Passengers often encounter the same crew members throughout the day and wonder about the actual hours cruise ship employees put in. Irrespective of their job positions, cruise ship employees typically work between 8 to 12 hours on a "sea" day and sometimes fewer hours on a "port" day. This duration does not include breakfast, lunch, and dinner breaks, which can range from 30 minutes to over an hour. Some roles require almost no hours on a port day.

Most crew members have a love & hate relationship in terms of working on a cruise ship. There are many fringe perks available that can make their contract onboard enjoyable. Yet, there are also some things that need improvement. 

Here, we take a look at five aspects that tend to be less favored among crew members working on cruise ships:

Living and working on a cruise ship is truly a unique and unforgettable experience that is challenging to compare to a land-based job. Few occupations provide the opportunity to explore so many diverse places worldwide, encounter exotic scenery, and meet people from various countries. After such an experience, you're likely to become a well-rounded and worldly individual, gaining a better understanding of global issues, diverse cultures, and ways of life.

Silversea Cruises has taken a step to recognize the contributions of its dedicated crew members. The company has announced its latest initiative, the "Job Well Done" (JWD) Card program, which aims to celebrate outstanding performance within its crew ranks. The program is a token of appreciation and an opportunity for supervisors, managers, officers, and petty officers to recognize and reward a job well done by any fellow crew member. 

Working while traveling is a common selling point for considering a career on a cruise ship. However, the promise of adventure while earning a living entails a unique and challenging lifestyle aboard the cruise ship. Long hours of hard work, no days off for a 6-8 month contract, and erratic sleeping patterns are a few challenges one must fully accept before embarking.

If you're one of the many people across the globe working at sea, then you're probably well used to working away from home. Working at sea can be exciting and an amazing career opportunity that can be both personally and financially rewarding.

If you are a new sign-on about to join the vessel for the very first time, read this article carefully. About a week ago, I was re-hired to work on a cruis eship. Even I kind of knew what to expect; the bitter reality of the seaman life never fails to disappoint you.

The Arrival in Miami

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.

Before purchasing a particular item on the cruise ship, do a little research about it. Crew members on board the vessel are even entitled to further discounts in some ports of call. Of course, if you are a crew member on board the cruise ship, you are entitled to some jewelry at discounted prices.