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Cruise ship diary

Everything you need to know about work on river cruise ships.

Views: 7439

Those who follow my MiliMundo know that I used to work on river cruise ships as a restaurant server and that my blog also focuses on this topic. Therefore, I created a section called CRUISE DIARY where you can read all the articles about my personal experiences with cruise ship job. However, day by day I still receive emails from you asking me questions about work on river cruise ships. That is why I decided to write this article which will answer all your questions and gives you everything you need to know about work on river cruise ships.

How to get cruise ship job.

Depends where you are from, which nationality you have. You may apply directly on a website of individual cruise ship companies or you can get a job through the agency which arranges cruise ship jobs. In Slovakia I used services of BackUp Jobs Agency which arranges my cruise job experience without any fees.

WHICH JOB POSITIONS YOU CAN APPLY FOR

Job positions on river cruises are limited especially compared to huge ocean liners where you can get a job as a photographer or in casino. On river cruise ships you can apply for jobs in kitchen as chef, sous-chef, cooks or dishwashers. In restaurant and bar as waiter, bartender or bar manager and restaurant manager. Then you can easily apply for a job at the reception, in housekeeping or as a sailor.

The most appealing and challenging job position seems to be “PD” – program director who is responsible for smooth running of everyday program for passengers . 🙂

WHAT LANGUAGES YOU NEED TO KNOW

In most companies you need to speak English at least on fluent level in order to be able to understand your managers . If you are in “front office” jobs and you speak directly to guests and passengers during your work, you have to have really good English at least on level B2/C1. There are also few cruise companies which do not require English, but German. For example company called A-Rosa .  

SEASON OF RIVER CRUISES

Season on river cruises usually starts in the middle of March and ends in November . Few companies run Christmas cruises so you can get extra money even in December. Your contract usually cover the whole season, however, you can start working on river cruise ships even in the middle of the season as not everybody from the staff will be able to finish the contract.  

SALARY ON RIVER CRUISES

It also depends on cruise companies. Some offer fixed salary of 800 euro net, some 1200 euro. Apart of fixed salary, you get part of so called “general tips” which are shared among every employee of the ship. On positions of waiters and housekeeping people, you can get extra personal tips which are given to you directly by satisfied guests.

My monthly fixed salary was around 1250 euro net and my monthly gratuities were around the same amount. Sometimes more, sometimes less. In two months of working on cruise ship I was able to save around 5000 euro .   

DAY OFF & PAID VACATION

In most river cruises there is NO DAY OFF at all . It means you work average 9 to 15 hours a day, 7 days a week, months straight without day off. I know. It´s crazy but it is as it is. Some companies give you a benefit of paid vacation, some don´t. I was lucky to have such company. In 2014 I got 10 weeks of paid vacation throughout the whole contract. In 2017 it was only 4 weeks but I started to work later . In 2014 there was no day off on my cruise ship, however, in 2017 I got lucky and I had one day off once in three weeks . Not enough but better than none. 🙂

DESTINATIONS OF RIVER CRUISES

Each company offers different destinations especially in Europe . In 2014 I was working on cruise ship which was sailing along two rivers in southern France (Avignon, Lyon). In 2017 I spent on month on river Douro in France and the rest of my contract we were sailing in Rhine river from Switzerland, across Germany to the Netherlands. Very popular cruise is the Danube one – from Budapest, across Bratislava to German Passau .  

PROS & CONS OF WORKING ON RIVER CRUISES

• possibility of HIGH SALARY including tips from customers
• possibility of SAVING LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN VERY SHORT TIME (as the accommodation, food and sometimes even travel expenses are reimbursed and/or paid) – from the money I saved in 2014 I travelled almost whole South America , Thailand and some European capitals
• opportunity to travel the world (especially if it comes to ocean liners)
• getting to know new people and cultures as most people on board (customers and crew) are from the whole world
• an awesome life lesson which will make you stronger and more resistant to any life situation which may come up in the future

DISADVANTAGES

• working 10 – 15 hours a day, 7 days a week, months straight is not a dream job for everyone
•   everyday routine will (may) possibly make you crazy after couple of months of everyday work
• harsh physical and mental exhaustion (already after 7th, 8th week)
• so called “submarine disease” on cruise ships truly exists – even for people you really like
• forget about comfortable clothes – you will get strict uniform followed by strict appearance rules etc …

Is there anything else you would like to know about work on river cruise ships? If yes, please, ask the question in the comments below and I will add it to my article and answer it as well as I can. 🙂

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30 Responses

Hey there. Do river cruises have shops on board?

Hi Tarryn, I haven´t been on any river cruise ship that would have shops. River cruise ships are usually pretty small with around 150 to 200 passengers, 1 restaurant and 1 bar. Not enough space for shops onboard.

On Grand Circle, they put out different merchandise every day and offer a 15% discount. Items such as jackets, t-shirts, sweatshirts w/ the ship’s logo. Christmas items, jewelry, scarves, etc. etc. etc.

Osobně mám velice negativní zkušenost s prací na malé (kapacita 98 cestujících) říční lodi v Holandsku. Fixní plat 1000 eur čistého měsíčně. Posléze se ukázalo, že ač slibovali, že všechny srážky z platu budou podle zákona, společnost z našich platů neodvedla ani cent na dani. Takže daň jsem později musela doplatit v ČR při podání daňového přiznání.

Spropitné, po rozdělení mezi celou posádku, bylo pouhých 30-50 eur na týden, většinou 40 eur. Personal tips – pokud nám někdo z klientů náhodou podstrčil – jsme měli zakázané si nechávat, mělo se odevzdávat do kasičky s general tips. Samozřejmě ho nikdo neodevzdával, ale stejně se stalo opravdu málokdy, že bych nějaký takový tip dostala.

Dovolená – měli jsme nárok na 1 placený den dovolené za každý odpracovaný týden na lodi.

Tuto práci mi zprostředkovala česká agentura Crew Jobs, které jsem za to zaplatila 6000 Kč, a opravdu NIKOMU bych tuto agenturu ani loď nedororučila.

Mám na Tebe otázku – jakou smlouvu (jaké země) jsi oficiálně měla? Já byla oficiálně zaměstnaná na Kypru, s kyperskou smlouvou a podle kyperských zákonů. Přestože jsem na Kypru nikdy v životě nebyla – plavili jsme se jen v Holandsku, Německu a Belgii. Slyšela jsem ale, že smlouvy bývají nejčastěji kyperské nebo maltské, protože pro společnosti je to nejvýhodnější (a pro zaměstnance nejméně výhodné).

Tak hoci boli pre mňa podmienky práce na lodi veľmi náročné, v porovnaní s tebou som to mala určite lepšie (minimálne po finančnej stránke – ja som mala sprepitné na týždeň aj 200eur a niekedy personal tips tiež 200 euro – záležalo od hostí a mojej nálady 🙂 ). Mala som švajčiarsku zmluvu pri oboch sezónach a bola som nadpriemerne spokojná (až na tú drinu samozrejme). A spoločnosť, čo mi to sprostredkovala (Back Up Agency) mi prišla veeeľmi spoľahlivá a žiadne poplatky. Proste super. Tak či onak na loď by som sa už vrátiť nechcela, dve sezóny bohate stačili. 🙂

Hi, I was wondering if you know how the workdays usually look like for the galley/kitchen personnel on a river cruise? When do they usually start working/do they have some free time during the day? I have only worked on a cruise ship before(going between Finland and Sweden), and would really like to try working on a river cruise. This blog has been really interesting and helpful so thank you for writing this blog!

Hi Pauline, well it depends on many factors but at my ships people from galley had similar schedule as us servers, however, thes spend some more time in the kitchen preparing food so they usually started earlier than us. But they also got some free time during the day as we did 🙂 not sure which position is more stressful though – both of them are pretty intense 🙂

Ahoj Mili, chcela by som sa spytat, ci praca chyznej na riecnej lodi zahrna aj umyvanie riadu a pomoc pri nakladani/vykladani laundry alebo bicyklov. Ci sa izby upratuju dvakrat denne (rano a vecer) a ci su pracovne pozicie vekovo obmedzene. Dakujem 🙂

Ahoj Danka, v nasej spolocnosti praca chyznej urcite NEZAHRNOVALA umyvanie riadu, na to sme mali poziciu tzv “dishwasher”. Housekeeping avsak pracoval v laundry a pradlo robili aj zamestancom. Izby sa upratovali niekolkokrat denne a chyzne sa taktiez podielali pri vykladani tovaru (raz do tyzdna), no na tom sa podielali vsetci zamestatnci lode (bol to tzv. loading day). A ci je to vekovo obmedzene? To si uz zisti priamo cez pracovne agentury, napr BackUp Agency. Vela stastia. 🙂

Hi there. Am looking for a river cruise w shorter contracts… (like 4 weeks on, 2 off, or something similar). Can you tell me wich company as the higher salaries? Thank you

First of all, I don´t know about any company which would give you short contracts … I heard that well paid companies are Crystal and Viking. Good luck 🙂

I was just wandering,is there a place on river ship that serves as a crew bar,like on ocean liners?

Good question. There is something called “a crew mess” which represents more of a kitchen for a staff where people can cook for themselves, watch movies and drink, however, no real bar for crew unfortunately.

How long were your contracts? And what was the cabin berthing like?

Hi Laura, contracts on rivers are usually from March till November. Cabins were small, shared among two people usually but on some ships even among 4 people. However, we had our own bathroom, TV and fridge 🙂

Ahoj Mili, mohla by si nam, prosim, este trosku priblizit stravovanie posadky na riecnej lodi? Pripravuju stravu pre posadku kuchari? Zahrna napriklad aj ovocie? 🙂 Dakujem vopred!

Ahoj, áno stravu pripravujú kuchári a je rôznorodá (nájdeš aj ovocia hlavne pri raňajkách). Keď pracuješ ako čašník, tak máš to šťastie, že sa často dostaneš aj k jedlu, ktoré jedia zákazníci, takže jedla by si mala vyše hlavy 🙂

Really nice blog, thankyou for sharing Hopefully, I will be able to work in river cruise on this year. 🙂

One question, Do we need to speak german fluently to work in river cruise? Or we just need to know a bit of basic german?

It depends on a cruise ship company. For the one I was working, only English was necessary. So good luck finding yours 🙂

Hey thank you for the blog. That’s really helpful for people who interested working on river cruise. Anyway which company you working before ? And i really want to work on river cruise as a cabin steward. Can you give me suggestion which company is better for the salary ?

Well what I heard of, Viking River cruises offer better salaries than others but yeah it was few years ago, definitely check that out 🙂

hi,do river cruises allow to foreigners crew members(non E.U) to spend holidays when contract finishes or give ability of a temporary residence on européens lands! thanks 🙂

Hi there, honestly I don´t have access to this kind of information, you might need to look for it at their official websites or ask directly some cruise companies what is their policy about non EU staff members.

hallo, guten abend! can you tell me which company prefer english?

Hi there, I suggest you do proper research as I don´t have enoug knowledge about various cruise ship companies. Although I know that MSC or Viking River cruises need English speaking staff 🙂

Hello! I hope you are doing great. I have interview with arosa river cruise company. Do you have any information about them? You might heard some information and if you, please let me know..

Hii there how much salary for waiter on river cruise??

Hello, it truly depends on river cruise companies – it may differ from 750 up to 1400 euro netto + tips per month.

I was wandering, do waiters get time on port? Like, do they have a breakfast off or lunch off?

Hi Denni, that really depends on each cruise ship and its management and the teamwork. In my first year in France we didn´t get ANY breakfast or lunch off during the whole season but in 2017 in Portugal I managed to get few breakfasts off. So it really depends …

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• Dec 10, 2019

Working & living on board a Viking river cruise ship

By daniel papadimas , greek chef & now manager recruiter of viking cruises, and stavroula kitsanou , workathlon’s social media coordinator, 1. who is viking, and why work with viking.

More than 20 years ago, Viking started in Russia with four river ships. Through the years, we have set the standard for what river cruising should be, and today we are the leader that all others follow. In 2015, we took the same small ship, destination-focused experience to the seas and redefined ocean cruising. And after just one year of service, Viking® became the world’s best ocean cruise line. We are a financially stable, dynamically growing company—the largest, most award-winning in the industry—with a fleet of more than 70 river ships and six ocean vessels cruising over 100 itineraries around the world.

As The World’s Leading River Cruise Line®, we are constantly innovating and adding to our fleet each year. This means great opportunities for those who work for us. There is tremendous potential to advance your career, whether on board our ships or in our corporate offices. In addition, more people sail with Viking than any other river cruise line, and we have over 40% of the market share. Our customers are English speaking, and the majority are Americans with an interest in the history and culture of the countries through which we sail. Because our onboard product and service quality levels are high, our customers are typically very satisfied – and this, combined with our gratuity guidelines , means that as an employee on board a Viking ship you can be well rewarded financially.

RELATED ARTICLE Customer diversity: One size doesn’t fit all  HERE

2. Have you worked on board a Viking river ship before? What is life on boardlike, and what does Viking offer to its employees?

I had the opportunity to work several contracts as an Executive Chef for Viking in the river division before progressing to the role of recruiter. The majority of the river fleet consists of our award-winning Viking Longships® featuring streamlined Scandinavian design and casual elegance. They include state-of-the-art staterooms with full-size verandas boasting the largest suites on Europe’s rivers. The maximum capacity of the Longships is 190 guests and 60 crew members.

Back in 2012, before I started my career in river cruising, I was invited to a Viking assessment center in Greece where I was interviewed along with other applicants. What I learned was that working on board a river ship is different from working on land. For instance, we were told that each ship operates like an individual hotel in a large chain, and you are required to work and live at the same place.

From a personal point of view, it was indeed like that, but even better! What I experienced during my early steps working for Viking was astonishing—a small community of approximately 60 employees working in harmony and cooperating daily to deliver the best possible experience to our guests. We all had to share the ship’s premises as we all lived under the same roof, and of course we all had to adapt to the house rules. Crew members are required to share a well-designed and relatively spacious cabin for two, comprised of a bunk bed, shower and toilet, wardrobe, and TV. Additionally, onboard Wi-Fi is free of charge for everyone—guests and crew alike.

Viking offers a competitive compensation package by position. Contracts are either Swiss, French or Portuguese, depending on the operation into which you are placed. Your contract offers you two days off per month and is packed with a generous number of paid holidays: approximately 6–8 weeks’ worth, with some reaching up to ten weeks depending on contract duration. In this industry, you are required to work 7 days a week away from home; therefore, you can take a lot of time off during the season to rest and visit loved ones.

Board and accommodation are included in your gross salary, along with social/health benefits and pension fund payments. On board you have a recreational area, called the crew mess, where you can enjoy a snack, mingle with fellow crew members and take a break. In addition to the crew mess, our ships have a designated crew deck on the Sun Deck where crew members are able to relax and take in some fresh air during their break.

3. What are the values or key factors you seek when hiring a Viking candidate?

We are looking for dedicated, hardworking individuals who are able to commit to working 7 days a week for a period of approximately 6–9 months (including vacation time). You must be trustworthy, flexible and open to working with people from different cultures, plus have a true passion for the hospitality industry. Most of all, you must have an outgoing, friendly and positive attitude.

4. Have you ever regretted leaving Greece?

To this day, I have never regretted my decision to go and work on board away from home. After all, it has been Viking and its leadership that has carved and developed my professional growth and led to some of the most important milestones in my career and life. So, I persevered without giving up and always kept in mind the growth opportunities that Viking has to offer.

As mentioned, at Viking you have approximately 6–8 weeks of paid holidays during which you can go home to visit your loved ones and rest. Interestingly enough, though, each time I went back home I found myself looking forward to getting back on board! With that, I realized that Viking had become my home away from home, as it has for many of my fellow crew members.

5. Speaking of career growth, how fast do you think someone can attain a higher – level position on a ship?

At Viking, we have clear promotion guidelines. Promotions are earned based on performance rather than seniority. After growing through various positions and ranks in the kitchen and eventually reaching the role of Executive Chef, I had the impression that I had hit the rooftop in terms of my career growth with Viking, and so I came to wonder: what is the growth limit at Viking? As I am writing this, I can comfortably confirm that, when working for Viking, there are limitless opportunities to advance in your career.

Although career growth really depends on yourself, leadership and mentorship can, of course, assist you, but are not single players! What makes this specific industry’s growth opportunities more attractive compared to those of a hotel is that you can also grow during the season. Many crew members are given the opportunity to step into their supervisor’s roles during their absence, that absence being either a holiday or a day off. You will be surprised how much you can shine by performing a higher role for a single day, and that shine is what gives you the potential to learn and grow! Statistically speaking, with 70+ river vessels, those numbers speak for themselves and you can observe that, alongside these great numbers, many crew members advance in their careers. Having worked with Viking for 7 years, what I have observed over time is that talent and potential are always acknowledged and harvested to its full capacity.

6. What do you recommend to potential employees who are unfamiliar with working abroad or on a river ship?

Starting your career with Viking is a great and exciting experience. What you should be prepared for is the fact that you will be leaving the comfort of your home to go abroad and live on board a river ship, so you must pack all necessities with you accordingly. Working on board a river ship generally can seem like a big step and change in your daily routine; however, you will find yourself adapting to your new lifestyle quickly. For people with hotel experience in which they were provided with on-site accommodation, it can be a slightly familiar experience, with the difference of sharing a cabin instead of a room. If you are concerned about getting nauseous during sailing, I can assure you that sailing on a river can be so smooth that many times you might not even notice you are moving!

Furthermore, in preparation for this exciting step in your career, know that Viking is renowned for its quality and services, and that’s thanks to the dedicated effort and passionate work of our employees. To better prepare our employees with no ship experience, prior to their assignment Viking invests many of its resources in training programs. For instance, we train our crew for at least one week before they even interact­ with guests, giving them the opportunity to visit our vessels and perform hands-on duties alongside the resident crew.

7. For people reading this article and interested in starting a career with Viking, how would you recommend they forward their application?

If you are interested in starting a career with Viking, please submit your application by going through our website, vikingcareers.com . There, you will find information about working for Viking, including videos and statements from our crew, and a listing of all open positions in our Career Portal.

We are proud to employ 10,000 of our own crew worldwide—all dedicated to making our guests’ stay the most memorable possible. At Viking, we care about your career as much as you do, and we will give you the training, skills and confidence you need to be the best you can be. In fact, we very much hope that once you have joined us, you will stay with us, just like the 90% of our employees who come back to us—one of the highest retention rates in the industry.

Viking Cruises cooperates with Workathlon, so you may also apply to Viking’s open positions at portal.workathlon.com .

For all readers who are eager to expand and develop their career with Viking, we are looking forward to welcoming you on board one of our ships!

#interview #workathlon #river #ship #cruiseship #vikingcruises

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Your job on board our river cruise ships

Follow the most beautiful waterways in europe.

River cruises offer new perspectives, goals and challenges every day. Follow the Danube to the Black Sea , admire the Eiffel Tower from the Seine or explore Vienna  with your colleagues. With enthusiasm and motivation for your job you have the best career opportunities – with commitment and team spirit you can make friends for life . Discover the most beautiful ports in Europe with us!

How does it feel to explore Europe while living and working on river cruise ships ? Get an overview of the fleets and the jobs on board our river ships !

What makes working and living on board river ships special

The special thing about a job on board a river cruise ship is not just the exciting routes through the most beautiful river landscapes in Europe and other parts of the world. Due to the small size of the ships and the small number of guests , you have the opportunity to provide individual service . One big difference to ocean cruises is that most river cruise ships do not operate all year round. Most river ships take a break for several months in the winter . So you can work on board for a whole season – shorter assignments or contracts over the summer months are also possible.

Routes and current positions

Have you always wanted to see the fireworks on the Rhine and admire the lavender fields along the Seine? With your job on board our river ships you will get special insight into the ports and cultures of Europe – here the journey is the destination ! As you travel from city to city on board a river ships, you will pass by the most beautiful landscapes in Europe. Since river ships usually dock at the centre of the cities, you can explore metropolises such as Strassbourg or Avignon without long journeys or even do so on foot . The shipping areas vary depending on the cruise line. The highlights are Paris, Amsterdam or Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade . Cruises on the Nile in Egypt or the Mekong in Asia are also particularly exciting. You can find out the exact routes and destinations on the websites of the cruise lines.

A look behind the scenes

In our video you can find out what jobs there are on board river cruise ships, what life and work on board is like and how unique the team spirit is.

What awaits you on board our river ships

The work on board a river cruise ship is unique – especially because of the small number of guests and a maximum of 30 to 60 crew members . The team comes from all over the world, and the guests are also often international – so English is a basic requirement on river boats. German is also relevant in interaction with the guests. Openness, understanding and mutual respect are important for working on board. We expect qualified, dedicated commitment, combined with the right amount of passion for the catering and hotel sector. During your contract you will work 7 days a week – with 2 days off a month that you can use to explore the destinations. We also support our crew members by means of the “sea chefs – The Journey” program with further education measures and training. Always be a ship’s length ahead: The personal development of every single crew member is very important to us – therefore with a lot of motivation and commitment our crew members have a good chance of building a career within a short time.

Teamwork is dreamwork - and passion for your job is the key! You want part of our world. Class. Team. be on board our river ships? We offer great job opportunities in F&B, Housekeeping, Front Office, Spa and more.

Do you have any questions in advance? For all basic questions about working & living on board, you can reach us Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. via our free applicant hotline: 00 800 1155 7788 .

Current vacancies on board of river cruise ships

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Your friends. Your colleagues. Your team. Would you like to get a taste of life as a crew member? We share the #WorldClassMoments of our crew on board with you on our social media channels! Please note: Travelling is contagious! Follow us!

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Working On a River Cruise Ship

River cruises are gaining popularity. In fact, they are one of the fastest growing sectors of the cruise industry. River cruises are available in many countries and along the major rivers. There are several reasons why so many people are booking river cruises. One reason is that they allow passengers a way to explore the interior of a country, rather than just its shoreline, which is what the luxury liners offer. Passengers are able to see sights that they wouldn't be able to see on a large ship cruise.

Other than renting a car and driving, which can be less relaxing than a cruise, there are very few means of travel that offer as many benefits. Employees on river cruises can receive the same benefits of seeing the country and exploring the tour's ports of call.

River cruises also have the added advantages of being long or short, or large or small. For example, some cruises are less than 24 hours while others last up to 10 days or two weeks. Some river cruise ships are large yachts that hold up to 22 passengers, while others are larger ships that sleep up to 300 people plus the crew.

However, they are smaller than ocean cruise liners, which typically transport thousands of passengers. The result is that the environment can feel friendlier and more intimate. River cruises are also popular because they provide a much smoother means of travel than on ocean cruises, which means passengers are less likely to experience motion sickness.

If traveling in this kind of environment sounds good to you, then consider getting a job onboard a river cruise ship. Keep in mind that like most hospitality oriented companies, you generally have to work on weekends and some holidays.

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Jobs Available on River Cruise Ships

Since river cruises are often about sight-seeing, there is an emphasis on excursions and other activities related to ports of call. For this reason, there are more jobs available for people who can act as tour guides, nature guides, or for people experienced in hiking and other activities. Here's a list of some of the jobs river cruise lines offer.

• Executive chef, sous chef, line cooks
• Dining room servers, bus people, and dishwashers
• Housekeepers
• Tour guides
• Naturalists
• Hiking tour guides
• Activities director
• Restaurant manager
• Gift shop/retail sales personnel
• Maintenance workers
• Entertainers
• On larger ships there may be the need for spa workers

Sample Itineraries

As mentioned, this is the fastest growing segment of the cruise and travel industry, so there are growing number of itineraries available. Whether you're interested in work and travel in the United States, Europe, Asia, or other exciting locations, there is sure to be river cruise operating. Here are a few sample itineraries.

• Europe/Ports of Call: Amsterdam, Kinderdijk, Cologne, Koblenz and Middle Rhine, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
• Russia: Moscow, Uglich, Yaroslavl, Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Kizhi, St. Petersburg
• China: Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Mt. Jiu Hua, Jingdezhen, Wuhan, Dongting Lake, Jingzhou, Three Gorges Dam, Shibaozhai Temple, Fengdu, Xian, Beijing
• Egypt: Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Aswan, Amada, Kasr Ibrim
• Ecuador and The Galápagos: Quito, Ecuador; Baltra, Galápagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island, James Island, Rabida Island, Bartolome Islands, Tower Island, San Cristobal, Guayaquil
• Mississippi River cruises
• Columbia River cruises
• Danube River cruises

From this list you can see that just because you're cruising rivers doesn't mean your cruise will be any less scenic or exciting. Whether you're interested in working in the United States, Europe, Russia, China, or Egypt, there are river cruises available.

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Why join the scylla family​.

Discover the benefits of working for the Number One luxury river cruise-company with great ambitions for the future.

Your opportunity

Working for scylla means choosing for a great career.

We invest in our employees and help you to develop and grow within our company.

From sailor to captain, from waiter to maître or hotel manager. If you are motivated and eager to learn, Scylla is happy to provide you with the tools and guidance you need to follow your chosen career path. We offer a competitive salary and excellent fringe benefits

We invest in your well-being and comfort on board:

• Wi-Fi package on board
• Focus on work-life balance
• Comfortable crew cabins and a maximum of one roommate​
• Great crew food
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• Team-building activities
• Crew member referral program

Why work on a river cruise ship?

Every day, our ships dock at different, beautiful destination in Europe: from the gardens of Mateus in Portugal to the lavender fields and vineyards on the banks of the Seine to the bustling cities of Amsterdam, Vienna or Budapest.

The vessels have a maximum capacity of 220 guests on board, which allows us to go the extra mile and provide excellent service with a personal touch to each of our guests.

Do you want to make friends for life from all over the world while working in our multicultural teams? Join our Scylla family and we will welcome you on board and continue our journey together.

Do you want to apply for a position within Scylla? Find the position of your choice on this website and apply via the "Apply now" button or use the mail address mentioned in the vacancy. If you have any other questions regarding recruitment within Scylla, contact our Recruitment team via [email protected]

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Want a career that will take you places.

Then a position on the AMADEUS river cruise ships could be for you! New friends, fun, amazing opportunities and real job satisfaction in one of the fastest growing sectors of the world economy await! As a result of our continued growth, we offer career opportunities on the award-winning AMADEUS fleet of 15 river ships for quick-thinking, hard-working and guest-focused individuals.

Choose the Perfect Career among the Masters of Hospitality

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Life Onboard

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Uniworld and You

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Success stories.

Ciprian Ghitulescu

Senior pastry chef.

Ciprian Ghitulescu joined Uniworld in 2009 as a Chef de Partie, but before that he studied accounting and economics at University. Fortunately for us, he eventually decided to return to his true love -- cooking!

Laurentia Tache Panayotov

Laurentia has been a Uniworld Sommelier since 2012. She was already an expert on wine when she joined the company, but started her career with us as a waitress.

Daniela Purdea

Purser & relief hotel manager.

Daniela comes from Romania and has been working for Uniworld since 2010. She currently works as a purser.

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European River Cruise Jobs

Pro Sea Staff has set up recruitment relationships with two established river cruise lines and employs culinary and hospitality cruise ship staff for UNIWORLD River Cruises and RIVER ADVICE . Both cruise line companies operate a fleet of cruise ships based in different cities in Europe (Paris, Budapest, Vienna, Venice, Amsterdam, etc.) and sail on rivers in Europe for itineraries that may vary from 7 to 14 days.

River cruise careers

Working on river cruises is in many ways very similar to working on sea or ocean cruise lines . The work schedules are 7 days per week, the hours are long, the work can be difficult but, as it is the case with ocean cruise lines, there are tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth and development.

Cruise ship jobs in Europe

As river cruise lines operate in Europe , they are required by the authorities of the countries they visit to hire  European passport holders  only and they can only issue  European contracts . The river cruise lines we work with issue either Swiss, French or Cyprus contracts. This is a very important benefit for river cruise line employees as they will be entitled to many of the social advantages and benefits offered by European job contracts (pension plans, paid vacation, paid overtime, etc.)

What Working on Cruise Ships is Really Like: Pros & Cons

Ever wondered what cruise ship crew life is really like or if working on ships is worth it? Keep reading to find out all the good and bad that comes with living at sea!

Working on cruise ships often sounds like a dream, and it definitely can be.

But there were also many times in my three-year career at sea where it honestly felt like a living nightmare.

If you’re considering a life at sea or you’re just curious about cruise ship crew life, here’s some information about the pros and cons from my experience as a pirate seafarer for your entertainment and/or research purposes.

My Experience Working on Cruise Ships

There are always advantages and disadvantages to every job and working on cruise ships is no different. 

Cruise ship crew life can be intense: long hours, no days off for months, lots of rules, demanding guests, small living quarters and little to no privacy.

But working on ships also allows you to travel to places some only dream of while making some amazing connections with fellow seafarers from all over the world.

Despite all the ups and downs of ship life, I wouldn’t change a thing.

You can party all night over international waters, fall asleep to the sound of the ocean, and wake up in a completely different country.

View this post on Instagram Please, please, please don’t ever let me take this for granted: the fact that I can work in the morning, run around Saint Petersburg for a few hours, go back to work until midnight and see this amazing sunset, and then get back off the ship to see people all over the world celebrating the World Cup together in the streets before I return to the floating tin can I call home at 4am. All summer long, every single week #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Jul 6, 2018 at 4:43am PDT

You’ll often hear crew members joking that they’re never coming back; that this is their last contract.

But the truth is that more often than not, we somehow always come crawling back for just one more contract because once you get a taste for life at sea, living anywhere else isn’t the same.

I’ve had the chance to live on foreign land abroad in Japan and even on the ice in Antarctica .

Related: 7 Continents & 7 Seas: How I Got Paid to Travel the World

They were amazing experiences that were less physically demanding than ship life with better pay and fewer work hours. 

But if given the chance to return to just one of my past lives in my journey across all seven continents and seven seas , I would go back to working on cruise ships without batting an eye. 

My heart will always be at sea.

View this post on Instagram Another farewell to this floating home, although I’m sure I’ll be back soon enough ?⚓❤️ #marineradventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Sep 30, 2019 at 12:42pm PDT

The Pros of Working on Cruise Ships

1. you get paid to travel.

This is probably the biggest and most well-known perk of working on ships, and for good reason.

It is the ultimate work and travel job opportunity that has allowed me to travel to 35 countries, frolic on more Caribbean beaches than I can count, spend a month in the Mediterranean, sail through the Arctic Circle, dock in Russia all summer during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, cruise with Jazz legend Dave Koz, visit Greenland , and see endless prismatic sunsets at sea.

All while getting paid.

View this post on Instagram Day 17: Geiranger, Norway | Find the mop of hair by the cliff that just set foot on her 50th country today! ??? #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Jun 5, 2018 at 4:26am PDT

2. Little to no cost of living

On ships, you live where you work.

Unlike life on land, there is no rent to be paid or monthly utility bills that need to be taken care of.

All basic living expenses are covered at sea for crew members: accommodation, water, electricity, and food. 

3. Free medical care

This may not seem that special for most people, but if you’re American like me, this is such a huge benefit to ship life.

When I had an infection during one contract, I was able to get an exam done and receive the necessary antibiotics all between my work shifts, and all at no cost.

Back on land, I avoid seeing my healthcare provider unless I absolutely have to because I know how much it’ll cost me.

4. Flights to and from the ship are provided

While this varies by company and possibly by job, ships generally pay for crew flights.

5. Easily rack up airline flight miles

Because most of the flights my company books for me tend to be with either United or American Airlines, I’ve been able to get mileage credit for all of my flights just going to and from work and have used them to fully fund my vacation flights to Mexico on multiple occasions. 

6. Short work commute

Well, this is obviously after you’ve made it onto the ship.

But once onboard, your daily commute to work is just a few minutes.

I’ve had many late nights out with early morning start times where I rolled out of bed ten minutes before I had to be at work and made it to my shift on time.

7. 6-8 week vacation in between contracts

Times are changing, but typically, you can’t just take an extended multi-week long vacation from work.

One of the perks of working in Japan was that I had week-long vacations three times a year.

On ships, crew members must have a minimum of six weeks of time off between contracts, because, well you don’t have any days off for your entire contract.

While this period is unpaid, it does provide ample time to travel freely for more than just a week.

This is an aside, but for Americans to go anywhere out of the country, I personally find that one week is just not enough time to comfortably enjoy any destination abroad due to the amount of travel time that it takes to simply get out of the States and return.

With ships, I don’t need to request or arrange for extra time off.

8. Save money

If you’re smart, you can save the majority of your paycheck because there are no costs of living or large bills that need to be paid every month.

9. Crew discounts

In many ports, crew members can get discounts on nearly every service possible: taxis/shuttles, restaurants, bars, beach resorts, etc.

Lots of businesses understand that while guests are simply one-time visitors, crew members come back each time the ship returns to the area and can bring in a lot of regular business.

View this post on Instagram Day 44: Cozumel, Mexico | When things don’t go as planned, find a private beach club that doesn’t charge a cover for crew members and eat all the seafood for lunch ???? #navigatoradventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Dec 6, 2017 at 1:38pm PST

10. Escape reality

Working on cruise ships is like living in a floating metal bubble.

Because of the long work hours and limited internet access, I usually don’t have time to keep up with what’s happening back home or anywhere else in the world unless it’s major news that affects us, like a hurricane in the Bahamas or cruise ships no longer being allowed into Cuba. 

11. International connections

While the majority of cruise guests might be primarily from one or two countries, the crew area is like a small, diverse city with people from dozens of countries.

You work and live with people from all around the world, and it’s such a unique experience to learn about their lives and country through interaction.

After three years at sea, most of my closest friends are from ships and not living in the U.S.

While I can’t just drive a few hours to see them, I have an added incentive to vacation or travel to wherever they live.

12. Charter cruises

Sometimes companies or organizations buy out the entire ship for their employees or events at sea.

The guests’ demographics and atmosphere of the ship varies dramatically compared to typical cruisers.

Charters are always exciting for crew, especially if they’re music festivals.

While your rank dictates how much of the events you can partake in (if at all and more on that later), I’d say 70% of the charter cruises I’ve worked on have been very pleasant with better-than-usual guests.

Also dependent on your job position, sometimes charters are better for you, but also sometimes they’re worse.

As a youth counselor, charters that are adults-only tend to be wilder (that’s another story that will have to wait), but it also means that I get a rare break from the typical childcare duties.

View this post on Instagram Day 3: Stockholm, Sweden | Starting off this contract with a seven day Dave Koz charter with no kids ??? #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on May 22, 2018 at 5:55am PDT

13. You get to be part of meaningful humanitarian work

While being able to provide a guest with an amazing and memorable vacation is of course satisfying, the proudest I’ve ever been to be a crew member working for Royal Caribbean was when we were giving back to communities in need and looking out for our neighbors.

Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines have a history of providing aid and humanitarian relief in times of disasters, from evacuating hurricane-stricken islands like Puerto Rico and the Bahamas to supporting those affected by wild and bush fires in California and Australia .

During Hurricane Dorian, the ship that I was on ( Mariner of the Seas ) was called to provide assistance to the Bahamas.

The crew was briefed on the situation and we were informed that we’d be supplying food as well as evacuating as many Bahamians as we could.

Heartwarming: Crew members aboard @royalcaribbean ’s Mariner of the Seas are at sea preparing 20,000 meals to deliver to the people of Freeport in the Bahamas Saturday morning. Staff worked all day and prepared the meals overnight on their own time instead of sleeping. @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/p8hmsGtWRW — Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) September 7, 2019

Even though most of the packaging of meals took place late at night after everyone had finished work, there was not one crew member complaining about the extra hours of work being put in.

While evacuees were on board, the kids’ program staff was asked to entertain the Bahamian children who were evacuating with their families.

Us staff had divided activities and games to host between us, and I got to help out with face painting the kids.

It turns out though, the children wanted to paint as well, so I ended up letting the kids use me as a human canvas and I was left with some pretty sick body art for the rest of the day.

Especially in a job that can get mundane and frustrating from demanding and sometimes ungrateful guests, these small opportunities where we get to actually do something meaningful makes me happy to work at sea.

14. CV/Resume boost

Working on cruise ships requires a lot of skills that make crew members some of the most eligible employment candidates : international experience and the ability to work with a diverse team; skills in customer service and crisis management; and capable of learning quickly. 

Most of all, I think what makes crew members stand out is their mental strength.

It’s not easy to work long hours for months at a time, isolated from land and friends and family.

But if you can do that, there’s not much else you’re not psychologically capable of. 

I know that for me, this was the biggest selling point that made me a quick hire to work and live in Antarctica .

Related: How I Got Paid to Live in Antarctica: FAQ About Working on the Ice

Related: What to Pack When Working on a Cruise Ship

The Cons of Working on Cruise Ships

1. there are no days off.

On ships, weekends and holidays don’t exist.

You work every day of your entire contract and just have hours off between shifts each day.

On land, you can go hard on a Friday night and have a couple of days to recover.

On ships, you still have to get up and go to work the next day.

2. You work long hours

The most I ever clocked in in a day was about 13 hours, but of course this will vary according to job position and possibly whether or not it’s a busy cruise.

The majority of crew members work anywhere from 9-11+ hours every day, the average amount being on the higher end of the spectrum.

Shifts are also split, so you might start work in the morning and not finish for the day until late at night. 

3. Contracts are 4-9 months long

You will get tired and you will feel overworked.

You’ll be away from home for a long while and in that time you will also miss out on a lot of life.

View this post on Instagram All’s well that ends well. 151 days, 8 countries, 1000s of little screaming rascals, and some really great new friends. Thanks for the memories, Anthem ❤⚓️ #anthemadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Jul 20, 2017 at 10:41am PDT

4. You’re on call 24/7

Every crew member is responsible for responding to designated emergencies: medical, fire, security threat, man overboard, etc.

No matter where you are or what time it is, when the announcement is made, you have roughly seven minutes to get to your emergency station.

In the shower? Better get dressed.

On the other side of the ship? Run.

In my three years onboard, I’ve been woken four times in the early morning hours between 2-5 a.m. to my emergency call, which I then had to run up 10 decks and the entire length of the ship to reach my response station.

And once the emergency was over, I still had to go to work at the regularly scheduled time just a few hours later.

5. Small living quarters

If you think guest cabins are small, wait until you see what crew cabins look like.

Unless you’re a higher ranked staff or officer, your room will be generally small.

Most crew typically live with one other roommate in a cabin that is just large enough for the absolute basics: a bunked bed, a small table with a couple dresser drawers and shelves, two small wardrobe closets, and a restroom where you can shit, shower, and shave all at the same time. 

As a 5’2″ fun-sized human who doesn’t mind confined spaces, the small cabins don’t really bother me.

I can fit comfortably on my bed with room to spare.

If you’re any taller or larger than me though, crew cabins can be claustrophobic-inducing and extremely uncomfortable.

6. No privacy

There’s nowhere to hide.

Sure, you have your room, but like I mentioned, you’ll probably have a roommate.

This can be extremely difficult for introverts such as myself especially if your job is a front of the house position.

Luckily, many crew cabins have bunked beds with curtains for each bed so you have your own personal coffin of solitude.

7. It’s like college all over again

With the confined quarters and small community of stressed out humans, you can only imagine how sloppy things get.

All those cruise ship crew hookup stories?

They’re all true and sometimes too horrifically real.

You’ve either walked in on your roommate on they’ve walked in on you.

Sometimes you wake up and your roommate is hooking up in the bunk above you.

          View this post on Instagram                   Day 5: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, France | Despite the drama I’ve had with cabins and rooming issues since I’ve gotten here, today was a good one. Now to douse my room with Oxivir (AKA super ship bleach) and hopefully get some sleep #freedomadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Oct 2, 2017 at 1:30pm PDT

8. The food is not the same for crew and guests

Crew members have their own cafeteria (“mess”) separated from guests and even sometimes split between ranks.

Because the majority of crew members tend to be from Asian countries (the Philippines, Indonesia, and India), a lot of the food in the crew mess is catered to their cuisine.

If you’re lucky, some ships will try to include both Asian and Western food options, but it’s not always the case.

View this post on Instagram Day 18: Barcelona, Spain | When you ask the gelato lady if you can just buy a banana because this ship don’t wanna feed this girl her potassium ??‍♀️ #freedomadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Oct 15, 2017 at 3:28am PDT

9. It’s a bit military-esque

Everything is highly regulated and there are a lot of rules: what you’re allowed to do, where you’re allowed to be, and even what you’re allowed to wear.

There’s a dress code for everything: day, night, formal, smart casual, all black. 

Cabins are inspected regularly and beds must be made.

If we fail, our supervisors are notified.

Disciplinary action is super formal: verbal warnings, written warnings, hearings with the master (captain), and dismissal.

Your privileges depend on how many stripes you have (your rank).

There are typically three tiers in the ship social hierarchy: officer, staff (front of the house), and crew (back of the house).

As I mentioned above, some ships have separate messes, one for officers and staff and another for crew.

Depending on how many stripes you have, you may be allowed to be seen around the ship in the public areas such as the shops or eating at one of the restaurants.

10. Crew drills

Every cruise, crew members need to take part in mandatory emergency drills where you have to respond to a simulated incident and answer questions about crisis response protocol.

Sometimes this can last hours, especially if the crew fail to respond properly.

11. Trainings and certifications

If you’re a new hire, expect to spend the entirety of your first few weeks in training courses: basic ship safety, emergency response, evacuation protocol, lifeboat/life raft operations (aka flipping a raft in a pool with a life jacket on while guests watch you), crowd management, security certification, and more. 

You’ll need to attend all of these classes in addition to working your actual ship job.

When I was a new hire, I don’t think I had time to get off the ship until the second week.

12. Crew aren’t treated the same as guests

Ever notice that crew members have to go through extra security checks when arriving back onboard, like taking their shoes off and getting a pat-down but guests don’t?

This is because crew are often targeted by locals to smuggle drugs and security is checking to see if we’ve got any contraband on us.

But it’s not just ship security that treats us differently.

Sometimes, unfortunately, local port authorities give us a hard time.

Story time .

This happened when I was in Bermuda and multiple female crew members were stopped at the port security checkpoint by staff who requested a pat-down and weird strip search.

When I was stopped, they separated me from my partner and tried to usher me into a secluded room so that I would be out of public view.

I, set on making a scene in front of everyone, including guests, asked them what they needed to check, and they said they needed me to remove my dress.

They tugged my arm and tried to pull me into the office but I insisted on taking my dress off right there since I was wearing a bikini and I didn’t want to be moved to a secondary location .

They kept trying to convince me to cooperate until I, like the often spiteful child that I am, finally just pulled my dress up to my head like a toddler and asked if that would suffice.

Then they yelled at me for not following directions.

Once back onboard, I’d heard several other crew ladies had refused the antics and weren’t allowed shore leave there for the next few cruises.

While this definitely isn’t the norm, instances like this do happen unfortunately.

13. You’re always “on stage”

Prepare to smile a lot and always be “on” around guests.

Even if you’re off duty and walking through public areas of the ship, you are still a working employee if guests stop you to ask you a question or need help.

14. Customer service on ships can be demanding and is often brutal

I honestly don’t know what it is that makes some cruise guests the worst types of customers I’ve ever encountered, but it’s definitely helped me build up my patience and Resting “Are You Done” Face.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been yelled at for the most trivial things.

I think some guests think that if they make enough of a fuss, they will be rewarded with some discount or compensation.

Ok, I don’t think this is the case, I know it is as I’ve heard more than a few guests laugh about this. 

But us crew members build up a tolerance for poor adult behavior and find ways to cope with it, like corralling a parent into a corner akin to a farm animal after they’ve physically pushed you and barged their way into the secured kids’ facility, all while you talk to them like a child until they calm down.

Side note, if you’re a guest anywhere, please be a decent human to people providing you with services.

It’s not that difficult.

15. The seas can be rough

While guests might deal with seasickness by laying down in their cabins, crew members still need to be at their work areas operating the same as usual no matter what the weather or sea conditions are.

16. The air on ships is extremely dry

As guests, you can spend most of your day outside getting fresh air.

Most crew members work inside the ship though, and in addition to living in a floating metal can of recycled air for months on end, the dry air and dust will definitely affect your health. 

After a couple of years on ships, my eyes were completely wrecked to the point that I could no longer wear contacts without my eyes turning bloodshot and I had to have laser correction to remove the chapped top layer of my cornea as well as to restore my vision.

You’ve been warned.

View this post on Instagram Day 134: Curaçao ?? | 10 days left, get me off this ship ? Side note: any recommendations on places to get LASIK done in the Bay Area would be much appreciated. Ship air has dunzo’d these eyes #navigatoradventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Mar 6, 2018 at 1:44pm PST

17. Ship life affects your hormones and health

Blame it on the recycled air, the desalinated water, the fluctuating food quality, high stress, or close living quarters, but your health may take a hit while working on ships.

Some crew members gain weight, some break out with acne, and I, unfortunately, get my period every other week.

I’ve talked about this before in my post about my experience working with Peace Boat and circumnavigating the globe on a world voyage, but basically, be prepared for your body to change.

Related: How I Cruised Around the World for Free with Peace Boat

18. Internet is limited and expensive

I’ve had so many guests ask me if crew members get free Wi-Fi and the truth is that our internet packages actually tend to be more expensive than the guests’.

On Royal Caribbean, an hour of internet for the crew is USD 4 and expires within 24 hours.

While there are other package options for more time or over an extended period, the price per hour is generally about the same.

19. You rarely have control over your assignments

For many crew positions, you won’t be able to request a specific ship or itinerary for several years.

And even then, your preference request might not be granted. 

You usually stay with the same ship for the entirety of your contract but there are cases where you might be abruptly transferred to another ship and there’s nothing you can do about it.

They might not even give you 24 hours’ notice.

View this post on Instagram Day 91: Kristiansand, Norway | After a couple dramatic cruises and a near transfer with less than 24 hours’ notice, I’m grateful more than ever to call this floating tin can my home. Good days or bad, I’m not leaving ✊ #serenadeadventures #latergram A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Aug 18, 2018 at 4:44am PDT

20. Long-term relationships are difficult to sustain

Most relationships between crew members are short and limited to the length of the contract.

While it’s not impossible to get a following ship assignment together, it is very difficult and often unlikely.

This of course varies by company, but in my experience, couples need to submit official paperwork that proves they are in a formal, legally binding relationship of some sort and even then there is no guarantee that crew couples can be placed on the same ship.

It used to be easier to produce simple paperwork such as an apartment lease or utility bill with both names on the document to prove your relationship, but rules have since become stricter on many ships.

21. You’re away from family and friends for long periods of time

You end up watching life going on without you through social media: birthdays, weddings, kids growing, pet adoptions, game nights, brunch dates, etc.

Is Working on a Cruise Ship Worth It?

If you’re willing to put in the work and sacrifice the comforts of life at land, working on a cruise ship offers a lifestyle with travel opportunities you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Of all the jobs I’ve had that paid me to travel or let me see the world for free, my time working on cruise ships is the one chapter in my journey around the world that I look back on the fondest.

There is so much pride in cruise ship crew life, both the work and lifestyle.

While it’s definitely not the easiest travel job, it is the most rewarding.

View this post on Instagram Recovering from the best 147 days I ever worked at sea #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Oct 16, 2018 at 1:03pm PDT

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Michelle is a freelance writer who has traveled to all seven continents and 60+ countries through various forms of employment. Over the last ten years, she’s worked as an ESL teacher in Japan, a youth counselor aboard cruise ships, and a hospitality manager in Antarctica.

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24 comments

I enjoyed reading this informative yet engaging post. Your mental strength is admirable and I love your honesty here. Thank you for sharing an insight into working on cruise ships.

Thanks for reading! Working on ships definitely takes some mental strength but you get used to– and addicted to– the lifestyle after a while.

Thank you for such a great and informatively written article on your experiences, and life working on a cruise ship, very helpful in my consideration. I appreciate your candor and humor as well.

Glad I could help!

A must read. Very well-written. Shared your article to my students who are cruise ship worker aspirants. 👏🏼☺️ 🛳

Wow, I’m flattered! I hope it’s helpful for them :)

Thank you for sharing your amazing journey! Your authenticity is both inspiring & appreciated.

Beautifully written. You answered many questions I had and even some I didn’t know I had :) I enjoyed your writing. I’ve applied to a few cruise ships. Wish me luck. Think we could possibly keep in touch through email?

Glad I could help and sending positive thoughts your way! Feel free to email me if you have further questions and I’ll do my best to help :)

I really enjoyed the read. I have been looking at what a day into he life would be. I wish I would have done this when I was in my 20s. This would have been perfect and to see the world.

i dont know how i got here but thank you its so informative. I have always wanted to work for cruises and I will safely say am still going to apply for it. hopefully will come back with some nice memories if I get it

Hi Michelle, it was very nice and informative to read your post! You could write novels on life on bord! Thank you for the time it took you to write it. Solange from London UK

This is extremely well written, informative, and enjoyable!

Love this because it answered questions I had and was written in a warm, relatable way. Great job and thank you.

Beautifully written, pros and cons are nicely explained, the way it is written with pictures made me to give a thoght about good and difficult times, this article can be an introduction for those who are thinking about pursuing cruise ship life. cruise ship life is really a hard nut to crack. You are a strong person, wish you happiness and more power to you. I enjoyed reading this article.

Thank you! Cruise ship life definitely has its challenges but I also found it to be a rewarding experience.

Wow. I really appreciate and admire you♥️ Im planning to apply for a cruise after experience of 5 star hotel. The disadvantage is too hard whether will i be able to fit. However, im gonna try since it’s my dream to work at cruise🙂 Thankyou so much you gave me alot knowledge about cruise♥️

I stumbled across your stories when I Googled crew life aboard a cruise ship. I will be joining the Pride of America ship with Norwegian Cruise Lines as soon as my MMC credentials have been completed. You are so detailed and the added photos have made this so enjoyable to read and your knowledge has helped me tremendously. Especially with what I need to pack, prohibited items etc. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with all of us! I am very much looking forward to my life living and working on a cruise ship as a Bartender.

Hey!!!! This was a really great article and really helped with the questions I always had about cruise ship job. Thank you so much!

OMG I am so happy I found you. I will start my first contract in April. And this definitely helped me a lot. I wonder if you have a list of what to bring on board or some tips on what to pack. Thank you

Happy to help! Here’s an article I have for what to pack when working on a cruise ship .

Thanks for this interesting, well-written, behind-the-scenes look at working on a cruise ship!

Thoroughly enjoyed your stories and your views, great enlightenment on what to expect and what are the highlights and restrictions that you cover.

Keep writing

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Working On Board a Viking River Cruise Ship

• 7 January 2020

More than 20 years ago Viking started in Russia with just four river ships. Since then they have gone on to set the standard for what river cruising should be and today, they are ‘The World’s Leading River Cruise Line’ ® with over 40% of the market share.

In 2015, they took the same small ship, destination-focused experience to the seas to redefine ocean cruising and after just one year of service, Viking became ‘The World’s Best Ocean Cruise Line’ ® . Today Viking has an award-winning fleet of more than 70 river ships and 6 ocean vessels cruising over 100 itineraries around the world, and they employ 10,000 crew members across the world, each one of them dedicated to making their guests’ stay the most memorable possible.

Viking innovate and add to their fleet each year which means great opportunities and tremendous potential for their employees, whether on board or in their corporate offices. Customers are English speaking, and the majority are Americans with an interest in the history and culture of the countries they sail through.  Their onboard product and service quality levels are high, and their customers are typically very satisfied—and this, combined with their gratuity guidelines, means that as an employee on board a Viking ship you can be well rewarded financially.

Working On Board a River Ship

The maximum capacity of Viking’s river ships (or Longships) is 190 guests and 60 crew members . Each Longship operates like an individual hotel in a large chain, and crew work and live in the same place—a small community of approximately 60 employees working in harmony and cooperating daily to deliver the best possible experience to their guests. Crew members are required to share a well-designed and relatively spacious cabin for two, comprised of a bunk bed, shower and toilet, wardrobe, and TV. Additionally, onboard Wi-Fi is free of charge for everyone—guests and crew alike.

On board crew members can enjoy a recreational area, called the crew mess , where they can have a snack, mingle with fellow crew members and take a break. In addition to the crew mess, their ships have a designated crew deck on the Sun Deck so that crew members are able to relax and take in some fresh air during their breaks.

Viking Salaries

Viking offers a competitive salary package and contracts are either Swiss, French or Portuguese, depending on the operation into which you are placed. Your contract offers you two days off per month and is packed with a generous number of paid holidays: approximately 6–8 weeks ’ worth, with some reaching up to ten weeks depending on contract duration. In this industry, you are required to work 7 days a week away from home ; therefore, you can take a lot of time off during the season to rest and visit loved ones.

Board and accommodation are included within your gross salary, along with social/health benefits and pension fund payments.

Viking Crew

Viking look for dedicated, hardworking individuals who are able to commit to working 7 days a week for a period of approximately 6–9 months (including holiday time). You must be trustworthy, flexible and open to working with people from different cultures, plus have a true passion for the hospitality industry. Above all you must have an outgoing, friendly and positive attitude.

Training and Career Progression with Viking

Viking offer training, skills and confidence to every crew member so that they achieve their best potential. They are proud of their 90% employee retention rate - one of the highest in the industry.

For employees with no prior ship experience, Viking invests in training programmes before their contract even starts - giving them the opportunity to visit the vessels and perform hands-on duties alongside the resident crew for at least a week before they have any interaction­ with paying guests.

They have clear promotion guidelines, and this is based on performance rather than seniority. Although career growth really depends on yourself, leadership and mentorship can, of course, assist you. Many crew members are given the opportunity to grow and shine during the season itself, by stepping into their supervisor’s shoes during a holiday or day off.

How to Apply

If you are interested in starting a career with Viking, you can visit their careers website .

And check out their latest vacancies at All Cruise Jobs .

Cruisinc is hiring for their 3*, 4*, 5* vessels sailing in Europe. The Cruisinc Group, established in 2008, focuses on providing cruise ships with full catering services in a surprisingly creative and attractive way. These river cruise ships sail on the rivers and canals such as the Rhine, the Danube and the Elba in the mainland of Europe.

Our main goal is to deliver an inspiring cruise experience, by providing catering services at the highest level. Cruisinc always works with a perfect team of dedicated and flexible professionals to guarantee ourguests a perfect holiday. The members of our crew link creativity along with customer-centricity to culinary passion and hospitality.

We recruit and coach catering professionals; chefs, cooks, waiters, hosts and housekeeping staff, to make a difference for the guests every day. They can only do that by adjusting to the desires of the guests. Our crew push hospitality to the max, for the highest customer satisfaction possible.

Can you see yourself working with us to provide excellent service for our client’s guests and giving them happy holiday memories?  If so Cruisinc is looking forward to working with you.

Step into the world of Cruisinc Creative Catering and taste the inspiration!

Positions onboard

Restaurant and bar:

• Head Waiter/ess
• Head Barman/Barwoman
• Bar Waiter/ess
• Maitre d’Hotel
• Demi Chef de Partie
• Chef de Partie
• Corporate Head Chef
• Kitchen porter / Dishwasher

Front Office:

• Receptionist
• Hotel Manager
• Assistant Hotel Manager

Housekeeping:

• Head Cabin Steward/ess
• Cabin Steward/ess
• Allround; Housekeeping/Bar/ Restaurant
• Masseur / Masseuse

Our beliefs

We believe in doing things differently. No standard approach, but a sailormade approach. Every ship has its own audience and opportunities, we adjust our dishes and services to these factors. This customer centric thinking requires a lot of flexibility and empathy. In other words: creative catering. That is our core competence.

Customer centric

We recruit, train and coach catering professionals like chefs, cooks, waiters, hosts and maids to make a difference for the guests every day. They can only do that by adjusting to the desires of the guests. They push hospitality to the max for the highest customer satisfaction possible.

We know food and beverages are crucial to the cruise experience. That is why our chefs innovate the taste and presentation of the dishes constantly, to make sure the guests are being surprised by the food every meal again. Even if they yearly embark on the same cruise. Not only the recipes evolve, every chef is aiming for perfect presentation and a consistent quality.

Adaptability

The secret of great full service catering is adaptability to the desires of the shipping company. Together we create true customer satisfaction. We cannot do that with a standard approach, we have to do that by adapting to the ship and its guests.

River cruising Europe

Reach us at +357 25 817288.

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I work from a cruise ship for 3 months a year. Here's how I stay productive at sea.

• Walter Biscardi runs his travel business remotely from cruise ships for three months each year.
• He said WiFi reliability has improved, but video calls and finding power outlets can be challenging.
• Biscardi recommends Virgin Voyages for remote workers because of the spaces to work and the WiFi.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Walter Biscardi, a 59-year-old travel agent based in Orlando. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I used to work in film, television, documentary, and marketing, and I ran two creative agencies in Atlanta for 25 years.

A few years ago, my wife and I turned my second passion, travel, into " Where's Walter Travel ." We specialize in travel planning services for cruises , group vacations, theme park tours, and company retreats.

We live in an Orlando rental, but I run the travel-planning business from a cruise ship for three months out of the year.

We started taking advantage of our remote working situation after the pandemic

In a few short years of working on cruise ships, I've noticed that more and more people are starting to do the same thing.

We predominantly cruise the Caribbean. Last year, our three months were spread over six different trips on the Royal Caribbean , Oceania , Virgin Voyages , and Carnival cruise lines. If it were up to me, I'd be at sea for six months a year, but my wife prefers three.

This year, we'll be back on Virgin Voyages in June and on the Sun Princess in October. We're planning a few more, too.

WiFi speed and reliability onboard ships have been game-changers

I don't always look for speed but rather consistency and reliability.

Even though the WiFi is reliable on most ships , it's still not perfect, and you need to manage your expectations. The WiFi on ships is satellite-based, so the signal will be slower if there's a lot of cloud cover. Rain may also temporarily cut it out completely.

The WiFi signal in rooms can be weak. When I get on board, I walk around public places, look at the ceiling, and find the repeaters , which amplify the router's signal . I park myself under a repeater to work, so at least I know I'm getting the fastest signal.

Video calls can be dicey, but voice calls over WiFi work well

Most of my work is using emails, social media apps, and a web browser, so I don't tend to have problems. The upload speed is the most difficult thing about working on a cruise ship.

Related stories

Working from a cruise ship might not be for you if you're required to upload a video to YouTube or be on video for 100% of your Zoom calls. Zoom with video turned off works well. I post TikToks all day, but uploading to YouTube will fail almost every time.

Turn off your cell service on the ship, even if you have unlimited roaming overseas. Phones use satellite maritime cellular, and it's ridiculously expensive. I've heard of people who have come home with $1,000 cellular bills because they didn't turn off their roaming.

I can typically make most of my calls over WiFi, but you won't be able to on some ships. Texting from ship to land usually works well if you're using the same type of phone as the person you're messaging, but when you're texting cross-platform, sometimes it doesn't work.

Finding power outlets can be challenging

Typically, if you need to put in a full day of work connected to power, you need to stay in your room. One tip to finding power when you're looking around public areas is to see where they plug in the vacuum cleaners.

I strongly recommend bringing a powerboard with multiple USB sockets. I have one with 10 USB connections, so I can charge my phone, GoPro, and other devices simultaneously.

Virgin Voyages ships are the most friendly for remote workers

The galley on a Virgin Voyages ship is set up like a coffee shop, with easily accessible power and USB sockets at the table. There are dozens of outlets, as they're inviting people to bring their laptops and work from the ship.

I usually upgrade to the premium WiFi option, which can cost anywhere from $19 to $39 per day on most lines, but Virgin only charges $10 per day to upgrade.

I work in an office at home, so working on a cruise is a big change

I operate at sea as I do on land, with the same office hours available to my clients other than when I know we're going on an excursion.

Cruise ships are comparable to remote working spaces, but they offer so much more. On a cruise, almost everything is included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, entertainment, and most amenities.

If I want to take a break from work, I go to the pool. When I finish for the day, I'll go to the theater to see a show.

Meeting places are usually free on a cruise ship. Generally, all you have to do is reserve a conference room. AV facilities are usually included too, although you may have to pay a setup fee.

Remember to be respectful — many people are on board for a vacation. I've been out by the pool and seen people taking business calls on speakerphone, which is ridiculously annoying.

I suggest picking at least one port on every cruise and make it a 'ship day'

About 75% of people will get off the ship at any port, so staying on board feels like you have the whole place to yourself.

Activities like the pools will still be open, and the spas will often discount their services by 20-40% on port days.

Of course, I still recommend getting off and exploring as much as possible — that's what cruises are for.

Watch: Cruise ship captain breaks down 8 cruise ship disasters in movies and TV

• Main content

15 Reasons River Cruises Are Perfect For Retirees

Y our elegantly appointed stateroom with full sliding doors opening to a French balcony with an ever-changing scenic slideshow is your home for the next 7, 10, 14, or more days. First, you are compelled to open the slider and enjoy your view — even if it is the dock side — imagining all the panoramic landscapes you will encounter along your journey.

You unpack the suitcase that has magically appeared in your stateroom, organizing clothes into drawers and closets tucked into every nook and cranny. As you read the daily shipboard newspaper filled with activities, you already know why river cruises are perfect for retirees.

1. Unpack Once

No one loves living out of a suitcase; it gets tiresome quickly. Additionally, space is at a premium in a stateroom — no room for a bulky suitcase. Take a few minutes to unpack and tuck away your luggage. Your cabin will stay tidy and comfortable, your clothes will be neatly folded or hung, and you can turn your attention to more important tasks like having the time of your life.

2. Eliminate Transportation Woes

When you book your airfare and airport transfers as part of the cruise package, the cruise line becomes responsible for any hiccups. Traveling always comes with a bit of the unknown, and it is comforting to know you have a team to work out any kinks that arise.

Once on the ship, your ship-booked excursions include transportation. If you book with an outside vendor, you will need to make certain you are back in plenty of time for the all-aboard call.

3. Excursions For All Abilities

Most cruise lines offer excursions with a variety of exertion levels. They still offer the guided bus tour where you only get off for photos and maybe a short walk. However, many now include bike tours, hiking, and outings geared to a more athletic traveler.

For example, on Viking’s Grand European Tour , the excursions in Cologne include a Cologne Walking Tour (moderate), Cologne by Bicycle (active), and Cologne’s Beer Culture & Dinner (easy). This variety of activity levels allows you to go at your own pace and offers appropriate options for all guests. Most ports of call offer at least one excursion for the gentle traveler.

4. Locally Guided Tours

Cruise lines love repeat customers, and word of mouth is their best marketing tool, so they hire the best local tour guides to lead their excursions. Local guides bring a personal perspective to the local culture, history, and traditions.

When you only have a brief time in a location, touring with a local guide is the best way to absorb area highlights. Local guides are also terrific referral resources when you have time to explore on your own.

5. Enjoy Regional Cuisine

Cruising and delicious food go hand-in-hand. The main dining room typically offers one or two dishes inspired by the local cuisine. As you travel through Regensburg , Germany, perhaps you will find traditional German sausage and sauerkraut on the menu. This allows you to sample regional dishes without having to scout out the perfect restaurant.

If you are a foodie, be sure to check on the onboard cooking lessons and food-focused excursions offered on your voyage.

6. Fun Onboard Activities

When river cruising, you usually don’t have too many “at sea” days; there is typically a port of call each day. However, while sailing, you will find plenty of activities to keep you busy. Of course, there is the pool, gym, and the ubiquitous bar. But also there are intellectual talks, demonstrations, wine tastings, card games, and on some ships, a casino.

You can always find a comfy chair with a view and simply watch the world float by.

7. Sample A Variety Of Cruises

There is a river cruise for everyone. The variety in the type of cruise may be just as important as the location of the cruise. Themed cruises like history, art, wine , knitting, cycling, and Christmas markets are just a few. Learn more about your favorite retiree pastime or immerse yourself in a new adventure.

Retirees are flocking to river cruises to enjoy the amenities, port stops, cultural immersion, and meeting new friends with similar interests. It is the perfect getaway for seniors who want to explore the world one port at a time.

8. Score Last-Minute Deals

As retirees, we have plenty of free time. Last-minute cruise deals are appealingly budget-friendly. If you have a trusted travel agent, and you should use one to book your cruise, they are a good source of last-minute deals. Also, when you sign up for the cruise lines newsletter they will inundate you with cruise information — including any last-minute deals.

Hopping on an all-inclusive cruise at the last minute requires little or no planning. Simply book it and show up — it’s the best way to travel.

9. Bookended Adventures

You can book a getaway extension on the front and/or back end of your cruise in cities offered by the cruise line. They will take care of your transportation, hotel, and often a “get-acquainted city tour.” Additionally, a cruise director is onsite at the hotel for guidance and assistance. It’s like having your own concierge.

Many cruise lines offer different cities for pre and post-embarkation stops for cruises along the same route. For example, Prague is a pre/post stay for the Danube River Cruise, and requires a good bus ride to reach the embarkation city. The pre/post stays are a nice way to explore destinations more in-depth.

10. Smooth Sailing

Guests on river cruises are less likely to suffer from seasickness. The rivers are calmer than the open seas, so the ship rocks less. Most of the sailing is overnight and the gentle rocking has more of a soothing effect than the rocking of rough waters.

11. Small Ships Equals Personalized Service

The guest-to-staff ratios on river cruises tend to be almost one guest to one staff or two guests to one staff, though it varies by cruise line. The ratio is conducive to smaller crowds and is more favorable than the larger cruise ships. With more staff tending to guests along with the low guest capacity (around 250 passengers), river cruises offer more personalized service.

You become very familiar with your cabin steward, server, and cruise director. They get to know you quickly and can attend to any special needs or requests.

12. Ports Are Close To The City

Cruise ships are small and can dock close to the city center. They fit into port slips much easier than larger cruise ships that may have to dock out of port. This allows guests gangway access to the port city or the excursion transportation. Very seldom does a river cruise require tenders for disembarkation.

13. Easy Mobility Access

The smaller ships, fewer people, and personalized service make access easier for guests with mobility issues. The ships are smaller to navigate, typically dock in the port or old port area, and guest services are more attuned to a particular guest’s needs.

You will encounter many guests requiring varying levels of access.

14. Solo Travel Friendly

Solo travel is becoming extremely popular. Long gone are the days when singles had to find a travel buddy before they embarked on an adventurous journey.

Many cruise companies offer decreased single supplements — some charging no additional fee. You will find singles meet-ups and many guests going solo on excursions even if they are traveling with a companion. As a solo traveler, you can have as much or as little alone time as you desire.

15. Language Immersion

If you are looking for a unique language experience, book a trip on one of the cruise lines offered in a language other than English. French Waterways offers luxurious cruises where the staff speaks French and English. Immerse yourself in the country you are visiting — the scenery, gastronomy, and language — for a cultural experience you won’t soon forget.

Top River Cruise Lines

Below is the list of Travel Awaits Best Of Travel 2022 Favorite River Cruise Lines . Recommendations by fellow river cruisers are always a great place to start.

• AmaWaterways
• American Cruise Lines
• American Queen Voyages
• Aqua Expeditions
• Avalon Waterways
• Grand Circle Cruise Line
• Scenic Cruises
• Tauck River Cruises
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
• Vantage Cruise Line

River Cruises Are A Wonderful Travel Option

River cruises are one of my favorite ways to travel. Waking up to beautiful fjords, ancient port cities, and bustling harbor views starts the day off full of promise with a peek at what lies ahead. As retirees, we have the luxury of time; river cruising is one of the best ways to enjoy relaxed travel. Bon Voyage!

For more on river cruises , explore these articles:

• 11 Reasons Why We Love River Cruises In Europe
• Everything You Need To Know Before Embarking On A Nile River Cruise
• AmaWaterways Vs. Avalon Waterways River Cruises: 8 Key Differences

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Cruise ship worker says there are six things you should never do while on one

Listen to those who spend much more time on them than you.

Tom Earnshaw

A cruise ship worker has explained exactly what you should never do when setting sail - and some of the pointers might shock you.

The summer season is almost upon us and with that, a boom in travel as millions head on their annual breaks abroad.

And for many Brits , Spain is the go to destination with recent guidance giving the 16 million UK residents heading there a sigh of relief .

But some fancy something a little different, with the likes of cruise ship excursions extremely popular if you can afford them .

With one cruise ship staff member recently explaining why you should 'get ready to spend a lot of cash' on one thing in particular , another in the industry is here with six things she says you should never do if you're getting ready to set sail on any boat.

Tammy Barr has been sailing around the world , working on cruise ships, for years on end before now doing it as a customer.

Originally shared with Business Insider, here are six things she says she would never do following her experience as a cruise ship worker and now customer.

A big no-no to the drinks package

For many, this is the big question before setting sail across the world. But for Tammy, you shouldn't pay if your drinking habits aren't on the overindulgent side of things.

"I enjoy a pina colada by the pool or a Manhattan while listening to a jazz set after dinner," she says.

"Even so, it doesn't make sense for me to pay in advance for 12 to 15 cocktails a day."

For Tammy, the math doesn't add up especially if the trip you're on will see you leaving the ship for multiple port-heavy trips. Going ashore means less time on the ship to drink its booze.

"I prefer to buy as I go and take advantage of happy hour and other drink specials that are available on certain cruise lines. I also check the beverage policy in advance and bring on my own wine, if allowed," she says.

Touching surfaces

It's time to utilise those elbows and knuckles with Tammy never using her fingers to touch stuff in the public areas such as elevator buttons.

"Some cruise lines are better than others at wiping down commonly touched surfaces, but I don't take any chances," she says.

"I avoid touching things others frequently touch, and I wash my hands frequently."

Illnesses such as norovirus can quickly spread on cruise ships, given there are thousands of people in a confined space, so taking this little measure could be the different between holiday bliss and holiday bliss.

Upgrading your food

Most cruise liners will include the main dining room meals in your package, which is one part of why the price is so much, given you're essentially paying for perks like this in advance.

But if you want something fancy, expect to pay more on top.

Tammy says that, while ' $12 may not seem like much for a steak of lobster tail', it defeats the point. She will stick to what she's got.

Calling the ship by the wrong name

A quirky one from Tammy, but one that comes down to looking the part when you're on board.

She says: "Ships have proper names, and so do not require a definite article. For example - 'Tomorrow I am embarking on Discovery Princess' or 'I enjoyed scenic cruising on MS Westerdam'."

Basically if you want to look savvy and knowledge, drop the 'the' before the ship name. It's just not correct.

Room key does not go around your neck

Tammy thinks this is a bit naff for a few reasons. For one, it can be seen as flaunting your status by showing off how often you cruise.

No one likes a show off really and the longer you are at sea, the fancier your room key.

It's also an invitation to those who have sinister means. She says: "In port, that room key bouncing off your chest looks like an invitation to be robbed. It screams 'I have money! Come and take it from me'."

There's no need for super busy port day

The idea of missing your cruise ship's departure and being stranded somewhere on the other side of the world is mortifying.

For Tammy, the best way to avoid this is to have pretty chilled port days so you're never at serious risk of missing your cruise ship before it leaves port.

"I've never missed a sail away, but I have cut it too close at times and have had to run down a pier or two. Just recently, as a passenger, my taxi driver got lost returning our group to the port at night," she says.

"When I realised how late we were going to be, I forked over $8 per minute to be connected with the ship. I pleaded with them to wait for us. It was a sprint through the port to get back on and we received quite a scolding from the first officer."

Topics:  Cruise Ship , Hacks , Holiday , Travel , World News , Money , Health , Alcohol

Tom joined LADbible in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

@ TREarnshaw

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WEATHER ALERT

A river flood warning in effect for Columbia County

Jacksonville travel agent gives advice on booking cruises during hurricane season.

Ashley Harding , Reporter/Weekend Anchor

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With hurricane season going on, you may be wondering, is it really a good idea to book a cruise in that time frame? Is it going to be canceled?

RELATED: Hyperactive hurricane season expected by top forecast group

Luckily, as we know, hurricanes are easy to track, so your chances of your cruise being impacted by a storm during hurricane season are slim. Changes to your itinerary may be possible, so you need to be flexible and have a plan in place.

Family vacations -- and even cruises may be on your agenda – as school is about to let out. But with hurricane season set to last through the summer, safety is always key.

Scott Lara, a travel agent, talked about safety on cruise ships during hurricane season.

“A lot of people are concerned about traveling during hurricane season because of winds and rough weather, but the good news is the cruise lines spend billions of dollars to make sure the ship, the crew, and the passengers stay safe,” Lara said.

Lara said state-of-the-art technology is in place to stay ahead of the storm and cruises are able to avoid problem weather.

“Corporate like in Miami will let cruise lines know, ‘hey there’s something in the area, turn left, turn right’ to keep passengers safe,” Lara said.

He also said one thing you should not overlook is travel insurance. When selecting a policy, make sure there’s coverage for weather-related disruptions. But also, don’t forget to read the fine print.

“There’s lots of things that can be involved. Like, what if you lose your bags, what if you miss a flight...but more importantly, what if you fall and hurt your arm or your leg? You want to be reimbursed for any kind of injuries you may have. So travel insurance is important, I advise everyone I know to purchase it,” Lara said.

Even though a ship may be outsailing a storm, that doesn’t mean you won’t run into some rougher than usual conditions. Lara says it’s a good idea to pack your sea-sickness meds before you board.

“Those products on the ship are going to be very expensive,” Lara said. “So, if it’s Dramamine or the patch behind the ear, maybe some Pepto Bismol just in case you get a little nauseous. But the technology on these ships, especially the large ones, like Icon of the Seas, Scarlet Lady, Oasis of the Seas, they have stabilizers to prevent the ship from going back and forth and up and down.”

As for having the best cruise time, Lara recommended-- contrary to popular belief-- try not to book your cruise at the last minute. Chances are, if you do that, all the best cabins will be booked up. And as always, just be aware of what’s happening with hurricane season and have a plan.

Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Ashley harding.

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.

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Fort bend co. prepares for emergency road project due to brazos river erosion.

Rilwan Balogun , Reporter

Simonton, FORT BEND COUNTY – Fort Bend County officials are working to secure funding for a million-dollar project to permanently realign the Hackamore Road in Simonton.

The city is roughly 20 miles northwest of Katy with the Brazos River snaking around parts of different neighborhoods. Through the years, erosion forced the collapse of homes, property, and Hackamore Road.

Mark Vogler, the county drainage director, said they’re working to confirm funding sources for the Hackamore Road. Once the land is acquired, the surveying and design work begins, then the county will expedite the rest of the project.

Khalil Burbar, a ranch owner near Hackamore Road, said it can’t come soon enough.

“I wish tomorrow,” Burbar said. “I hope that they will do it.”

The announcement comes weeks after the Texas General Land Office granted the county approximately $25.8 million in funds to pay for two projects.

• READ THE ORIGINAL REPORT: $26 million secured to control erosion at Brazos River. Here’s how this will impact homeowners

The grant comes from a $72.5 million Texas General Land Office grant shared by several other Texas cities and one other county. The mitigation funds will be distributed to improve streets, drainage and sewer systems in the cities of Bedias, Bremond, Galveston, Liberty, Midway and San Augustine, as well as Hardin County and a partial award of a larger project to be administered by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) in Fort Bend County.

Shortly after the announcement, Claudia Hernandez was weary of the plans. She said she’s waiting to see construction crews.

“I’m ready,” Hernandez told KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun in April. “We don’t want to move from here. This is our home. It’s pretty peaceful. The neighborhood is awesome.”

Hernandez’s family moved to the community five years ago and since, she said, she estimates losing between five and ten feet.

“We’ve lost quite a bit,” she said. “I mean everyone said that it [erosion] wasn’t going to happen again in maybe 100 years or something like that. As we’ve had storms, normal regular storms, as the river has risen up and after it recedes then you start seeing some of the land fall into the river and the trees and all that.”

Vogler shared with Balogun he and county officials understand homeowners’ frustrations and they’re working as fast as possible to start work on all projects.

“It’s very necessary,” Burbar said. “I would love to see that river, I don’t know what they’re going to do, but has to be stopped from getting all of this flood every year.”

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City of Newark reports water outage affecting River Road residents

NEWARK − A water outage affecting City of Newark water customers on River Road will last several hours, Newark City Service Director Dave Rhodes said at 12:30 p.m. The city stated is working on restoring water as soon as possible.

The outage affects residents of the Park Trails and Park Ridge housing subdivisions and Redwood Apartments, west of Thornwood Drive

A contractor working on the new bridge over Raccoon Creek hit a water line on River Road. Also, a pump failed and a backup pump has electrical issues, Rhodes said.

A new 700-foot, three-span, steel girder bridge over Raccoon Creek and the bike path will connect to a new roundabout at an intersection of Reddington Road, Thornwood Drive and a relocated River Road.

Another project in the area is Willow Bend, the Rockford Homes housing subdivision under construction on the north side of River Road between Park Trails and Redwood Apartment Neighborhoods.

Cruise ships return to New London and Old Saybrook this week

American cruise lines ships will be making port in both new london and old saybrook multiple times this summer season beginning this week., by dave peck • published may 7, 2024 • updated on may 7, 2024 at 5:20 pm.

“When people come into New London, they go by the many lighthouses and they see, if they’re lucky, a submarine, all the ferries. It is a very interesting port,” Susan Tamulevich, executive director of the New London Maritime Society, said.

For the next six months, the Thames River will have even more life as it welcomes cruise ships into New London’s port.

“American Cruise Lines is planning on having I think six to eight ships this season and we’re really looking forward to it,” New London Mayor Michael Passero said.

The trip will take passengers between Boston and New York, stopping in some of New England’s most historic seaports.

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“New London has an amazing maritime history all the way from the days of whaling when it was the second leading whaling port in the world,” Tamulevich said.

Tamulevich said the cruise ship provides the perfect audience to showcase their trove of artifacts from the city’s most iconic sites.

“They love to talk about New London and tell these stories and for them, it’s like a special holiday to have a cruise ship come in,” she said.

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Just down the street, Muddy Waters Café is also looking forward to the energy the cruise lines could bring this season.

“The more people, the merrier it is so we’re excited about the cruise ship and we’re excited to have them here. We’re excited to meet people from all over the place,” owner David Preka said.

This will be Muddy Water’s first summer season since recovering from a fire last August .

“We’re expecting to see a lot of people downtown. Downtown is revamping,” he said.

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