Crew members live on cruise ships while working onboard, and they have an entire crew area of the ship just for them. In some cases, crew areas are a lot like guest areas. Some staff and officers have guest privileges, but not the crew members, so cruise lines dedicate certain parts of the ship just for crew. The space reserved for crew members will vary depending on the ship's size and age. Some of the newer vessels have upgraded facilities.

On many ships, the lowest decks are reserved for crew members only. This part of the ship has critical cruise ship functionality, such as the engines or waste management.  

The lower decks are also home to most crew cabins. It is not uncommon for crew cabins to be located on decks below the water level, and sharing a cabin with another crew member is commonplace.

Crew areas are not easily accessible from guest areas, but they are all interconnected on their network of walkways.

Many ships have a prominent thoroughfare that runs the length of the cruise ship from bow to stern. On Royal Caribbean cruise ships or Carnival Cruise Line, this is often referred to as "I-95" because the large hallway reminded someone of the highway that runs up and down the east coast of the United States.

Up and down the corridor are essential notices and announcements pinned to the wall so guests can quickly glance at them as they go about their day. These corridors are ways to get around the ship and can also be temporary storage. Luggage, garbage, and supplies are often stored in these corridors until they can be moved elsewhere.

There are also elevators and stairwells reserved just for crew members. 

Guests can sometimes glimpse these areas at the ship's medical facility or disembark on a gangway.

Depending on your rank or title, the cabin you get as a crew member will vary. Typically, two crew members share a cabin, although there can be more in a larger cabin.

Unlike guest staterooms, crew cabins are more practical. Almost instantly, you will notice fewer decorations and a smaller size compared to a guest room.

Bunkbeds are the usual type of bedding, as it allow for the maximum amount of space. Since these rooms are typically small, every square foot of space counts.

Some cruise ships add curtains to each bunk bed to provide more privacy for the crew.

Like a guest room, there is shelving, storage space, a television, a more excellent fridge, and a private bathroom.

For crew members that achieve a higher rank or title, that may mean a larger room, window, and arguably the best feature: not having to share the room.

When crew members are not working, they have their bars they can relax in, too.

Similar to guest bars, these are places for the crew to unwind and enjoy a cocktail or beer. They are usually less themed than guest bars, and often, you will find mismatched furniture from other venues onboard.

You can find televisions, table games, or tables to sit at and relax.

Crew parties are very common, and there can be themed nights at a bar to encourage extra fun for the crew.

Crew restaurants

When it's time to chow down, crew members have their restaurant onboard to enjoy all the necessary meals. The crew mess is the name of the buffet-style restaurant crew members can dine at when off duty. The crew mess sometimes has prepared foods, ready-to-go foods, and ways to heat food brought in.

Just like the ship's buffet that guests experience, crew members line up and go through the line to take the food they want and then find a seat at an open table. Just like guests, there are basic beverages for crew members, such as water, tea, or coffee. Soft drinks and alcohol will cost extra.

Staying healthy is as important to crew as it is to passengers, and there is a special fitness center just for them.

There is a range of crew facilities - Find Out More Here

Sometimes referred to as the weight room or gym, crew members can find free weights and even some machines to use so that they can exercise. The crew gym has fewer machines or frills than guest gyms, but some crew members with a higher rank can use the guest fitness center.

Life on a cruise ship is a unique and unforgettable experience, very difficult to compare to a land job. Few jobs offer the chance to see so many places in the world, have exotic views, and meet many people from different countries. Obviously, after such experience, you'll become a well-rounded and worldly person and better understand global problems, people worldwide, and their culture and way of life.

Certainly, the only way to know if you like it is to try it. Nevertheless, to prevent possible doubts and uncertainties, we will expose some essential aspects of life on board.