8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Working On Cruise Ships

[@Martin.Ferrier]

if you’re not automatically paying UK taxes, you generally are not also paying National Insurance payments … so if you require UK NHS, or eventually draw a UK pension, you’ll find you don’t get credit for the years worked. I know retirement seems a long way off, but it is well worth making the voluntary payments now. You will thank yourself when you’re too old to work.

[@johnmacdonald1878]

Completely not true. There a few ways of Paying National insurance dependent on how the seafarer is paid. As a salaried seafarer it comes of as a normal deduction just like anyone who is a Uk salaried employee . A salaried Uk seafarer can apply for a tax exemption for a period of time worked out of the Uk provided the total time in UK between times outside the Uk does not exceede a minimum No of days or proportion of the total time. You can’t apply for this exemption on a vessel which regularly visits the Uk it has to be away from the Uk. Or most foreign flag seafarer are paid gross remuneration contracts ie all money up front. The seafarer has to organize their own payments to NA insurance as self employed. Just like any self employed Uk person. They also have to set up thier own pension plan ect. Again the ability exists to apply for a tax exemption for earrings while outside the country if they qualify under the same rules. It’s not the same as being an expat they still file a UK tax and pay UK NA insurance stamps. And still qualify for Nationals health benefits including old age pensions. EU country’s have similar provisions. The USA and Canada Specifically do not have this kind of provisions. Hence not a lot of US or Canadian working on cruise ships.

[@danterobbiati]

Hi, I want to thank you for producing these videos. I'm Brazilian and I'm studying the ship's vocabulary, getting used to understanding the English of other nationalities too. I have a little difficulty with British English when speaking quickly, but it's important to have contact with all types of accents. You are very friendly, pleasant and give good tips. Thank you very much!

[@simonallen4550]

Hi Lucy, again a great video. I worked for Princess for 5 years on the medical team, my salary was paid direct into my UK bank account maybe because I was employed direct rather than through a third party. I used a company called Sea Tax to claim my tax back each year, it cost around £200 but it was money well spent I just had to submit the evidence to them and they would do the rest. I had a seamans book that stated the dates I had been at sea and endorsed with the ships stamp, this was all handled by the crew office. All my landside expenses were covered by the company and I just sent evidence of cost to Carnival UK. I totally agree with your advice on packing for your first contract. The big mistake I made on my first contract was not taking my guitar as I missed playing so much when away but the money I saved bought a very nice guitar which I took on every contract after.

[@sailorspills3025]

I don’t understand why Louise is paying tax haha that’s the main benefit of working at sea is not having to.. I’m confused

[@virginiawangui3305]

Hi. How can I apply for a doctor job from Kenya? I live and work in Kenya. Thank you

[@socalgal714]

*ALWAYS* KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS! Regardless whether you're going to be reimbursed from the company or not. In the US, you can use those receipts for business expenses on your tax return.

[@Ariadne147]

It's probably a good idea to get an accountant to tell you what the tax laws are for your country. It could even vary by region. In the United States, tax laws vary even by state.

[@Honolulu-Blue]

In the US, some cities have taxes and the accompanying laws

[@Itisgiss]

I’m joining MSC in two weeks and your videos are really helpful ❤

[@designdoctor247]

how exciting!!! so happy for u!!!

[@roseflower2955]

Congrats! Can you please propose me a recruitment agency or something ? Cuz we dont have any in my contry and i applied online i didnt get any reply

[@ShantyKganyagoVlogs]

I’ll be doing my 2nd interview and I’m so excited 🎉

[@pristinaappadoo1175]

I've applied too...I've been selected..nw awaiting for the stcw courses..

[@roseflower2955]

@@ShantyKganyagoVlogs how was the first interview please ?

[@vherostar]

Thanks for this video I was interested in working on a cruise ship until I watched this. Not any longer though. Almost applied last week too! Saved me a lot of headaches.

[@kellydrew7240]

Hey girl. I just sent in my stool kit. My medical clearance is on Monday I'm so nervous. I have type 1 diabetes and I hope I can go. I'm so excited

[@josuesotero3622]

I'm in UK around 6 months I did an exchange program in Germany , Holland , Scotland and now I 've been in England for 6 months , for me it was very good to have contact with different accents , it helped me to listen

[@randellsamuel4097]

You have no idea how much I learned from this video.

[@sailorspills3025]

I’m from the Uk and I thought the main advantage of working at sea is that we don’t pay tax.. it’s seafarers law. Even if it’s a Uk company and the tax comes out of your wages, you can claim it back after 6 months. If it’s for retirement that you pay tax, it’s best putting into the stock market

[@luanacyranka835]

You’re making consider a career working on a cruise ship hahaha I’m obsessed with your videos ❤

[@TheMcshawn]

Another great video. Enjoy your time off.

[@rahulsharma-mc8lm]

Yes, well informative indeed. And thank you very much miss to letting us know specially to freshers. Thank you once again and God bless you.

[@jase7083]

Thanks Lucy, I have learn something today ❤

[@TheGrumpyAngelPR]

Great video! I really like that all the points you've made are important but also very different from the same things other people are posting. Thank you for the information. Stay safe!

[@silbysil8452]

This was a wonderful video!!! Thank tou so much. I will start my first contract in one week. Thank so much for this video. Helped me a lot 😊❤

[@yorleysaavedra2206]

me too i am so nervous,these videos are really helpful

[@designdoctor247]

very informative...thank u Lucy

[@barbaraprazeres]

I love your videos. Very useful. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@sunflower-xj6pe]

Get a good accountant and a good barrister. It saves you a lot of nightmare and costs in the future. I'm from the UK and self employed.

[@casiopea1107]

Love your videos!

[@gordonhotchkiss646]

I"me Welsh and most of Wales first language is English. Its only in parts of North Wales that Welsh is their first language. For instance the Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, originally he considered Welsh his first language and English his second language. There used to be a divide in Wales between the north and the South. If you were from South Wales like me, English was your first language. If you were from North Wales ,Welsh was your first language. There was a divide for years because neither side liked the fact the other side spoke a different language.

[@duncanbryson1167]

Years ago I was on a ski holiday to Vail - 🇺🇲 Rockies. On two separate occasions, I was asked where I was from. I turned the question back on them and they both said Australia 😳 I've always lived in Central Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇭🇲

[@tyronenurse8202]

Very nice information. Really interesting about the packing tip. It's something I would not have thought about. Thank goodness you did. Most of us feel like we are headed to Mars when packing. Lol

[@prakritimakeuptutorial]

very informative❤❤

[@ahoukoffi1839]

Thank you for this video it's very useful to me

[@Atem_S.]

very insightful indeed!

[@bgregg55]

It is outrageous they dont all supply free wifi for contractors.

[@robsarmiento2172]

Lucy... you ROCK! what would I do without your videos... You deserve every like and subscription you get. If possible please interview someone from I.T. or get some information about their activities and uniforms every position. Like who uses stripes. Thank you very much! Keep it up!

[@Dr.AakashSukhramani]

Great Info

[@josuesotero3622]

I'm from Brazil and I will Start work at Princess Cruises

[@prabodhchandra7840]

Hi Lucy another informative video. I have a suggestion, you travel so much. So make your channel a mix of travel channel also. Love from India.

[@Honolulu-Blue]

Thanks Lucy. The fact that crew pay can't be deposited directly into my own bank seems odd to me. Also, hiring an accountant to handle your tax affairs can't be cheap. Here in the US, it can cost $100-300 just to prepare a single annual tax return with no consulting services before or after.

[@johnmacdonald1878]

Your pay can be paid directly into any bank you want. The cruise company is bullshitting their employees if they say otherwise. Probably because there is a cost saving for them. Some people prefer to set up an offshore bank account in the hope Inland revenue won’t be able to access. Rules have changed a lot due to money laundering regulations and this is much harder to start.

[@leyonlawrence8261]

Good evening madam Your video is very useful to know everything about the cruise onboard Can you make a video about the bakery work and It would be helpful to include what questions will be asked in the final interview😊

[@Thatgirlisagun]

Do you guys have a gym !??? That workers can use ??? Thats my therapy. Its a must .

[@ObamaoZedong]

Yes

[@mariannebuchel288]

Hi Lucy, great videos and context! Could you please interview Doctors? Thank you kindly!

[@sylvaindupuis5595]

QUESTION: You are exempt of income tax since you work more than 6 months a year out of the country, but (I don't know for UK, but in Canada) you have to stay in the country for more than 6 months to qualify for the health coverage. Do you need to buy special insurance for your time at home between contracts?

[@sailorspills3025]

Yeah I’m from the uk and we don’t need to pay tax if we at sea for 6 months or more per year

[@johnmacdonald1878]

Your Canadian you are SOL this provision doesn’t exist in Canada to qualify you have to have no property in Canada and be declared non resident. It’s very complicated. I’m Canadian it’s just not worth the hassle. If you have dual nationality you can go through the process of becoming non resident a bit more easily. I am also a UK citizen. I could change my residency to UK. But with Canadian family it’s just to much of a mess. I do know of people who work offshore and don’t declare it. Which is totally illegal. If you get caught you could face huge fine or jail time in addition to having to pay.

[@iforgetitmyname]

Not me watching this when I already bought everything for 6 months hahaha

[@luvvtotravel]

Adulting ain’t easy.

[@natyruadez]

I'm from Ameriica.

[@brianwhitis9390]

Are you enjoying being at home? We missed you on the Mermaiden!

[@CTFailte]

Im from the UK, I worked on ships for 5 years, never bothered about tax, never had to prove anything or fill any paperwork to anyone. Came back to the UK got a job and just back to normal with tax. Perhaps it's changed since then but I never had any issues.

[@sailorspills3025]

I think is more if you want to pay NI for a state pension .. as lucy is also self employed on KZbin .. her tax must be complicated

[@FraserAtSea]

I've always wondered how tax works on the ships. I actually thought cruise ship pay would be fully tax free for everyone (like you say for yourself coming from the UK) - I actually never even thought some wouldn't be tax exempt!

[@sailorspills3025]

Ive never paid tax and I’m from the Uk , the only time I did was because it was a Uk company but then I could claim it back after 6 months

[@FraserAtSea]

@@sailorspills3025 ah, that’s interesting - was that P&O you were with or something?

[@sailorspills3025]

@@FraserAtSea a photo company on Cunard but yeah carnival Uk world the same way

[@johnmacdonald1878]

Technically it’s they are not exempt. They file a tax return and are able to claim an exemption or actually increased basic allowance for earnings while outside of the country. Only some countries allow this. It’s an incentive to earn abroad and bring the earnings back to the UK.

[@gregoryturner2366]

The simple answer here is if you don't asked you won't know do your research

[@ratanrajsinghdeo]

Same rule applied in India

[@natyruadez]

I want to work in a cruise ships...

[@virginiawangui3305]

Thank you dear. Could you do me a favor. Kindly find out for me how I can apply for a doctor job from Kenya. I am a kenyan doctor. Thanks

[@stephencarter1635]

Lucy in every part of your life try and remember this saying IT IS TRUE! "THE PERSON WITH THE MOST PAPER WINS." I will add; try and make a copy of as many papers as possible. Depending on what it is, don't give away your only copy. Good Luck to all.

[@milliejohnson6366]

Please do a video on tax !

[@mrthomas7511]

Wow I would be so mad if I got paid cash and someone stole it

[@c1neal]

15:45 that’s what she said

[@casiopea1107]

Is world cup being watched aboard the cruise?

[@emmib1388]

if the cruisers are interested, I am sure they are watching

[@TUMARK2]

never worked on a cruise, but doesnt your passport with exit and entry stamp prove for tax purposes when and how long you were away from england?

[@emmib1388]

your passport does not always get stamped.

[@mehmoodali1728]

I am all prepared but disappointed as the US embassy refused my C1D visa for further administrative process as for them they'll inform me once the process completed which can take up to 180 days. Does any one have similar experience with embassy....?

[@kodiak7]

You should move. Make your home in a country that makes tax easier for crew.

[@JG-yx1to]

Hi, Lucy. I wonder if I can get reimbursed for a purchased ticket flight to another country to get the Visa. Is that a reason? because It was the most expensive thing that I spent money on.

[@pebe8993]

Love the videos they have helped me loads in working towards finally working on a cruise! Currently waiting for my Visa to come back then I’m all good to go to work for NCL! Question for anyone who can help. What do I do about medication I’m on? I can only get two months worth to take with me so who would I best speak to this about on board to get more medication?

[@ryanphilip2960]

What is the position called for the people who book next cruises for you?

[@francissalem2733]

Hi miss lucy I am currently working here in Malaysia as a barista/ waiter but I am planing to go back to the Philippines this coming may of 2023, I do really want to apply to virgin voyages and while I am here in malaysia i want to know how can I apply to your company so that if I get hired, when I get back to the philippines all I have to do is to get some needed documents.

[@Dirona_Albolineata]

They reimburse your stcw? Do you need one to work in the shops?

[@Guyerbassist]

Top 5 :)

[@ViraRiva]

hi i just applied to steiner how long would it take for them to reach out if i'm qualified for an interview?

[@jdreadn7]

10:59 the Filipinos are bringing a sari-sari store when boarding a cruise ship in their 8 months and I can't understand some English accent. 😂

[@subraybanaulikar4693]

make a video with an IT department officer please

[@emmib1388]

she did videos with all jobs where the individuals were comfortable getting in front of the camera

[@subraybanaulikar4693]

@@emmib1388 got it my dear thanks

[@andrewjackson9417]

I'd advise to learn to understand different accents speaking English, you're in the right place. Watch ethnic cooking videos, there's a ton of them from all over the world. Examples Laura in the Kitchen, she doesn't have an accent but her father sure does and she does a lot of videos with him. Vahchef. Look around.

[@Becky6638]

I sent so many emails asking about what was being payed for/reimbursed and what wasn't and didn't get much of a response. Which was frustrating when I'd been on the ship a week and me and another girl who started the same time were suddenly told we needed to repay $400/500 for our flights that we hadn't been told about. We went to our manager who contacted HR and basically no one had a solid answer as to wether we needed to pay for our flights or not. We sent screenshots of emails where we'd asked about paying for flights and they had been ignored. Other colleages had been told they needed to pya for flights in advance, one who started the week before us was told he needed to pay back when he was onboard but then nothing was ever mentioned, there was zero consistancy. Eventually shoreside said we didn't have to pay which was obviously the best news for us but everything could've been avoided if our emails had been answered properly in advance. It's not comparable for someone to have to pay for a flight to Miami from the UK which is very expensive, vs someone who lives in the US flying to Miami which would be a lot cheaper, especially when we don't get to choose where we join a ship or the specific flights we have to take. So definitely make sure everything is very clear as to what you need to pay for and what you get reimbursed for before you go. Also with the language, I'll never forget my Brazillian friend's reaction to an English kid telling her he was "furteen" and having to translate for her 😂

[@tpkyterooluebeck9224]

I think that with your experience, laws need to be passed the require the ships company to pay for 'these things'. Its ridiculous to have to fight to get flights paid for or hotel rooms paid for.

[@loribarber4526]

Did getting off ship work during covid?

[@Yazbachu]

I’m curious As crew are you allowed to purchase items from guest shops ? Or even the logo shop ?

[@andreeazamfircoaching]

Yes you can purchase items from the gift shop, and you even get a crew discount, however, depending on your position you need to check with your manager when you are allowed to go to the gift shop, as guests always come first. Also, some rules may be different from one cruise line to the other about purchases done in the gift shop. On Royal you can only purchase alcohol and cigarettes on the last cruise, in some cases, the last day of the last cruise, before going on vacation, and you cannot take it to the cabin. The security will keep it for you and give it to you at the gangway as you disembark to go on vacation. Anyway, as a general rule, whenever in doubt about a rule, check with your manager, I had cases when in the same company, some ships were stricter than others depending on the ship’s management ruling.

[@Yazbachu]

@@andreeazamfircoaching Thankyou for your reply! Does it apply to every cruise ship or just virgin voyages ? Or each company has its own set of rules ?

[@andreeazamfircoaching]

I have not worked for Virgin, but I have worked for Carnival, Royal and Norwegian, and as far as I know you can buy from the gift shop in all these companies. Over the years though rules did change, like the one about alcohol, also it depends if you have the rank of officer, staff or crew, when it comes to when and how you can access the gift shop, the best is to ask when you get onboard because things can be different from one company to the other, and this is why I always recommend that you check with your direct manager and the Gift Shop Manager.

[@denenaude3072]

Don’t you get paid monthly ??

[@bisiokunola167]

Love your videos plus you have such beautiful eyes

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Hey Babe... Even YOU don't speak American English. You speak British English, based on your accent. LOL

[@emmib1388]

she never said she did -- she said -- when most people learn American English - it is an American speaking -- that if you want to work on a cruise, you need to get used to working / living with people with different accents

[@nikhilsharma1111]

So beautiful u r …would surely meet u one day in cruise n tk u out for dinner my dream it is

[@samz8359]

I unsubscribed from your channel because of your comments regarding people with accents especially coming from a person who only speaks one language!!!

[@emmib1388]

what part of you have to get used to working with people of different accents upset you?0

[@cybershot123]

What a shame she looks a full shilling

[@jmanjr]

Bitcoin solves this along with a hundred other problems. :)

[@ibisalmada8368]

Lucy, thank you so much for your videos, they are extremely helpful! Im about to embark next month and have watched almost all of your videos and they have really helped me grasp what to expect and what things to do and take! 🤍

[@powerplus1933]

Thank you so much.i just got a job as an assistant Cook in a cruise ship.kindly share your email.

[@LeAnneFlores]

Your contents are very very helpful to me. 🥹🥹🥹 thank you…