Contracts and Crew Life
What to expect from a contract at sea, and from life below the passenger decks.
Plan a Cruise VacationA cruise job is not a nine-to-five. Before you sign, it helps to know how contracts, working hours and life below the passenger decks really work.
Your Employment Agreement
Under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC), every seafarer must have a signed employment agreement and the chance to review it before signing. It should state your position, wages, hours, leave, the length of the contract, and how you get home at the end of it (repatriation). Keep a copy. If an offer arrives without a clear written agreement, treat it with suspicion.
- Contract length and leave between contracts
- Basic wage and how any service charges or tips are shared
- Who pays for travel to and from the ship
- Medical care on board and in port
- Notice periods and grounds for termination
Hours of Work and Rest
The MLC sets minimum hours of rest for seafarers: at least 10 hours in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any seven-day period, with limits on how rest can be split. Ships keep records of hours, and crew can raise concerns through on-board procedures. Even so, days are long, especially on embarkation days and busy port days.
Life Below the Passenger Decks
Crew cabins
Most crew share a cabin; officers and some senior roles have their own. Space is compact and tidy habits matter.
Crew mess and bar
Crew eat in dedicated messes, and most ships have a crew bar and lounge for time off.
Crew facilities
Many ships have a crew gym, laundry, shop and internet access, plus organized crew events.
Shore leave
Time ashore depends on your schedule, the port and any security or immigration rules.
Documents You Will Need
Expect to need a valid passport, a seafarer medical certificate, STCW training certificates and, for many nationalities on ships calling at U.S. ports, a U.S. crew visa (see U.S. crewmember visa information). Some flag states also require a seafarer’s identity or discharge book. The cruise line or its authorized hiring partner will tell you exactly what is required for your role.
Contract and Crew Life Questions
How long is a cruise ship contract?
Contracts are fixed-term and commonly last several months, followed by a period of leave. The length varies by line, department and rank, and is set out in your employment agreement.
Do crew get days off?
Full days off are less common than ashore; many crew work every day of a contract, with hours of rest protected by the Maritime Labour Convention. Time ashore in port is often possible between shifts.
Where do crew live?
Most crew share cabins on lower decks, while officers and some senior staff have single cabins. Ships also have crew-only areas such as a mess, bar, gym and lounge.
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