The problem with most folks (and I include myself here) is that they are dreamers when it comes to working overseas. Often these armchair traveler’s have expeditions planned for far away places, but they remain secretly hidden in the fantasy of the own minds. How many of us have dreamt of backpacking our way around the world stopping off at the occasional tropical location to do a bit of work in order to bump up the funds before moving on to pastures new? Most of us at some time or another I bet!

Well folks, if Mohamed won’t come to the mountain then the mountain will just have to come to Mohamed. Ever thought about working on a cruise ship? Once you secure a cruise ship job you no longer have to look for work on your travels. You travel with your job and your job travels with you. What better way to see the world! But it gets even better than that. Working on a cruise ship is not just about mopping floors, washing dishes, decks, and passenger’s salt ridden hair. In fact there are a whole range of full time career opportunities available on a big cruise ship.

The modern day cruise ships are like floating hotels or small townships and there are shops, restaurants, entertainment spots, fitness centers, swimming pools, engine rooms, and one heck of a lot more. Should you find a job that interests you, you can then have fun weighing up all the fringe benefits which go with working on a cruise ship.

For starters, you get free room and board on most, along with free medical care and meals. When the ship docks in ports around the world you’ll get what’s considered as ‘down time’ and you’ll be able to jump ship and explore the lands along with the paying guests. Sounds fantastic doesn’t it! But there’s obviously a down side, there always is, and working on a cruise ship is no exception.

You will be expected to work hard and long hours, possibly for days on end without a break depending on the duration of the cruise. You’ll most likely need to sign a contract for a minimum 4-6 month duration. If you get fed up or just want out, where you gonna go? You’re on a floating island with no escape in sight, so you have to see the job through. You’ve probably guessed by now that this kind of work is not really suited for married couples and parents. If you’re young and fit without a care in the world, then it could be just the career opportunity you’ve been looking for.

If you like your employers and your employers like you, then they may give you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the different departments if you show promising. Most ships are divided into the following 3 areas: Hotel, Deck, and Engine, and the various job opportunities within theses areas is vast.

My daughter now works aboard Sterling Casino Lines in their Show Lounge and next year she hopes to land a job with The Sea Princess sailing from America to Europe. Me, well I missed my boat when I met her mother, but working on a cruise ship is something I definitely wished I’d experienced as a youth. This is why I’m so happy to see our daughter having the time of her lifetime as she moves ranks on the opens seas. She always comes home with great tales about the people, places, and things that she gets to experience with each sail.

She always laughs on her return and says how this lifestyle beats the socks off a boring ole 9 to 5 job in some dreary office all week. Good on her!

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