LIVING ON BOARD
Similar to New York City, our ships never sleep and operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It’s a unique lifestyle that some may say is fast paced, can be challenging at times and can take some time to acclimate to; but not to worry, with the support from your fellow team members, shipboard management and shoreside leadership, you will soon love your new environment aboard our ships. With that in mind, most of our employees tell us the best part of working on our ships is the many new friends they make. There is never a lack of company around, and with crew members being from all over the world, it isn’t hard to find something in common with one another. Here’s a preview of several departments “hard at work". Just one of many unforgettable experiences to be had on board.
This Is What It Takes
To be successful in your role as a casino employee onboard a cruise ship, it is essential that you have a pleasant, fun loving nature, are genuinely interested in people, and can provide a high level of guest courtesy each and every day by engaging with our players.
YOUR DIGS
Even though space is limited onboard our vessels, we strive to create a relaxing home away from home and all our crew cabins come equipped with a television, desk, wardrobe, safe or lockable drawer, bunk bed (one upper and one lower berth) and a bathroom. All casino team members share cabins with a fellow teammate, and being respectful and considerate of one another is an expectation that all team members have. Every ship is equipped with crew recreation areas and facilities including a crew gym, self-service laundry, and crew dining areas. Our team members benefit from medical facilities and services onboard as well as a learning and development center and an HR services team.
WORKING CONDITIONS
You will work 7-days a week onboard for approximately 8-10 hours per day over a 6–8-month contract. Throughout the duration of your contract, personal time off is based on the brand you are assigned to and operational needs. When the ship is in port, many crew members take the opportunity to go ashore to explore, shop, dine, connect with loved ones, etc.
YOUR SAFETY,
OUR SECURITY
Rules and regulations are necessary for the ship to function in a safe, secure, and comfortable environment for both crew and guests. For further information, please refer to the company info kit that we will share with you before your interview. You will be asked questions regarding safety during your interview, so please make the effort to start familiarizing yourself with these safety matters.
YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS, WE'VE GOT ANSWERS!
DO I NEED TO PAY TO WORK ON BOARD?
No, you will not be charged anything to work on board our ships. There are some expenses that you will have to pay for, which include the cost of your seafarer's medical and Cl/D visa. We will reimburse a portion of your current medical exam, and all of your valid C1/D visa fee. Keep your receipts, bring them to your ship as you will be reimbursed, in accordance with policy, onboard.
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE REQUIRED TO WORK ON BOARD?
The language spoken onboard is English. All announcements for our guests and crew are in English.
HOW DO I GET A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE?
We will give you the information for approved medical facilities in your country and you will be responsible for making an appointment. Your medical certificate is comprised of an extensive set of tests to determine if you are fit to work at sea. You are liable for the cost of this medical certificate (though some of this expense will be reimbursed onboard). The medical certificate confirming you are fit for duty is usually valid for two years from the date you did the examination.
You must carry all the pages or your original medical certificate with you to the ship. When you are traveling, please keep the documents safe in your hand luggage as you will not be allowed to join the ship without it.
WHAT IS A C1/D VISA?
A Cl/D visa is issued by the United States permitting crew members to work on ships that sail out of US ports. It enables the crew member to join the ship in a US port and to get off the ship in a US port while the ship is docked there. It does not permit the crew member to live and work on land in the US.
WHICH SHIP WILL I BE ASSIGNED TO?
You will be assigned to join a ship based on company needs. This means that you will be assigned to a ship where there is a need for your position. You will receive a Letter of Employment (LOE} which will advise you of the ship, date and port you will join in.
Once we confirm your travel and hotel accommodation arrangements, we will share all the details with you. Please read instructions carefully!
HOW DO I GET TO AND FROM THE SHIP I AM ASSIGNED TO?
There will be a shuttle from the hotel to the port on the morning you are joining the ship. Please confirm with the hotel reception the time of the shuttle. They should provide you a letter with this information at the front desk - if they do not, please ask for it.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
You may wish to purchase travel insurance for your journey, but you are covered medically while you are on board the ship and looked after by our onboard medical team if you are not feeling well.
WILL I HAVE MY OWN ROOM?
As you can imagine, cabins on board are limited, so our staff do not have their own cabin. You will be sharing a cabin with one other person who is the same gender as you - you will never be asked to share a cabin with more than one other person or with someone of a different gender.
WHAT IS THE POWER VOLTAGE IN MY CABIN?
All ships have 120V US power outlets.
IS THERE A CURFEW?
No, we do not impose a curfew on our staff; however, we do have quiet hours in our crew accommodation areas which must be respected as a courtesy to your fellow colleagues.
DO I HAVE SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES?
All of our staff have a responsibility for Safety - and will have Safety Duty. Safety duty is your role in the event of an emergency situation - you will be given training and take part in regular drills so you are prepared and know exactly what to do in the event of an emergency situation.
WHERE WILL I HAVE MY MEALS?
All meals are provided and we have specially dedicated employee Dining rooms located in the crew areas, though there may be occasions when you will eat in the same dining areas as guests. There are lots of food options available to suit everyone from all around the world.
CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL ON BOARD?
We want our staff to enjoy being on board but safety is our number one priority. Alcohol is available for purchase and all of our ships have a crew lounge; however, there is an alcohol policy that must be adhered to at all times. The permitted blood alcohol level on board is 0.04 ABV on duty - please note that this is residual as you are not permitted to drink in the 4 hours prior to your shift starting or during your shift. While off duty, the permitted blood alcohol level is 0.08% ABV. Disciplinary action is taken against staff found to be in breach of the alcohol policy.
IS THERE A DRUG POLICY?
Carnival Cruise Line has a zero-tolerance policy on drugs – all Crew Members are subject to random drug screening and alcohol testing. Violation of the drug or alcohol policy will result in termination of employment.
ONCE ONBOARD, HOW DO I STAY IN TOUCH WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY BACK HOME?
All of our ships have Wi-Fi that is available for purchase by staff at a discounted rate. Our People access Messenger, WhatsApp and other social media applications to stay in contact with family and friends at home. Telephone cards are also available and many purchase a prepaid sim card, which allows them to call their families when in port. Staff are not permitted to carry their cell phones with them when on duty; connecting with family should be done in free time.
WOULD MY CELL PHONE WORK ON BOARD?
Your cell phone may work in the ports and onboard; however, you will be subject to roaming charges and these can be very costly. It is recommended that you use the WI-FI available on the ship and keep your cell phone on Airplane mode to avoid such charges. Additionally, you can purchase a prepaid sim card which will work in a number of our ports of call.
CAN I RECEIVE MAIL ONBOARD?
It is possible for mail to be delivered to the ship, but it must go through the main office in Miami first, and then be sent out to the ship. Alternatively, if you need an item quickly, many of the Crew Centers in the Home ports our ships sail from have a mail and package receiving service for a nominal fee. The onboard HR team will be able to give you the addresses you can use.
Is there an ATM onboard to use?
Yes there are ATMs in the Crew Areas which dispense US dollars (USD), or if sailing in Australia, Australian dollars (AUD) or around Europe, Euros (€). If you are using your Brightwell pay card you receive 2 free withdrawals per month from the ATM, any additional withdrawals will incur a fee. You can use any card at our onboard ATMs but they will be subject to withdrawal fees.
WOULD I BE ABLE TO BUY SOME NECESSITIES (I.E. TOILETRIES) ON BOARD?
We do not have a crew store on board but you can purchase items ashore while in port. The Crew Centers also usually have small shops for crew to purchase necessities. There is also the option of ordering online and having items delivered to the ship (this does, however, take longer).
WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO GUEST AREAS AND AMENITIES DURING MY TIME OFF?
While some positions do have guest area privilege and are able to access guest areas in their time off - our guests always come first and are given priority. We do have crew only areas, which include a Crew Open Deck, Crew lounge and Crew Gym.
IS THERE A HAIR SALON ON BOARD?
There is a hair salon onboard all of our ships located in the Spa. Team Members are able to use this service when there is availability – guests take priority. Staff receive a discount on services in the Spa on port days.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN SHORE EXCURSIONS?
Sometimes. There are specific Shore Excursions or Crew Tours which are discounted and for crew members only. Crew members who wish to take one of the guest Shore Excursions can request to do so.
CAN I VISIT THE PORTS WHILE WORKING ON BOARD?
If you are not scheduled to be on duty, you can by all means go out and enjoy our wonderful ports of call. The time that you have to be back on board is posted by the gangway - this must be adhered to and is usually 1 hour prior to the ship sailing. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are back in time for your scheduled work duty and before the advertised back on board time.
WHAT IF I MISS THE SHIP IN PORT?
It is expected that all staff return to the ship by the requested time; however, if you do miss the ship, the Port Agent will assist you to make arrangements to go to the ship's next port of call. The team member is responsible for all associated costs of getting to the next port. Additionally, any Team Member who misses the ship risks their visa being canceled.
HOW LONG WILL I BE ON BOARD?
The length of time you are on board depends on your position and varies from 6 - 8 months.
CAN I GET OFF AND GO HOME DURING THE CONTRACT?
No, you are not able to get time off during your contract. When you join the ship, we expect you to be there until your sign-off date. We do, of course, understand that emergencies happen. If you do need to leave the ship due to an emergency, you are able to; however, this is considered a breach of contract and you will be responsible for all associated costs.
WILL I ALWAYS WORK ON THE SAME SHIP?
We operate casinos on more than 90 ships, where our guests and staff enjoy each other's company and create a lifetime of memories. You will not always be assigned to the same ship. Our People are rotated to give them the opportunity to experience different itineraries and new places and work on different classes of ship.
OUR LOOK
We strive to maintain the highest standards in personal and professional appearance and all members of the Global Casino Operations Team are responsible for conveying a professional image at all times. Uniforms are an ideal place to start when striving to make a good first impression and convey professionalism to our guests. Uniforms must be in good, presentable condition and of the correct size at all times. There are some costs associated with this that our new hires should expect to pay onboard:
- Carnival Cruise Line Casino Staff Uniform
- Holland America Line and Princess Cruises Casino Staff Uniform
- P&O Cruises and Cunard Line Casino Staff Uniform
- Seabourn Cruise Line Casino Staff Uniform
All Global Casino Operations team members must wear uniform (as per the specifications of their position) when in guest areas. Exceptions are made for crew functions that occur in guest venues (e.g. emergency safety drills), when personal attire can be worn with the required crew ID and lanyard.
YOUR DIGS
Space, of course, is at a premium on a ship, and all casino staff share a cabin with a fellow ship mate, though we never have more than two to a cabin. Although space is limited, we strive to create a relaxing home away from home and all our crew accommodation spaces come equipped with a television, desk, wardrobe, safe or lockable drawer, bunk bed (one upper and one lower berth) and bathroom.
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