Jann in TX Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 My oldest dd is graduating from college with a photography degree in a few weeks! She is 'unattached' (no boyfriend) and is exploring her options. The current plan is for her to share an apartment with her sister who is going to college while she looks for a job and/or finds a part time job and attempts to start her own photography business. One possible job came up as a cruise ship photographer-- 4-6 months on the ship then 1-2 months off between assignments... 60-70 hrs per week 7 days per week while on the ship! It sounds grueling... one of the openings is for Hawaiian island cruises (4 month contract). Anyone with cruise staff experience what to chime in? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 No experience myself but a friend recently considered this in a different industry however - health & massage. She was told she would be on call all the time and the accommodations are - as she put it "at the bottom of the hull." Now, she is in her mid forties and what she considers comfortable may vary significantly from what your daughter requires for creature comforts. I would do a LOT of research before I commit, otherwise it could be a very LONG cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquility7 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I would do a LOT of research before I commit, otherwise it could be a very LONG cruise. :iagree: I seem to recall a watching some show a few months ago that talked about cruise ships behind the scenes... Ah, I think this might be it - http://abc.go.com/watch/2020/SH559026/VD55165067/2020-120-cruise-ship-confidential Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnMama Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 My sister-in-law did this for a couple years right out of college and had a blast! She had lots of adventures and made some wonderful friends. She said it was just like living in a dorm, so not luxury but adequate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photomo Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 for 60-70 hours a week the pay better be real good!! I guess it could be an adventure if she gets days off and can enjoy the ship and the destinations they stop at. Good luck to her. I am a professional photographer.. tell her I said good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kricau Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Oh man :) That sounds like fun. We (hubby & I ) have been on a cruise before. It was GREAT! I imagine working on one would be just as much fun. You get to go ashore whenever/wherever the boat docks :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I think it would be a great opportunity and adventure! And four months isn't too long -- if she really didn't like it at least she wouldn't be committed to it long-term. (But I've never known anyone personally who has worked on a cruise ship.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Rose Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I had two friends who did this and totally loved it. One was a musician and the other was - I'm not sure what her position was, maybe some kind of host or something. They both felt it was a great opportunity. Now is a great time for your dd to do it as she is unattached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I had a boss that had worked on a cruise ship casino when she was younger. She seemed to have happy memories of that period of her life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I have friends who did it two years ago. They are in their late thirties and their cruise went to China, Japan, and Australia. They have no regrets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I would investigate the cruise line she is considering. I've heard bad things about Carnival for both passengers and the crew. I've only been on one cruise (Royal Caribbean in the Mediterranean), but the crew seemed happy despite the long hours.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea1 Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 We went on a Carnival cruise a couple of months back and we had a blast. I so enjoyed getting to know some of the crew members. They were just really nice people and seemed to really enjoy their jobs and fellow workers. A great group of people. They did tell me that they were not able to get off the ship at every stop but I imagine that might also depend on what type of work one was doing (whether they're services are still needed on the ship when most of the passengers are off for the most of the day). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 I know someone who worked as part of the wait staff on a cruise - she said the hours were brutal, but the pay was great and she got to see tons of places she wouldn't have otherwise. She did it right out of college and stayed with family or friends when she was in port, so she had next to no expenses and was able to save up enough in 3 years to buy a house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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