Ahoy! Ready to set sail for adventure? Then welcome aboard!

This invitation has been luring travelers to the open sea for centuries. Luckily, today’s luxury liners are a far cry from the “rustic” vessels of yore, where accommodations were cramped, dining was informal and there was nary an ice sculpture in sight.

Beyond the upgraded amenities, one of the things passengers of smaller cruise ships and world cruises have come to love is the connection with the crew! The lower crew to passenger ratio and longer time on board make it easier to develop more than a passing hello with the friendly faces you see each day.Our World Cruise guests have said some of their favorite memories involved seeing the crew they’d grown to know over previous months, meet family again in far away ports! They also admit it’s a wonderful feeling to be welcomed back on board by someone whose name they know and already knows how they take their coffee!

Of course these hard workers are busy {and so efficient!}, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a moment to connect with you!

Who works on board?
Cruise lines attract employees from all over the world, and everyone is aboard for different reasons. With more than 300 jobs on typical cruise ships, everyone has a story and many of them might surprise you!

• A college student excited to travel while earning money for the summer
• A family breadwinner that only sees their family between voyages – which sometimes can extend for months, unlike your week-long stay.
• A long time crew member advancing through the ranks — exciting to see them change as you continue cruising!
• A technician, a dancer, a five star chef – you never know who you’ll meet!

What is life like for crew?
Many crew members work 80 hours a week and often for a few months straight without a single vacation day! That’s how they manage to keep your stateroom immaculate and the shows running without a hitch.

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t having some fun too.

[su_quote cite=”Wandering Earl” url=”http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/whats-it-like-to-actually-work-on-a-cruise-ship/”]While crew members do work long hours, the staff are treated quite well.

Most ships these days offer very high quality crew accommodation, along with several dining halls, crew bars, crew shops, internet cafes, coffee bars, crew gyms, and party areas all specifically for crew. There are language courses you can take, and even business courses and other certifications available to all crew members.

There are frequent movie nights, theme parties (cruise lines organize parties for the major holidays of every nationality working on board the ship) and plenty of other crew activities.[/su_quote]

Depending upon the cruise line, you may notice the staff is free to enjoy certain amenities like the pool or lounge, when they finish up that 12 hour day! On others, the crew operates in a tiered fashion, meaning that different levels offer different access to guests and events on the ship. For example, you might run in to a show performer enjoying the lounge, but likely never an officer and steward sharing a rum punch.
Remember their day doesn’t start quite like yours…

[su_quote cite=”Caro” url=”http://www.passportandatoothbrush.com/24-hours-in-the-life-of-a-cruiseship-employee/”]Let the sun shine in it’s a beautiful day outside! Or, I’d imagine. I stayed in a 4 birth cabin under the water so for my three months living on the ship never did I wake up to any sunlight! Only the swishing sounds of the water against my cabin walls! [/su_quote]

And so why do they do it…

[su_quote cite=”Entertainment Director Mel” url=”http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/2014/03/true-story-lived-cruise-ship/”]Financially, cruise ships helped me pay off most of my college loans, pay exorbitant rent in San Francisco for the better part of one year and travel the world for free. I’ve been to 5 continents without spending a dime to get there….I could also escort shore excursions for free; I ate so much free crab in Alaska that way. Man. I miss that crab.  [/su_quote]

Some guests get to know the staff so well from their world cruise or repeat cruises with a line that they connect on Facebook. Others simply look forward to meeting again. No matter how you connect, it will surely enhance your trip to learn a little more about those helping to create your perfect vacation.