Report highlights demanding cruise crew schedules
Shipboard staff may work daily throughout lengthy contracts, with unpaid breaks between assignments, according to the report.
Cruise crew members can face 12-hour shifts spent entirely on their feet and may work every day during contracts that run for six or nine months, according to the report.
The report says crew members then rest between contracts without receiving pay or entitlements during that time. It does not provide further details about compensation, specific roles or how working arrangements may differ among employers.
Customer feedback can also play a role in crew members’ employment prospects, the author says. Commendations submitted through passenger reviews may influence whether workers secure promotions or future contracts. The author therefore encourages customers to complete reviews when they want to recognize crew members’ service.