Want To Work On A Cruise Ship? Ep. 7 : Crew Member Down Time

A lot of people ask what there is to do in your down time when working on a ship. Or, Do the crew ever get any time off? Or, When do you sleep?
Well here is some information on what you can expect to experience when you are not actually working! Yes, it is true....you may work a lot, but you still get some time off!
Keep in mind that most of my information is from personal experience with Carnival Cruise lines. Some things may differ from cruise line to cruise line.
Also, if you want a very wide variety of cruise lines and jobs be sure to check out www.allcruisejobs.com
Remember if you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to ask me.
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Also be sure to SUBSCRIBE and check out the other videos on my channel.
Here is a list of videos of my experiences working on a cruise ship!
• Ship Life: Working On ...
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johngleasoncomedy

[@kalvinlebsack7016]

Thanks John. You've really helped Me realize what My dream job is.

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Glad I could be of some assistance!!!!!!

[@kalvinlebsack7016]

+John Gleason I also have a couple questions 😊 Do You require any particular experience before applying for a job? And also, if You could choose your single favorite and least favorite things about life at sea, what would those two things be?

[@cherry-b8p]

As I'm going to apply for the position in the cruise, your story seems interesting for me! :) I like your videos :)

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

thanks for watching! Good luck with the applications!

[@cherry-b8p]

John Gleason I'm sooo glad that I passed the resume and self introduction to the company! :) Now I have to prepare for the interview :D thanks for the replying and cheers! ^^ I really want to be a part of the company lol

[@adinan7068]

Hello John, Great and helpful videos, thank you! And now a question, of course :D You mentioned the gym, but does the crew have access to a swimming pool?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

On the ships that i have been on, i have not had access to a pool. Some ships have hot tubs for the crew, but not a pool that i know of.

[@jahweh]

Loving these series, having fun fantasizing about starting to work on a cruise even though im married and have a dog.. 🤭🤣

[@Guywithcrazyideas]

Be honest, have you ever done 'I'm the king of the world' at the very front of the boat?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Guywithcrazyideas HA! THey actually have railings that block you from getting all the way up there. But, yes we have stood out there and may have made titanic jokes. A lot of guests want to go and do that, but it is a crew only area.

[@MOONT0WER_]

on navigator of the seas, RC, I did that at the front lol. the wind in your face is the best thing ever

[@yuribelt707]

I like your videos, they will be helpful for me if I decide to work on a ship in the future :) thank you.

[@victoriaj9963]

If it's automatic deposit of your pay from working on the cruise line please do a video on pay and how much you'll be making for the 8 months or 6 months

[@Miss25able]

great video, thanks John!

[@Desolate6Gaming]

Another great video!! Keep it up!

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Desolate6 Thanks for watching!

[@travelwithdebandnick]

hi :) Ive just come across your channel and watched a few of your videos and have now subscribed :) great to be onboard and hoping to watch more of your amazing content :)

[@Lildizzle420]

you could make a video about salary and benefits, including the costs of transportation and housing. if a contract is 6 months or more do you use short term rentals or roommate? storage unit? shipping and baggage fees...you also mentioned paying for WIFI and calling cards. I was also wondering about costs associated with shore excursions and tours and any kind of discounts offered on any services provided by the ship/company.

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Lildizzle420 Me personally I lived at home with my parents but have just recently purchased a house. If you are on your own then you would need to arrange any land based living arrangements on your own. Shipping and baggage fees are also on your own. If you have an overweight bag, it will cost you extra money but some people at the aiports are understanding of the life of a crew member. Any shore excursions you go on, there is a crew discount. Sometimes they also do Crew Only tours which are heavily discounted.

[@SBWriter1]

Hi John! Thanks for the videos. My question is, how do you keep yourself healthy? I hear a lot about guests getting norovirus and other diseases on board, and I was wondering, how does the crew stay healthy and stop from getting sick? Also, what are the ship conditions (temperature, cramped?) that may contribute to getting sick and how do you cope with them?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+SBWriter Surprising enough, the norovirus is simply avoided by washing your hands. The guests do not do it as often and will come down with it more. The crew, it is ingrained in their heads to wash their hands all the time so they are less likely, but sometimes it happens still. As for other factors, the temperature may play into the getting of a cold. I had a cold my first contract and it was just from being in the Air conditioning and re circulated air on the ship. I was not used to the germs. You then get used to it and your body gets stronger. Drinking a lot of water is very helpful.

[@TravelWithCesarin]

I have to concur with you on this. I've been on a few cruises, and I'm, always baffled on how many guests from a lot of nationalities (that you could easily say they are "first world") that outright refuse to wash hands after going to the bathroom. Some are baffled by the requests of using cleaning gel. Its.. weird.

[@sapnokiduniya6230]

Thanks for sharing these all.dream to work on board.lub n respect for u dear.

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

you are welcome!

[@vitalikx]

Hey John, could You please open the last episode I mean 8. Thanks Your videos are very useful thank you for what u doin!!!! You are a good man!!!

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Vitalik K Hey man! Sorry, I had to take it down! I need to update my information! Dont want to be giving out outdated info. Hopefully I can get it updated and then uploaded again tonight. If not I will post a new video in the meantime!

[@vitalikx]

+John Gleason OK, Thanks. Are u working know on the ship?)

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Vitalik K I am on a break right now, just doing some real life things. I may go back, who knows. :) I do miss it.

[@jeremielavergne4463]

hey John love your videos man! I was wondering what the sleep schedule is like between shifts?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

mine was power naps. but most of the other jobs with shifts it may be more constant.

[@josephatnip2398]

I would imagine working crazy split shifts between doing laundry personal hygiene and sleeping and eating you don't really have much time

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

you get really good at finding time to do some things. Its a whole lifestyle change.

[@berniegran4785]

There is TV in your cabin to play video games , you bought the TV or it came with the cabin?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

There is a TV most of the time. A small one, but I have seen fellow crew members purchase much larger ones for their cabin.

[@janssendember28]

Hi sir john can u make a video about the hotel department and the job that they offer plssssss tnxx

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

I will start working on that.

[@DiscoveryNewsNow]

Thank you for your videos they're great!! I've been in customer service my entire life and I'm seriously considering this. My biggest question is regarding wifi. I've been told princess had WiFi for crew is this true? Do others have internet that really expensive. It's it charged by the gigibyte or how does this work?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

all cruise lines have wifi for the crew. it is changing for the better as they used to charge by the minute and now some cruise lines are creating plans. Dont know if you have seen one of the other videos - All about crew member Wi-Fi. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqLcYWRqq65nbrs

[@victoriaj9963]

I think you forgot to do a video on how much you'll be making on the cruise and when do you get paid

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

I didnt forget. It is a lot of information to contain for one video. Each cruise line pays differently. Then each individual job gets paid differently. So many different amounts....would be very confusing as not everyone would get paid the same. You can get direct deposit and mostly its a monthly wage.

[@yuribelt707]

hi I saw all your videos and I would really like to work for a cruise ship. I have have a question, about how many places do you Visit on a 6 to 10 month contract?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Yuritzy Beltran it would depend on the itinerary. For me, one cruise i only went to 4 different places each week. Others are a bit more. I had a ship that went to over 15 different places during my time onboard. You will definitely go to 2 or 3 different places per ship.

[@yuribelt707]

woow thank you

[@patrikandersson6544]

hey man I dont know if you already touched on this subjects since I just saw your first video but are going to se the rest but if dont.. something that would be vera giving for me as a guest is to give back because i know that you work hard and maybe you dont have the same food , beside the customer is always right , right? so lets say i go with RCCL or X cruise line and order roomservice, would it be appreciated if I ordered a lot of nice stuff and on delivery ask the room service girl gal to come in and please sit and here please eat whatever you want kind of thing, or is there anything else we as a guest could do to make you have a wounderful weel as well or over the ordinary.--- I really want to know this

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

I dont know about that. The crew have their own areas and are required to continue to serve all the guests. If they were allowed to stop and eat with the guests upon invitation, then no work would get done. For me, with my job having a huge part in guest interaction, sometimes I would sit and have coffee and chat with guests....but had to keep my eye on the time.

[@patrikandersson6544]

I think this could be an interesting topic for a video, 10 things I as a guest on board would make the crew members feel that the guest really appreciate them. for example I usually ask the cabin attendants please skip my cabin and take a brake, I dont need the bathroom cleaned every single day.. However I don't know if they are forced to still do it I don't remember.

[@paigeowsley7230]

Hi John! I am a hospitality and tourism administration major! I am very interested in working on Carnival Cruise Ships! When working so much, is there times where you are able to get off the ship and enjoy where ever the ship is at that time? Also, I don't have much experience in cruise ships, with having one more year of school what kind of part time job do you recommend I get to make myself more applicable. I am interested in being a tour excursions manager, or a hotel manager on the cruise ship. I've done some research and it seems that it may be hard for me to walk right into those types of positions on board! I would love to hear some advice/opinions!! Thanks!

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Hello Paige! Thanks for reaching out! So each port you may have some time to explore. If not on a particular cruise, it would be the next time you visited the port. Unless its a one off port, then it would depend on working something out with your fellow crew members. Each department has to have a certain amount of team members that stay on board each port. As for jobs you can get stated in, for Shore Excursions i would start in Shore Excursions and work your way up to Manager. For Hotel Director, i would start in Guest Services and get the feel of the operations side of things.

[@MrWitty1998]

What's your job title when you're working? And what exactly do you do, like the job description

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

My job titles ranged from Entertainment Staff, Comedy Club Manager, Assistant Cruise Director and Acting Cruise Director. They were all involved in guest activities and information. Any time there was a show, live music, events and games we would be the ones that advertised it, executed them and interacted with the guests. We had lots of face time with the guests and would help them have fun on board while also working with the other departments to make sure they cruise was enjoyed by all. There are a lot of parts to the job that were not in the job description at all. It just becomes a constantly growing job where you have a duty for whatever the situation calls for.

[@destinybristol9937]

What kind of experience or degree did you need and what company did you work for?

[@destinybristol9937]

@@JohnGleasonComedy What degree and experience did you have and what line did you work for

[@axjmd]

John: If you have guest privileges and you want to go to the guest gym and there is a fitness instructor can you avail of his expertise? Or do you have to lay low as a crew and reserve this fitness instructor for the guests? . Are there times you can be so lucky and get your own crew cabin? or in other words are there times you'll have some privacy? Thanks.

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

You can use the guest gym if its not busy. If you are friends with the fitness instructor i am sure you can ask their advice and they can help you if they want....but i wouldnt bother them when not working. I personally had my own cabin for a majority of my contracts. I started with a shared cabin but worked my way up. Some cruise lines have the same positions but with better perks. I was lucky to have some privacy and my own cabin a majority of the time.

[@paperkay]

This was a stupid rumor, but i heard that someone got fired for talking to the guests... As if - socializing with guests is not permitted. I used to think that 'socializing' is code for taking your clothes off with the guests, but then they said talking is considered a 'criminal offence' as well. So... that's not true? You can be friendly with tourists and not lose a limb?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+paper kay this is just a rumor....but i can guess where it started. You wont get fired for talking with guests, but you most certainly will if you fraternize in inappropriate ways with them. Some people have gone back to guest cabins for some fun, got caught and got fired immediately.

[@connorwhalen4899]

If you do have access to the guest areas and there is a basketball court on board, are you able to use it?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

typically later in the day or at night when no one is up there.

[@thumpcityfamily76]

what about relationships/crew members getting close on the ship because your gone for 6 - 10 months

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Ken Cortez it happens. lots of romance happens on board between crew members.

[@dylangilchrist1566]

John Gleason Any hookups?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Yes, Hookups, relation ships, children....lots of stuff happens. I am going to be doing a video soon on dating and this kind of stuff. There is a fun side and a very dark side. :(

[@toerendra2mangroo114]

me from Guyana

[@ajcitro6785]

Hi John I'm interested in working on a ship and I was wondering if a cabin steward requires any experience and qualifications?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

I am certain they would like to see some sort of experience cleaning rooms of some type. I know they will also do a lot of training on board as well.

[@jagadheeshm6843]

Could you tell me how to get a job in cruise ship? Please.

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

If you have watched the 2nd video, it explains how to apply.

[@pranaypatil2896]

Do chef's on the ship have guest area privileges? I know it sound's silly but that's my area of interest!!!

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Not that i am aware of, except for the executive chef.

[@priteshvora9388]

Who decides the shifts of the cruise staff? Do they have a special department like Workforce management department?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Each department has supervisors and department heads who make the schedules.

[@FABAGENT]

I hear the CREW BARS can be quite festive. True?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Brad Johnson This is very true. I have a video coming up soon with some more info on the Crew Bar! Stay Tuned!

[@edwardfuller2800]

so how much cash do you make on a cruise ship? and what positions pay the best. without a college degree

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Edward Fuller you dont get paid in cash, everything would get done as checks. some positions pay more depending on experience. They pay you on a weekly/monthly basis. Some as little as 400 dollars a month...and up. You dont pay for food or for rent...so you pocket all the cash you make. And travel for free.

[@billyjones3031]

I am planning to work for Carnival as a Guitar Soloist, do guitar soloists have guest area access? Can they eat guest food?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

They do have guest are access and can eat guest area food....but only when its not busy and mostly during port days. Sea days you still will need to eat with the rest of the crew and staff.

[@billyjones3031]

Ok, thanks for the info

[@EPSGplayer]

12-14 hour days non stop is ridiculous and should be illegal

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Yep....but someones gotta do it.

[@sigzz32]

Do you work 7 days a week, non stop for the whole duration of the contract, or you get some days off?

[@wolfpacberg]

You don't get full days off but some days of the week you will work about 4 or 5 hours less than you ussally do

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

that is correct. Depending on the itinerary. Some port days you may only work in the morning or the evening but have some time off to explore the ports. But you will work every day.

[@rajarshirouth2486]

Hi John I have zero work experience about cruise ships and I work in a completely different field (IT and Finance) would recruiters still consider me.

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

That is fine! Most of the time they look for experience in similar fields on land. So you may have an advantage working within those fields before you apply.

[@luigirafaschieri1546]

hello john , is possible drink on the cruise ?? i am a bartender and i need to have some beer after work ... and we have t pay what we drink ???

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Yes, there is a full crew bar. the best place ever.

[@prathamrawat3019]

can u tell me how much qualifications I need to work on crew ????? like a waiter or chef in carnival ?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Pratham Rawat they look for someone who has held a job before, can do a good job and has worked with customers. Obviously the more longer work experience you have, the better.

[@LiLGro94xoxo]

How do you get guest area privileges? Or why would someone not have them?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+LiLGro94xoxo Most staff have guest area privileges. Regular crew do not. They are only allowed in the guest areas when they are working. Some people do not have guest area privileges due to the amount of space. If they allowed all crew to go into the guest areas, then the guests would have no room to enjoy their vacation./

[@jacobgalipeau6872]

John Gleason did casino staff have guest privileges

[@gaman458]

how old are you and how old do you recommend people to be when working on cruise?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Andres Robertsson I have just turned 30. I recommend you to be at least 21. Most of the cruise lines will require you to be 21 as well.

[@lilwataru11]

You've said that you bring your play station with you. So that means tv is provided in every crew cabins.

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Yes. Now especially on the new ships they all have updated TVs. On one of the older ships i worked on it was an old AV hook up DVD combo....no HDMI, but this was before the HDMI boom.

[@lilwataru11]

Thanks a lot John! Hope to see you in Carnival. Cheers!

[@lilwataru11]

Another question. Im a Filipino and be payed 100% on board. In the time that i need to send money here in Philippines. Is there any money sending station on board or land near the ship? Like Western Union etc.

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

They have a paymaster on board that specializes in sending money home to families. He will be able to assist you and get you all the information needed for that.

[@ThoosieJP]

See for naps for me I can only take 2 hour naps

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

You would be surprised how good you can get at taking quicker naps.

[@ThoosieJP]

Yeah see imgood with it but I hate using alarm clocks im makes your pressur go up in the morning

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Then I am afraid ship life may not be for you. Your cabin is super dark and you will get some of the deepest sleep in your life....so an alarm clock is needed.

Very good all of your videos!!! Hello!! Good evening!! After almost ten years me and my wife wanna go back to ship for work onborad, we both got experience (former crews on cleaner department), but now she is bar server . Nowadays, I´m thirty-six and my wife thirty-two. My question is...Can I apply for youth staff? During this time off the ship I graduated in early childhood education and also have three years of experience working with children at school, so do I have any chance? Is it possible for us to board together?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

if you have experience you can apply. If you get on board a cruise line she works for you may be able to see if you can be on the same ship. If not you may need to wait for the next contact to arrange it.

[@ThoosieJP]

ALso do you get to use talent if your enteratiment so if you could sing aproh you could do it then maybe also be a meet and great character

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Yes you can utilize your other skills if working in entertainment. as for meet and greet characters, not all cruise lines have those.

[@ThoosieJP]

Yeah I knowlike that like disney has one you could do that would be cool is have a got talent and you would sigh up on first day then you have a certain time at night were you audition then at the end the winner gets something

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Some cruise lines used to do a talent show of sorts where the guests would go and show off their skills and then the winner would get a prize. Some still do it, but I know a lot of the ships I have worked on removed that show.

[@chantegapinas8366]

hello...i'm chantega and i realy like to work on cruise ship...but I'm from suriname so i just want to now if i can get that work also...what i want to ask is how old you must be to work on a cruiship???look I realy like that work it's amazing and i think that i can follow those rules..by the way those videos you make are really great

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Chantega Pinas Hello! you must be about 21 before they consider hiring you. What type of work are you interested in doing on board? you gotta start somewhere.

[@kalycheram9181]

hi jhon, I'm on the process to get hire on a cruise ship, to be more specific on carnival,, seven seas group is the recruitment agency in charge of the interview , I DID ask already how much was the payment monthly for my services but they do not have the information (make me think the payment is low) any idea around how much can a assistant waiter get pay a month??? tnx before hand mate.

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+kalyche ram hmm assistant waiters on Carnival....not sure of the specific pay but if it is a dining room assistant waiter $1400- 2100 U.S. per month, depending on gratuities from passengers

[@barotkanaiya9354]

at a down time dose staff will be allowed to use cellphone for voice calls..?? does staff can carry their mobil phones while on duty..??

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

you will be able to call when you are not working if you have service. Just keep in mind that the charges may be very high.

[@mariangelastamouli1400]

I want to apply for a dealer position in casino how many breaks do they have do you know? Thank you!😀

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Breaks would all depend on your shift and how busy the casino is. Not too sure of the specifics of this job.

[@AlbertoRodriguez-jb6vo]

What about is you like to play the 🎸

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

You can still play the guitar.

[@intqwe6271]

Hello John! I m from Russia and i learn english now. Can i ask- very need english language to position Asst. Stateroom Steward/ess? or Assistant Waiter or Cafe Attendant I want learned language till level Intermediate- it s would be enough? How often in this position need conversation , speaking with people ? i would be appreciated if you reply

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

You would need a basic understanding of English and enough to have some conversations with guests as they walk by or ask you things.

[@intqwe6271]

i understand, thanks bro

[@Traintin]

What department do you work in?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+TraintinGaming I worked in the Entertainment department.

[@connerb6810]

hey john! i'm majoring in sports management, any jobs that will go along the lines of of that on board?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

I know carnival has a sports department now, where they run activities. Probably once you finish school with that degree this particular job would be a lower pay grade than something you can get on land. BUt if you are all about experience and just enjoying....i would look into that

[@connerb6810]

John Gleason awesome john, thank you!

[@MOONT0WER_]

can you tell me if you can drink alcohol on the ship? how/where/etc? thanks!

[@MOONT0WER_]

as a crew member of course

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+SSH3LTONN _ consider your question answered with a video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2nFn2uCqJiAbqs

[@ericgoldenchef2461]

Just finding out if someone can have a girlfriend colleagues and can she visit your cabin ?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

yep. You can, as long as you have an agreement with your roommate.

[@toerendra2mangroo114]

what u af to get to work on the ship

[@kinanballagh2339]

is there any possibility of playing guitar during down time?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Yes of course!

[@prasannabhattarai6763]

what can you do when on port?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

I typically would get off, grab some food and Wi-Fi. Some ports i would go to the beach to go swimming. Shopping happened too.

[@prasannabhattarai6763]

Thanx for the info

[@vladcrisan2557]

Are you allowed to smoke on the ship ?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Vlad Crisan There are designated smoking areas. So yes, but there are going to be some important rules to follow when smoking. Mainly because fires on the ship is a super serious thing.

[@boratbruno4947]

I'm a smoker, will that be a problem?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

they have designated smoking areas for crew members.

[@boratbruno4947]

+John Gleason thanks

[@avrilsmith9064]

Hey my name is Avril Smith can u help me get a job there?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

I can only provide information. You must get the job yourself.

[@johnleewenxian8800]

Cabin is private area? Or shared?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Depends on your position. Some are private, some are shared.

[@anastasiiadyshchakovska9758]

What are the most privileged positions on board?

[@dat92kid]

+Anastasiia Dyshchakovska being a captain :D

[@anastasiiadyshchakovska9758]

Vedran Markanovic except that of course :)

[@hijacker798]

+Anastasiia Dyshchakovska Staff captain, Hotel general manager..

[@anastasiiadyshchakovska9758]

Sam Neville Thank you!

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

+Anastasiia Dyshchakovska it would be any of the staff positions. but yeah, the Staff Captain and Hotel Director and any of the other senior officers would have more leverage in things.

[@lt4708]

would it be possible/wise to bring a surfboard? like is there a storage bit where I could leave it? and how likely would it be to get damaged

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Probably not. You would not have enough room in the cabin to fit it. Most beaches where surfing is available/quality would have rentals you can get.

[@toerendra2mangroo114]

am in 16 when am in 21 I want ask fro a work ok

[@lonepanther27]

I smoke weed. Can I bring weed on board? How do I sneak in weed? Lol

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

You would not be able to. They have a strict drug policy and if they catch you, you would be fired immediately.

[@patrickzirkle6314]

can you smoke?

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

There are crew designated smoking areas for you to go to.

[@joelz9860]

Working on cruise ships sounds horrible!!!

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

its definitely not a job for everyone.

[@bridgetmurphyv]

John Gleason is youth staff a part of the staff team or crew

[@JohnGleasonComedy]

Youth staff would be part of the Staff.