[jluck]

This is something I would like to try in my retirement years.

Keep us posted.

[icehog3]

Do you have any cruise experience, Tom? I would hate to take the job and find out I wasn't a good "cruise guy".

Anyway, I wish you the best in getting the job if you do like that environment.

[AlohaStyle]

I looked into the cruise jobs after college but decided against it. Definitely sounds interesting if you like travel and want to try something different. If I were you, I would make sure to ask how you can spend your off-time while on the boat. Ask if you can get off while in port, or if you have to stay on the boat at all times. I personally would not want to work on a cruise ship if I couldn't get off in port.

[Malakai]

Could be fun and sounds like you could visit some places you might not otherwise get a chance to see...but wouldn't know I never worked on a cruise ship. It is only a one year commitment, it will be over before you know it.

[RHNewfie]

Sounds interesting, good luck Tom!

[massphatness]

DON'T GET FIRED! Was talking to an assistant cruise director from NCL when Grace & I were in Hawaii -- she said that when someone is terminated with cause by a cruise line, you are left at whatever the next port of call happens to be.

[jonumberone]

Originally Posted by massphatness

DON'T GET FIRED! Was talking to an assistant cruise director from NCL when Grace & I were in Hawaii -- she said that when someone is terminated with cause by a cruise line, you are left at whatever the next port of call happens to be.

At the very least, make sure the next stop has a LCDH!

Good luck, Tommy!

[Taki]

Originally Posted by AlohaStyle

I looked into the cruise jobs after college but decided against it. Definitely sounds interesting if you like travel and want to try something different. If I were you, I would make sure to ask how you can spend your off-time while on the boat. Ask if you can get off while in port, or if you have to stay on the boat at all times. I personally would not want to work on a cruise ship if I couldn't get off in port.

+1 I actually looked into it at one point right after school but was just getting serious with my now wife so it was hard for me to justify leaving for so many months but I would definitely try and ask the above before taking the position

[OLS]

People always dangled this type of job in front of me when I was fresh out of college, 'you can be a AV guy
on a cruise ship, all you do is roll around karts of sound equipment, and videotape the shows'....But I never
heard a single good thing about it. 'THEY' say that its hell being on a ship because there is nowhere to go
when you need to get away. "THEY" also say there is nothing filthier than a cruise ship, but who knows if
anything 'they' say is ever true.

[IBQTEE1]

All I heard it that it is hard to be at sea for months at a time.

[Subvet642]

Originally Posted by IBQTEE1

All I heard it that it is hard to be at sea for months at a time.

Tell me about it!

[kydsid]

OP for US Citizen's staff is not so bad. I would also want to know what rank you would carry. Even amoung staff their are benefits restricted based on rank. Read your contract VERY carefully. Cruise ships and companies don't operate under US Employment laws and protections. No EEO, no OSHA etc. It is all international law, which is laughable, and contract law. Staff is usually European on most vessels, very few US Citizens outside of cruise director even if that, so you will be the minority. Good luck either way.

Originally Posted by massphatness

DON'T GET FIRED! Was talking to an assistant cruise director from NCL when Grace & I were in Hawaii -- she said that when someone is terminated with cause by a cruise line, you are left at whatever the next port of call happens to be.

False. Unless that port of call is in the same country as the country of residence/citizenship of the person and they could kick you off the boat the cruise line, not individual, would be required to pay for and guarantee departure to the home country of citizenship/residency under International Law.

[LockOut]

Some good points brought up by you guys, I have cruised before and enjoyed it, but I'm sure being staff is different. I have a full page of questions for the person I interview with tomorrow.

This is one of the FAQ sheets the sent out as I got started in the process. Ill throw it up here as some people seem interested.

What role do Paramedics play on board cruise ships?

Paramedics form an integral part of our medical teams on board. Their primary responsibility will be working in our medical
centers during our twice daily out-patient clinics. Paramedics work side by side with a team of nurses and physicians on a daily
basis and assist with the care of both high and low acuity admitted patients. Additionally, paramedics will utilize their emergency
response skills in responding to and treating patients during emergencies in our 911 system.

 I have never worked in a clinic before. What will be expected of me?

Paramedics are able to take part in all aspects of the medical operation on board. Duties within in our clinics vary and paramedics
are permitted to work to their maximum scope of practice and training. Daily work is variable, but commonly involves initial
patient assessment and triage, assisting with clinical procedures, administration and dispensation of medications and fulfilling
administrative duties.

 How many days off will I get?

On board our ships everyone has to work at least a few hours every day. There are no days off. Shift patterns and on call times
vary depending on workload. Our staff work hard but are able to make the most of their time off seeing new locations and
participating in exciting activities.

 What uniforms will I need?

All our medical team members wear scrub uniforms for clinical duties. These will be issued on board in addition to a full set of
sea going officer uniforms which need to be worn at different times while on board our ships.

 How long are assignments?

Typically staff members are assigned to one vessel for four months and then will have approximately two months off before their
next assignment begins.

 Will I have to share accommodation on board with someone else?

No, you will not have to share. On-board cabins for paramedics are single occupancy, with an attached private bathroom and
shower.

 Can I use the facilities on board and will I be able to visit the ports the ship calls at?

Paramedics are officers in the ship’s company are afforded access to passenger spaces and amenities in deference to our paying
guests and in accordance with on board regulations. While work is always the primary focus, there are many opportunities to
explore and enjoy the destinations our cruise ships visit.

 Is it costly to live and work on the ship?

The cost of living onboard is almost zero. Accommodation, living costs, meals, uniforms and transport to and from the ship are
for the most part included in the compensation package.

 Does XXXXXX Cruises support professional development for paramedics?

Yes, XXXXXX offers reimbursement for many professional development courses and certifications as well as supporting a
comprehensive internal learning program. Additional training is provided to enable our staff to work effectively in this exciting
environment and progress through a continuing and comprehensive competency program

[massphatness]

Stupid question, Tom, but are you paid during the two-months off -- and if so, is the rate of pay the same?

[LockOut]

I don't think you are paid during those two months. I think it works like a teachers salary, though I'm sure i could find some side work for one of my buddies who does foreclosure homes or something along the line of easy under the table money. But like i said "I don't think so"; it's one of my questions to ask tomorrow.


My big question is whats the employee discount, can I take a month long European cruise during those 2 months on the cheap?

[Silound]

Disclaimer: I have NO experience working for a cruise line, so this is my observations only.


Reading that FAQ, I see a lot of well-worded roundabouts to the questions. "...in deference to our paying guests and in accordance with on board regulations" sounds suspiciously like "not gonna happen." I'm just paranoid but, I would find out more from a reliable source inside before I'd commit to that.

Free opinion, worth what you paid for it