Cruise wages

[Cdm91]

Hi there, just looking for a bit of advice. had an interview with a cruise company recently which seems to have gone well, but the offered wage is 2000 dollars a month paid only while on board. with a 4 on 2 off ration it works out around 12 000 pounds a year. I just feel thats a bit insulting for a 3rd officers role, but I'm as a newly qualified officer I feel as though I'm in no position to reject it. any opinions or advice greatly appreciated.

[Clanky]

Yeah, that is pretty poor, ask them how long you would be sailing as 3rd mate and what the salary is for 2nd mates.

The only thing in favour of this would be if it is your first trip qualified and you have no other options then a stamp in your discharge book would open up other possibilities.

[HolyNougat]

That is quite shocking.
I'm guessing that is through a manning agent, not directly with the company?

[EH75]

That's outrageous. I would be expecting more than double that. As mentioned though, if it's the only option then it's probably worth taking for the experience and then try and get something else asap.

[perksy121]

That's pretty shocking, not much better than cadet pay! I'd have a look at what the contract is like, see if they'll be tying you in for a significant time period. If not, it's probably worth taking the job and then sending out more job applications as soon as you have the stamp in your discharge book. Plus the job hunting maybe a little easier to bear with some steady pay to keep you afloat, even if it's not a huge amount.

[whereismycadetblad]

That's disgraceful. Are you sure it's paid only when onboard assuming 70 hours a week (generous in the cruise industry) 8 months a year equating 2240 hours a year for ?12000 a year that works out at ?5.35 an hour... How is that even legal? What company is offering that?

[Guybrush]

A friend had an interview with a cruise company (one of the biggest) and got offered $1800 - at sea only of course. He didn't ask for how long he would have to work at this rate, but linkedin profiles of officers from this company suggest that they promote after roughly one year. 2nd mate salary is at least double.

It's really not much, but for a fresh graduate it's better than no job at all. Right? Even though I always wanted to give a berth to cruise ships, I am now considering to apply as well.

[size4riggerboots]

Sounds like they're taking full "business advantage" of the massive number of newly qualified officers all desperate to get a foot in the door. It's pretty low of them IMO, but at the end of the day any job is better than no job and it will get you that 1st stamp or two in your book. If you don't take it, someone else will, beggars can't be choosers and all that.

[Clanky]

Taking full business advantage of the number of newly qualified officers without a job and the number of very highly qualified ex offshore people (many of whom have previous cruise experience) who are aslo either without a job or fearful for the future.

[gadget123]

And the recruiters are still talking prospective cadets they will have good career prospects.

When the options seem to be unemployment or working for less than the minimum wage it doesn't seem true.

[beer-engineer]

Thats shocking. I joined cruise ships as a newly qualified 3rd engineer (Well, 4th because they make you do the same job but pay less) in 2010 and it was closer to ?25k a year. I have no idea which company this is but it sounds woeful already.

Also worth mentioning for cruise ships that they'll take your uniform cost off you when you leave early.