Burnout is not just feeling exhausted after a long shift. It is a deep state of physical, emotional, and mental collapse caused by months of nonstop pressure, overwork, and lack of support. When it takes hold, people may feel anxious, disconnected, unable to sleep, and overwhelmed by even the smallest tasks.

For cruise ship crew, burnout is not rare. It is a constant risk.

If you’ve ever worked on a cruise ship, you already know the truth: your cabin isn’t just where you sleep — it’s where you recover, reset, and try to feel human again after a long shift. But when you’re sharing that tiny space with someone else, your “rest” can turn into a survival challenge.

Life on a cruise ship is very different. For crew members, ships are not just places of travel, they are homes, workplaces, and communities, often for months at a time. Many crew live onboard on rotating contracts, spending long stretches at sea before finally returning home.

For more than a year, he has done everything he was told to do.

The truth rarely erupts loudly on a cruise ship. It lives in quiet corners, in stories exchanged behind closed cabin doors, and in the fear that speaking up might cost someone their career, their stability, or their dignity. She was one crew member among thousands, doing her best to survive the long hours and relentless expectation to smile, yet what happened to her reflects a much larger crisis that has taken root across the industry. Sexual harassment and assault affect women and men alike on board, and the silence surrounding these experiences has become its own painful tradition.

Princess Cruises has announced an update to its Drug and Alcohol Policy, aimed at improving efficiency, fairness, and consistency while reinforcing its strong commitment to a safe and healthy working environment for all crew members.

Starting December 1, 2025, drug testing will be conducted onboard by the Medical Staff, supported by the HR Officer and Security personnel. This will streamline the process, reduce operational disruption, and minimize the impact on crew rest hours, all while maintaining full compliance with company and regulatory standards.

There are moments at sea that stay with a captain forever. For Captain Antun Mišić, Master of Explorer of the Seas, one such moment came this month when his ship sailed into Dubrovnik, Croatia. After 26 years at sea, it was the first time he had ever entered his hometown as captain, commanding a vessel of thousands into the very port where his own love for the ocean first began.

Royal Caribbean has kicked off Beyond BOLD Crew Week, a special celebration dedicated entirely to the crew who make every cruise unforgettable. From October 24 to 30, 2025, ships across the fleet are shining the spotlight on the 70,000 hardworking people who keep the operation running day and night.

Crew members aboard the cruise ship MV Gemini say they haven’t been paid in up to four months, leaving them stranded in Salamina, Greece, and desperate for answers. In a letter shared with Crew Center, a crew member describes worsening conditions on board, with many unable to send money home or even disembark due to unpaid wages.

I started my first contract as a crew member on one of the world’s most renowned cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line. I was assigned as a Galley Steward on the Disney Dream, and I approached my work with utmost seriousness and discipline. My contract was set for seven months, and I dedicated myself fully to my responsibilities, never seeking conflict and always focused on working hard.