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Jobs for an lpn on a cruise line.

Working on a cruise line as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is an opportunity for nurses looking for a change of pace and a little adventure. Medical crew members can enjoy a wide range of privileges, such as their own cabin, officer privileges, attractive working hours and pay and the obvious globetrotting benefits. It’s generally necessary for LPN applicants to have two to three years of land-based nursing experience and other common medical certifications, in addition to a willingness to be trained in standard on-board safety procedures and policies. Cruise lines typically use staffing agencies or in-house methods to fill specific positions.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines typically recruits from in-house and third-party recruiting agencies. The application process for LPN job-seekers is quite simple, only requiring basic contact information and a resume. Those interested in applying for LPN jobs with Carnival should refer to the Carnival Cruise Lines link (see Resources) to find their online application.

Carnival Cruise Lines 3655 Northwest 87th Avenue Miami, FL 33178 carnival.com

• Holland America Line

Holland America Line primarily recruits in-house. LPNs interested in a job with this cruise line should submit their resume and qualifying documents via email to the current Fleet Medical Operations Director. You can get contact information, including the appropriate email address to use for application, and ask any pertinent questions, by calling the phone number listed with contact information. You can also mail application materials.

Holland America Line Attn: Fleet Medical Operations 300 Elliott Ave West Seattle, WA 98119 206-298-3071 hollandamerica.com

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line uses a staffing agency, their website and also in-house recruiters to fill LPN positions. The best way to apply is to submit your resume and other qualifying documents to the permanent recruiting email, which you can find in the "How to Apply" section of their website (see Resources).

Norwegian Cruise Lines NCL Corporation Ltd. 7665 Corporate Center Drive Miami, Florida 33126 305-436-4000 ncl.com

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises recruits for the medical department using international recruiting partners. Because of numerous scams and fraud Princess recruiting agencies, LPNs should submit their application to the United States email address (see Resources). This email address is for the California Recruiting office, and while this office does not recruit for medical positions, they will forward your application to the appropriate recruiting agency.

Princess Cruises Fleet Personnel Department 24844 Avenue Rockefeller Santa Clarita, CA 91355-4999 800-PRINCESS princess.com

Royal Caribbean International

LPNs interested in working on Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruises can find employment opportunities by visiting the RCI website and emailing their resume and qualifying documents to the recruitment email address listed there (see Resources). Applicants should include the position they desire and their country of origin in the subject line.

Royal Caribbean International Shipboard Careers royalcareersatsea.com

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• Norwegian Cruise Line: How to Apply
• Princess Cruises: Careers with Princess
• Royal Caribbean's Shipboard Careers

Jordan Tate began writing in 2001, specializing in short stories, detailed reports and news releases. His work has appeared in the "Red & Black." Tate has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism in public relations and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Georgia.

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• Our Medical Team

You will provide basic and emergency nursing care to our guests and crew, working closely with the shipboard Doctor to attend to patients visiting the clinic.

• Provide individualized outpatient, inpatient and ICU care for guests and crew
• Act as first responders; triage emergency calls; assess and treat on-scene; and transfer patients to the medical center for definitive care
• Assess patients and provide treatment and advice for specific conditions
• Perform various technical and non-clinical administrative tasks that support an efficient and safe medical center under the supervision of the Senior Nurse
• Perform equipment checks, medicine and inventory management
• Participate in drills, audits, inspections and training of other crew members
• Learn and practice technical skills on board, such as X-rays acquisition
• Perform various laboratory tests and other procedures
• Provide excellent customer service, maintaining a professional, dignified, friendly, assertive, and polite manner at all times
• Perform consistently with the organization’s Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan

Registered Nurse and current registration/ licensing with an appropriate government or national regulatory body

At least three years post graduate clinical experience in emergency medicine, acute care or ICU, and most recent work experience should be in a clinical setting

prior to joining a ship

may be required before completing the first year of employment

both conversational and technical

with Microsoft Windows 7 (or higher) and MS Office programs

Experience with use of electronic health records is preferred

Outstanding interpersonal, customer services and communication skills

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Embark your medical career on a new international voyage of discovery. Join our team of skilled Medical team working on any of our 90 ships across our nine brands: Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard, AIDA Cruises, Costa, P&O Cruises (UK) and P&O Australia. Our staff are passionate about providing quality healthcare to our guests and crew while they sail the world creating lasting memories.

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• How to Become an RN on a Rescue Helicopter
• About the Advantages of an LPN

If you're a licensed practical nurse who is interested in traveling the world and experiencing an adventurous career, working for a cruise line might be right for you. Every cruise line hires medical crew members, including doctors and nurses, to care for the needs of the passengers and staff. You can usually apply for these jobs by searching for openings on each cruise line's employment webpage and then filling out an application or e-mailing a resume to the cruise company's human resources department.

Work Environment

Working as a nurse on a cruise line is a fast-paced job. Because a cruise ship is a 24-hour-a-day operation, you will likely work up to seven days a week. With Royal Caribbean, nurses work clinic hours from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day, plus they rotate on-call schedules for emergencies. Contracts are typically six months long, with four to eight weeks off in between each contract.

Working as an LPN for a cruise line also brings a number of benefits. You will have access to many of the ship's amenities during your off hours. Princess Cruises states that employees enjoy facilities set aside for the crew, which include an Internet cafe, library, a dining facility with a wide variety of food, a pool and jacuzzi and a gym. Employees also have movie nights, karaoke contests and a chance to take part in some off-ship excursions.

Cruise lines provide many professional benefits and extras for their LPNs. These can include malpractice insurance, a fully equipped medical center, and training when they first come on board. With Royal Caribbean, nurses are paid monthly and are provided with uniforms. Some cruise lines give nurses their own private cabins for living space, while other cruise lines require nurses to share accommodations with other employees.

Experience and Certification

To work as an LPN nurse on a cruise line, you will need Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification and Basic Life Support certification. Most cruise lines will require three years of professional experience first, along with experience working in an ICU. Carnival also recommends that its nurses be willing to learn laboratory and x-ray procedures and be proficient in administering an IV to patients. Meeting all the nursing requirements isn't enough, though. You will also need to pass a physical examination showing that you are fit to work on a cruise line.

Personal Qualifications

Working as an LPN for a cruise line is fun but also demanding. You should review your personality traits honestly and thoroughly to see if you are a good fit for working long periods of time while at sea. You should be able to have a positive attitude and enjoy working with people of different nationalities in a close environment. You should be confident in your skills, since you may have to work emergency situations while at sea when immediate medical evacuation isn't available.

• Royal Caribbean: Shipboard Careers -- Medical
• Princess Cruises: Careers with Princess

With features published by media such as Business Week and Fox News, Stephanie Dube Dwilson is an accomplished writer with a law degree and a master's in science and technology journalism. She has written for law firms, public relations and marketing agencies, science and technology websites, and business magazines.

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How To Become A Cruise Ship Nurse

How to become a cruise ship nurse, what does a cruise ship nurse do.

• Salary Info
• Pros and Cons

Finding Work As A Cruise Ship Nurse

Nurses who love to travel, enjoy long breaks from work, and want to experience a one-of-a-kind career could make perfect cruise ship nurses. A cruise ship nurse provides care for guests and crew as the ship sails around the world. 

Cruise ships are pretty much small cities floating in the water with the average cruise ship holding around 3,000 guests, not counting the crew that works on the ship full-time. For nurses that want to escape busy ERs and clinics, working on a cruise ship could be a dream job!

Find Nursing Programs

Becoming a cruise ship nurse isn't as easy as signing up right after nursing school. But here are the steps you’ll need to take if you want to become one:

• Become a Registered Nurse by attending and graduating from an accredited nursing program. You’ll also need to pass the NCLEX-RN.
• Gain Experience: Aside from having an active RN license, most cruise ships only want to hire nurses who have experience in multiple settings. Cruise ships usually require nurses to have 2-3 years of full-time experience, and experience in acute care or niche areas is a big plus.Nurses interested in working on a cruise ship should also be prepared to work odd hours. Shifts start whenever passengers or crew become ill, and this can occur at all hours of the day. Experience in emergency or ICU settings helps applications stand out. 
• Enroll in an in-person or hybrid ACLS course
• Pass the multiple choice exam
• Renew their certification every two years
• Learn another language: It also doesn't hurt to speak more than one language as cruises travel around the world and attract guests who might not speak English. While not required, bilingual nurses might have a huge advantage with some cruise lines.

What does a day as a cruise ship nurse look like? Well, it ranges from treating patients with seasickness to providing healthcare services to patients in critical care.

Work With All Kinds of Patients

Much like hospitals on land, cruise ships see patients with all types of ailments, sicknesses, and health problems. Common issues like bad sunburns and food poisoning could be followed up by a passenger suffering from cardiac arrest. This is why cruise lines want nurses with plenty of ICU and emergency experience.

Work Alongside a Team of Healthcare Professionals

Fortunately, you won't be alone. Cruise lines employ a team of nurses, so someone will be available to provide healthcare at all times. When serious problems do occur, your team of nurses and other physicians will work to keep the patient healthy until they can be transferred to the nearest healthcare facility on land. 

Major cruise lines also equip ships with full medical facilities, including labs, a pharmacy, X-ray equipment, and more. Of course, cruise ship nurses still must make due with what's available to them onboard the ship. 

A cruise ship nurse can expect to work a 12-hour shift, and nurses rotate days off. However, if a serious problem occurs, you might be called upon on an off day to lend a hand. 

Cruise Ship Nurse Salary: How Much Do Cruise Ship Nurses Make?

Cruise ship nurses get to enjoy life on the seas as well as decent salaries. ZipRecruiter estimates that cruise ship nurses earn an average of $81,396 per year , though ZipRecuriter also estimates that more than half of current cruise ship nurses earn less. Glassdoor reports that Royal Carribean nurses earn an estimated base pay of $97,894 per year. Note that contract conditions vary based on cruise line and experience, and first-time cruise ship nurses probably earn less than what ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor report. 

Some additional good news is that nurses usually get weeks or months off between contracts, allowing for plenty of vacation time. 

Also, cruise lines cover the transportation costs of getting to and from home. So, if your cruise contract expires while you're overseas, the cruise line will pay for your flight home, then pay for your flight back to the ship when your new contract starts!

>> Show Me Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Pros and Cons of Being a Cruise Ship Nurse

Like any other nursing career, working as a cruise ship nurse comes with its ups and downs. Here are some of the top factors to consider when deciding whether cruise ship nursing is right for you. 

• Enjoy life on the sea. Cruise ship nurses have to work while they travel, but they travel nonetheless. You'll get to check out cool new places around the world, and you get to leave the ship if you have the day off. 
• Plenty of flexibility. Contracts last no more than six months at a time. If you decide that cruise ship nursing isn't for you, your contract is probably close to expiring anyway. You can also take off as much time between contracts as you want. 
• Low cost of living. While cruise ship nurses don't make the highest salaries, most expenses are paid for upfront. You don't have to worry about paying rent, covering utilities, or visiting the grocery store. 
• Experience a unique work environment. There's truly nothing like working on a cruise ship. Each day could bring new challenges, and you get to enjoy spending time with your tight knit team of nurses. 
• Contract commitment. When you commit to working on a cruise ship, you can't just back out halfway through -- especially since you might be halfway across the world. Once you sign your contract, you're locked in.
• Seasickness. This doesn't apply to everyone, but if you're prone to seasickness, then cruise ship nursing probably isn't for you.
• Close quarters. Cruise ships feel big at first, but the more time you spend on them, the smaller they feel. If you don't think you can spend months at a time on a ship, then consider sticking to a land-based job. 
• Live contract to contract. You may be ready to work as a cruise ship nurse, but cruise ships might not be ready for you. Contracts are limited (or during a pandemic, essentially nonexistent). Completing a contract with a cruise line does not guarantee a contract renewal, either. 

If you're interested in becoming a cruise ship nurse, check out different cruise line websites to look for open positions. Nurse staffing agencies might also know of cruise ship nurse opportunities that you haven't found.

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Become a Cruise Ship Nurse in 3 Steps

Aug 11 2022

Nurse Types / Cruise Ship Nurse

What if going to work felt like going on a vacation? In many ways, cruise ship nursing feels that way. Cruise ship nurses travel to exotic locations and spend weeks away from home in accommodations designed for tourists. The global cruise industry welcomed 29.7 million passengers aboard in 2019.

A cruise nurse, or cruise ship nurse, is a registered nurse or nurse practitioner who treats patients onboard cruise ships. This nursing specialty provides a broad range of medical care services to travelers and crew members sailing the oceans each year.

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What's your current role?

This article will help you understand what cruise ship nursing is all about and how to become a cruise ship nurse in three steps.

What is a cruise ship nurse?

What do cruise ship nurses do, where do cruise ship nurses work.

• What are specific types of cruise ship nurses? 

How do you become a cruise ship nurse in 3 steps?

What are additional requirements of cruise ship nurses , what are the salary and career outlooks for cruise ship nurses .

A cruise ship nurse is a licensed professional nurse employed by a cruise line to care for ship passengers and crew members. As part of a medical team, they provide general medical care and may administer emergency treatment. 

The medical staff live aboard the ship during their contract, which may last 4–6 months. Since they are considered part of the crew, they are prohibited from socially mingling with guests. The living quarters for cruise nurses are usually found on the ship’s lower decks.

Qualities of a successful cruise ship nurse

One unique aspect of cruise nursing is that the employers are in the business of tourism, not healthcare. Thus, there is a greater emphasis on hospitality. Successful cruise ship nurses are passionate about customer service. They must also keep a positive attitude while dealing with difficult or demanding patients. 

Nurses on cruise ships work with diverse populations. They must be culturally sensitive since they frequently care for people from different ethnicities and backgrounds.

Cruise ship nurses must also be flexible. Schedules, assignments, and priorities may change, so a good cruise nurse will be able to roll with the waves. 

The cruise ship nurse provides medical nursing services to all passengers and crew members under the supervision of the ship’s doctors. 

Cruise ship nurses perform direct care and administrative nursing duties. In addition, they also perform activities that are specific to cruises and may seem unusual to nurses in other fields. 

Common responsibilities of cruise ship nurses include tasks such as:

• Administering minor and major emergency care
• Performing lab procedures or COVID-19 testing for crew and passengers
• Triaging patients who visit the medical center
• Visiting patients onboard for treatments such as injections or IV fluids 

In addition to direct care, cruise nurses’ administrative responsibilities include:

• Answering calls to the medical center (Infirmary)
• Coordinating shoreside referrals as needed for passengers
• Keeping narcotic counts and supply inventories 
• Maintaining crew physicals
• Removing expired medications or supplies

Cruise nurses also have ship-specific duties, including:

• Completing accident reports and maintaining logs for port authorities
• Inspecting and maintaining life-saving equipment
• Scheduling wellness appointments for crew members
• Training and leading teams in fire and lifeboat drills
• Testing ship water samples

Cruise nurses assist the ship’s Captain, Senior Doctor, and Chief Nurse Officer in shipboard health-related matters. This includes outbreak prevention and illness reporting as required by international and national health regulations.

A day in the life of a cruise ship nurse

A day as a cruise ship nurse will depend on the ship’s needs. 

Nurses may triage patients with minor concerns such as seasickness. Or, they may be called for serious emergencies such as fractures or lacerations. Passengers might even suffer strokes or heart attacks on board. Cruise nurses must be ready for anything.

While on-duty, cruise ship nurses carry phones or walkie-talkies to respond to the crews’ needs. Most ships average 3–4 nurses, depending on ship size. Usually, a medical team of doctors and nurses works together. 

Cruise ships have fully-functioning medical facilities with lab equipment, X-ray machines, pharmacies, and treatment rooms. They even have a morgue that usually holds up to six bodies.

Medical teams arrange evacuation and transport to higher-level facilities in serious emergencies. They also provide patient education, too.

Common conditions treated by cruise ship nurses

Cruise ship nurses treat all ages, from pediatric to older adult patients. Conditions commonly treated by cruise ship nurses include:

• Allergic reactions
• Food poisoning 
• Motion sickness

Cruise ship nurses work on domestic and international cruise lines. Onboard cruise ships, they work in the medical facilities and throughout the decks. 

What are specific types of cruise ship nurses?

When it comes to nursing on a ship, there are different types of cruise nurses. 

• Luxury cruise line nurses are the most common type of cruise nurses. Nurses on traditional luxury cruises work for well-known cruise lines such as Carnival or Royal Caribbean. The average ship has 2000–3000 passengers. Therefore, luxury cruise nurses are usually part of larger medical teams.  
• Boutique cruise ship nurses work for higher-end luxury cruise lines with lower staff-to-passenger ratios and smaller ships. Since they have smaller crews, nurses may have more responsibilities. 
• Yacht nurses work aboard the smallest ships for the most elite passengers. Traditional yachts may carry up to 12 passengers, while mega yachts may carry up to 100. With smaller crews, nurses may perform more duties.

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

The first step to being a cruise ship nurse is to become a registered nurse (RN). To be an RN, you must graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass the nursing board exam. 

Earn a BSN degree

Aspiring nursing students can choose from various programs that will prepare them to take and pass the RN exam. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) may not be sufficient for those who want to be cruise nurses. A  Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is the best choice. 

A four-year BSN degree prepares nurses with an education that will prepare them for success in cruise nursing, including courses in leadership and management.

College graduates who want to enter nursing but have a degree in another field should look into accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs. 

For those who are already nurses who wish to further their education there is an RN to BSN program which allows you to work while getting your degree.

Pass the NCLEX exam

After earning a nursing degree, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam . This test is required to apply for an RN license in your state. To get hired as a cruise nurse, cruise lines require an active nursing license in any state.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

RNs must gain experience that will prepare them for practice onboard a cruise ship. 

Most, if not all, cruise ship contracts require at least 2–3 years of recent ER , ICU , or other acute care experience.

Helpful Skills and experience

Nurses who have worked in critical care units such as the CVICU or ICU will be more desirable candidates for cruise ship nurse positions. Also, nurses who speak other languages will be helpful to the medical team. 

Changing specialty to a cruise ship nurse

If you’re a nurse who wants to change specialties to become a cruise ship nurse, you should consider how the differences will work for you. 

Nurses onboard cruise ships may work up to seven days straight, depending on the itinerary. Also, they will likely be on call for emergencies during their time off. The typical cruise ship nurse works up to 50 hours per week .

Cruise ship nurses also spend a significant amount of time on the seas. With contracts lasting a minimum of 12 weeks, it may not be best for nurses with pets or family commitments. 

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Due to the potential for emergencies, cruise ship nurses must be ACLS certified . 

Other certifications that are not required but may be helpful for a career in cruise ship nursing include:

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) 
• Advanced Trauma Life Support ( ATLS ) 
• Sexual assault training or forensic nursing certification

Cruise lines require nurses to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, influenza, and other illnesses without exception since cruise ships present a high risk for transmission. 

Onboard the ships, diverse passengers are brought together in crowded, semi-enclosed areas. The risk for foodborne and waterborne transmission is high.

For international cruises, nurses must also have a valid passport. 

Most states require cruise nurses to complete continuing education hours to renew their license every two years.

According to ziprecruiter.com, the national average for cruise nurse salaries is $80,290/year or $39/hr. Top earners in this field can expect to make up to $184,000. 

High wage variability indicates significant opportunities to grow and advance in this specialty based on years of experience, education, and skill level. 

In addition to great pay , cruise nurses get fantastic perks. Most cruise lines pay for nurses’ accommodations, including flight, hotel, and transportation to the cruise. During the contract, room and board are covered. Also, complimentary meals and snacks may be provided. With the cost of living so low, the pay seems even higher!

Nurses who choose a career in cruise ship nursing can also look forward to career growth . According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for RNs is projected to be 6% between 2021 and 2031. 

Job satisfaction

Job satisfaction tends to be high for cruise ship nurses. According to Business Insider, retention for cruise ship workers is over 80%. Nationally, the nursing turnover rate averages 19.1%.

When you achieve your goal of becoming a cruise ship nurse, that’s not your final port of call. Cruise ship nurses can advance their careers within the specialty. 

Some go on to become the cruise ship Lead/Chief Nurse. The Lead/Chief oversees nursing staff and medical clinic operations. 

Others may pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and become a Nurse Practitioner on a cruise ship. Since nurse practitioners can see patients independently, these providers are in high demand. In fact, the BLS projects a growth rate for all NPs of 40% from 2021 to 2031. 

Explore the Incredible Health nursing community for advice to learn more about cruise nursing. Whatever path you choose, cruise ship nursing holds many opportunities. 

• “ Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Course Options | American Heart Association CPR & First Aid ”. cpr.heart.org. Accessed July 25, 2022.
• “ Advanced Trauma Life Support | ACS ”. facs.org. Accessed July 25, 2022.
• “ Cruise Nurse Annual Salary ($80,290 Avg – Jul 2022) – ZipRecruiter ”. ziprecruiter.com. Accessed July 25, 2022.
• “ Cruise Ship Workers Reveal How Much Money They Make ”. businessinsider.com. Accessed July 25, 2022.
• “ PALS Course Options | American Heart Association CPR & First Aid ”. cpr.heart.org. Accessed July 25, 2022.
• “ Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook ”. bls.gov. Accessed July 25, 2022.
• “ Strategies to reduce nursing turnover: Nursing made Incredibly Easy ”. journals.lww.com. Accessed July 25, 2022.
• “ Water Transportation Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook ”. bls.gov. Accessed July 25, 2022.
• “ Work as a Nurse on board cruise ships ”. shiplife.org. Accessed July 25, 2022.
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15 Incredible Cruise Ship Jobs (Get Paid To Travel!)

Posted: October 16, 2023 | Last updated: October 16, 2023

Traveling the world while getting paid to do it might sound like a dream, but it can be a reality if you take a job on a cruise ship.

Of course, this type of work isn’t for everyone — the hours can be long, and it may mean a lot of time away from home. But there are plenty of benefits as well.

If working for a cruise line sounds ideal, there are plenty of career opportunities on board. Here are 15 jobs that can help  boost your bank account  as you travel the world.

Editor's note:  All salary figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Activities coordinator

Even short cruises are packed with activities for travelers to engage in. Among other things, you'll find games, happy hours and live music.

An activities coordinator is similar to an event planner. In this role, you oversee things like recreation on board and coordinating shore excursion activities. The BLS does not offer wage information for this position.

If you want to start traveling more — and get paid to do it — this can be a good role to consider.

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It’s no secret that people on cruises like to drink. Many cruise lines offer a food and alcohol package as part of the booking process.

The amount of money you can make working as a bartender on a cruise ship varies greatly, depending on whether guests are expected to tip. But the average salary for bartenders is $29,380 annually.

Casino dealer

Working as a dealer at a cruise casino can be an exciting gig. These workers may oversee poker, blackjack, roulette, and more games.

Gambling service workers make $31,290 a year. However, as with tending bar, the actual wages for casino workers on a cruise can vary.

Many cruise ships have cafeterias and restaurants for when guests are in the mood for fine dining.

Cruise ship chefs may be involved in cooking and planning menus for guests and staff. Chefs or head cooks make $56,520 on average annually.

Deckhands help maintain the cruise ship. They may be involved in keeping these massive ships running, including cleaning and maintaining equipment, loading cargo, and getting passengers safely on board.

The experience required to work as a deckhand can vary greatly depending on the job description. The BLS does not offer salary information for this position.

Entertainer

Cruise lines hire all sorts of entertainers, from dancers to cover bands and magicians.

Working on a cruise ship can be a great way to hone and improve your craft or even take it in a different direction. The average wage for entertainers and performers is $29.67 an hour, which equates to about $61,713 annually.

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Entertainment director

Cruise ships also need people to manage their entertainers, particularly if the ship has a lot of shows and performances scheduled.

Entertainment directors may be involved in scheduling staff, planning performances, and doing administrative work. The average salary for entertainment/recreation managers is $67,220 annually.

Fitness instructor

Many cruise ships also offer various fitness classes, including yoga, Zumba, spin, and more.

For qualified instructors, this can be a great way to stay healthy, make money, and travel the world all at the same time. The average fitness instructor makes $45,380 annually.

Hair/makeup artist

On cruise ships, hair and makeup artists may work in spas, providing services to guests looking to get pampered while on board, and may be needed to work with the ship’s performers.

The BLS groups barbers, hairstyles, and cosmetologists together and states an average of $33,400 annual salary for these workers.

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Hotel director

Since a cruise ship is essentially a floating hotel, many employees with experience working in hospitality are needed.

Hotel directors ensure that guests are comfortable and enjoy their experience. They may also be involved in planning and coordinating cruise activities.

The average salary for lodging managers is $61,910 annually.

Some cruise ships also hire nurses to provide care to passengers and cruise staff.

The amount of money nurses make on average usually depends on the type of nurse. Registered nurses (RNs) make $81,220 annually. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) make $54,620 a year.

Massage therapist

Many cruise passengers opt to take advantage of spa services. Massage therapists may work in a spa or travel to guests’ rooms with their equipment to provide massages.

Licensed massage therapists make just under $49,860 annually on average.

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Cruise ships also frequently employ security staff to ensure the safety of guests and crew members. These workers may patrol the ship regularly and respond to any issues that come up.

The average salary for security guards is $33,030 annually.

Eating often and well is a big draw for many cruise passengers. Ships often have several restaurants on board and employ experienced servers to staff them.

Pay for these workers can vary, depending on the cruise line’s tipping policy. The average salary for a server in the U.S. is $29,120 annually.

Sales associate

Part of the beauty of the typical cruise ship is that it’s kind of like a floating mall, filled with gift shops and retail stores galore. Ships often need many sales associates to staff these stores.

Again, depending on the cruise line and the job, the pay for these gigs may vary. However, BLS data puts the average salary for a retail sales worker at $30,750 annually.

That’s not huge money, but perhaps it's enough for students to get ahead financially during breaks between school years.

Bottom line

Working as a cruise crew member is certainly not for everyone — lodging for staff can be cramped, days can be long, and you might be away from home for weeks at a time.

But for those looking to tap into a new source of income as they travel, it just may be a win-win situation.

More from FinanceBuzz:

• 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
• 12 legit ways to earn extra cash .
• Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
• 9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day

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Russia establishes special site to fabricate fuel for China’s CFR-600

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A special production site to fabricate fuel for China’s CFR-600 fast reactor under construction has been established at Russia’s Mashinostroitelny Zavod (MSZ - Machine-Building Plant) in Elektrostal (Moscow region), part of Rosatom’s TVEL Fuel Company. 

As part of the project, MSZ had upgraded existing facilities fo the production of fuel for fast reactors, TVEL said on 3 March. Unique equipment has been created and installed, and dummy CFR-600 fuel assemblies have already been manufactured for testing.

The new production site was set up to service an export contract between TVEL and the Chinese company CNLY (part of China National Nuclear Corporation - CNNC) for the supply of uranium fuel for CFR-600 reactors. Construction of the first CFR-600 unit started in Xiapu County, in China's Fujian province in late 2017 followed by the second unit in December 2020. The contract is for the start-up fuel load, as well as refuelling for the first seven years. The start of deliveries is scheduled for 2023.

“The Russian nuclear industry has a unique 40 years of experience in operating fast reactors, as well as in the production of fuel for such facilities,” said TVEL President Natalya Nikipelova. “The Fuel Division of Rosatom is fulfilling its obligations within the framework of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the development of fast reactor technologies. These are unique projects when foreign design fuel is produced in Russia. Since 2010, the first Chinese fast neutron reactor CEFR has been operating on fuel manufactured at the Machine-Building Plant, and for the supply of CFR-600 fuel, a team of specialists from MSZ and TVEL has successfully completed a complex high-tech project to modernise production,” she explained.

A special feature of the new section is its versatility: this equipment will be used to produce fuel intended for both the Chinese CFR-600 and CEFR reactors and the Russian BN-600 reactor of the Beloyarsk NPP. In the near future, the production of standard products for the BN-600 will begin.

The contract for the supply of fuel for the CFR-600 was signed in December 2018 as part of a governmental agreement between Russia and China on cooperation in the construction and operation of a demonstration fast neutron reactor in China. This is part of a wider comprehensive programme of cooperation in the nuclear energy sector over the coming decades. This includes serial construction of the latest Russian NPP power units with generation 3+ VVER-1200 reactors at two sites in China (Tianwan and Xudabao NPPs). A package of intergovernmental documents and framework contracts for these projects was signed in 2018 during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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