Job Discussion Forums

[squindia]

Hello!

I have searched and this topic hasn't been discussed before. Has anyone worked as a teacher on a cruise? Can you give a brief description of what the perks and challenges are?

The idea appeals for many reasons (saving money, travel, healthy living re:clean air, gym/activities on board etc) but then may not appeal if the teaching work isn't interesting/challenging or any other reasons that I can't think of since I have never been on a ship.

Any help would be appreciated! I want to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

squid

[soapdodger]

Interesting one, but I don't think you'll have alot of luck. Most cruise lines are American - operated and cater to American and other English - speaking passengers. A friend was working as a piano player on a predominantly Caribbean but also S.America and Med. outfit until a short while ago. Over the last few years due to the general climate of fear that has been foisted on people and the steadily weakening dollar, there were loads of cancellations, cancelled cruises, layoffs sitting around in port on absolute minimum wage etc. Also don't confuse what the passengers get with what an employee is going to be offered. Yes, if you are an international name doing lectures you might enjoy the perks, but think again for something like teaching, which would be about on par with my friend's piano work. Shared small cabin, way below decks, seperate messing etc. It's not all bad of course, and you certainly do see alot of places ( but again as crew don't expect loads of leave as it aint going to happen), but as I said, I don't think English teachers would be in demand. Why not contact a cruise company and propose spelling, vocabulary and grammar improvement classes if they don't already do them. This might appeal to self-betterment sentiments amongst the retiree-type of native speakers who tend to like cruising. Be smart and you could create yourself a job !

[Takahiwai]

I did see a job advertised once, working on a cruise ship. It actually involved teaching English to the crew. It sounded like it could be an interesting experience so I applied, but never got a reply, alas.

[denise]

Actually, this topic has been discussed here a few times. I was looking into similar jobs a couple of years ago, and someone else asked about them just a few weeks ago. The threads are out there somewhere...

I looked at various cruise lines' websites and did not see teaching jobs available. Loads of other jobs, though, so if you've got other interests or skills and just want the experience of doing them on a cruise ship, there should be opportunities. The reason I heard for the lack of teaching jobs is that, although the staff come from pretty much every country on earth, proficiency in English is a job requirement. They don't get hired if they don't have the English skills. I've also heard that working on a cruise ship is grueling work--very little off time, cramped shared quarters, etc., as soapdodger mentioned. It wouldn't be like a vacation for you!

There is one Japanese line--called something like the peace ship--that has jobs. Hopefully someone here can give you more info about it. (I don't know much about it myself, but it was mentioned to me when I asked about cruise ship jobs.)

d

[Dedicated]

You can try contacting this e-mail <[email protected]>

My nephew is currently working as an ESL instructor on the Caribbean route. He gets $500 a week (but that is taxed if you are US citizen), and he had to have an MA in TESOL to get the job.

You have to teach the crew for 6 days a week, 4-5 hours a day, but at least 2-3 hours preparation needed to cope with producing ESP materials streamlined to individual needs, from beginners to upper-intermediate. These hours change constantly, and can be from 7am until 10pm. You live on board for 2 - 3 months.

The perks are free meals and laundry (you wear a uniform) and you have a small (ie. cramped) interior cabin near the bowels of the ship and the engines. You cannot use the facilities allocated to the passengers, such as the pools or gym, and you cannot socialise with the passengers (who usually ignore you anyway as you are in a uniform).

You are sometimes required to proofread notices or newsletters and are on call 24 hours a day. They are very demanding.

He hates it and cannot wait for the 3 month sentence in an ivory tower to end.

[Stephen Jones]

Sounds like one of the most goddam awful jobs imaginable, vying with teaching in the Libyan desert or in a hotel resort in the Maldives.

[squindia]

Thanks Dedicated. This is the kind of thing I was imagining. The ad makes it sound so wonderful I had a sneaky suspicion it was too good to be true!

I speak with someone on Wednesday, I will ask them about all these things. The uniform alone is a deal breaker for me. ha!

Thanks everyone for your response!

squid

[squindia]

just an update:

I spoke to princess last night and overall sounds like a good deal and interesting work.

no uniform, free to use all shipboard activities. teaching is flexible working with the crew. 3 month contracts at a time.

Not for everyone but adventurous!

[naturegirl321]

[squindia]

Pay is $500 per week with room and board. They take out federal income tax for US citizens.

Hours are 4 hours of teaching per day and 2 hours of prep. Schedule is made according to when the crew can meet on any given day. You work it yourself with the scheduling coordinator.

[Dedicated]

Please get it in writing about the uniform and being able to use facilities - my nephew was told this, but the reality is different. Maybe it depends on the ship's captain??

[squindia]

WOW! that is not good if they told your nephew all that and then switched it up once he accepted the job. If I am offered a position I would mostly certainly get it all in writing. Thanks for the advice!

[Justin Trullinger]

Hey Squindia-

Publish already! Where are the contact details?!

Inquiring minds want to know...


Justin

[squindia]

I responded to an ad on this site! It's princess cruises...not sure about the email address, I don't have it anymore. Search the job list for princess cruise and it will come up.

goodluck!

[Julieanne]

Still sounds like a fun experience. I am sure it is hard to get that job though.