Overqualified, Rejected, and Pushed Toward Scams: How Cruise Line Hiring Systems Are Failing Crew Applicants
For more than a year, he has done everything he was told to do.
For more than a year, he has done everything he was told to do.
Brazil’s Labor Committee of the Chamber of Deputies has approved a proposal clarifying that Brazilian crew members hired through recruitment agencies to work on cruise ships do not have an employment relationship under Brazilian labor law (CLT).
Cruise ships are more than floating resorts, they are places where crew members live for months at a time, forming strong bonds far from home. For many, the ship becomes not just a workplace, but a true home away from home where they work, grow, and even fall in love.
This truth came to life aboard the cruise ship Mein Schiff Relax, where TUI Cruises recently shared a video of an onboard wedding between two of their own, Staff Captain Conrad and Onboard Tour Manager Daniela.
Excitement is high on board the AIDAdiva as the ship begins its epic 133-day world cruise, taking crew and guests on a journey across four continents, more than 40 destinations, and countless unforgettable moments.
The cruise ship departed from Hamburg, Germany on November 10, 2025, and will return on March 23, 2026. Along the way, the ship will sail across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, giving the crew and guests the experience of a lifetime.
The latest Seafarers Happiness Index Q3 2025 published by The Mission to Seafarers reveals a sharp downturn in global seafarer satisfaction, with the overall happiness score dropping from 7.54 to 7.05 (out of 10). Almost every area of seafarer welfare, from wages to rest hours and training. declined compared to the previous quarter.
Crew members aboard the cruise ship MV Gemini say they haven’t been paid in up to four months, leaving them stranded in Salamina, Greece, and desperate for answers. In a letter shared with Crew Center, a crew member describes worsening conditions on board, with many unable to send money home or even disembark due to unpaid wages.
On World Mental Health Day, Costa Cruises has highlighted its ongoing efforts to support the mental health of its crew, a vital commitment for those who spend months away from home.
Life at sea is both demanding and rewarding. Long hours, shared spaces, and distance from loved ones can take a toll on mental well-being. That’s why Costa’s #CrewExperience Welfare & Wellbeing program is designed to care for crew every day, not just on October 10.
Life at sea is full of adventure, challenges, and unexpected turns but for some crew members, it also comes with one of the biggest surprises of all: becoming a parent.
Ship Moms is a brand-new book that dives deep into the real, behind-the-scenes stories of women who discovered they were pregnant while working on cruise ships — and the journeys that followed. Written and compiled by former crew member Jen Winsor, the book offers a rare and deeply human look at what happens when ship life and motherhood collide.
Princess Cruises is making significant adjustments to its Food & Beverage department, with new structures set to take effect on November 1. In a letter send to the crew the company described these updates as part of a broader effort to strengthen teamwork, improve profitability, and create clearer career pathways. At the same time, the changes bring both opportunities and challenges for crew, with some positions eliminated or adjusted.
Viking is inviting professionals to explore career opportunities across its expanding fleet by participating in a series of international recruitment events this September and October.
The company announced a diverse lineup of in-person and virtual career fairs, offering candidates the chance to meet Viking recruiters, learn more about shipboard roles, and apply for positions on the spot.