The main factors that determine the best cruise ships to work on are job satisfaction, onboard environment, cruise ship amenities, but also personal preference. The criteria for best ships for some crew can be a different set of criteria for other crew. Unfortunately, you don’t get to choose which ship you work on when working for a cruise line, but it’s helpful to know the best and worst points about different cruise ships.
Cruise Lines with Best Ships
When contemplating which cruise ship is best, consider what your job description is on one ship versus another. On a big ship your job may be very focused to one set of duties. Comparatively, the same type of cruise job on a smaller ship may take on a variety of tasks throughout the day and the cruise. For example, the position of Guest Services on a smaller ship may take on more responsibilities since there are fewer personnel.
Smaller ships tend to also have a closer-knit onboard crew community. Whereas, on larger cruise ships (like Royal Caribbean’s ships), it’s hard to get to know everyone onboard when there are over 1,000 crew. Yet, large ships are amazing when it comes to their extensive crew facilities complete with a pool and crew recreation areas. Some cruise lines have only small vessels (like Crystal Cruises) while others have mostly larger ships, this may be something to consider.
You can also compare older ships versus newer ships. Newer cruise ships may have nicer crew cabins, the latest technology and better onboard wifi than older ships. Plus, newer ships are typically cleaner while older ships may have dated furniture and fixtures. Although, don’t judge a ship based on its age, refits and refurbishments can make an old ship feel new again.
Cruise Ships with Happiest Crew
When cruise ship crew are asked to state which was their favourite ship to work on, it usually has more to do with the environment onboard than with the ship itself. Happy crewmembers tend to enjoy their job more when they like the people they work with and have managers that respect them. Just like in jobs on land, when you have managers that are positive and treat the crew fairly, the working environment tends to be happier.
Great managers understand how to get the best from the crew which can be a factor in job satisfaction. Good workplace relationships and onboard friendships are important when working onboard cruise ships. Cruise ships are small communities and you are literally living in close quarters with the same people that you work with.
Keep in mind that each ship within a cruise line’s fleet may have a different onboard environment and dynamic than other ships within the same fleet. Unfortunately, you can’t choose the ship to work on within a cruise line. Each ship will be what you make it. In fact, some of the best and happiest cruise ship experiences are a result of building amazing relationships are also the result of working together onboard.
Updated: October 4, 2020