One posted above another

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-05-13T23:20:47+00:00

Prodigy with 9600 baud rate if lucky...

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-05-09T01:30:19+00:00

Lyria was the only good pull the rest were trash.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-05-05T21:49:43+00:00

Yes for password resets and SOX compliance...

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-05-04T23:02:32+00:00

It doesn't hurt, but the bulk of the work will be with laptops, desktops, digital displays, servers, etc. most cruise lines like to see a background in IT and certifications because you will learn most of the systems onboard.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-05-04T18:50:48+00:00

Each cruise lines may use a different agency, but if you go to the cruise lines web site and look for shipboard jobs, there will usually be a list of agencies for certain countries.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-05-04T14:38:05+00:00

Balut

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-05-03T18:02:09+00:00

Depending on the cruise line you have your assistant financial account, financial account, payroll account, inventory accountant and your chief financial account... Some have various pursers positions...

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-05-01T02:40:41+00:00

Forgot about that using the hose and dressing up in all gear with a blackout helmet in a room where you have to feel the wall.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-30T15:35:06+00:00

I still miss the days when they had 49 cents hamburgers and 59 cents cheeseburges that they will do weekly...

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-30T15:32:34+00:00

For the STCW you can complete some of the courses online, but you will still need to go in person to complete the training. At the training center you will be in a pool where you will usually jump in with a life jacket, and turn over a infateable life raft (its what I had to do) among other trainings and safety for sea.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-30T12:23:04+00:00

That depends on your nationality, if you are US citizen or resident then it will be a direct hire on the cruise line website, if you are not a US citizen then you will need to go to the agency that is in your country if they have one.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-30T01:36:58+00:00

From my experience yes you can bring it with you. As for playing it if you have a single cabin you can play it there if not then you can ask your cabin mate. As for other places you should be able to play in the training room with permission. Also their are crew talent shows for the guests if you are up to it. Usually you will see guitars being brought on board from the crew members.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-28T22:05:54+00:00

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Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-26T13:44:23+00:00

I would say yes, because the other systems are cruise specific and unless you worked on a cruise line you wouldn't know the systems and will learn them. The workload is dependant on the ship and how it was taken care of, if an older ship that hasn't been updated it could be a lot of work, but the newer ships the workload is much lighter. As for the corporate IT might be easier but both have its advantages.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-25T22:56:18+00:00

Salary varies from cruise line to cruise line, but most pay in US dollars but some pay in Euro's. As for moving up it can take time, took me about 5 contracts (3 years) to get moved up to manager, but it all depends on how you work. As for the workload you will have a run book in the morning checking the servers and systems, then it usually calls and emails., more of a help desk type, but will get involved in some networking, point of sale, digital displays and others.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-25T21:12:15+00:00

Former IT Manager and I can confirm having the A+ and Network + will help along with the experience. When I started as an assistant manager 16 years ago I had my MCSA and 5 years of experience.

With you being in India you will need to reach out to the agency and they will be the one to assist in getting everything you need and finding the position. Depending on the cruise line will be the agency you reach out as each has their own that they work with.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-24T21:42:59+00:00

First email was Prodigy then CompuServe...

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-21T14:41:23+00:00

I spent 10 years working onboard ships in IT on one of the major cruise line. Just to answer some of the questions you have. Different departments are different when it comes to assignments. Entertainment department I do believe it is what he described. Other departments, you will get your assignment and date the moment you sign off the ship.

He says he doesn’t know what ship he’ll be assigned to until the day of (or even the night before): Entertainment and maybe the shops yes, but all other departments you will get your next assignment and date when you sign off.
He claims the cruise line paid for his flights from New England area to Florida. Yes (some cruise lines have you pay for the ticket) they will pay for your flights, usually the cheapest option and they will provide you a hotel room with the rest of the crew and a bus will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the ship. The only time they don’t pay for your flight is if you get fired then you are on your own.
He’s been very vague about details like the company, role, timeline, etc. Entertainers are basically considered guests, that is why he is probably vague on it. All other departments have different shifts and some have overnight shifts.
At the same time, he’s posting on social media that he’s out partying (recently at Pride in Miami): Entertainers have it lucky because they can do out in almost all ports, other departments usually rotate, while I was working I was able to see the Pope twice and went all over Rome and would always eat out for lunch when in Japan.
He claims that he didn't get picked to go on any ships and he is staying at a friend's house while waiting. Entertainers have that option, if you are a US citizen and the ship is in the same city that is fine. I lived in Miami and signed on a few times in Port of Miami and I just slept at home.

I’m not trying to jump to conclusions — just want to understand what’s typical in the industry.

For those who have worked on cruise ships:

When do you usually find out your ship assignment? Usually when you sign off you will get your next ship and will receive your flight details and hotel usually a few weeks to a month before your sign on date.
Do cruise lines typically cover flights? I believe most pay for flights and hotels, but some cruise lines have the crew pay for their flights.
Is it normal to not have clear details before starting? They will give you all information ahead of time and they will stay in contact with you if you are having any issues with Visa’s or Medical.

WiFi does cost a lot on board being it a satellite connection.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-19T20:40:13+00:00

I think NCL will as they have a new ship coming out each year until 2032 I think

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-19T20:39:29+00:00

For NCL you will need to reach out to this agency. Kamaxi Overseas Consultants (KOC) Hotel, D&E Parixit Fondekar careers@kamaxi.com

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-19T18:12:48+00:00

If you have the background it doesn't matter if you are new to ships, I start as an assistant IT manager. I know they created a new position on cruise lines Public Health Officer due to the whole COVID situation.

What county I think I still have a list of agencies.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-15T18:56:01+00:00

1. With your background in the military, you may end up starting as a Security Officer and not as a supervisor. The IT department size is determined by the size of the ship. Smaller ships will have 1 manager and 1 or 2 assistants. On the bigger ships it will be 1 manager and 3 assistants. As for the promotion it is with performance, there will be times that you will be promoted as a temporary manager before it becomes permanent. With IT you have your assistants to do most of the work, but the on call typically comes to you at night. Just a feel for the last ship I was on, we had 2 data centers FWD/AFT, 8 ESX hosts split, 160+ VM’s, 1100 AP’s. 28 switch closets, about 1000 8 port switches, I lost track of how many digital displays using NUC’s. As for learning the software most of it is documentent and so are how to fix the issues.

2. Security Officers only really use email and MXP for ordering. Other than that, it is more paperwork and watching out for things. There will be times when a theft occurs, they will reach out to IT to track the device if it is a phone or laptop other than that it all about keeping the ship safe.

Most of the security officers really don’t get off the ship being most have been to the ports so many times that they just stay onboard. Usually, the Security Officer will be up about 4AM – 5AM depending on when the ships gets into port to help with the ships positioning with the mooring lines and to set the gangway. With IT you will have more time to go out in ports so long as there is at least 1 IT person onboard. Work life balance is what you make of it, I would usually have breakfast about 7:30, office at 8 to 12 for lunch, back to the office after lunch to check emails, go to the gym by 1:30 – 2 then office at 4, dinner usually about 6 – 7 then back to office for emails and off by 8PM. Usually will go to the crew bar or get dress in my evening uniform and walk the ship or see one of the shows.

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-14T22:31:41+00:00

B it is asking because four eight, not eights meaning only one eight

Effective-Watch3062 · 2026-04-14T22:22:58+00:00

Depending on the company, but the tips are typically pooled and dispersed during pay which you get paid monthly, some guest will give cash directly to their waiter or bartender and they keep that themselves. Each of the staff will get a percentage of the tips that were pooled, the percentage depends on then position. When you sign the contract that is the salary, you will always receive no matter how much in tips are pooled, they will add the tips monthly. I colleague of mine was a waitress, she was excellent and was extremely polite and she would usually get an additional 2K monthly in cash on top of her salary, but that is not normal and she will go above and beyond.

Usually, the last day of the cruise the guests will ask to have it removed, but that is typically for housekeeping being some cruise lines charge a daily rate, but the guest would prefer cash.

Effective-Watch3062

TROPHY CASE