Working on a cruise ship seems a dream job to many who want to explore the world. It is hard work, though there are a range of positions available to choose from, ones you may qualify for, enabling you to explore the world and earn money in the process.
It is very important to understand the working on a cruise ship isn’t a constant party, in fact it is hard work with exceptionally long hours. You will work day and night, usually in shifts, ensuring that the guests have their dream vacation. Another thing to be aware of is that you may not get a shore pass with each port, this means that you may have to stay on board to prepare the ship, ensuring it is ready when the guests return from a day of sightseeing.
After applying and being accepted for a cruise ship job, you will be asked to sign a contract. It is imperative that you read the contract in detail, ensuring you understand each and every clause. If you are unsure, seek legal advice to help you understand the contract in detail. The contract should identify the term of your contract, this is often six months. It should also specify your monthly salary and outline how gratuities are shared out. Ensure you keep a copy of your contract should you experience any crewmember wages disputes during your time on board.
The income you earn should be clearly discussed and outline in your contract. You will be awarded a monthly salary, usually banked directly into your bank account. The benefit to this is due to the fact you are living on board, you only need money for your shore experiences, this means you can save considerably during your time on board.
Ensure you understand how gratuities work. Gratuities can increase your salary considerably and is the amount extra the guests pay over and above their cruise ship fees. These gratuities are usually shared out with all members on board and can be considerably more than your monthly salary. Ensure you receive these payments as and when they are promised as this can lead to grounds for crewmembers wages disputes. Some companies hold onto all your gratuities until you have completed your contract in full, ensuring that you don’t decide to leave them on a shore somewhere because you feel you have had enough of life on board.
Also take careful note of any bonus promises. This is one cause for crewmember wage disputes. Some cruise ship companies offer their staff a bonus if they provide them with superior service and productivity for the duration of their contract. Many crewmembers don’t realize that if they are asked to leave or if they choose to leave earlier than their contract they waiver this bonus.
If you find that you have concerns over your crewmember wages which has been banked into your account and you feel that the amount doesn’t match what was originally discussed, then take it to your superior immediately. The sooner you advise them, the sooner they can look into the problem for you.
It’s worthwhile checking with some of your colleagues to identify if they have experienced any problems with their final amounts that month. Ensure you also put your enquiry in writing and keep a copy for yourself, this can give you the extra evidence you need should you need to take this any further.
In the event that your superior doesn’t provide you with adequate answers, you may wish to seek legal counsel from a company specializing in crewmember wage disputes to see if they can assist you in getting the additional payment you deserve and expect.