cruise ship chef life

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What is it like to Work as a Chef on a Cruise Ship?

Professional chefs enjoy a wide range of choices when it comes to work sites. These can include restaurants, institutional kitchens, private households, casinos, and hotels. If you're thinking of parlaying your love of cooking into a life as a chef , you might choose one of these settings. If you're dreaming of a somewhat more adventurous life, you might think of working on a cruise ship.

Why Work on a Cruise Ship?

Do you love to travel? Do you enjoy visiting different countries and meeting people from all over the world? Chances are, a life as a cruise ship chef can provide those opportunities. But most important, a cruise ship chef may have an opportunity to develop professional skills in a rigorous environment that will serve them well in any culinary setting.

Cruise ships typically feature several restaurants, with staff preparing many different types of food during a cruise. Yes, there are breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but also a wide variety of culinary offerings for special parties, buffets, poolside snacks, and other occasions.

Being a cruise ship chef can be demanding. Cruise ships aim for a high standard of culinary preparation, as food is one of the main focuses for the hundreds of guests on board for each cruise. Days can be long, with vast arrays and quantities of dishes to prepare. It's not unusual for a cruise ship to call on its staff to work every day during a three-month contract.

However, most cruise ships do provide ample opportunities for rest and recreation at the end of a shift, and then ship's employees look forward to lengthy time off – typically six weeks to two months – after completing their contract employment.

Job Opportunities on a Cruise Ship

Some of the typical job opportunities on a cruise ship might include the following:

• Executive Chef:  Oversees culinary operations and team, as well as presentations and preparation
• Baker:  Responsible for baking multiple daily bread presentations
• Cook:  All-purpose culinary work
• Pastry chef:  Preparation of a wide variety of pastries
• Sushi chef:  Preparation of sushi or other Asian-inspired cuisine
• Party chef:  Preparation of food for parties and special events
• Pantry cook:  In charge of food forecast and requisitions, budgeting, supervising staff, setting up cold displays at buffet stations
• Sous chef:  Second in command to the executive chef
• Culinary administrator:  Supervising staff, coordinating with the executive chef and other managers, overseeing budget, presentation, quality of food, and sanitation

Living on the High Seas

One of the perks that come with working on a cruise ship are living accommodations. However, as you might guess, accommodations on board a cruise ship are limited for staff, so expect to share space or live in tight quarters. Generally, as staff rise in rank and enter management, living accommodations become more generous.

Staff may also expect to partake in crew mess (cafeterias) for eating, laundry facilities, crew stores, and a pay system so you can manage your finances while at sea. In addition, most cruise ships are likely to provide crew with recreational facilities such as video games, a lounge area, WiFi, a crew bar, and a crew gym.

One great benefit of working on a ship is the opportunity to save money. Many cruise ship staffers report that while taking advantage of the free accommodations and food service, they are focused on their work, and don't spend much of their salary while fulfilling the terms of their contracts.

How to Become a Cruise Ship Chef

If working as a cruise ship chef appeals to you, the next step will be getting the experience and education you need.

Often, chefs get their start by enrolling in a culinary arts program at a college. Depending on the direction you want to focus on, you will learn basic culinary skills, as well as more specialized skills. Some of the coursework is likely to include the following: kitchen organization, cooking methods and principles, baking, pastry fundamentals, preparation of meat, seafood and poultry, nutrition and healthy cooking. Advanced studies will provide instruction on culinary artistry, baking and pastry arts, recipe and menu development, international culinary preparation, and plating and preparation techniques.

If you intend to become a manager, you will need to study kitchen sanitation and safety, purchasing and storeroom management, food service supervision, dining room and service management and supervision for food service.

The Culinary Institute of Virginia is joining us again at the Expo. We are so glad they are returning. #ECPI pic.twitter.com/3lE9PuxPFk — HR Transpo Expo (@hrtranspoexpo) May 24, 2016

All Aboard!

Are you ready to sail the high seas, cooking up a storm for waves of hungry cruise ship guests? With accelerated learning and a year-round schedule, you could graduate with a diploma in as little as 15 months. Contact an admissions counselor to see if an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts degree at ECPI University is right for you. It could be The Best Decision You Ever Make!

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The art of the buffet: Cruise chef of two decades explains how ships feed thousands of passengers at sea

• Marco Goetz has worked on some of the world's largest cruise ships as an executive chef. 
• For the past 15 years, he's overseen the culinary operations on several Carnival cruise lines. 
• He said a missed port or late food shipment can throw a meticulously designed menu into disarray.

The most difficult part of Marco Goetz's 20-plus-year career hasn't been the 14-hour shifts or living at sea for months at a time. 

Instead, he says it's been mastering the intricate system that enables 265 galley cooks and stewards to feed 4,700 passengers and crew members every day. 

"You are more or less like in the army. And everybody has their stripes," Goetz, who has worked on several Carnival cruise lines over the past 15 years, told Insider.

In 2020, Carnival enlisted Goetz to help solve one of the cruise industry's most dire crises to date: figuring out how to feed thousands of quarantined passengers and crew members onboard the Diamond Princess stranded in Japan , home to what was at the time the largest number of COVID-19 infections outside of mainland China.

The industry veteran traveled from Los Angeles to the port of Yokohama to solicit piecemeal deals from local hotels, as a single restaurant or catering company could not possibly feed all the hungry mouths on board.  

The logistical nightmare that followed is an extreme example of how many moving parts make up the massive floating cities, where food is sourced from apartment-sized freezers and container ships instead of grocery stores and farms. 

"On land, your daily routines are more organized — you know what is coming," Goetz told Insider. "On the ship, you never know."

Related stories

The art of the buffet 

The corporate executive chef of a cruise ship combines the expertise of a chef with the skills of a business manager to oversee the vessel's entire culinary operation. This can include everything from ingredient orders and cost reductions to menu design and staff training.

It's a position that allows for a birds-eye view of a cruise line's food supply chain, a delicate sequence of operations that a single aberration like a missed port or late shipment can plunge into chaos. 

Carnival's Caribbean Princess ship (on which Goetz worked this fall) has seven dining rooms and five specialty restaurants, including an Italian trattoria, steakhouse, and wine bar. Instead of picking up food along the route, cruise ships load up at the origin port on all the food needed for the journey, Goetz told Insider. 

Food shipments are then stored inside the cruise ship's massive freezers, an inventory process that Bloomberg's Brandon Presser described as an " art form " in a 2018 feature on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas. 

"Overestimate the order, and the voyage becomes less profitable (and wasteful); underestimate, and you'll risk a riot over coconut shrimp," Presser wrote. "Luckily, passengers' eating habits are fairly predictable. On the average week-long cruise, Royal Caribbean estimates its guests will be 80 percent American, consuming around 3,000 bottles of wine, 7,000 pounds of chicken breast, and almost 100,000 eggs."

Throughout the cruise, buffet options are adjusted in accordance with guests' nationalities, Goetz told Insider. After each meal, galley staff takes note of which food was most and least popular, he added. 

"If you have more Germans on the ship, for breakfast they want more sausages, cold cuts, things like that," Goetz explained. "When you have French passengers then it's more baguettes, croissants."

But despite the meticulously calculated menu, every now and then guests will become upset by the fact that the chefs don't have an endless supply of special dishes at their fingertips, Goetz said. 

"If they ask for tomato, there's no problem," he told Insider. "But if somebody asks for a Kobe steak or they want something completely special — if we don't carry on board we can't provide it."

In the kitchen, health inspections are top of mind.

Goetz's day typically begins at 6 or 7 a.m. — unless the cruise is docked at an American port. 

"If it's an American port, you start at five o'clock or even earlier because you need to be ready for public health," he said.

Health inspections are always top of mind in cruise ship kitchens. Gastrointestinal diseases spread like wildfire — and a chef's worst nightmare is to be blamed for an outbreak. 

Executive chefs like Goetz largely dictate their own schedule and can take breaks throughout the day to get off the boat and explore different ports. A hobbyist photographer , Goetz said getting off the ship and taking photos allows him to stay sane below deck. 

Cruise ship chefs can make anywhere between $6,000 to $8,500 a month, Goetz said, noting that he typically works eight months out of the year and is not paid for the remaining four. 

A corporate executive chef in New York City makes between $124,240 and $157,247 a year, according to salary.com , which divides out to over $10,000 a month. But, cruise ship workers receive living quarters (most chefs have their own cabin) and meals for free. 

For rank and file galley staff who regularly work eleven to 14-hour shifts for six months straight, "it's the toughest job you can have," Goetz said. 

"It's difficult to give crew full days off but maybe a few more hours or maybe a half a day, just to give them some time to see the world," he told Insider. "Some of the chefs just abuse people and that's something which needs to be changed."

Do you work on a cruise ship?  Have a tip or story to share? Email this reporter from a non-work address at [email protected]

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What Working on Cruise Ships is Really Like: Pros & Cons

Ever wondered what cruise ship crew life is really like or if working on ships is worth it? Keep reading to find out all the good and bad that comes with living at sea!

Working on cruise ships often sounds like a dream, and it definitely can be.

But there were also many times in my three-year career at sea where it honestly felt like a living nightmare.

If you’re considering a life at sea or you’re just curious about cruise ship crew life, here’s some information about the pros and cons from my experience as a pirate seafarer for your entertainment and/or research purposes.

My Experience Working on Cruise Ships

There are always advantages and disadvantages to every job and working on cruise ships is no different. 

Cruise ship crew life can be intense: long hours, no days off for months, lots of rules, demanding guests, small living quarters and little to no privacy.

But working on ships also allows you to travel to places some only dream of while making some amazing connections with fellow seafarers from all over the world.

Despite all the ups and downs of ship life, I wouldn’t change a thing.

You can party all night over international waters, fall asleep to the sound of the ocean, and wake up in a completely different country.

View this post on Instagram Please, please, please don’t ever let me take this for granted: the fact that I can work in the morning, run around Saint Petersburg for a few hours, go back to work until midnight and see this amazing sunset, and then get back off the ship to see people all over the world celebrating the World Cup together in the streets before I return to the floating tin can I call home at 4am. All summer long, every single week #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Jul 6, 2018 at 4:43am PDT

You’ll often hear crew members joking that they’re never coming back; that this is their last contract.

But the truth is that more often than not, we somehow always come crawling back for just one more contract because once you get a taste for life at sea, living anywhere else isn’t the same.

I’ve had the chance to live on foreign land abroad in Japan and even on the ice in Antarctica .

Related: How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship: Tips from a Crew Member

They were amazing experiences that were less physically demanding than ship life with better pay and fewer work hours. 

But if given the chance to return to just one of my past lives in my journey across all seven continents and seven seas , I would go back to working on cruise ships without batting an eye. 

My heart will always be at sea.

View this post on Instagram Another farewell to this floating home, although I’m sure I’ll be back soon enough ?⚓❤️ #marineradventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Sep 30, 2019 at 12:42pm PDT

The Pros of Working on Cruise Ships

1. you get paid to travel.

This is probably the biggest and most well-known perk of getting a job on a cruise ship , and for good reason.

It is the ultimate work and travel job opportunity that has allowed me to travel to 35 countries, frolic on more Caribbean beaches than I can count, spend a month in the Mediterranean, sail through the Arctic Circle, dock in Russia all summer during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, cruise with Jazz legend Dave Koz, visit Greenland, and see endless prismatic sunsets at sea.

All while getting paid.

View this post on Instagram Day 17: Geiranger, Norway | Find the mop of hair by the cliff that just set foot on her 50th country today! ??? #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Jun 5, 2018 at 4:26am PDT

2. Little to no cost of living

On ships, you live where you work.

Unlike life on land, there is no rent to be paid or monthly utility bills that need to be taken care of.

All basic living expenses are covered at sea for crew members: accommodation, water, electricity, and food. 

3. Free medical care

This may not seem that special for most people, but if you’re American like me, this is such a huge benefit to ship life.

When I had an infection during one contract, I was able to get an exam done and receive the necessary antibiotics all between my work shifts, and all at no cost.

Back on land, I avoid seeing my healthcare provider unless I absolutely have to because I know how much it’ll cost me.

4. Flights to and from the ship are provided

While this varies by company and possibly by job, ships generally pay for crew flights.

5. Easily rack up airline flight miles

Because most of the flights my company books for me tend to be with either United or American Airlines, I’ve been able to get mileage credit for all of my flights just going to and from work and have used them to fully fund my vacation flights to Mexico on multiple occasions. 

6. Short work commute

Well, this is obviously after you’ve made it onto the ship.

But once onboard, your daily commute to work is just a few minutes.

I’ve had many late nights out with early morning start times where I rolled out of bed ten minutes before I had to be at work and made it to my shift on time.

7. 6-8 week vacation in between contracts

Times are changing, but typically, you can’t just take an extended multi-week long vacation from work.

One of the perks of working in Japan was that I had week-long vacations three times a year.

On ships, crew members must have a minimum of six weeks of time off between contracts, because, well you don’t have any days off for your entire contract.

While this period is unpaid, it does provide ample time to travel freely for more than just a week.

This is an aside, but for Americans to go anywhere out of the country, I personally find that one week is just not enough time to comfortably enjoy any destination abroad due to the amount of travel time that it takes to simply get out of the States and return.

With ships, I don’t need to request or arrange for extra time off.

8. Save money

If you’re smart, you can save the majority of your paycheck because there are no costs of living or large bills that need to be paid every month.

9. Crew discounts

In many ports, crew members can get discounts on nearly every service possible: taxis/shuttles, restaurants, bars, beach resorts, etc.

Lots of businesses understand that while guests are simply one-time visitors, crew members come back each time the ship returns to the area and can bring in a lot of regular business.

View this post on Instagram Day 44: Cozumel, Mexico | When things don’t go as planned, find a private beach club that doesn’t charge a cover for crew members and eat all the seafood for lunch ???? #navigatoradventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Dec 6, 2017 at 1:38pm PST

10. Escape reality

Working on cruise ships is like living in a floating metal bubble.

Because of the long work hours and limited internet access, I usually don’t have time to keep up with what’s happening back home or anywhere else in the world unless it’s major news that affects us, like a hurricane in the Bahamas or cruise ships no longer being allowed into Cuba. 

11. International connections

While the majority of cruise guests might be primarily from one or two countries, the crew area is like a small, diverse city with people from dozens of countries.

You work and live with people from all around the world, and it’s such a unique experience to learn about their lives and country through interaction.

After three years at sea, most of my closest friends are from ships and not living in the U.S.

While I can’t just drive a few hours to see them, I have an added incentive to vacation or travel to wherever they live.

12. Charter cruises

Sometimes companies or organizations buy out the entire ship for their employees or events at sea.

The guests’ demographics and atmosphere of the ship varies dramatically compared to typical cruisers.

Charters are always exciting for crew, especially if they’re music festivals.

While your rank dictates how much of the events you can partake in (if at all and more on that later), I’d say 70% of the charter cruises I’ve worked on have been very pleasant with better-than-usual guests.

Also dependent on your job position, sometimes charters are better for you, but also sometimes they’re worse.

As a youth counselor, charters that are adults-only tend to be wilder (that’s another story that will have to wait), but it also means that I get a rare break from the typical childcare duties.

View this post on Instagram Day 3: Stockholm, Sweden | Starting off this contract with a seven day Dave Koz charter with no kids ??? #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on May 22, 2018 at 5:55am PDT

13. You get to be part of meaningful humanitarian work

While being able to provide a guest with an amazing and memorable vacation is of course satisfying, the proudest I’ve ever been to be a crew member working for Royal Caribbean was when we were giving back to communities in need and looking out for our neighbors.

Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines have a history of providing aid and humanitarian relief in times of disasters, from evacuating hurricane-stricken islands like Puerto Rico and the Bahamas to supporting those affected by wild and bush fires in California and Australia .

During Hurricane Dorian, the ship that I was on ( Mariner of the Seas ) was called to provide assistance to the Bahamas.

The crew was briefed on the situation and we were informed that we’d be supplying food as well as evacuating as many Bahamians as we could.

Heartwarming: Crew members aboard @royalcaribbean ’s Mariner of the Seas are at sea preparing 20,000 meals to deliver to the people of Freeport in the Bahamas Saturday morning. Staff worked all day and prepared the meals overnight on their own time instead of sleeping. @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/p8hmsGtWRW — Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) September 7, 2019

Even though most of the packaging of meals took place late at night after everyone had finished work, there was not one crew member complaining about the extra hours of work being put in.

While evacuees were on board, the kids’ program staff was asked to entertain the Bahamian children who were evacuating with their families.

Us staff had divided activities and games to host between us, and I got to help out with face painting the kids.

It turns out though, the children wanted to paint as well, so I ended up letting the kids use me as a human canvas and I was left with some pretty sick body art for the rest of the day.

Especially in a job that can get mundane and frustrating from demanding and sometimes ungrateful guests, these small opportunities where we get to actually do something meaningful makes me happy to work at sea.

14. CV/Resume boost

Working on cruise ships requires a lot of skills that make crew members some of the most eligible employment candidates : international experience and the ability to work with a diverse team; skills in customer service and crisis management; and capable of learning quickly. 

Most of all, I think what makes crew members stand out is their mental strength.

It’s not easy to work long hours for months at a time, isolated from land and friends and family.

But if you can do that, there’s not much else you’re not psychologically capable of. 

I know that for me, this was the biggest selling point that made me a quick hire to work and live in Antarctica .

Related: How I Got Paid to Live in Antarctica: FAQ About Working on the Ice

Related: What to Pack When Working on a Cruise Ship

The Cons of Working on Cruise Ships

1. there are no days off.

On ships, weekends and holidays don’t exist.

You work every day of your entire contract and just have hours off between shifts each day.

On land, you can go hard on a Friday night and have a couple of days to recover.

On ships, you still have to get up and go to work the next day.

2. You work long hours

The most I ever clocked in in a day was about 13 hours, but of course this will vary according to job position and possibly whether or not it’s a busy cruise.

The majority of crew members work anywhere from 9-11+ hours every day, the average amount being on the higher end of the spectrum.

Shifts are also split, so you might start work in the morning and not finish for the day until late at night. 

3. Contracts are 4-9 months long

You will get tired and you will feel overworked.

You’ll be away from home for a long while and in that time you will also miss out on a lot of life.

View this post on Instagram All’s well that ends well. 151 days, 8 countries, 1000s of little screaming rascals, and some really great new friends. Thanks for the memories, Anthem ❤⚓️ #anthemadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Jul 20, 2017 at 10:41am PDT

4. You’re on call 24/7

Every crew member is responsible for responding to designated emergencies: medical, fire, security threat, man overboard, etc.

No matter where you are or what time it is, when the announcement is made, you have roughly seven minutes to get to your emergency station.

In the shower? Better get dressed.

On the other side of the ship? Run.

In my three years onboard, I’ve been woken four times in the early morning hours between 2-5 a.m. to my emergency call, which I then had to run up 10 decks and the entire length of the ship to reach my response station.

And once the emergency was over, I still had to go to work at the regularly scheduled time just a few hours later.

5. Small living quarters

If you think guest cabins are small, wait until you see what crew cabins look like.

Unless you’re a higher ranked staff or officer, your room will be generally small.

Most crew typically live with one other roommate in a cabin that is just large enough for the absolute basics: a bunked bed, a small table with a couple dresser drawers and shelves, two small wardrobe closets, and a restroom where you can shit, shower, and shave all at the same time. 

As a 5’2″ fun-sized human who doesn’t mind confined spaces, the small cabins don’t really bother me.

I can fit comfortably on my bed with room to spare.

If you’re any taller or larger than me though, crew cabins can be claustrophobic-inducing and extremely uncomfortable.

6. No privacy

There’s nowhere to hide.

Sure, you have your room, but like I mentioned, you’ll probably have a roommate.

This can be extremely difficult for introverts such as myself especially if your job is a front of the house position.

Luckily, many crew cabins have bunked beds with curtains for each bed so you have your own personal coffin of solitude.

7. It’s like college all over again

With the confined quarters and small community of stressed out humans, you can only imagine how sloppy things get.

All those cruise ship crew hookup stories?

They’re all true and sometimes too horrifically real.

You’ve either walked in on your roommate on they’ve walked in on you.

Sometimes you wake up and your roommate is hooking up in the bunk above you.

          View this post on Instagram                   Day 5: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, France | Despite the drama I’ve had with cabins and rooming issues since I’ve gotten here, today was a good one. Now to douse my room with Oxivir (AKA super ship bleach) and hopefully get some sleep #freedomadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Oct 2, 2017 at 1:30pm PDT

8. The food is not the same for crew and guests

Crew members have their own cafeteria (“mess”) separated from guests and even sometimes split between ranks.

Because the majority of crew members tend to be from Asian countries (the Philippines, Indonesia, and India), a lot of the food in the crew mess is catered to their cuisine.

If you’re lucky, some ships will try to include both Asian and Western food options, but it’s not always the case.

View this post on Instagram Day 18: Barcelona, Spain | When you ask the gelato lady if you can just buy a banana because this ship don’t wanna feed this girl her potassium ??‍♀️ #freedomadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Oct 15, 2017 at 3:28am PDT

9. It’s a bit military-esque

Everything is highly regulated and there are a lot of rules: what you’re allowed to do, where you’re allowed to be, and even what you’re allowed to wear.

There’s a dress code for everything: day, night, formal, smart casual, all black. 

Cabins are inspected regularly and beds must be made.

If we fail, our supervisors are notified.

Disciplinary action is super formal: verbal warnings, written warnings, hearings with the master (captain), and dismissal.

Your privileges depend on how many stripes you have (your rank).

There are typically three tiers in the ship social hierarchy: officer, staff (front of the house), and crew (back of the house).

As I mentioned above, some ships have separate messes, one for officers and staff and another for crew.

Depending on how many stripes you have, you may be allowed to be seen around the ship in the public areas such as the shops or eating at one of the restaurants.

10. Crew drills

Every cruise, crew members need to take part in mandatory emergency drills where you have to respond to a simulated incident and answer questions about crisis response protocol.

Sometimes this can last hours, especially if the crew fail to respond properly.

11. Trainings and certifications

If you’re a new hire, expect to spend the entirety of your first few weeks in training courses: basic ship safety, emergency response, evacuation protocol, lifeboat/life raft operations (aka flipping a raft in a pool with a life jacket on while guests watch you), crowd management, security certification, and more. 

You’ll need to attend all of these classes in addition to working your actual ship job.

When I was a new hire, I don’t think I had time to get off the ship until the second week.

12. Crew aren’t treated the same as guests

Ever notice that crew members have to go through extra security checks when arriving back onboard, like taking their shoes off and getting a pat-down but guests don’t?

This is because crew are often targeted by locals to smuggle drugs and security is checking to see if we’ve got any contraband on us.

But it’s not just ship security that treats us differently.

Sometimes, unfortunately, local port authorities give us a hard time.

Story time .

This happened when I was in Bermuda and multiple female crew members were stopped at the port security checkpoint by staff who requested a pat-down and weird strip search.

When I was stopped, they separated me from my partner and tried to usher me into a secluded room so that I would be out of public view.

I, set on making a scene in front of everyone, including guests, asked them what they needed to check, and they said they needed me to remove my dress.

They tugged my arm and tried to pull me into the office but I insisted on taking my dress off right there since I was wearing a bikini and I didn’t want to be moved to a secondary location .

They kept trying to convince me to cooperate until I, like the often spiteful child that I am, finally just pulled my dress up to my head like a toddler and asked if that would suffice.

Then they yelled at me for not following directions.

Once back onboard, I’d heard several other crew ladies had refused the antics and weren’t allowed shore leave there for the next few cruises.

While this definitely isn’t the norm, instances like this do happen unfortunately.

13. You’re always “on stage”

Prepare to smile a lot and always be “on” around guests.

Even if you’re off duty and walking through public areas of the ship, you are still a working employee if guests stop you to ask you a question or need help.

14. Customer service on ships can be demanding and is often brutal

I honestly don’t know what it is that makes some cruise guests the worst types of customers I’ve ever encountered, but it’s definitely helped me build up my patience and Resting “Are You Done” Face.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been yelled at for the most trivial things.

I think some guests think that if they make enough of a fuss, they will be rewarded with some discount or compensation.

Ok, I don’t think this is the case, I know it is as I’ve heard more than a few guests laugh about this. 

But us crew members build up a tolerance for poor adult behavior and find ways to cope with it, like corralling a parent into a corner akin to a farm animal after they’ve physically pushed you and barged their way into the secured kids’ facility, all while you talk to them like a child until they calm down.

Side note, if you’re a guest anywhere, please be a decent human to people providing you with services.

It’s not that difficult.

15. The seas can be rough

While guests might deal with seasickness by laying down in their cabins, crew members still need to be at their work areas operating the same as usual no matter what the weather or sea conditions are.

16. The air on ships is extremely dry

As guests, you can spend most of your day outside getting fresh air.

Most crew members work inside the ship though, and in addition to living in a floating metal can of recycled air for months on end, the dry air and dust will definitely affect your health. 

After a couple of years on ships, my eyes were completely wrecked to the point that I could no longer wear contacts without my eyes turning bloodshot and I had to have laser correction to remove the chapped top layer of my cornea as well as to restore my vision.

You’ve been warned.

View this post on Instagram Day 134: Curaçao ?? | 10 days left, get me off this ship ? Side note: any recommendations on places to get LASIK done in the Bay Area would be much appreciated. Ship air has dunzo’d these eyes #navigatoradventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Mar 6, 2018 at 1:44pm PST

17. Ship life affects your hormones and health

Blame it on the recycled air, the desalinated water, the fluctuating food quality, high stress, or close living quarters, but your health may take a hit while working on ships.

Some crew members gain weight, some break out with acne, and I, unfortunately, get my period every other week.

I’ve talked about this before in my post about my experience working with Peace Boat and circumnavigating the globe on a world voyage, but basically, be prepared for your body to change.

Related: How I Cruised Around the World for Free with Peace Boat

18. Internet is limited and expensive

I’ve had so many guests ask me if crew members get free Wi-Fi and the truth is that our internet packages actually tend to be more expensive than the guests’.

On Royal Caribbean, an hour of internet for the crew is USD 4 and expires within 24 hours.

While there are other package options for more time or over an extended period, the price per hour is generally about the same.

19. You rarely have control over your assignments

For many crew positions, you won’t be able to request a specific ship or itinerary for several years.

And even then, your preference request might not be granted. 

You usually stay with the same ship for the entirety of your contract but there are cases where you might be abruptly transferred to another ship and there’s nothing you can do about it.

They might not even give you 24 hours’ notice.

View this post on Instagram Day 91: Kristiansand, Norway | After a couple dramatic cruises and a near transfer with less than 24 hours’ notice, I’m grateful more than ever to call this floating tin can my home. Good days or bad, I’m not leaving ✊ #serenadeadventures #latergram A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Aug 18, 2018 at 4:44am PDT

20. Long-term relationships are difficult to sustain

Most relationships between crew members are short and limited to the length of the contract.

While it’s not impossible to get a following ship assignment together, it is very difficult and often unlikely.

This of course varies by company, but in my experience, couples need to submit official paperwork that proves they are in a formal, legally binding relationship of some sort and even then there is no guarantee that crew couples can be placed on the same ship.

It used to be easier to produce simple paperwork such as an apartment lease or utility bill with both names on the document to prove your relationship, but rules have since become stricter on many ships.

21. You’re away from family and friends for long periods of time

You end up watching life going on without you through social media: birthdays, weddings, kids growing, pet adoptions, game nights, brunch dates, etc.

Is Working on a Cruise Ship Worth It?

If you’re willing to put in the work and sacrifice the comforts of life at land, working on a cruise ship offers a lifestyle with travel opportunities you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Of all the jobs I’ve had that paid me to travel or let me see the world for free, my time working on cruise ships is the one chapter in my journey around the world that I look back on the fondest.

There is so much pride in cruise ship crew life, both the work and lifestyle.

While it’s definitely not the easiest travel job, it is the most rewarding.

View this post on Instagram Recovering from the best 147 days I ever worked at sea #serenadeadventures A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite) on Oct 16, 2018 at 1:03pm PDT

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Michelle is a freelance writer who has traveled to all seven continents and 60+ countries through various forms of employment. Over the last ten years, she’s worked as an ESL teacher in Japan, a youth counselor aboard cruise ships, and a hospitality manager in Antarctica.

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24 comments

I enjoyed reading this informative yet engaging post. Your mental strength is admirable and I love your honesty here. Thank you for sharing an insight into working on cruise ships.

Thanks for reading! Working on ships definitely takes some mental strength but you get used to– and addicted to– the lifestyle after a while.

Thank you for such a great and informatively written article on your experiences, and life working on a cruise ship, very helpful in my consideration. I appreciate your candor and humor as well.

Glad I could help!

A must read. Very well-written. Shared your article to my students who are cruise ship worker aspirants. 👏🏼☺️ 🛳

Wow, I’m flattered! I hope it’s helpful for them :)

Thank you for sharing your amazing journey! Your authenticity is both inspiring & appreciated.

Beautifully written. You answered many questions I had and even some I didn’t know I had :) I enjoyed your writing. I’ve applied to a few cruise ships. Wish me luck. Think we could possibly keep in touch through email?

Glad I could help and sending positive thoughts your way! Feel free to email me if you have further questions and I’ll do my best to help :)

I really enjoyed the read. I have been looking at what a day into he life would be. I wish I would have done this when I was in my 20s. This would have been perfect and to see the world.

i dont know how i got here but thank you its so informative. I have always wanted to work for cruises and I will safely say am still going to apply for it. hopefully will come back with some nice memories if I get it

Hi Michelle, it was very nice and informative to read your post! You could write novels on life on bord! Thank you for the time it took you to write it. Solange from London UK

This is extremely well written, informative, and enjoyable!

Love this because it answered questions I had and was written in a warm, relatable way. Great job and thank you.

Beautifully written, pros and cons are nicely explained, the way it is written with pictures made me to give a thoght about good and difficult times, this article can be an introduction for those who are thinking about pursuing cruise ship life. cruise ship life is really a hard nut to crack. You are a strong person, wish you happiness and more power to you. I enjoyed reading this article.

Thank you! Cruise ship life definitely has its challenges but I also found it to be a rewarding experience.

Wow. I really appreciate and admire you♥️ Im planning to apply for a cruise after experience of 5 star hotel. The disadvantage is too hard whether will i be able to fit. However, im gonna try since it’s my dream to work at cruise🙂 Thankyou so much you gave me alot knowledge about cruise♥️

I stumbled across your stories when I Googled crew life aboard a cruise ship. I will be joining the Pride of America ship with Norwegian Cruise Lines as soon as my MMC credentials have been completed. You are so detailed and the added photos have made this so enjoyable to read and your knowledge has helped me tremendously. Especially with what I need to pack, prohibited items etc. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with all of us! I am very much looking forward to my life living and working on a cruise ship as a Bartender.

Hey!!!! This was a really great article and really helped with the questions I always had about cruise ship job. Thank you so much!

OMG I am so happy I found you. I will start my first contract in April. And this definitely helped me a lot. I wonder if you have a list of what to bring on board or some tips on what to pack. Thank you

Happy to help! Here’s an article I have for what to pack when working on a cruise ship .

Thanks for this interesting, well-written, behind-the-scenes look at working on a cruise ship!

Thoroughly enjoyed your stories and your views, great enlightenment on what to expect and what are the highlights and restrictions that you cover.

Keep writing

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How Much Does a Cruise Ship Chef Make? (2023 Salary Guide)

How Much Does a Cruise Ship Chef Make?

Cruise ship chefs are responsible for preparing and cooking food for passengers and crew members. They work long hours, often in demanding conditions, but they can also enjoy a high salary and a chance to travel the world. In this article, we’ll explore the different factors that affect a cruise ship chef’s salary, including experience, location, and the type of ship they work on. We’ll also provide some tips on how to become a cruise ship chef and get started on your own culinary adventure.

What’s the Average Salary for a Cruise Ship Chef?

The average salary for a cruise ship chef is around \$60,000 per year. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including experience, location, and the type of ship they work on.

• Experience: Cruise ship chefs with more experience typically earn higher salaries. Entry-level chefs can expect to earn around \$40,000 per year, while experienced chefs can earn up to \$80,000 or more.
• Location: Cruise ship chefs who work on ships that travel to more expensive destinations typically earn higher salaries. For example, chefs who work on ships that visit Europe or Asia can earn more than those who work on ships that visit the Caribbean or Mexico.
• Type of ship: Cruise ship chefs who work on larger ships typically earn higher salaries than those who work on smaller ships. This is because larger ships have more passengers and crew members to feed, which means that there is more work for the chefs.

How to Become a Cruise Ship Chef

If you’re interested in becoming a cruise ship chef, there are a few things you can do to prepare.

• Get your culinary degree. The most important step in becoming a cruise ship chef is to get your culinary degree. This will give you the skills and knowledge you need to work in a professional kitchen.
• Gain experience. Once you have your culinary degree, you’ll need to gain experience working in a professional kitchen. This will help you develop your skills and learn the ropes of the industry.
• Get your sea legs. If you’re not used to working on a ship, it’s important to get your sea legs before you start working as a cruise ship chef. This will help you adjust to the motion of the ship and the long hours.
• Network. Once you have some experience under your belt, it’s important to network with other cruise ship chefs. This will help you learn about job openings and get your foot in the door.

Tips for Cruise Ship Chefs

Working as a cruise ship chef can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging. Here are a few tips to help you succeed in this role:

• Be prepared to work long hours. Cruise ship chefs typically work long hours, often 10-12 hours per day. It’s important to be prepared for this and to manage your time effectively.
• Be flexible. Cruise ship chefs need to be flexible and adaptable. They may need to work different shifts and be willing to work in different types of kitchens.
• Be a team player. Cruise ship chefs work as part of a team. It’s important to be able to work well with others and to be supportive of your colleagues.

Factors Affecting Cruise Ship Chef Salaries

There are a number of factors that can affect the salary of a cruise ship chef, including:

• Position and experience: The position and experience of a cruise ship chef will have a significant impact on their salary. For example, a head chef will earn more than a sous chef, and a chef with more experience will earn more than a chef with less experience.
• Cruise line: The cruise line that a chef works for can also affect their salary. Some cruise lines are known for paying their chefs more than others.
• Ship size and location: The size of the ship and its location can also affect a chef’s salary. Chefs who work on larger ships or ships that are located in more desirable destinations will typically earn more than chefs who work on smaller ships or ships that are located in less desirable destinations.
• Cost of living: The cost of living in the area where a chef works can also affect their salary. Chefs who work in areas with a higher cost of living will typically earn more than chefs who work in areas with a lower cost of living.

Average Cruise Ship Chef Salaries

The average salary for a cruise ship chef varies depending on the factors discussed above. However, according to PayScale, the average salary for a cruise ship chef in the United States is $52,684 per year.

The following table provides average salaries for cruise ship chefs by position, cruise line, ship size, and location:

| Position | Average Salary | |—|—| | Head Chef | $65,000 | | Sous Chef | $55,000 | | Line Cook | $45,000 | | Prep Cook | $35,000 |

| Cruise Line | Average Salary | |—|—| | Carnival | $50,000 | | Royal Caribbean | $55,000 | | Norwegian Cruise Line | $60,000 | | Disney Cruise Line | $65,000 |

• Get as much experience as possible. The more experience you have, the more valuable you will be to a cruise line and the more money you can command.
• Get certified. Certifications can show potential employers that you are qualified for the job and can earn you a higher salary.
• Be willing to work on different ships and in different locations. The more flexible you are, the more likely you are to find a job that pays well.
• Network with other cruise ship chefs. Networking can help you learn about job openings and get your foot in the door at the best cruise lines.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of earning a high salary as a cruise ship chef.

The average salary for a cruise ship chef ranges from $40,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on the cruise line, the size of the ship, and the chef’s experience and qualifications.

Additional Compensation and Benefits

In addition to their base salary, cruise ship chefs typically receive a number of additional compensation and benefits, including:

• Tips: Cruise ship chefs typically receive tips from passengers, which can add significantly to their overall income. The amount of tips a chef receives will vary depending on the cruise line, the size of the ship, and the chef’s personality and service skills.
• Health insurance: Cruise ship chefs are typically provided with health insurance by their employer. The quality of the health insurance plan will vary depending on the cruise line.
• Paid time off: Cruise ship chefs typically receive paid time off, which can be used for vacation or personal days. The amount of paid time off a chef receives will vary depending on the cruise line.
• Housing: Cruise ship chefs typically live on board the ship while they are working. The quality of the housing will vary depending on the cruise line.

There are a few steps you can take to become a cruise ship chef:

• Education and training: The minimum educational requirement for a cruise ship chef is a high school diploma or equivalent. However, most cruise lines prefer to hire chefs who have completed a culinary arts degree or program.
• Experience: Cruise lines typically require chefs to have at least two years of experience working in a commercial kitchen.
• Certifications: Some cruise lines require chefs to have certain certifications, such as a ServSafe certification.
• Applying for jobs: Once you have the necessary education, experience, and certifications, you can start applying for jobs as a cruise ship chef. You can find job postings on the websites of individual cruise lines, as well as on job boards such as Indeed and Monster.

Becoming a cruise ship chef is a rewarding career that offers the opportunity to travel the world and meet new people. If you are interested in a career in culinary arts, this is a great option to consider.

How much does a cruise ship chef make?

The average salary for a cruise ship chef is $60,000 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on the cruise line, the chef’s experience, and the position they hold.

What are the different positions that a cruise ship chef can hold?

Cruise ship chefs can hold a variety of positions, including:

• Executive chef: The executive chef is the head chef on a cruise ship and is responsible for the overall culinary operation. They typically have many years of experience and a strong culinary background.
• Sous chef: The sous chef is the second-in-command to the executive chef and is responsible for helping to manage the kitchen and train the other chefs. They typically have several years of experience working as a chef.
• Line chef: Line chefs are responsible for preparing specific dishes in the kitchen. They typically have several years of experience working as a cook.
• Apprentice chef: Apprentice chefs are new to the culinary industry and are learning the ropes under the supervision of an experienced chef.

What are the benefits of working as a cruise ship chef?

There are many benefits to working as a cruise ship chef, including:

• The opportunity to travel the world and see different cultures.
• The chance to work with a diverse team of chefs from all over the world.
• The opportunity to learn new culinary skills and techniques.
• The chance to earn a competitive salary and benefits.

What are the challenges of working as a cruise ship chef?

There are also some challenges to working as a cruise ship chef, including:

• Long hours and demanding work conditions.
• The need to be away from family and friends for extended periods of time.
• The need to work in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment.

How do I become a cruise ship chef?

To become a cruise ship chef, you will need to have the following:

• A culinary degree or diploma from a reputable culinary school.
• Several years of experience working as a chef in a restaurant or other foodservice establishment.
• A strong understanding of culinary techniques and food safety procedures.
• The ability to work well under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to speak English fluently.

Once you have the necessary qualifications, you can apply for jobs as a cruise ship chef through cruise line websites or job boards.

In this article, we’ve discussed how much a cruise ship chef makes. We’ve looked at the different factors that affect a chef’s salary, including experience, location, and the type of cruise line. We’ve also provided some tips for aspiring cruise ship chefs.

We hope that this article has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

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Video: A Day in the Life of a Royal Caribbean Executive Chef

Meet the guy who ensures every meal onboard is delicious..

Chef Gary Thomas is better known around Royal Caribbean as “The General.” Why? Because he commands 10,000 chefs across the 23 ships of the fleet. Zagat recently followed Chef Thomas aboard Explorer of the Seas for a look at how the team behind the restaurants turns out 30,000 amazing meals in just one day.

“The Captain steers the ship, but the Chef drives it,” says Chef Thomas. “If the engine ran low for a couple of hours, the ship would still float and nobody would notice. If everybody woke up this morning and there was no food, I’m sure there would be a lot of unhappy guests.”

The mission for the veteran chef of 26 years is not just to get breakfast on the table, but also tasty and creative meals at all hours of the day, including silky soups with just the right seasoning, hundreds of blueberry muffins, and staples to keep the kids happy. To make it all happen, Chef Thomas conducts menu tastings and critiques at all hours — whether the venue is serving 3,000 pizzas or 700 steaks in a single day.

Check out a day in the life of Chef Thomas to see how he commands his culinary troops.

Feeling hungry? Check out the 11 dishes you have to try on Anthem of the Seas.

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Cruise Ship Chef Job Description [Updated for 2024]

In the dynamic world of hospitality, the demand for cruise ship chefs has never been higher.

As the industry sails forward, there’s an increasing demand for culinary experts who can delight, innovate, and maintain the high standards of our onboard dining experiences.

But let’s dive deeper: What’s truly expected from a cruise ship chef?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the core of this role,
• A hiring manager outlining the perfect candidate,
• Or simply fascinated by the culinary world on the high seas,

You’re in the right place.

Today, we present a tailor-made cruise ship chef job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s get started.

Cruise Ship Chef Duties and Responsibilities

Cruise Ship Chefs perform a range of tasks related to food preparation and presentation.

Their work is crucial to the overall dining experience of the guests onboard.

Cruise Ship Chefs are primarily responsible for creating culinary delights, with daily duties and responsibilities including:

• Planning and directing food preparation and culinary activities
• Modifying menus or creating new ones that meet quality standards
• Estimating food requirements and food/labor costs
• Supervising kitchen staff’s activities
• Arranging for equipment purchases and repairs
• Recruiting and managing kitchen staff
• Complying with nutrition and sanitation regulations and safety standards
• Maintaining a positive and professional approach with coworkers and customers
• Ensuring promptness, freshness, and quality of dishes
• Coordinating kitchen operations with other departments
• Overseeing cleanliness and orderliness of the kitchen area

Cruise Ship Chef Job Description Template

We are searching for a skilled and creative Cruise Ship Chef to join our team.

The Cruise Ship Chef will be responsible for creating a diverse and delicious menu, maintaining the ship’s food budget, and ensuring the cleanliness and sanitation of the kitchen.

The ideal candidate should be well-versed in culinary arts with a passion for enhancing the dining experience of our passengers.

Responsibilities

• Create diverse and delicious menus for passengers
• Ensure strict health and hygiene standards are maintained in the kitchen
• Control and direct the food preparation process
• Monitor and control the ship’s food budget
• Train and supervise kitchen staff
• Communicate effectively with staff and passengers
• Present meal options during dining hours
• Order food supplies as needed
• Keep up with culinary trends and techniques

Qualifications

• Proven work experience as a Chef, preferably on a cruise ship
• Excellent use of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment, and processes
• Ability to spot and resolve problems efficiently
• Capable of delegating multiple tasks
• Leadership and human resources management skills
• Ability to handle the culinary expectations of a diverse passenger base
• Culinary school diploma
• Competitive salary
• Health insurance
• Travel opportunities
• Room and board included
• Free access to onboard amenities
• Professional development opportunities

Additional Information

• Job Title: Cruise Ship Chef
• Work Environment: Onboard a cruise ship, in a fast-paced and dynamic kitchen environment. This role may require long hours and working on weekends and holidays.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Food and Beverage Manager or Hotel Director.
• Salary: Salary is competitive and based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $40,000 minimum to $70,000 maximum
• Location: Cruise ships often travel to various locations. Candidates must be open to travel and spending extended periods at sea.
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

What Does a Cruise Ship Chef Do?

A Cruise Ship Chef is a culinary professional who works onboard a cruise ship.

Their primary responsibility is to oversee the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals to guests.

They work closely with other kitchen staff and chefs, coordinating their team’s efforts to ensure that food is prepared and served in a timely manner.

They often work in a high-pressure environment due to the large number of guests on the cruise ship.

A Cruise Ship Chef’s duties also include menu planning, taking into account the dietary restrictions and preferences of passengers.

This involves sourcing high-quality ingredients, often from various ports of call, and ensuring the kitchen is well-stocked at all times.

In addition to kitchen tasks, a Cruise Ship Chef is also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the kitchen, adhering to strict health and hygiene standards.

They often provide cooking demonstrations or classes for interested passengers, adding an educational and entertaining element to the cruise experience.

The Cruise Ship Chef is also responsible for managing food costs and waste, ensuring that the kitchen operates within budget while still providing high-quality dishes to passengers.

This role requires a high level of culinary skill, creativity, stamina, and excellent managerial capabilities.

Cruise Ship Chef Qualifications and Skills

A competent Cruise Ship Chef should have a wide range of culinary skills, interpersonal abilities, and adaptability to meet the varied needs of passengers.

These include:

• Culinary expertise to prepare a diverse range of dishes, adhering to quality standards and hygiene regulations.
• Knowledge of various international cuisines to cater to the varied taste palates of passengers from different parts of the world.
• Time management skills to ensure timely preparation and serving of meals, despite operating in a high-pressure environment.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with kitchen staff, cruise ship personnel, and passengers, taking into account their dietary preferences and restrictions.
• Leadership skills to manage, train and supervise kitchen staff and coordinate with other departments for smooth operation.
• Detail-oriented and organizational skills to manage inventory, plan menus, and maintain kitchen equipment.
• Creativity and innovation to design and present dishes in an appealing manner, enhancing the dining experience of passengers.
• Physical stamina to withstand long working hours in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Customer service skills to handle passenger complaints and feedback in a professional and courteous manner.

Cruise Ship Chef Experience Requirements

Cruise Ship Chefs typically require a substantial amount of culinary experience, often gained through formal education at a culinary school or institute.

During their education, they gain significant theoretical and practical knowledge about various cooking techniques, food safety regulations, and cuisine styles.

Entry-level Cruise Ship Chefs usually have at least 2 to 3 years of experience working in restaurants, hotels, or other catering establishments.

They might have also completed internships or apprenticeships under experienced chefs to further hone their culinary skills.

Intermediate-level Cruise Ship Chefs should have around 3 to 5 years of experience and might have specialized in a certain type of cuisine or cooking technique.

They are expected to be proficient in various aspects of kitchen management, including food procurement, menu planning, and quality control.

Senior Cruise Ship Chefs often have more than 5 years of experience and may have worked in a variety of roles in the kitchen, such as Sous Chef or Head Chef.

They are expected to have leadership skills and the ability to manage a large kitchen team.

Some cruise lines may also require their senior chefs to have experience in international cuisines, as they serve a diverse clientele.

Cruise Ship Chef Education and Training Requirements

A Cruise Ship Chef typically requires a diploma or degree in culinary arts from an accredited institution.

This program will provide chefs with a solid foundation in food preparation, food safety, nutrition, and menu planning.

In some cases, relevant work experience may substitute for formal education, but formal training is generally preferred.

Practical experience is also highly valued in this field.

Many cruise ship chefs gain experience through internships, apprenticeships, or jobs in restaurants, hotels, or resorts.

A strong background in international cuisines is also beneficial due to the diversity of passengers on a cruise ship.

Most cruise lines prefer to hire chefs who have at least a few years of experience in a professional kitchen.

A history of working under high pressure and in fast-paced environments is especially advantageous.

Moreover, any chef looking to work on a cruise ship must have a valid health certificate and often must pass a medical examination.

Some cruise lines may also require chefs to complete a safety training course.

Continued professional development is important for cruise ship chefs.

Many choose to gain certifications in specialties like pastry or sous-vide cooking, or in certain types of cuisine.

This not only enhances their skill set but also demonstrates their commitment to the profession.

Cruise Ship Chef Salary Expectations

A Cruise Ship Chef can expect to earn an average salary of $45,000 (USD) per year.

However, the actual earnings can significantly vary based on their culinary expertise, years of experience, the cruise line they are employed with, and the specific geographical route of the cruise ship.

Cruise Ship Chef Job Description FAQs

What skills does a cruise ship chef need.

A Cruise Ship Chef needs to have excellent culinary skills, including an understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment, and procedures.

They should have the ability to invent new menus that cater to a global clientele.

Given the nature of the job, they also need to have physical stamina, the ability to work under pressure, and excellent team management skills.

Do Cruise Ship Chefs need a degree?

While a degree is not always required, having a culinary degree can definitely enhance a Cruise Ship Chef’s career prospects.

Some cruise lines may require chefs to have a degree in culinary arts, hospitality, or a related field.

However, experience in the field and a proven track record in culinary arts can often substitute for formal education.

What should you look for in a Cruise Ship Chef’s resume?

When evaluating a Cruise Ship Chef’s resume, look for a solid culinary background, preferably with experience in a variety of cuisines.

Check for prior experience in a similar role, as working on a cruise ship presents unique challenges.

In addition, certifications in food safety and sanitation are crucial.

Excellent team management skills, creativity, and the ability to work under pressure are all great indicators of a potential candidate’s suitability for the role.

What qualities make a good Cruise Ship Chef?

A good Cruise Ship Chef is innovative, has a passion for food, and can create exceptional meals in a variety of cuisines.

They are effective communicators, able to work well with their team to ensure smooth kitchen operations.

They also need to be adaptable, as they may need to adjust menus and ingredients based on availability.

A good Cruise Ship Chef is also patient and has excellent problem-solving skills, ensuring they can handle the high-pressure environment of a cruise ship kitchen.

Is it difficult to hire Cruise Ship Chefs?

Hiring Cruise Ship Chefs can be challenging due to the unique demands of the job.

The chef needs to have a diverse culinary repertoire, be able to manage a large kitchen team, and work in a confined space for extended periods.

Therefore, finding a chef with the right combination of skills, experience, and temperament for the role can be a complex process.

And there you have it.

Today, we’ve let you into the fascinating world of being a cruise ship chef .

It’s not just about cooking meals.

It’s about crafting unforgettable culinary experiences, one dish at a time, for hundreds of guests in a sailing kitchen.

With our go-to cruise ship chef job description template and real-world examples, you’re already prepared to set sail on your next career voyage.

But why drop anchor there?

Explore further with our job description generator . It’s your next port of call for creating precise job listings or fine-tuning your resume to perfection.

Every dish is a part of a larger, unforgettable cruise experience.

Let’s create that experience. Together.

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How much do cruise ship chefs make?

Cruise ships are like floating cities, offering a wide array of job opportunities to individuals from various professions, including chefs. Working as a chef on a cruise ship can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it’s natural to wonder about the financial aspect of this career. So, let’s delve into the question: how much do cruise ship chefs make?

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How much can cruise ship chefs expect to earn?

The salary of a cruise ship chef can vary depending on several factors, such as their experience, education, and the cruise line they work for. On average, cruise ship chefs can earn anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500 per month. However, keep in mind that this figure can fluctuate based on the individual’s role, the ship’s size, and the destination.

What factors determine a cruise ship chef’s salary?

Several factors contribute to the salary of a cruise ship chef. These factors include the chef’s experience, position onboard, the cruise line, the size of the ship, and the destination.

Do cruise ship chefs receive any additional benefits?

Aside from their monthly salary, cruise ship chefs often receive benefits such as free accommodation and meals during their contract period. They may also have access to recreational facilities onboard and discounted rates for their family members.

Is the salary taxable for cruise ship chefs?

Yes, cruise ship chefs are required to pay taxes on their income. The exact amount depends on the country of origin and the cruise line’s policies. It’s important for cruise ship chefs to clarify the tax process with their employer before signing a contract.

Can cruise ship chefs earn additional income?

Cruise ship chefs can earn extra income through gratuities or tips. Some cruise lines have a tipping system in place, and chefs may receive a portion of these gratuities, which can significantly increase their overall earnings.

Are there opportunities for career advancement as a cruise ship chef?

Absolutely! Cruise ship chefs can advance their careers by gaining more experience, upgrading their culinary skills, and moving up to higher positions within the kitchen hierarchy. With dedication and hard work, a cruise ship chef can progress to roles such as executive chef or chef de cuisine.

What qualifications and experience do cruise ship chefs typically need?

Most cruise ship chefs have formal culinary training, such as a degree or diploma in culinary arts. However, practical experience in high-volume kitchens is also highly valued. It’s essential to have strong cooking skills, a good understanding of food safety regulations, and the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Do cruise ship chefs work long hours?

Yes, working long hours is common for cruise ship chefs. They often work grueling shifts, sometimes up to 12 hours a day. However, their hard work is rewarded with time off during port visits and the chance to explore different destinations around the world.

Are there any downsides to working as a cruise ship chef?

While working as a cruise ship chef can be an amazing experience, it does come with some downsides. The long hours and demanding work environment can be physically and mentally exhausting. Being away from family and loved ones for extended periods can also be challenging.

How long do cruise ship chefs typically work for?

Cruise ship chef contracts usually range from four to ten months, depending on the cruise line and the specific itinerary. After completing a contract, chefs often have the option to renew their contract or move on to another ship.

What is the employment outlook for cruise ship chefs?

The demand for cruise ship chefs is expected to remain steady. As the cruise industry continues to grow, there will be a continuous need for talented and experienced chefs to meet the culinary demands of passengers.

How can someone become a cruise ship chef?

To become a cruise ship chef, one should start by gaining relevant culinary qualifications and experience. Additionally, it is beneficial to research and apply for job openings with reputable cruise lines. Networking within the industry and attending career fairs can also increase the chances of securing a position.

In conclusion, cruise ship chefs can earn a competitive salary, with their monthly earnings ranging from $2,500 to $4,500. Factors such as experience, position, cruise line, ship size, and destination all play a role in determining their exact income. Working as a cruise ship chef offers both financial rewards and the opportunity to explore the world, making it an enticing career choice for many culinary professionals.

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How You Can Get a Job on a Cruise Ship

Curious about how to get a job on a cruise ship? Explore the education, training, and skills you may need to start a hospitality job on the sea!

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We’ve compiled a checklist of all of the essential questions into one handy tool: career options, culinary interest surveys, educational opportunities, and more.

Clicking the "Get the Survey Now" button constitutes your express request, and your express written consent, to be contacted by and to receive automated or pre-recorded call, texts, messages and/or emails from via phone, text, and/or emails by Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts at the number(s)/email you provided, regarding furthering your education and enrolling. You understand that these calls , texts, messages and/or emails may be generated using an automated or pre-recorded technology. You are not required to agree to receive automated or pre-recorded calls, texts, messages or emails as a condition of enrolling at Escoffier. You can unsubscribe at any time or request removal of street address, phone number, email address via Escoffier website .

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If you have a natural talent for delivering excellent customer service, paired with a “nomadic” spirit, have you ever considered a tourism job? More specifically…on a cruise ship? Not only can you embark on thrilling travel adventures, but you could join a thriving industry.

According to a cruise industry study conducted by Cyrus Shipping News , the cruise ship industry currently supports over one million jobs and is expected to hit $25.1 billion in revenue by the end of 2023. Needless to say, if you’re at all curious about joining a “floating hotel on the sea,” now could be the opportune time to start. Keep reading to discover how to get a job on a cruise ship.

Determine Whether a Cruise Ship Environment Is Right for You

Before we dive into which types of cruise ship occupations may speak to you, it might be beneficial to see if it’s the type of lifestyle you want to lead.

Consider asking yourself the following self-reflection questions:

• Do you consider yourself a people person?
• Are you naturally independent?
• Do you genuinely enjoy helping others?
• Do you relish a teamwork environment?
• Are you okay with not working the typical 9-5 job?
• Are you okay with being away from family and friends for long periods of time?
• Are you comfortable being out at sea for extended time, without immediate access to land?

If you answered yes to all, then that’s a step in the right direction!

Eligibility Requirements for Cruise Ship Jobs

According to Indeed , cruise ship candidates must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a valid passport and/or appropriate visa
• Pass a criminal background check
• Undergo a medical exam or submit medical records

A Cruise Career Success Story: Victor Mancilla

For Escoffier graduate, Victor Mancilla, living near the bustling Panama Canal 15 years ago and watching majestic cruise ships float by sparked his dream to eventually work on one. “At the time, I went to architectural school, but my passion was always about food.”* Victor says.

He seized the first entry-level opportunity he could get with Celebrity Cruises but really had his sights set on an executive chef position—even though he was told it was a “highly competitive” position. But with his unwavering focus and willingness to take on new responsibilities, he managed to secure this high-ranking position in just four years. He became the official Executive Chef for a few ships in the Galapagos.

“Imagine 16 kitchens, more than 12 restaurants, a 24-hour operation, 22 bars, and 375 crew members,” Victor says. “I remember saying, I don’t know how I’m going to make it for the next two years, but it ended up being the best culinary team in the fleet. And that team was the best ship of the year for two consecutive years.”*

Meanwhile, Victor pursued an online Culinary Arts diploma at Escoffier, while working full-time as an executive chef, simply to refine his skill set and “get better” at the culinary fundamentals.

“[Attending Escoffier] was such a rich experience—so helpful for my ego. It brought me back to reality since I was living a dream…I was living in a paradise,” Victor says. “I don’t regret a single cent that I paid…Because it gave me a vision.”*

“I’ve visited more than 250 cities and that’s the beauty of the cruise ship industry. I lived in Turkey for more than five years. I spent years in New Zealand. I had the privilege to be in the Galapagos, which is one of the most luxurious destinations in the world, for months.”* Victor Mancilla, Escoffier Culinary Arts Graduate

From there, Victor continued to expand his career and jumped to managing 900 crew members in Asia, with his promotion to Food & Beverage Director , requiring him to know the ins and outs of every restaurant on the cruise ship. Even though it was a challenging position to take on, especially during the pandemic, he wouldn’t change it for the world.

Although he’s not out at sea anymore, Victor is still overseeing cruise ship operations as the Corporate Executive Chef at COLUMBIA signature, located in Germany. He lives there with his wife (who he serendipitously met on a cruise ship) and two children. He also runs a Chef Academy for Spanish-speaking children and has authored a collection of ten cookbooks for children.

Explore Various Cruise Ship Job Positions

Now that you know which “archetype” is best suited for cruise ship life, let’s take a peek at some of the most common hospitality and food & beverage positions on cruise ships.

Food and Beverage Managers

Wearing multiple hats, food and beverage managers usually oversee all aspects of the operations side. This may include monitoring food budgets, inventory, quality control, and even guest satisfaction.

Food and beverage managers are typically highly-analytical—spending most of their time evaluating numbers in spreadsheets.

Dining Room Managers

If you think of an orchestra, dining room managers can be viewed as the “conductors” of a cruise ship restaurant. They usually address the flow of traffic, wait times, and any guest concerns, while taking immediate care of any staff needs.

Executive Chef

Along with conceptualizing cruise ship menus, an executive chef usually manages all aspects of food service on a cruise ship. This may include hiring and overseeing all kitchen staff, as well as maintaining food quality control.

Bar Managers

What’s a cruise experience without the endless flow of cocktails ? Bar managers can expect to stay relatively busy on cruise ships, with the responsibility of crafting compelling cocktail menus. On top of educating staff on how to create specialty spirits, bar managers usually oversee alcohol costs and revenue.

Working closely with the dining room managers, the maître d’ interacts with guests and also closely monitors overall dining satisfaction—ensuring that it’s up to par with specified standards. On top of being the “face of the restaurant,” they typically work behind the scenes as well—accommodating any restaurant staff requests.

Hotel Managers

Dedicated to creating a seamless guest experience, hotel managers on cruise ships work to ensure that the entire staff is leading with class and professionalism. Along with directly interacting with passengers on a daily basis, a hotel manager may oversee all fiscal operations, communicating closely with the captain of the cruise ship. They’re also typically responsible for training and hiring skilled staff members who are committed to “wowing” guests.

Chief Cabin Stewards

Housekeeping is one of the largest departments on cruise ships and the chief cabin steward is responsible for managing this sector. With demands to maintain a level of cleanliness 24/7, the chief cabin steward usually must be meticulous and set high standards for the housekeeping staff.

Event Managers

In addition to lounging and enjoying indulging in various cuisines, cruise ship guests will often engage in daily events, such as movie nights, salsa dancing, speakeasy parties, corporate events, and even weddings! Event managers strive to plan these types of events that keep guests entertained, which may require great attention to detail and organization.

Consider a Hospitality or Culinary Education

As you can see, there’s a vast range of hospitality and foodservice jobs you can explore on cruise ships! Although there’s no set educational path for these occupations, obtaining a culinary arts or hospitality degree may help you: a) stand out on your resume b) garner the applicable skill set to prosper c) rise in the ranks and get promoted more quickly.

Escoffier’s Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management online degree program can help you prepare for several hospitality-focused positions on a cruise ship—with a curriculum focused on hospitality from a business perspective. Students also explore how to cultivate world-class guest experiences, train and manage hospitality employees, utilize technology to enhance business operations, craft menus, prepare for events, and more.

“Our program is meant to get a student prepared for an entry-level position in the hospitality industry, that could lead to a management position.”* Jason Goldman, Escoffier Lead Chef Instructor

Now, if a culinary-centric job on a cruise ship sounds more appealing, such as an executive chef position, you may want to consider a Culinary Arts program, such as the degree and diploma options that Escoffier offers. With more of an emphasis on contemporary culinary techniques, students can explore a variety of topics, such as cooking methods, bake shop staples, commercial food service operations, world cuisines, farm-to-table philosophy, and more.

At the end of the day, which program you choose will likely depend on the cruise ship occupation that interests you the most and if it’s more geared toward hospitality or culinary arts.

Refine Your Skill Set To Work On A Cruise Ship

As we mentioned before, if you exude great communication and customer service skills, stepping into a hospitality job on a cruise ship could be in your wheelhouse.

But if you don’t have any experience in hospitality, how can you begin to foster the necessary skills it might take to start? This is where education and work experience comes in! At Escoffier, students can begin to develop soft and hard skills from day one, just by immersing themselves in the curriculum. On top of this, students must complete one to two externships in order to graduate. These placements can help provide real-world experience and training you can list on your resume.

For example, you might secure an externship on a cruise ship or in a hotel to “get a taste” of what to expect. An externship is also an invaluable opportunity to forge industry connections, which can plant seeds for your future career.

“The externship class allows students–even those with no prior experience–to get their foot in the door. Once they gain that valuable experience, it is easier for them to determine which path they want to take with their careers.”* Maria Davenport, Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management Instructor

How to Apply for Cruise Ship Jobs

Unlike other jobs where you can apply directly, cruise ships usually partner with agencies that do the hiring for them. So finding a recruiting agency that works with cruise ships can be a great first step. In tandem with this, Escoffier students can also work with Career Services to prepare for the job search, by utilizing one-on-one career coaching and a slew of readiness tools to bolster confidence!

While you begin this stage in the process, you’ll also want to consider exactly how long you’ll want to work on a cruise ship, as placements will vary—meaning you could work on a cruise ship for a week (short-term contract) or several months (long-term contract). Depending on your preferences, look into cruise ships that offer your desired duration, then look into agencies that specifically represent those cruise lines.

Before accepting a job position, you’ll probably also want to consider the type of employment and pay structure that suits you the most. For example, permanent employees might be able to access “contract perks” like longer stints at home, time off preferences, and ongoing healthcare, versus non-permanent employees.

It’s also important to note that some cruise ship positions are salaried, while others are not paid, but you may receive complimentary room and board, plus the occasional gratuity. These are just a few aspects of the job to consider before signing a cruise ship contract.

“The power of working on a cruise ship is that it gives you that confidence. If you put me in a competition right now, I’m not afraid of that. I have to create 18,000 meals a day and design 6,000 recipes in six months.”* Victor Mancilla, Online Culinary Arts Graduate, Corporate Executive Chef

Start Your Cruise Ship Career

If you’re craving more of a non-conventional tourism career on the sea, then securing a cruise ship job could be the best move for you! But before you say bon voyage, you may want to consider starting with an education first, which could help you gain the necessary skills to flourish in this industry.

To take the next step, contact our admissions department to get more information on Escoffier’s Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management or Culinary Arts programs that could help you achieve your dream career.

Enjoyed this article on hospitality? Read these next:

• What is Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management?
• Is Hospitality Management a Good Career Choice for You?
• What Can You Lean in a Hospitality Degree Program?

*Information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors, such as geographical region or previous experience.

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The Canary Islands: Shopping with a cruise-ship chef 

Combing the market stalls of Santa Cruz de Tenerife with a Windstar executive chef is a lesson in sourcing local.

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I love shopping with people who drop cash. It’s just so exciting – and has nothing to do with my bank account. And being a foodie, I jumped at the chance to go to the main food market in Santa Cruz de Tenerife with chef Stefan Vasilev and sous chef Alvyn Guillarte from Windstar Cruises – who were armed with an absolute mittful of money.

I enjoyed a week-long cruise of Spain’s subtropical Canary Islands off the eastern coast of Africa on the 312-passenger Star Pride. The itinerary began in sunny Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with stops at the volcanic island of Lanzarote, the verdant La Gomera, busy Santa Cruz de Tenerife and finally, Portugal’s charming Madeira. The Canary Islands offer varied Spanish and African cultural heritages, geological oddities, cloud forests and perfect beaches. And each port has its own distinct character, as well as its unique cuisine.

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“It is always exciting to be at a different place,” said Chef Stefan. “We arrange to have local and seasonal products and produce sent to the ship wherever we dock – fish and fruit and vegetables. Then, we are able to put a ‘fresh local flavours’ sign on the lunch menus. The guests really like this.”

The fact that each port of call has an army of workers loading up visiting cruise ships with whatever they need – incredible Canary Island wine included – doesn’t stop Stefan from wandering out into the streets on a mission to bring new flavours back to the ship. “I always like to go to the local markets myself to see what is fresh and available,” he said.

A few Star Pride passengers and I followed the chefs into Mercado Nuestra Señora de Africa , a vibrant and historic, neocolonial-style market right on the Santa Cruz waterfront. Built in 1943 and affectionately known as La Recova, it is anchored to a Moorish clock tower and features befitting statues out front, including Lechera (the Milkmaid) and a bronze artwork of a fishing boat. A bridge connects the market to Calle del Castillo, Santa Cruz’s main shopping strip.

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We fell in step with the rhythm of this traditional marketplace, checking out the fruit and vegetable stalls, and those selling local artisanal crafts. But it’s in the market’s basement, where all the fishmongers are stationed, that things get interesting.

Stefan started off by buying out a whole tray of dorado, also called mahi-mahi – several pounds of it. The vendor began with the weighing and packaging right away, which took about five minutes. She was clearly happy to have made such a big sale, but was trying to keep the glee to herself. The box of dorado is enough to feed about 60 people, Stefan said. “We have about 300 guests, so this is standard. If I see something great, I get it, like this dorado. Everything is bought for cooking the same day, so it is all fresh. We don’t freeze anything or what would be the point?”

The fish market slowly started to get busier, with workers loading up their stalls for the day. I saw fish so fresh-looking, it looked like it was made of glass, glistening on its bed of ice – beautiful squids and prawns, the biggest king crab legs I’ve ever seen and so many different kinds of eel. Stefan took out his phone to show us a video of a fishmonger taking just a few seconds to clean an eel. He provided a running commentary as the eel is cleaned, chopped up into portions and scooped into a bag. “Done! We don’t have to do anything, except cook it.”

We stopped to buy a big box of sardines for the crew, coated and seasoned and deep-fried. “We buy something for the crew as often as possible,” said Stefan. “They get tired of eating the same things every day just like anyone else.”

The Star Pride kitchens really did outdo themselves on more than a few occasions during my week. Thanks to Windstar’s ties to the James Beard Foundation, its annual awards the height of culinary honours, the menu of the ship’s main restaurant, Amphora, features recommendations for each course chosen by the foundation. The ship also has the indoor-outdoor buffet-style The Veranda for breakfast and lunch, plus three specialty restaurants, including the cozy Spanish-style Cuadro 44. This is where our fresh dorado  headlined the menu.

Windstar also offers more involved food excursions on shore, including cooking classes and winery tours. Lanzarote is particularly noted for its wine, with some estates dating back to the 17th century. The food roots on the islands are indeed deep.

The VIP treatment

Back on the market’s ground floor, we took turns leaning in to taste incredible cheeses that the cheesemonger offered with his knife. We tried a soft cheese, but dismissed it as impractical, because it would just melt on the buffet tables back on board. Stefan found a harder cheese he favoured and out came the big envelope of cash once more, to buy two entire wheels.

Our total spend for the morning came to about 600 euros, which included several pounds of cream cheese.

All the cheese-tasting made us hungrier, so someone bought a bag of buñuelos, little fried-dough fritters that we devoured in seconds. With the shopping over, we sat down for a mid-morning coffee before returning to the ship. I ordered a Barraquillo, a local confection specific to Tenerife. It’s a layered coffee with condensed milk, espresso, something called Licor 43 (which sounds a bit mysterious), a dash of latte milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Really, it is a cocktail, not a coffee. It was barely 10 in the morning, but I was on holiday.

The writer was hosted by Windstar Cruises. No one from the cruise line approved of or vetted this story before publication.

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On These ‘Forever’ Cruises, You Live Onboard and Sail the World for Years. Dream Come True or Nightmare?

The ‘ villa vie odyssey’ is currently undergoing sea trials in belfast after being delayed for months. when it sets sail, passengers will be able to live at sea for as little as $30,000 per year..

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The Villa Vie Odyssey is currently undergoing sea trials in Belfast, Ireland.

Courtesy of Villa Vie Residences

When Shirene Thomas, a retired social services administrator from Illinois, saw news reports about a new cruise product that offered residences at sea for as little as $30,000 a year, she got rid of everything she owned and signed up to sail the world.

Instead, she’s been homeless and wandering Europe for almost a year. The first company she bought into, Life at Sea, went belly up last November, after she and many others had already arrived in Istanbul, ready to begin their new adventures. With no home and all her possessions gone, she signed up for a three-and-a-half-year cruise with Villa Vie Residences to join its first ship, the Villa Vie Odyssey , which was supposed to set sail from Belfast in May but remains docked there for ongoing repairs and upgrades.

“It’s tough,” Thomas said. “There’s certainly been great moments. I’ve seen and done a lot of things. But it’s exactly the opposite of what we signed up for. We didn’t want to take more flights, to have to change hotels, find places to eat … I think I’ve slept in more than 100 beds.”

With the refurbished 30-year-old ship undergoing its sea trials this week in Belfast, she is optimistic the Villa Vie Odyssey will finally sail this month. And she says she has gotten most of her money back from Life at Sea and Villa Vie has covered or is promising to cover the hotels she’s paid for since the original sailing date of May 30.

It should be one of the safest places to live if we can all get along.

Still, given what she knows now, would she do it all over again?

“That’s a good question,” she said, with a pause.

“But I really believe this is the wave of the future—pun intended. … Think about it as a floating city that can avoid pandemics, civil unrest, hurricanes, typhoons, gun violence.

“People are very optimistic,” she said of the other passengers who have been waiting in Belfast to sail, including about 40 others who she said had also originally contracted with Life at Sea. “It’s a new endeavor, and hopefully people will look back at us as pioneers.”

Indeed, given the soaring popularity of cruising post-pandemic, both buyers and sellers say that despite the struggles companies are having getting new residential cruise ships launched, it’s a business model with plenty of potential—and risks.

So who are the companies entering this market? How are their ships different from mass-market cruises? How much do cabins cost? And who’s buying in?

A model of the forthcoming Ulyssia yacht that is slated to launch as a residential cruise concept in the coming years.

Photo by Ollie Jones/Courtesy of Ulyssia

How many residential cruise ships are there?

Villa Vie expects the Odyssey to be the second residential ship to set sail, and the first with pricing more for the average person. The first, the World , has been sailing for 20 years. But it’s invitation-only, and cabins cost millions. Next week, the same group behind that successful venture plans to unveil details for a second ship, an ultra-luxurious, 132-residence yacht named Ulyssia , with plans to launch in 2029. And another company, called Storylines , is building a ship that it plans to launch in 2027 with pricing that falls in between Villa Vie and the World . Several other companies are in various stages of planning to launch similar business models.

Given the fate of Life at Sea, isn’t buying into one of these ships a risky investment?

“If you’re thinking that there’s no risk in it, then you’re not going forward with your eyes wide open, right?” said Myle Hammond, a real estate investor from Alexandria, Virginia, who has purchased a cabin with Storylines. “There are always all sorts of risks. But what is the potential reward? … I think it’s a great concept that I would really like to see succeed.”

Hammond and other buyers said it’s really no different than buying into real estate that has yet to be developed. You just have to do your homework.

John Hennessee, who, along with his wife, Melody, bought into Villa Vie after tiring of the RV life they set out on after selling their Florida business, is bullish on the future of Villa Vie Residences. He said he expects the value of his cabin on the Villa Vie Odyssey to double once the ship sets sail. And Martin Buggy, who, along with his partner, Melissa Edyvean, has bought a cabin with Storylines, sees their purchase as both a potential retirement home and an investment. He says the prices are already rising, and his “back-of-the-napkin calculations” indicate that if they use the cabin just half the year, and let the ship lease it out for the rest of the time, it should be cost neutral.

A Superior Suite on the forthcoming Villa Vie Odyssey .

How are the ships different from mass-market cruises?

Villa Vie and Storylines promote their products as lifestyle communities, not cruise lines. “When people come to us, they’re not looking for a cruise, they’re looking … to take everything off their bucket list and do it in a fun, safe manner with like-minded people,” said Storylines founder Alister Punton.

The Villa Vie Odyssey is a refurbishment of a ship that last sailed as the Braemar for the British Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. While its amenities—three restaurants, a pool, a spa, and a culinary center where cooking classes are held—are more like those of a traditional cruise ship, they will also include medical and dental clinics and a golf simulator to appeal to longer-term guests.

Storylines said its ship, which will hold up to 650 guests, will have 20 dining venues, a full hospital, a veterinary clinic for dogs and cats, a wellness center, and even a school for residents with children.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the residential ships and traditional cruises is the itineraries. Both ships will circumnavigate the globe every three and a half years, with multiday stops versus the traditional one-day in-and-out.

Misty Frost of Phoenix, who, along with her husband, David, has purchased a cabin with Storylines, said they see it as a “floating home.” “Let’s say we want to spend a month in Italy,” she said. “We can do that, and then just catch up with the ship wherever it is.”

A rendering of the Storylines vessel, which is slated to launch in 2027.

Courtesy of Storylines

How much do residential cruises cost?

Villa Vie offers opportunities to lease or buy cabins, with pay-as-you-go options for 90-day segments. The prices to buy range from $99,000 to $349,000. Those who purchase cabins then have to just pay operational costs, which range from just under $2,000 to just over $4,000 per person per month. “That’s cheaper than living on land,” said Hennessee. Prices include food, wine and beer with dinner, some excursions, housekeeping, laundry, gratuities, shows, onboard enrichment programs, and Starlink Wi-Fi.

Storylines cabins start at $600,000 for fractional ownership and go up to nearly $10 million for four-bedroom cabins. It has similar all-inclusive monthly operational fees, which range in price depending on the cabin.

Who’s buying into residential cruises

Buyers come from around the world, although most are from the United States, both companies said. Some are retired, while others are able to work from anywhere in the world. And most, of course, are well traveled. “We do have a significant amount of [past] cruisers,” said Villa Vie founder and CEO Mikael Petterson. “But I have many people that have never cruised before. They just want to travel the world,” he said. “I have one person that was in a plane crash, so he won’t fly. But he loves to travel. So this is the perfect solution for him.”

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Ketchikan continues to evolve with excellent options for visitors

Cruise ships are front-and-center in downtown Ketchikan. More than 10,000 passengers per day visit Ketchikan during the busy summer season. (Photo by Scott McMurren)

Ketchikan is the “Gateway City” to Alaska. It was so named back before airplanes filled the skies when the only way in or out of the then-territory of Alaska was by ship.

Numbers-wise, ships still account for the vast number of visitors, although most cruise visitors stay for just a few hours.

Many of the folks on the plane with me were coming for work. But there also were anglers and adventurers exploring Tongass National Forest.

Looking across the Tongass Narrows from the airport to downtown, you cannot miss last month’s big landslide that cut a wide swath from the hillside between the airport and downtown. There were several injuries as a result of the slide on Aug 25. — and one person died.

Crews are working hard to clear the debris. Several homes were destroyed — and the slide cut through one of Ketchikan’s favorite trails. The Rainbird Trail afforded hikers beautiful views of the town below and the busy Tongass Narrows waterway beyond.

Outside of that isolated location, though, most folks are carrying on with their vacations. On a busy day, more than 10,000 visitors get off of cruise ships to go on tours around the area. Many go on boat tours of Misty Fjords National Monument, on kayak trips or flightseeing.

Other travelers land in Ketchikan before pushing on to other fishing adventures. There are some lodges in and around Ketchikan since the fishing is great. Others are located on nearby Prince of Wales Island. Guests may have a one-day layover in Ketchikan before or after their fly-out.

Whether you’re visiting Ketchikan for business or pleasure, both eating and drinking are on the list of activities. Here are some standout options since my last visit.

If you’re at the cruise ship dock looking for a good cup of coffee, stop at Alaska Coffee. It’s right across the street at 310 Front St. They use some good locally roasted beans from Raven’s Brew.

But my favorite coffee place is north of town in Ward Cove: The Green Coffee Bean C o. It’s hard to find, tucked away next to a small convenience store. They roast their own beans. I always get a pound of whole-bean coffee to bring home with me.

But the big bonus is it’s just $1 for a 12-ounce Americano. The fresh-baked cookies are good, too. Bring cash, as there’s a $5 minimum for credit card transactions. If you do charge your purchase, there’s a 25-cent fee.

The store next to the coffee roastery (Ward Cove Market) used to be my favorite pizza place. That’s changed, though.

Overlooking downtown Ketchikan is the Cape Fox Lodge, adjacent to the Ted Ferry Convention Center. The views from the hotel are expansive — with huge windows that look over the tops of the cruise ships, the Tongass Narrows and Pennock Island.

The hotel’s restaurant always has been a go-to meeting spot for breakfast or lunch.

But recently, the hotel took the extra step of adding a top-notch pizza place, called the Eagle’s Nest. There’s a beautiful outside deck — perfect for sunny days.

One of the chefs at the Eagle's Nest restaurant stands beside the giant brick-fire oven. The crew at the Cape Fox Lodge had to airlift the oven into place before building out the railings, the windows and other components. (Photo by Scott McMurren)

The centerpiece of the restaurant is the giant brick-fire pizza oven, which was custom-built in Italy and shipped to Ketchikan. From there, the hotel got a helicopter to lift it from the dock up to its final resting place in the kitchen. Then, the railings and the windows were built around it.

General Manager Michael Briggs said both the oven people were very particular. “They even suggested that we use a particular kind of dough for the pizza,” he said.

Chef Mariah Dodd enjoys adding interesting seasonal varieties.

“This week we’re offering a peach and pancetta pizza,” she said. “The peaches go very well with the ricotta cheese. People really like it.”

The menu includes both pizza and “anti-pizza” which includes some salads and sandwiches. Many of your favorite pizza styles are on the menu, but the one that stuck out was the Xaat Kwaani variety, or “Salmon People.” It features smoked salmon, lemon-herb ricotta, fresh dill, capers and other goodies.

Artisan beer

Micro-breweries are new in Ketchikan. Bawden Street Brewing (325 Bawden St.) was the first — it opened a few years ago. Yesterday’s specials included a Cucumber Sea Salt Gose variety, as well as a Spruce Tip Ale called Tip of the Tongass. I opted for a more traditional cream ale called The Lightest Beer. There are a couple of India Pale Ale (IPA) varieties, as well as a Baltic Porter.

The bartender will let you taste the beer before you commit to a full glass. Or, get a flight of four four-ounce pours for $12.

Just about two blocks away is a new micro-brewery that’s tucked into the side of the Local Grounds coffee shop, at 448 Mill St.

Ketchikan resident Brian Shimek shares a flight of craft beers from Baleen Brewing, which is tucked into a corner of Local Grounds coffee shop. (Photo by Scott McMurren)

Baleen Brewing Company is the “dream come true” of Al MacGillivray. With more than 25 years of brewing experience, MacGillivray also studied his craft at the Doemens Academy outside of Munich.

But for the past 16 years, his “real” job is as a nurse at the local hospital.

“The brewery was supposed to be a retirement project,” he said. “But I’m still doing both.”

Two standout varieties at Baleen Brewing include the Russian Stout and the red “alt” beer. Other varietals include an American Pale Ale, a ginger weissbier, and an oatmeal stout, among others. Again, I recommend getting the flight of four pours so you can taste several of MacGillivray’s craft beers.

A local insider tipped me off about a new distillery that serves up vodka, gin and whiskey cocktails.

Travis Robbins is getting good reviews for cocktails at his Uncharted Alaska Distillery, located in an old fire station at 319 Main St. He’s getting ready to release a kelp vodka.

When I turned up my nose at the idea, he said “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. It doesn’t taste like kelp.”

It’s true. First, I’ve never tasted kelp. But I was thinking of something that tastes like muddy sea bottom. But Robbins gets his kelp from a local kelp farmer. And the seaweed does, indeed, bring an interesting flavor to the vodka.

Travis Robbins shows off a selection of tea-infused cider concoctions at Alaska Legends Cider and Winery in Ketchikan. Robbins also runs the Uncharted Distillery around the corner in an old firehouse. (Photo by Scott McMurren)

Robbins is a former firefighter and one of his partners is a former police chief. In addition to the distillery, the group runs the Alaska Legends Cider and Winery, around the corner at 319 Dock St.

Here, Robbins and his crew work with all manner of Alaska herbs and berries to serve up some interesting creations. They also make wine, although the grapes are imported.

“We add a little something local to all the wines to give them an Alaska touch,” said Robbins.

My favorite feature of the distillery is D’Santa’s Mexican restaurant, which is tucked away on the north side of the tasting room.

On the first night, I got Quesabirrias a la Carta, a selection of cheesy tortillas with rice and beans. It was really good, so I came back for lunch: five street tacos. Everything is $23.95, but you will not walk away hungry.

Partly because of the robust cruise traffic, there’s a big selection of food and beverage selections in Ketchikan to enjoy between your adventures.

Check with the Ketchikan Visitor’s Bureau for ideas on what to see and do. The Bureau also has a web page with information on making donations to support the community in the aftermath of the landslide on Aug. 25.

Scott McMurren

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at [email protected]. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.