Jump to content

Americans working on a Ship


Recommended Posts

I know there aren't many that work on the cruise ships due to the hours & pay scales.

 

When we went on the Behind the Fun tour, every one of the Camera, lighting, backstage show guys was from the United States. And the dancer was Canadian.

 

Is that typical, Are the Americans usually involved in the technical positions? Where else do they usually work?

 

I was just thinking it would be a fun experience for a year or so. Maybe for someone young, just out of college, without the need to support a family. Our tour guide seemed to really like it - as a temporary gig...not a full time career choice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

NCL used to be based out of the U.S. and not foreign flagged and hired a lot more Americans ... you might want to check them too, rather than Carnvial if you are sincerely interested.

 

Foreign flagged ships dont hire many Americans, its true, except for higher up positions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know a few young (college age or right out of college) that are on cruise ships right now- they are all in the musical shows. It seems a good starting place for someone wanting to break into maybe Vegas show or Broadway- gets them some experience and some resume builder...

 

The performers have alot more freedom than the rest of crew. They can get off at ports, party at the bar with the passengers...I guess as long as they show up for their rehearsals and shows, the rest of their time can be spent doing whatever they want...

 

If I were 20something, unmarried, no children- sounds like a fun job!!;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The dance entertainers are contract employees not actually employees of Carnival from what I have heard. I met a couple of the dancers a few cruises ago. One was from Canada and the other from Florida. Both told me that with their skill level and body types that they were making more money working on the ships than they could make on land dancing. They and rest of the dancers were all employeed by a dance company out of New York.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know there aren't many that work on the cruise ships due to the hours & pay scales.

 

When we went on the Behind the Fun tour, every one of the Camera, lighting, backstage show guys was from the United States. And the dancer was Canadian.

 

Is that typical, Are the Americans usually involved in the technical positions? Where else do they usually work?

 

I was just thinking it would be a fun experience for a year or so. Maybe for someone young, just out of college, without the need to support a family. Our tour guide seemed to really like it - as a temporary gig...not a full time career choice.

 

On the Glory Ryan Fitzgerald (CD) is from Indiana and we also met a young man from Massachusetts whose name tag read "Art Department."

 

The guy in the gym was from Australia and it was his second week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On Liberty there where quite a few Americans. Of course they where all higher ups. Butch the CD was from MN. He Asst. CD was from MN I can picture his face but not his name. There was a girl and guy from the entertainmaent staff from USA. Molly was her name and Once again his name escapes me but I can picture the face.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A friend of mine (Canadian) is an accountant on board Carnival ships. She is near the end of her career (late 50s) and an empty nester, and decided this would be a good job and a fun way to travel at the same time. The pay isn't great, but her expenses are very small. And after completing 10 years (I believe), she walks away with a big bonus. So it will help set her up for retirement at age 65. Wish I could do something similar - but my skills are not transferable to a cruise ship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My DD(13) is a competitive dancer. She likes going to the production numbers because she would like to be a dancer on a cruise ship. I think this would be a great way to help pay for college and get experience on a resume.

 

 

That sounds like a good plan. It looks like the dancers have to be at least 18. This looks like a good place to start finding information on being a dancer with the cruise ships: http://www.dance.net/cruiseshipauditions.html

Good luck to your daughter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Noonan (CD) is from New York. He started in Camp Carnival and worked his way up. He is always married to a dancer from England.

 

 

I'm sorry, this made me LOL! Did you mean to say, "He is also married to a dancer from England?" If not, I want to hear the story behind this line! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know there aren't many that work on the cruise ships due to the hours & pay scales.

 

When we went on the Behind the Fun tour, every one of the Camera, lighting, backstage show guys was from the United States. And the dancer was Canadian.

 

Is that typical, Are the Americans usually involved in the technical positions? Where else do they usually work?

 

I was just thinking it would be a fun experience for a year or so. Maybe for someone young, just out of college, without the need to support a family. Our tour guide seemed to really like it - as a temporary gig...not a full time career choice.

 

Hey I was on the Behind the fun tour on the 2/20 sailing of the Carnival Dream also! Were you on the 9 or 9:30 tour? Wasn't it great!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My DD(13) is a competitive dancer. She likes going to the production numbers because she would like to be a dancer on a cruise ship. I think this would be a great way to help pay for college and get experience on a resume.

 

 

I would be careful what you hope for. The life of a cruise ship worker, including the dance staff, is not for the naive or innocent...It is a rough world below deck...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When we were on the Triumph in Dec.. one of the casino bartenders was a young gal from New Jersey.. and the Entertainment guy was from Vancouver Canada...

 

We loved the young lady from New Jersey on board Triumph! She was really great.

 

Taters

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know there aren't many that work on the cruise ships due to the hours & pay scales.

 

When we went on the Behind the Fun tour, every one of the Camera, lighting, backstage show guys was from the United States. And the dancer was Canadian.

 

Is that typical, Are the Americans usually involved in the technical positions? Where else do they usually work?

 

I was just thinking it would be a fun experience for a year or so. Maybe for someone young, just out of college, without the need to support a family. Our tour guide seemed to really like it - as a temporary gig...not a full time career choice.

 

Many above deck personnel are Americans, Canadians, Brits, etc. They receive a wage based on a contractual agreement between themselves and Carnival. It's not unusual at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If i didnt have a dog and a dbf.. my dream job would be to work on a ship.. at the pursers desk or mgmt ofcourse, but ahhhh to work at sea :) that would be nice

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If i didnt have a dog and a dbf.. my dream job would be to work on a ship.. at the pursers desk or mgmt ofcourse, but ahhhh to work at sea :) that would be nice

 

 

I spent most of 29 years working onboard ships. Most of them painted gray. Too old for that foolishness now but if I was younger, Oh ya. Can't handle the physical part of working at sea any longer. I guess that is why I try to cruise as much as I do.COLOR]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On the Glory Ryan Fitzgerald (CD) is from Indiana and we also met a young man from Massachusetts whose name tag read "Art Department."

 

The guy in the gym was from Australia and it was his second week.

 

Both the production singers on the Glory are from NY

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think that most Americans have the work ethic to survive any job on a cruise ship except one of the cushier jobs like CD, entertainment, etc. Put them in the dining room or cabin stewards and most would not last very long.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...