A Day in the Life of a Seafarer

A seafarer’s life at sea can be demanding, challenging, and deeply rewarding. Crew members work every day to ensure the ship operates at maximum efficiency while managing long stretches away from family and the comforts of home. This lifestyle can feel isolating for some, but for others the chance to travel the world, meet new people, and experience diverse cultures makes the journey worthwhile.

Despite the challenges of shipboard life, employee retention in cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, is considered high. Many choose to stay because of the relationships they build, the opportunities for growth, and the unique lifestyle that comes with life at sea. (Williamson, 2023)

To get a more detailed account of what a day in the life of seafarer looks like, I sat down with several seafarers, each from different cultural backgrounds, genders and positions, to get a glimpse of how a seafarer lives their life and work routine at sea. Below are a few excerpts of the questions that were asked, the interview responses have been summarized and refined for readability and clarity and are not verbatim quotes:

Q&A by Topic:

How did you get into the cruise industry?

Shore Excursion (Azamara Quest): “I started with this Company 2 years ago. I have a degree in hospitality and tourism management, and this is how I entered the industry.”

Restaurant - Steak Staff (Odyssey OTS): “I was made aware of the cruise industry by a friend Dubai.”

Chef de Partie (Brilliance OTS): “I got into the cruise industry through an agency back in India.”

Housekeeping (Jewel OTS): “I got into the cruise industry through a hiring partner in Indonesia.

 When you began working in your position, did you find it overwhelming, or did you get used to it very quickly?

Shore Excursion: “I have to admit that it was very overwhelming for me, yes, but I grew accustomed to the job and the environment very quickly. My previous job experience helped me manage things and to acclimate to the new environment.”

Chef de Partie: “it was little overwhelming, like any new job. But overall, it is not a very challenging situation, and things fell into place quickly for me.”

Housekeeping: “My first time working my position was very hard for me, but received training and over time, things became easier. I relied on other fellow crew members’ experience to make me a better worker.”

 How does your daily work routine start?

Shore Excursion: “I have to get up very early, usually before the ship arrives in port, to start my work routine. Every day is similar for me and constant, though not everyone’s schedule is the same.”

Steak Staff: “At least for us, we rarely have to wake up for work too early. Our work shifts normally end late at night, around 11:30 pm, and that sets our daily rhythm.”

Chef de Partie: “Our schedules start early and rarely changes from day to day. Our lunch time is typically in the afternoon.”

Housekeeping: “Our work shift starts early morning, from 8 am to 1 pm. This routine is the same daily except for embarkation days. We get up a lot earlier on those days to do our job.”

What are some issues that can sometimes happen while working your shift?

Shore Excursion: “Our services to the guests on board rely heavily on our shoreside partners. As a result, unexpected problems or complications can regularly occur. This can cause a domino effect that can ultimately set us back, to which I would then have to adapt to the situation to get things going again properly. Because of this, I have to be mentally prepared for each shift to navigate situations. Sometimes problems occur that are outside of my control, but we overcome the obstacles and move forward.”

Steak Staff: “At least of us, we do not get many complications during our work shifts. Things are pretty easy, we rarely have any issues, nor do we experience much stress. Our work rotations are set pretty well, so work is divided equally between all of us, which helps a lot in navigating any issues that may occur.”

Chef de Partie: “Honestly, we gratefully do not get many issues during our work shifts. Any situation that does happen, we handle it pretty quickly.”

Housekeeping: “I am happy to say that I enjoy my shifts. I do not get many problems while working, as long as you follow the rules, things turn out ok.”

How does your position fit in the cog of the machine that keeps the ship running?

Shore Excursion: “Like a machine, all the pieces of the different positions on board makes it so everything flows and connect with efficiency. And also like a machine, if a piece does not work properly in tune with the greater whole, it can have a negative effect on everything else. Luckily, like I said, in our position everything flows well and any issues that may occur, we handle, so disruptions in the entire machine is not seen often.”

Steak Staff: “We feel that our role on board is as important as any other in the ship. Like everyone else, if we do not do our part, the show cannot go on.”

Housekeeping: “I think that we are the face of the ship. We get the most interactions with the guests on board, an as such we represent the company.”

How do you stay connected with friends and family while at sea?

Shore Excursion: “The best way to communicate with family is with the internet. Internet speeds on board are a lot better than they were before. And when abroad, SIM cards are very helpful.”

Steak Staff: “We communicate with our family and friends mostly through WhatsApp, but we also get free internet for video calls for two hours each week. Sometimes we wish we could get more than just two hours because if we want to use additional data for video calls after that, we will have to pay, and it is not cheap.”

Housekeeping: “Mainly through WhatsApp and video calls, but we wish we had more time to talk with our families.”

What do you do for fun during your free time?

Shore Excursion: “I try to go out while we are shoreside to explore and to relax. Sometimes, I get to spend time with the other crew at the bar we have on board, or attend events and activities hosted by the company.”

Steak Staff: “I mostly just watch TV or play video games on my mobile device. When we dock at a port, I go out with my friends to eat.”

Chef de Partie: “We pass the time having fun in the crew parties on board and we play games. It is a great way to spend time with the other crew.”

Housekeeping: “For me, I just watch TV, sometimes I go out, but mainly I am just too tired sometimes and I just take the free time to rest.”

Which port is your favorite?

Shore Excursion: “I actually love the port here in Puerto Rico, Old San Juan is an amazing place and the people here a very friendly. I also enjoyed my time in the other port to the south in Ponce, it is very peaceful and beautiful.”

Steak Staff: “We always enjoy the time we spend when we dock in Port Canaveral, Florida. The seaman center there is great and convenient, and the food is really good.”

Chef de Partie: “I love the Asian ports, especially the one in Japan. It is very beautiful there and I love the culture. I cannot wait to go back there again.”

Housekeeping: “I love the ports of St. Maarten and Dominica. Those islands are very beautiful. It is very easy to buy things there, the food is great, and everything is close to the port.”

 What is the dynamic life between crew and passengers?

Shore Excursion: “As we get a lot o0f time with the passengers, the dynamic is overall very friendly. It’s a small ship, so we get to know the passengers very well, it makes it feel more personal than on larger vessels.”

Life at sea is far more than a job, it is a lifestyle shaped by discipline, resilience, teamwork, and a deep sense of community. Although each seafarer brings a unique background and perspective, their stories reveal shared themes: the challenges of being far from home, and the joy found in exploration, camaraderie, and meaningful moments with passengers. Whether working behind the scenes, serving guests, or coordinating experiences, each seafarer plays an essential role in creating smooth and unforgettable voyages.

These interviews remind us that every cruise ship is powered not just by engines and navigation systems, but by the dedication of the people who call the ocean their workplace. Their commitment, adaptability and passion for their craft make the guest experience possible, and their stories highlight the humanity behind an industry often admired from a distance. As long as the seas continue to call, seafarers will continue to answer, with hard work, heart, and a spirit of adventure that carries them across the world.

References

Williamson, J. (2023, May 8). 8 Facts You Might Not Know About Working on a Cruise Ship. Retrieved from Cruise Critic: https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/8-facts-you-might-not-know-about-working-on-a-cruise-ship