I work on a cruise ship - here are the 3 questions people always ask me (2024)

A CRUISE ship singer has revealed the top three questions people always ask her about life on board.

American crooner Karissa Dumbacher performs on board the Regent Seven Seas Explorer - and revealed she is constantly quizzed about life on board.

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Karissa describes herself as a "performer, foodie and dog mom" on Instagram, where she has 286,000 followers.

When she's not performing in musicals, she winds down by sharing snaps from her travels worldwide.

Now Karissa has shared the three questions people always ask her when they find out she worked as a singer on a cruise ship.

She said: "Hey guys, so I've been working as a singer on a cruise ship for the past six months and these are my top three most frequently asked questions.

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"Number one - how did I get this job?

"So I auditioned online because I was singing at Universal in China all of last year.

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"Most cruise companies have websites where you can submit throughout the year.

"Anyway, then I got a call back. They asked me to sing like two songs and do a dance combination and a few weeks after that I got this offer."

Karissa continued: "Number two - is the pay good?

"I think so, especially as you're not paying for rent, or health insurance, or car insurance.

"You can save so much money. You don't even have to pay for food on board.

"The pay for singers is a little better than for dancers unfortunately and, like, we get our own cabins while they have to share cabins, so it just depends on your position."

Karissa's final question plumbed the bottom-deck realities of life at sea.

She said: "Number three - what is the hardest part about living on a cruise ship?

"For me personally, it's the lack of freedom, so, like, you have to wear a uniform when you're in guest areas and you can only eat at certain times, and we have IPM."

IPM refers to In-Port Manning, a requirement under international maritime law for passenger ships to have a minimum number of crew members on board while in port.

Karissa said: "So IPM means that we have to stay on board one out of every four days that we're in port, so you can only get off three out of every four days, which can be kind of frustrating.

"I still feel so lucky to have this job though, like, I've gotten to see parts of the world that I never would have dreamed of.

"And every job has its ups and downs, so if you're ever thinking about working on a cruise ship, I say go for it - you never know until you try."

People were divided over Karissa's insider account of life on a cruise ship.

Mandeep said: "Number four - how are you this damn gorgeous?"

Pete said: "I worked on a cruise ship manning the ice cream machine at the buffet.

"I worked five months on, five weeks off and wasn't allowed to eat anywhere besides the employee dining room which had chicken a la King, stale bread and a broken coffee machine."

Julie said: "I have deep regrets about not doing the cruise ship thing when I had more freedom.

"I am a pretty rockstar bartender but now I'm tied down and it's too late. Go out and live your dreams, kids."

It comes after Karissa revealed the great perks given to staff on cruise ships while taking her followers on a tour of her cabin.

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She also shared all the exotic dishes she has sampled since setting sail from Orlando, Florida.

Karissa left her fans drooling after introducing them to Bombay mix, squid, Toblerone and asparagus quiche.

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I work on a cruise ship - here are the 3 questions people always ask me (2024)

FAQs

Why do you want to work on a cruise ship interview question? ›

I love to travel and I think it would be a great opportunity to see different parts of the world while working. I also like the idea of working on a cruise ship because it would be a new and exciting experience. Good luck with your Interview at Msc Cruises.

How many hours a day do cruise staff work? ›

After each contract you will receive approximately 60 days of vacation before your next assignment. Your daily work schedule while onboard will depend on your particular position, but you can expect to work seven days a week and anywhere between 10-13 hours per day.

Why don't cruise ship workers get a day off? ›

And, the more cabin space crew take up, the less space there is onboard the ship for passenger cabins. At the end of the day cruising is a business and it's less expensive to have crew work every single day of their contract and then have a few months off then to have more crew onboard.

Why do you choose to work in the ship? ›

1 – You Get to Travel the World

One of the main reasons people choose to work on a cruise ship is the ability to be able to travel the world and see awesome places that you might otherwise not be able to.

How to pass a cruise ship interview? ›

Attitude is everything in a cruise ship job interview and the more you can demonstrate keenness and energy, the better your chances of getting a job offer. Some good examples of questions to ask would be: How soon does the position start? What type of training is provided?

What is the best answer for "Tell me about yourself"? ›

Provide a Brief Highlight-Summary of Your Experience

The best way to answer "Tell me about yourself" is with a brief highlight-summary of your experience, your education, the value you bring to an employer, and the reason you're looking forward to learning more about this next job and the opportunity to work with them.

How much do you make an hour working on a cruise ship? ›

How much does a Cruise Ship Worker make? As of Jun 18, 2024, the average annual pay for a Cruise Ship Worker in the United States is $49,005 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.56 an hour. This is the equivalent of $942/week or $4,083/month.

Is being a cruise ship worker hard? ›

Most jobs onboard cruise ships require grueling hours, cramped cabins, and no days off. But for some workers, the friendships, travel, and rewarding work can make it all worth it.

Do cruise ship employees get free room and board? ›

To complete their responsibilities, cruise ships require their employees to live on the boat. Most cruise lines offer their staff free room and board throughout the duration of their contracts. They often cover the costs of basic living expenses, such as water and electricity bills.

What disqualifies you from working on a cruise ship? ›

Cruise lines also conduct background checks and drug tests on all candidates. This includes checking criminal records, employment history, and credit history. Candidates who have a criminal record or a history of drug use may be disqualified from employment.

Do cruise ship workers hook up a lot? ›

So many cruise ship crew members — especially the younger, unmarried service staff — blow off steam the way 20-somethings away from home for the first time typically do: by partying and hooking up with each other like it's the end of the world. “Think about when you went to college for the first time,” says Bruns.

Do cruise workers pay rent? ›

The benefits that come with working on a cruise liner are some of the best across the board. Firstly, crew members are provided with free accommodation, meals, uniform and laundry service during their life onboard. This means, no rent, no utilities and no bills!

What is the best position on a cruise ship? ›

2-Mid-ships (middle of the ship)

Common wisdom has always stated that if you can get a mid-ship cabin then this will be the 'best' position on the ship. Going back to the see-saw metaphor, imagine the middle of the it. Whilst the seats go up and down, the middle never actually moves. It's the same on a cruise ship.

Why should we hire you? ›

A: When answering, focus on your relevant skills, experience, and achievements that make you the best fit for the role.You should hire me because I am a hard worker who wants to help your company succeed. I have the skills and experience needed for the job, and I am eager to learn and grow with your team .

How to answer the question why do you want to work on a cruise ship? ›

Here are a few examples of what could be a good answer to the question "Why do you want to work on a cruise ship?":
  1. "I am passionate about travel and I love the idea of being able to see the world while working. ...
  2. "I am a people person and I enjoy working in a customer service oriented environment.
Nov 14, 2022

What is your motivation to work in a cruise ship? ›

One of the main reasons people choose to work on cruise ships is the chance to travel to many places they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. Since they live on the ship, they receive room and board as part of their compensation. They travel the world without paying for expensive hotels and food.

Why you should work on a cruise ship? ›

Benefits of Working on a Cruise Ship
  • Travel the World While Earning Money. Imagine waking up in a new destination every week, from the Caribbean to Europe, and Asia to Antarctica. ...
  • Free Accommodation. ...
  • Free Meals. ...
  • No Taxes. ...
  • International Friendships. ...
  • Free Medical Care.

Why would you want to go on a cruise ship? ›

Looking for a quick getaway where everything is taken care of and your only job is to relax? Book your next vacay on a cruise ship and get ready for a whole lotta fun! Waterparks, mini golf, casinos, night clubs, all-you-can-eat fine dining, boozy drinks, 24/7 room service, and rooftop pools are all included onboard.

How do you answer why you want this job in an interview? ›

Focus on the job at hand
  • 'I want this job because I have clear skills that will help me achieve...'
  • 'This role will give me the opportunity to combine both my skills in [skill 1] and [skill 2] to achieve...'
  • 'I love [job role specific task] and my last job took me away from that.

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