First Day Working on a Cruise Ship: What Really Happens?

What really happens on your first day working on a cruise ship? Joining a cruise ship as crew is very different from boarding as a passenger. Before the first proper shift even begins, a new crew member may have documents checked, pass through crew security, find their cabin, meet their department, learn the ship’s emergency procedures and begin adapting to an entirely new way of living. In this episode of The Working Ship, we follow what that first day can look like behind the scenes. From arriving at the ship with your luggage and joining documents to navigating unfamiliar crew corridors, finding your cabin and meeting the people you’ll be working and living alongside, the first few hours can be overwhelming. We look at the things a new crew member may need to learn, including: joining and document checks, crew access and security, cabin allocation and shared accommodation, safety familiarisation, muster stations and emergency responsibilities, alarm signals and escape routes, uniforms and department expectations, meeting managers and colleagues, finding your way around the ship, crew dining and everyday life onboard, and finally beginning that first shift. Because working on a cruise ship isn’t simply starting a new job. For the duration of the contract, the ship also becomes your workplace, your transport and your home. Exact joining procedures differ between cruise lines, vessels, departments and roles, but the first day has one thing in common: there is a lot to learn very quickly. The Working Ship explores the people, systems and unseen routines that keep passenger ships operating. Watch next: What Does 2 A.M. Look Like Below Deck on a Cruise Ship? Subscribe for more documentaries about cruise ship crew life, maritime work and what really happens behind the passenger areas. #CruiseShipCrew #CruiseShipLife #WorkingAtSea