How cruise ship contracts work

Length

Typical contracts run 4 to 9 months on board, followed by 6–10 weeks of paid vacation depending on the line and role. Officers often have shorter rotations.

Pay structure

Base salary + overtime + (sometimes) gratuities pool. Tipped roles can earn well above their base — the trade-off is variance: high-volume cruises pay better than slow seasons.

Hours

The 7-day, ~70-hour workweek is normal. STCW caps weekly hours but compliance varies by ship and line.

Accommodation and food

Provided on board — cabin (usually shared), crew mess, crew bar, crew gym. Quality varies a lot by line and ship age.

Repatriation

Your contract specifies who pays for your flights home at end of contract. Read this. If you sign off early "by mutual agreement" most lines stop paying.

Probation and termination

Most contracts include a probation period (often the first cruise). Termination clauses are usually short — be aware that you can be sent home quickly for performance or conduct reasons.

What to verify before signing

• Currency the salary is paid in.
• Whether tips are guaranteed or pooled-and-variable.
• Repatriation policy.
• Visa and document handling — your passport should never leave your possession permanently.