INTRODUCTION

I had fairly typical expectations before the start of my first cruise ship contract. Some of the main ones were great money, incredible travel opportunities, meeting people from all corners of the world and, of course, finally making a decent living as a full-time session musician. And to be honest, most of those expectations were met.

I saved more money than I ever had before, travelled to about seventeen different countries, and connected with people from places I had never even heard of. I was presented with opportunities that gave me financial stability, made me feel more independent, and gifted me experiences I’ll cherish for years to come.

What I didn’t properly foresee was the level of stress involved. The workload, along with the emotional strain of being away from home for extended periods, was far more intense than I had anticipated. While this varies greatly depending on the role you take on, it’s something people tend to underestimate — myself included.

Joining my first contract was intimidating. Just weeks before boarding the ship, I sold my car, cancelled my apartment lease, and essentially stripped my life of everything familiar. Within a month, I found myself on the other side of the world, adapting to an entirely new lifestyle. Despite the fear, it was liberating in its own way. You learn a great deal about yourself when you put yourself through drastic change.

Looking back, there are things I would have done differently. I’m notoriously disorganised, and I would have prepared more, asked more questions, and made a stronger effort to speak to people who had actually worked at sea before. It’s surprisingly difficult to find accurate, unbiased information about cruise ship life, and I was misled more than once by what I found online. Many lessons can only be learned once you’re there — and this article focuses on those realities: the things I wish I had known before my first day at sea.

YOU’RE NOT JUST TAKING A JOB — YOU’RE CHOOSING A LIFESTYLE

One of the most important things to understand is that cruise ship work isn’t just a job — it’s a lifestyle. You live where you work, and there isn’t always a clear separation between professional and personal time. You might finish a long shift and still feel “on duty,” mentally wired and alert.

The stress doesn’t always stop when your workday ends. You could be standing in a beautiful city on a port day and still find yourself thinking about what awaits you back on board later, or what the next day will bring. Having a “bad day” at sea is very different from having one on land. At home, you can leave work behind, drive away, and create distance. On a ship, you return to your cabin, reset as best you can, and step straight back into it the next day.

You’ll quickly notice that your job becomes central to daily life. Even casual conversations often revolve around work. In my case, being a musician meant that music filled both my professional and social worlds. I was happy with that, but for others, creating separation can be essential for balance.

That said, none of this makes ship life inherently negative. If you genuinely enjoy what you do, allowing your work to become part of your identity can be motivating and fulfilling. Understanding this lifestyle shift early on makes it easier to manage expectations and decide whether it truly suits you.

YOUR JOB MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK

No two people on board live the same life. Your experience at sea is shaped largely by the role you take on. Some jobs are physically demanding, involving long hours and constant movement, while others are more administrative and focused on planning and logistics. No role is inherently better or worse — it’s about what suits you and your personality.

I worked in the entertainment division, which requires high energy and constant engagement. It was exhausting at times, but also incredibly beneficial for my fitness and work style. Other departments operate very differently. Some interact with guests constantly, others work almost entirely behind the scenes. Everyone plays a vital role, and the ship functions like a well-oiled machine because of that.

One important piece of advice is to avoid constant comparison. Learning about other roles can be useful, but comparing your journey to someone who’s been at sea for twenty years can distort your perspective. Every role exists for a reason — cruise lines wouldn’t house and employ you if you weren’t essential.

With this kind of work, enjoying what you do is crucial. A great itinerary or ship won’t make up for genuinely disliking your job. In my experience, if you enjoy your role, most challenges at sea become far more manageable.

HOMESICKNESS DOESN’T SHOW UP HOW YOU EXPECT

Homesickness usually doesn’t present itself as a constant feeling — it tends to come in waves. It often surfaces during quieter moments or on days when you’re less busy. Ironically, it can be strongest when you’re surrounded by beauty, wishing you could share those moments with people back home.

Everyone experiences it differently. Some people barely feel homesick at all, while others feel it intensify toward the end of a contract. Many avoid talking about it directly, instead mentioning the everyday freedoms they miss — cooking, driving, silence.

Staying engaged helps. That doesn’t just mean working more, but exploring ports, connecting socially, or starting personal projects. Homesickness doesn’t define the entire experience, and recognising that it isn’t permanent can make it far easier to manage.

MONEY CAN DISAPPEAR FASTER THAN YOU THINK

Life at sea offers low living expenses and a great opportunity to save, but that doesn’t guarantee you will. You’re surrounded by nightlife, shopping, and experiences that make spending feel effortless. For some, this becomes a coping mechanism rather than a conscious choice.

Shore excursions can be meaningful and worthwhile, but without intention, spending can quickly become emotional rather than purposeful. Discipline is essential. The sacrifices of ship life only feel worthwhile if you leave with something tangible at the end of your contract.

That doesn’t mean isolating yourself or avoiding all enjoyment — it’s about balance. Experiences matter, but so do long-term goals.

ONE CONTRACT IS ENOUGH TO DECIDE EVERYTHING

Your first contract does not define your future. Accepting it is not a lifelong commitment — it’s an opportunity to learn about yourself. Choosing not to return for another contract doesn’t mean failure; it means clarity.

That said, your first contract should be taken seriously. Give it your best, treat it as dedication rather than obligation, and allow yourself to reassess honestly afterward. For me, my first contract confirmed that music was the right path. Even if I never returned to sea, the experience validated years of effort and growth.

One contract is often enough to decide whether this lifestyle aligns with your values and goals — and whatever decision you make afterward is valid.

FINAL THOUGHTS: PURPOSE

The biggest thing I wish I’d known before stepping on board is that I didn’t need to have everything figured out. Fear made me hesitate longer than necessary. I later realised that certainty wasn’t required — commitment was.

This lifestyle taught me that growth often begins with uncertainty and discomfort. If you’re currently weighing this decision, doubt is normal. Trust yourself, listen to your instincts, and remember that one contract is not a life sentence. It’s an opportunity — to grow, to learn, and to discover what truly matters to you.