Exploring Working on a Cruise Ship After High School

I've been daydreaming about taking a job on a cruise ship after graduating high school. What should I know about this kind of job? Like, what are the perks and downsides of working on a cruise?

Working on a cruise ship can be a unique and rewarding experience after high school. It provides the opportunity to travel the world, meet people from diverse cultures, gain work experience, and save money as most of your expenses (i.e., food, accommodations, and medical insurance) are usually covered by the cruise line.

Cruise staff members engage in various duties including assisting with activities, serving meals, performing in shows, leading tours, and occasionally helping with housekeeping or other behind-the-scenes tasks. So it can help develop a wide range of skills and can look impressive on a future resume.

However, it's important to keep some challenges in mind. The job demands long hours, usually 7 days a week. Unlike most jobs, there's no 'going home' after your shift. You live where you work. This can be a little intense and may leave little personal time or privacy. Staying in touch with family and friends can sometimes be challenging, due to minimal access to internet connection and time zone differences.

Adapting to life at sea can be physically demanding too, with the need to get accustomed to the rocking of the ship and the potential for seasickness.

Also, while you're getting to travel to new places, keep in mind that your time on shore will be limited to your break hours, which might not align with the best times to explore these destinations.

In sum, working on a cruise ship can be an adventure-packed experience that ensures plenty of personal growth and life-long memories, but it’s definitely not a regular 9-to-5 gig and may require significant adjustment. So weigh the pros and cons carefully!