Home General Information Life On Board Why Carnival Corp? Apply
	Life on Board Cabins Ship Rules Ships Overview Employee Newsletter   Life On Board Living at sea is totally different than living on land. Our ships are self-sufficient cities, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It’s a unique life style and can be rather challenging at times and might take you several weeks to become acclimated. It’s exciting and a bit overwhelming to leave your family and friends, but you’ll be sure to make lots of new friends onboard. In fact, most of our employees tell us the best part of working on our ships is the many new friends they make. It’s not surprising to forge very close bonds, as your shipmates are like a second family. Of course, living with the people you work with is sometimes a challenge! Shipboard life can be compared to a very small town, where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Living in a fish bowl there is little to no privacy and an active rumor mill, so you’ll have to not to let “chatter” affect you. As far as relationships go, it isn’t unusual for a couple to break up, only to have dinner together the following evening or have an ex suddenly start dating your roommate! On the flip side, life in such close quarters also has its advantages. There is never a lack of company around, and with most crew members being in their twenties and thirties, it isn’t hard to find something in common. A typical port day in the Caribbean would consist of five or six friends jumping in a taxi for a day at the beach, stopping off for lunch, doing a little shopping and phoning family at home. You might rent a jeep for a drive up into the mountains of Puerta Vallarta to swing from ropes into the river and dine on fresh tacos and salsa. Another fun group trip is a hike into the mountains or a helicopter ride to the top of an Alaskan glacier! And unlike the tourists who are only on board for one cruise, crew members visit these exciting ports of call week after week, so it doesn’t take long to know all the best places! Dining Casino staff eat in the staff dining room during breakfast, lunch and dinner at set hours, which vary depending on your ship assignment. Since you’ll be eating the same menu every 2 weeks, you’ll likely want to eat some of your meals in port to keep things interesting! Onboard Facilities (Bars, Gyms, Pools and other fun stuff) As a member of the ship’s staff you have access to virtually all of the onboard facilities. You should always remember that guests take precedence over staff in all areas, such as the use of lounge chairs by the pool or exercise equipment in the gym. Any restrictions that do apply to you as a crewmember will be explained to you by the management when you board your ship. A crew bar is available on each ship and it’s a great place for relaxation with your shipboard friends, out of the public eye. Best of all, purchases of alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages and cigarettes can be made with cash at prices significantly lower than those charged in guest areas. Wages Casino staff are paid their wages in cash, bi-weekly (every two weeks), and your salary includes vacation pay. Those casino staff who are entitled to receive tips will receive their portion of tips at the end of each voyage (once a week). As you are paid in cash, safety deposit boxes are available for your use in the Casino Office. It is recommended that you open a bank account in any port to safeguard your money. You can also choose to transfer your money home via money order or via a direct bank transfer. Laundry There is a self-contained crew laundry onboard, which is open 24 hours a day. It is free of charge but you will need to provide your own laundry detergent. As a staff member you have access the guest laundries (for a small fee) when the ship is in port. We also have a laundry service onboard that will wash and press your clothes for a small fee. ©Copyright 2008 Carnival Corporation. All rights reserved.