Cruise ship workers reveal what life is like at sea

Cruise ship jobs have a number of distinctive features that separate them from land-based jobs. Perhaps the biggest difference is the fact that cruise ship employees live where they work.

That can have advantages, like short “commutes” and close bonds with co-workers, but it also presents potential downsides, like poor food quality and a sometimes excessive party culture.

Business Insider spoke with 39 current and former cruise line employees who described what it’s like to live and work on a cruise ship. (Some of those mentioned in this story requested anonymity for fear of reprisal from their current or former employer.)

Here’s what they said.

Have you worked on a cruise ship? Do you have a story to share? Email this reporter at [email protected]

Read more: A lawyer who reps cruise-ship workers reveals the most shocking thing he’s heard about their job