The unspoken rules of working on a cruise ship
Always Have These With You
Always carry your ID card, safety card, and safety questions and answers. These are crucial during your stay.
ID Card
This card serves not only as your identification but also as a key to your cabin, a “debit” card
for purchases, and your pass for entering and exiting the ship. If you lose this card, notify the
relevant office immediately.
Safety card
Upon boarding the ship, you’ll be given a safety card containing your safety number. This
number identifies you in emergency situations, and the card also includes information about your safety duties. A cruise ship can enter emergency status at any moment, so it’s vital to
always have this card on hand as you never know when you might need it.
Safety Q&A's
Every crew member must be familiar with basic safety questions and answers. After boarding, you’ll receive a list of questions and answers that you must learn. It’s recommended to carry this list with you while you’re still memorizing the answers so you can quickly reference it if someone asks you anything related to safety.
Mess Hall
The mess hall is the dining space for the crew, set up buffet-style. During peak meal times, you’ll need to wait in line with other crew members to get your food. It’s important to be patient and avoid pushing to ensure a calm and organized atmosphere.
Go to the right Mess
Some ships have only one mess hall, while others may have multiple. It’s important to know
which mess hall you’re allowed to use, as some might be reserved for officers only.
Clean your dishes
After your meal, ensure you empty your plate and take the used dishes to the washing area.
Crew members who leave dirty plates on tables are not following the rules, so it’s essential to
clean and return all tableware to the appropriate place.
The Cabin
Cabins are usually small, so even a little clutter can take up a lot of space. It’s important to keep them tidy and organized.
- Make your bed each day.
- Take turns taking the trash to the incinerator room.
- Do not leave dirty laundry lying around the cabin. Even if you can't smell it, your cabin mate can.
- Never flush sanitary products or antibacterial wipes down the toilet, as they can cause blockages. izazvati blokadu.
Have a conversation with your roommate
At the beginning of your stay, it’s recommended to talk with your roommate about things that
bothered them with previous roommates. This discussion can help avoid conflicts and
establish open and honest communication. It’s crucial that both of you have the opportunity
to express yourselves and resolve any disagreements.
Fashion – What Not to Wear
Certain types of clothing are considered inappropriate, so it’s important to be aware of the dress code rules.
Flip Flops
For safety reasons, open-toe sandals are not allowed in certain areas of the ship, such as
hallways with machinery. If you plan to disembark, you may wear flip-flops from your cabin
to the exit, but during meals or in work areas, closed-toe shoes are mandatory.
No Denim
Jeans are generally prohibited in passenger-designated areas. Denim attire is often deemed
unprofessional, which is why many ships ban wearing it in these spaces.
Crew Attire
For bars and crew areas, informal dress code rules apply. Most crew members wear shorts
and sweatshirts or leggings and t-shirts unless attending special events or parties, where
casual but neat dressing is required.
Passenger Areas
Ships have clearly divided spaces for crew and passengers. Passengers are not allowed to enter crew areas, while crew members can access passenger areas depending on their rank. Higher-ranking crew members may have access to almost all areas of the ship, while lower- ranking crew members may only enter passenger areas during working hours. It’s important to know your rights and restrictions to avoid any issues. Your supervisor will inform you about your privileges and which spaces are accessible to you.
Always on Alert
One of the main differences between working on a ship and on land is that, after your shift ends, you don’t go home and “switch off.” You remain in the same place, meaning you are expected to be available to assist passengers even outside working hours. If a passenger asks you something or needs help, you are expected to be accessible. This is one reason why crew members often avoid passenger areas when off duty. Even in those spaces, it’s important to maintain professional behavior.
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