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Brand Select ABC News Adventures by Disney Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Consumer Products Games & Publishing Disney Advertising Disney Branded Television Disney Cruise Line Disney Direct to Consumer Disney Entertainment Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology Disney Entertainment Television Disney Experiences Disney Music Group Disney Platform Distribution Disney Star Disney Store Disney Theatrical Group Disney Vacation Club Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort Disney+ Hotstar Disneyland Paris Disneyland Resort ESPN FX Networks Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Industrial Light & Magic Lucasfilm Marvel Entertainment National Geographic Partners Federal Credit Union Pixar Animation Studios The Walt Disney Company (APAC) The Walt Disney Company (Corporate) The Walt Disney Company (EMEA) The Walt Disney Company (India) The Walt Disney Company (LATAM) The Walt Disney Studios Walt Disney Animation Studios Walt Disney Imagineering Walt Disney World Resort

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Set sail on a uniquely Disney experience

Find your role in the magic aboard a state-of-the-art Disney Cruise Line ship. Life at sea isn't for everyone but with our supportive team, inclusive culture, and a sprinkle of pixie dust, Disney Cruise Line can become a home away from home. Dedicated to service and safety, being part of our Shipboard team means turning guest experiences into lifelong memories and working with incredible crew members and officers from around the world. Join us at sea and receive unique benefits and the opportunities for growth you need to live out your dreams.

Discover Shipboard Opportunities

Step 2 of 3: Select the career areas you are interested in:

Step 3 of 3: Here are the job categories that match your selections. Click to view available positions and how to apply.

Hotel Operations

Serve up handcrafted experiences on Disney Cruise Line's Beverage team.

Our Beverage crew provides efficient and friendly service while serving up enticing concoctions, such as signature cocktails, frosty pints, mixed drinks, sparkling wine and specialty coffees. Crew members have a variety of opportunities working in our indoor/outdoor bars, lounges, and nightclubs while also supporting beverage tastings and maintaining vessel sanitation procedures.

Complete List of Opportunities

• Assistant Bartender
• Assistant Beverage Manager
• Beverage Server
• Wine Room Storekeeper

Available Opportunities

How to apply.

To submit an application, apply online or reach out to a procurement ally partner in your location. Disney Cruise Line’s approved procurement allies can help you learn more about the positions you are interested in, what to expect from shipboard life and assist in completing the application process.

CAST-A-WAY CRUISE & RESORT HIRING AGENCY

84 Eagleby Road, Eagleby, Qld, 4207

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.cast-a-way.com

CAUX INTERNATIONAL GROUP

Maipu 939 CABA (C1006) Buenos Aires, Argentina

Phone: +54-911-54789557 / +54-911-24679941

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.cauxig.com

AQUAMARINE AGENCY LIMITED

14 West Street PO Box SP-64333 Nassau, Bahamas

Phone: (Office) 242-323-2500 Phone: (Mobile) 242-376-4462 Phone: (Mobile) 242-376-2450

Fax: 242-323-2509

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Website: www.aquamarineagency.com

PERSOHOTEL INTERNATIONAL

Supermanzana 313 Manzana 08 Lote 18 Calle Marte Esquina Limonarias Cancun, Quintana Roo 77553 Mexico

Phone: 52 998 147 0759

Email: [email protected]

Website: empleoencruceros.com.mx

To apply, please fill out the form here .

Rua dos Funcionários, 906 Sala 07 - Cabral Curitiba - PR 80035-050 Brazil

Phone: (+55) 41 3049 3316

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://ismbr.net

Contact: Carolina Coelho

SAPKO-C.E. LTD

9000 Varna, Bulgaria 11A Tzar Asen Str. BULGARIA

Phone: (+359) 52 615 997 Phone: (+359) 52 615 990

Fax: (+359) 52 615 996

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sapkoenchev.com

10 New Street St. Thomas, ON N5R 2N1 Canada

Phone: (+1) (266) 456-7881

Email: [email protected]

CRC CRUISE RECRUITING CONSULTANTS

Av Canaval y Moreyra 452 Oficina 902, San Isidro Lima- Perú

Phone: 51.1.421-1672 Phone: 51.1.221.255

Fax: 51.1.221.2559

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://crc-peru.com

Sealand Maritime

Phone: + 852-51064740

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.chncrew.com

IBERCOLL, S.A.S.

Calle 39 A #24-64 Bogota, Colombia 111711

Phone: 57 322 942 1718

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 506 7166 3050

USPINJACA POSAO/EMPLOYMENT POWER

Tkalciceva 27 Zagreb 10000 CROATIA

Phone: (+385) 1 3708 616 Phone: (+385) 1 3708 615

Fax: (+385) 1 3708 617

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.uspinjaca.hr

VIP INTERNATIONAL CARIBBEAN

Calle Cadiz #1 Costambar Puerto Plata Dominican Republic

Phone: 1 809 970 7669

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.vipinternational.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

14 Rue du Sous-Marin Venus 56100 Lorient FRANCE

Phone: +33(0) 2 97 84 98 80 Phone: +33(0) 2 97 84 11 14

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Website: https://en.internationalservices.fr

Guatemala City Central America

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://es.ismbr.net.br

Contact: Marcos Antillón

OCEAN CREWING LLC

Barrio Guamilito 3 avenida, 5 calle Plaza City Light, local 19 San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Phone: 504-2-557-2335

Fax: 504-2-557-3754

Email: [email protected]

Contact: Fernando Guzman, Owner

Email: [email protected]

Mobile Phone: 504-9-837-5712

AIRBORNE RECRUITING PVT. LTD.

5, Queens Mansion, 1st Floor 44 A.K. Nayak Marg Fort, Mumbai 400 001

Phone: (91 22) 4036 2100

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.airbornerecruiting.com

PT RATU OCEANIA RAYA

Jl Pondok Indah No 18X Denpasar Bali, Indonesia 80118

Phone: +62 361 9399851

Email: [email protected]

Bintaro Trade Center Blok A2 No 9-10 Sektor 7 Bintaro Jaya Tangerang 15224

Phone: +62 21 745 0325

Fax: +62 21 745 4281

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ratuoceaniaraya.com

Shop #7, Square one Plaza 41 Main Street, Saint Ann’s Bay, Saint Ann

Phone: +876 523-6117

Email: [email protected]

AGENSI PEKERJAAN RATU OCEANIA RAYA SDN BHD

26-1, Wisma UOA II Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Phone: +(60) 18 667 9892

Email: [email protected]

British Gurkha

Shanti Chowk Jawalakhel – 4 Lalitpur, Nepal

Phone: 977 1 5530900

Fax: 977 1 5543907

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

TDG CREW MANAGEMENT INC.

Unit 803, 8F Reach Building Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 76 Zone 10 Pasay City 1709, Philippines

Phone: (+632) 8527 9745 Phone: (+632) 8527 5286

Fax: (+632) 527 5777

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.tdgcm.ph

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TDGCMOfficial

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tdgcrewmanagement

GOURMET RECRUITMENT INTERNATIONAL

11 Richardson Road, 3 River Mews Southbroom, 4277 South Africa

Phone: (+27) 73 230 9050

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.grisa.co.za

Meridian Recruitment Agency Ltd

165A Western Main Road St. James, 180205 Trinidad and Tobago

Phone: +1 (868) 628 1050 Phone: +1 (868) 628 0668

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.meridianrecruitments.com

TSTC Thai Seafarer Recruitment CO.,Ltd.

324/20, 1st Floor, Bangna Residence Samphawut Road, Bangna-Nua, Bangna Bangkok, 10260, Thailand

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.tstc.link

Miray International

Phone: (+90) 212 227 8650

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.mirayint.com

Contact: Ozlem Aniates

Create unforgettable dining experiences for guests and crew from around the world.

The dedicated professionals on our Culinary and Galley teams combine gastronomical expertise with a pinch of magic, creating an aromatic medley of flavors from around the world that pamper the palate - all while keeping the galley areas in tip top shape and maintaining Disney Cruise Line's superior standards of excellence and commitment to health and safety.

• Assistant Hotel Stores Manager
• Chef de Cuisine (CDC)
• Chef de Partie
• Commis Chef
• Demi Chef de Partie
• Galley Steward
• Hotel Storekeeper

Bring immersive dining experiences to life with Disney Cruise Line.

With Disney Cruise Line's unique rotational dining experience, our Dining Room crew serves delicious meals that come with a side of impeccable and personalized service, working hand in hand with our Quick Service crew that supports counter service, casual dining, and in-room dining. This talented team also ensures the cleanliness of all food and beverage locations while maintaining vessel sanitation procedures.

• Casual Dining Services Manager
• Assistant Restaurant Manager (Head Server)
• Dining Room Attendant
• Dining Room Service
• Quick Service Attendant

At Disney Cruise Line, we run a tight ship.

Our Business Office team is responsible for all guest and crew accounting activities, provisions accounting, and financial records onboard Disney Cruise Line ships. With a keen sense of attention to detail and accuracy, the team oversees management of all onboard inventory transactions, as well as crew payroll.

• Payroll Analyst
• Revenue Analyst

THE AGENCY EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT LTD

Eliot House 1469 High Road London N20 9RT UNITED KINGDOM

Phone: +44 (0) 208 458 4212 Phone: +44 (0) 208 458 4572

Entertainment/Adult & Youth Activities/Entertainment Technicians

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.excellentrecruitment.biz

Be the go-to magic guide for all things Disney Cruise Line.

Our Guest Services crew continuously interacts with guests to ensure smooth sailing when it comes to any and all questions or needs. With comprehensive knowledge of the shipboard operation, Castaway Cay and other ports of call, the Guest Services team enhances the vacation experience. Whether its proactively resolving concerns, supporting fellow crew members or helping a family plan a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, this efficient and friendly team plays a role that forms a lifetime of cherished memories.

• Assistant Guest Services Manager
• Guest Services Host/ess
• Guest Services Manager

2 rue de Keramzec 56260 Larmor Plage FRANCE

Phone: (+33(0) 2 97 84 98 80 Phone: (+33(0) 2 97 84 11 14

Create a magical home away from home.

Our incredible Housekeeping crew oversees the cleanliness and sanitation of all public guest areas, staterooms, pantries, and crew accommodations. The team creates magical memories by developing genuine connections with guests to ensure they feel at home, creating an unmatched, luxurious feel as they maintain ship-wide cleanliness and vessel sanitation.

• Assistant Housekeeping Manager
• Custodial Host/ess
• Custodial Host/ess/Hair Braider
• State Room Host/ess
• Wardrobe Host/ess

Working together to achieve more.

Our Laundry Services crew maintains our high standards of cleanliness so each cruise is hassle free when it comes to fresh linens, soft towels, clean clothing for guests, and show-ready costumes for crew members. Along with overseeing and operating the washing and drying process from beginning to end, our Laundry team ensures cleanliness of the entire laundry operation and maintains vessel sanitation procedures.

• Assistant Dry Cleaning Specialist
• Assistant Manager Laundry
• Assistant Wash Specialist
• Dry Cleaning Specialist
• Laundry Attendant
• Wash Specialist

Create a one-of-a-kind, immersive shopping experience.

With personalized and attentive service, our Retail crew weaves the magic of Disney into the shopping experience of guests. Whether it's showcasing elegant jewelry and collectibles, assisting a guest searching for the perfect pair of Mickey Ears, or creating royal transformations at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, our Retail crew takes pride in bringing the magic to life.

Capture cherished memories that will last a lifetime as a Disney Cruise Line Photographer.

From candid vacation moments to character meet and greets, Photography crew members capture the priceless, unforgettable moments where everyone is in the picture. Photographers are well-versed in available photo packages, communicating options, and assisting guests when viewing and picking up photos - selecting the perfect snapshot of their dream vacation.

• Assistant Manager Photography Sales
• Assistant Manager Photography Production
• Manager Photography
• Photographer

Offer guests an elegant dining experience that exceeds expectations.

Our Specialty Dining crew members are at the heart of the signature dining experience onboard Disney Cruise Line, creating a sophisticated atmosphere in our luxurious, adult-exclusive restaurants. Not only does the Specialty Dining crew take pride in renowned cuisine and impeccable service, but also in our opportunities for professional growth as the team works under highly skilled and often acclaimed chefs. Exemplifying the highest standards, our crew members ensure cleanliness of all specialty dining locations and maintain vessel sanitation procedures.

• Chef de Cuisine
• Chef de Rang
• Chef Pâtissier
• Chef Sommelier
• Demi Chef de Rang
• Head Wine Steward Palo
• Maître D’hôtel
• Dining Room Service – Palo

Entertainment Operations

Step into the spotlight and bring beloved stories to life.

Disney Cruise Line's Mainstage and Disney Character Look-Alike Performers join our repertory company from diverse backgrounds to tell the stories of Disney in our world-renowned musical theatre style productions. Performers have the opportunity to work with award-winning directors and choreographers to bring the magic center stage. Uncover your next role as a versatile performer for our entertainment events, meet & greets and staged appearances by visiting DisneyAuditions.com to view upcoming auditions and opportunities and subscribe to audition alerts.

• Character Performer
• Mainstage Performer

Those interested in Character Performer and/or Mainstage Performer roles should visit disneyauditions.com to learn about upcoming auditions for these types of opportunities.

MUSICIANS Provides one-of-a-kind Disney entertainment. Those interested in becoming a Musician will need to submit for an in-person or online audition. Please visit disneyauditions.com to view upcoming opportunities and subscribe to audition alerts.

VARIETY ACTS Provides a specialty act performance as a third-party contractor. Those interested in becoming a Variety Act should visit disneyauditions.com and click on “Contracted Acts” to register interest.

Disney Cruise Line's Mainstage and Disney Character Look-Alike Performers join our repertory company from diverse backgrounds to tell the stories of Disney in our world-renowned musical theatre style productions. Performers have the opportunity to work with award-winning directors and choreographers to bring the magic center stage. Uncover your next role as a versatile performer for our entertainment events, meet & greets and staged appearances by visiting DisneyAuditions.com to view upcoming auditions, opportunities, and subscribe to audition alerts.

Bring world-class productions to life as an Entertainment Technician.

Disney Cruise Line's Entertainment Technicians consistently expand their skillsets, working with state-of-the-art gear to provide quality Broadway-caliber productions, magical outdoor fireworks at sea, and stunning special effects. Entertainment Technicians maintain the highest level of safety of the performers who bring the stories to life. From audio technicians, to entertainment rigger/stage hand, costume technicians, and more - explore opportunities across a multitude of teams specializing in areas such as theatrical productions, live music, and special events.

• Audio Technician Ship wide
• Audio Technician Walt Disney Theater
• Automation Operator
• Broadcast Editor and Motion Graphics
• Cosmetologist/Costume Technician
• Costume Technician
• Entertainment Rigger/Stage Hand
• General Technician Broadcast
• General Technician Ship wide
• GP Technician Ship wide
• GP Technician Walt Disney Theater
• Senior Technician Broadcast
• Senior Technician Ship wide
• Senior Technician Walt Disney Theater
• Show Control 2 Ship wide
• Show Control Technician Ship wide
• Show Control Technician Walt Disney Theater
• Stage Lighting & Special Effects
• Stage Props & Puppets

Liven up the guest experience with world-class entertainment.

Our Family and Adult Programming crew takes pride in delivering the magic, promoting entertainment options and bringing families together with attentive service, high energy games, and exciting events. With boundless amounts of energy and enthusiasm, this team plans and hosts games, trivia, deck parties, and more to bring the fun onboard to life - all while creating personal, lasting connections with guests.

• Assistant Cruise Director
• Crew Engagement Manager
• Cruise Staff
• Entertainment Manager
• Entertainment Host/ess
• Entertainment Integration Manager
• Senior Entertainment Manager

Oversee days of fun in the sun on our Lifeguarding and Port Adventures team.

Our Lifeguards operate and oversee all water-based and recreation spaces onboard, while observing general activity and volume around pool areas and slides to create a safe and fun environment. Our Port Adventures team ensure tour operators provide impeccable service for memorable shore excursions in our worldwide ports. With a new adventure every day, these teams help guests make the most out of their cruise experience.

• Port Adventures Manager
• Lifeguard Coordinator
• Lifeguard (shipboard)
• Port Adventures Host/ess

Create lifelong memories for young guests.

Our Youth Activities crew members grow through creativity and innovation as they bring interactive play spaces to life. Safety is key as our crew ensures the environment is emotionally and physically safe for kids to enjoy magical activities, Disney-branded experiences, themed programs and exciting games. Along with leading and participating in the fun onboard, the Youth Activities team cleans relevant spaces, serves lunch/dinner for kids, and welcomes guests throughout our ships and on Castaway Cay.

• Assistant Youth Activities Manager
• Nursery Counselor
• Youth Activities Counselor
• Youth Activities Manager

Marine And Technical

Navigate Disney Cruise Line into the future.

Our Deck department is led by the Staff Captain and includes more than 35 different positions. Across these positions, this collaborative team of diverse Deck crew members maintain the interior and exterior beauty of the ship. The department is responsible for overseeing safety and security on the mooring deck, during tender operation, throughout the guest/crew operation, or at the gangway.

• GP Hotel Maintenance
• Ordinary Seaman (OS)

Our Deck Officers are responsible for safely navigating the ship underway, maintenance of the ship’s hull and superstructure (both interior and exterior), and upkeep of swimming pools and whirlpool spas. With the safety of guests and crew at the forefront of Disney Cruise Line, Deck Officers oversee general drill exercises for guests and ongoing safety training for crew members.

• Chief Officer
• Chief Officer Safety
• Environmental Officer
• First Officer
• Second Officer
• Security Officer
• Staff Captain
• Third Officer

Guide Disney Cruise Line forward with efficiency and innovation.

Our Engineering crew powers the magic behind the scenes by overseeing the main propulsion plant and all hotel services. The crew is responsible for maintenance and repair in all technical spaces, machinery, bilges, and equipment, as well as taking part in bunkering and storing operations providing our guests and fellow crew a safe and secure environment.

• GP Assistant Electrician

The Engineering department is led by the Chief Engineer and includes more than 40 positions. Our Engineering Officers are responsible for maintenance of the main propulsion plant and all hotel services on the ship such as heating and air conditioning, refrigeration, fresh water, waste disposal, electrical and plumbing systems, life boats and davit systems, and upkeep of all electronic equipment, providing a safe and comfortable experience for all onboard.

Our crew are at the heart of everything we do.

Our Human Resources team is dedicated to the overall experience of our culturally diverse team of shipboard and island crew members. This collaborative team focuses on key business drivers. From talent planning to performance management, onboarding to crew welfare, HR and business strategy, diversity, equity and inclusion to learning and development, our HR team helps ensure our crew members succeed in their positions, with their health and well being remaining top priority.

• Human Resources Manager
• Learning & Development Manager
• Manager, Human Resources

Additional Opportunities

Providing quality health care services for the cruise line industry.

Medical services for Disney Cruise Line are provided in partnership with Vanter Cruise Health Services, Inc. (VCHS) . Established with the objective of providing medical personnel to the cruise industry, VCHS looks for experienced medical professionals accustomed to working in an independent setting. If you are interested in employment opportunities in medical services please visit the web site or email [email protected] for additional information.

Medical services are provided by third-party operating participants who work with Disney Cruise Line. Please visit vantercruisehealthservices.com for more information about medical opportunities and how to apply.

Still have questions? Email [email protected] .

Start your career selling at sea.

Set sail aboard luxury cruise lines, and use your style and skill to educate and influence purchase decisions around the world, while connecting with brands and travelers at a personal level. Port shopping guides work with name brands, and have grown to become top influencers in the jewelry and fashion industries.

We’re sorry, but there are no online applications currently available for this role. Please reach out to a procurement ally in your location for more information about working with Disney Cruise Line and the application process, or sign up below to receive emails about future opportunities.

OneSpaWorld. At Sea. On Land.

Disney Cruise Line Senses Spa and Salon is operated by OneSpaWorld, a worldwide provider and innovator in the fields of wellness, beauty, rejuvenation, and transformation across the globe. OneSpaWorld is dedicated to maintaining the highest quality standards and service delivery and is continually evolving to include all aspects of health and beauty while focusing on new advances within the spa and salon industry. Visit onespaworld.com for more information about spa positions and to apply.

Spa/Fitness services are provided by third-party operating participants who work with Disney Cruise Line. Please visit onespaworld.com for more information about spa positions and how to apply.

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What It’s Like to Work on Disney Cruise Line

By: Author Kim

Posted on Published: June 23, 2020  - Last updated: October 5, 2023

The thought of sailing onboard the Disney Cruise Line is usually a stress-free image. Imagine long days basking in the sun, spa treatments, gourmet dinners and intriguing ports of call as a DCL guest. But what is it like to work on Disney Cruise Line ?

For crew members setting sail on the Disney Cruise Line, the days are filled with staff meetings, long hours on your feet and plenty of costume changes. I should know. I worked on the Disney Wonder cruise ship  back in 1999 as it was inaugurated. While you might think that a lot has changed in that time, apparently it hasn’t (I’ll tell you how I know that later on.)

Enjoy this behind the scenes look of what it’s really like working on a cruise ship and discover whether life on the open seas is really as exciting as it seems.

This series first appeared back in 2007 on AllEars.net when my friend Deb, the editor and founder of AllEars.net, asked me to share my experiences as a DCL crew member in her emails. 

All photos were taken in 1999. That’s why they look old and blurry! I had to take a picture of them in my scrapbook to share with you.

Table of Contents

How I Got a Job on the Disney Cruise Line

Working onboard a cruise ship had always been a dream of mine, much like many other travelers who take a relaxing, week-long cruise and then imagine how much fun it must be to work onboard a ship.  Luckily, my dream coincided with my employment with the Walt Disney Company while they were planning the inaugural cruise season of the Disney Wonder. 

Through my position with Disney’s On-Property Sales and Marketing Division, I was part of a team given the task to introduce the new Disney Wonder crew members, most of whom were from foreign countries and had never been to Walt Disney World, to the wonders of the Walt Disney World Resort Property.

While talking with the crew members for three days, I decided that I just had to get a job onboard the Disney Cruise Line. 

Wondering how to work on a cruise ship? Well, for me, it was having an introduction to the DCL staff from a crew member that I met on the three-day tour. But it wasn’t that simple. After a month of leaving voice mails and resumes with the Disney Cruise Line’s Human Resources Department, I was finally called in for an interview.

The interview was in a small office in Celebration, Florida. The office was crammed with all of the essentials that it takes to run a cruise line from the shore while all of the action takes place on the ocean. 

The questions were typical of any position where you’re in charge of entertaining guests….hypothetical “what-ifs” on how you would handle a power outage during a dance party, what to do with unruly guests, etc. 

I was warned of the rigors of working onboard a cruise line….the long hours and no days off during your six months on the ship.  I wanted to work onboard so badly by this point, though, that it would have taken a lot to dissuade me. 

When I got the call offering me a Cruise Staff position underneath the Cruise Director onboard the Disney Wonder, I was ecstatic.  I had only two weeks to prepare , though.  I had to quit my job at the Walt Disney World Resort because the Walt Disney Company is NOT the same as the Disney Cruise Line company. 

Turning in my cast member ID and giving up my Walt Disney Company seniority was hard, but the prospect of a new career with the Disney Cruise Line was exciting.

Preparing to Live on a Cruise Ship

I then had to move out of my apartment, pack all my belongings and drive to my parents home in North Carolina (during a hurricane evacuation, no less) where I would be leaving all of my possessions for the next six months.  As soon as I got home, I had to start packing once again.

If you have ever tried to pack for a one-week vacation using only two suitcases, imagine packing for six months using only two suitcases . 

Because of weight and space issues, crew members were restricted on how much luggage they could bring on the ship.  Every single item I packed had to face extreme scrutiny. 

After packing shoes, outerwear, personal clothing, and medicines and toiletries to last at least a month or two in case I couldn’t get off of the ship, I was only able to pack a couple photos and mementos to stave off homesickness for the next half a year. 

You quickly learn what is important and what is not when you’re essentially living out of two suitcases for six months.

I was flown back to Orlando to report for initial training at the Disney Cruise Line offices in Celebration, FL .  In a small room filled with people from all nationalities, we discussed contracts, pay scales, and received a hefty dose of Disney “pixie dust.” 

Working for Disney is Different on the Cruise Line

Right from the beginning, though, I stood out like a sore thumb. 

I was the only American in this group to be training for a Disney Cruise Line position.  In fact, once I got onboard, I found out I was one of only five Americans among the approximately 900 crew members , and three of the Americans were behind-the-scenes in Human Resources and never had guest contact. 

As long-time cruisers probably have realized, Americans aren’t common among ship’s crew members, mainly because the pay is so low . (If you’re not cool with making slightly above minimum wage, you might want to consider another type of employment.)

Citizens of other nations, though, can usually end up making a decent amount of money with currency exchanges, so foreign nationalities are common among cruise ship staff.

I was also different because I knew Disney. Almost no one in my training group had ever been to ANY Disney theme park. Much less the Walt Disney World Resort which is so close to the cruise terminal and is part of the cruise-land travel packages. 

Though everyone seemed to know Mickey Mouse, no one really understood the legacy of Walt Disney or the stellar customer service that Disney is known for. 

As a former cast member who could easily recite the seven principles of Guest Satisfaction, who relied on implementing Guest Satisfaction Surveys to address guest complaints and who recently interviewed for a position on the Disney Traditions training staff which “pixie dusts” new cast members, I was completely unprepared for fellow crew members to know so little about the legendary company they were working for.  It was a major blow to me, having been such a Disney nut while working for the company, and it would continue to play a role in my days onboard the Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Cruise Line Crew Member Training

After training at the Celebration offices, we were transported to Port Canaveral for additional days of training in one of the most important aspects of life at sea…fire safety. 

Though many cruisers might think that the ship capsizing on the water or falling overboard and drowning is their biggest danger, one of the most dangerous things that can happen at sea is a fire.  If a fire were to break out onboard a cruise ship, it could quickly spread throughout the entire ship, making evacuation very challenging, to say the least.  So crew members receive extensive training in fire prevention and safety, and continue to do so throughout their tenure onboard the ship.   We reported to duty at the fire training offices used by all of the cruise lines at Port Canaveral.  After hours of classroom training and instruction in the use of fire extinguishers, we were ready for the hands-on training. 

One by one, we were paired with a team of firemen and entered a room with a simulated fire.  We were shown how to spray the fire extinguisher, aiming the nozzle towards the base of the fire to quickly extinguish it.  It was one of the scariest moments of the training, yet it was also one of the highlights.  I don’t really remember anything from my classroom training, now many years ago, but the image of facing a fire and using the fire extinguisher will always be burned in my mind, so to speak, and that is the whole point of a crew member’s fire safety training.   On our last night on dry land, our training team gathered in the hotel bar and raised our glasses to the new adventure that awaited us the next day and for the next six months. 

We would still be training as a team, learning about the basics of working onboard the Disney Cruise Line, but now we would be onboard the Disney Wonder, which was dry docked in preparation for its inaugural press events.  Excitement filled the air as we wondered who our roommates would be, how tiny the crew cabins were and what our positions would be like.  Little did we know that the relaxed and carefree atmosphere that we were enjoying would soon change as soon as we stepped onboard the ship.

Becoming a Crew Member Onboard the Disney Cruise Line

After days of land-based training, my training team was brought by van to the Disney Cruise Line’s crew area.  We gathered our luggage and followed our Human Resources leader to the security gate, where we were cleared through and were soon walking across the cargo loading areas to the crew gangway which leads into the lower decks of the ship. 

For most of us, the anticipation was overwhelming.  Few people really know what life is like on the crew levels of a cruise ship, and we were about to experience it for the first time.

Boarding the ship from the crew entrance is definitely not the same as boarding through the guest entrance.  The gangway leads into a no-frills bay which is usually loud and bustling with crew members scurrying through the crew quarters, cargo being brought onboard, and plenty of security and immigration personnel overseeing your every move.

Our first stop was the Crew Office , a really tiny room on a lower deck of the ship where paychecks, room assignments and benefits are handled . 

Even though the Crew Office is a central part of every crew member’s life while onboard, the space was ridiculously small.  Three people maximum could fit in the space behind the counter, so bringing in an entire training team meant that we were standing in line in the hallway with our luggage, eagerly anticipating our room assignments, crew IDs, etc. 

On pay days, the Crew Office would invariably have long lines with crew members trying to cash checks or pay bills.  Crew members soon learned that if you needed to take care of financial problems or any other type of issue that the office handled, you’d need to go late in the night unless you wanted to waste a lot of time.  It was sort of like the DMV, only for a ship.

After much waiting, we were finally given our room assignments .  Crew members are typically roomed with someone in the same department.  Most rooms sleep two people. 

For instance, dining staff will be roomed together and housekeeping crew members would be roomed together, but chances are a dining crew member and someone from housekeeping would rarely, if never, be in the same room.  This is because of the odd work hours on the ship.  Typically, crew members working in the same department would have comparable working and sleeping hours, and would be spending the most time together. 

Who your roommate is depends on who has an empty space in their room at the beginning of your contract.  As crew member’s contracts end and begin over staggered times, there’s a continuous flow of empty rooms.

As a member of the Cruise Staff, I was part of the Programming Division.  Since our staff only had about eight members, we were combined with the Children’s Programming staff, which was considerably larger.  My room assignment was with Allison, a Canadian who worked in Children’s Programming.

What Are the Crew Rooms Like on a Cruise Ship?  

I thought for sure I took pictures of my room, but I can’t find them! Wish I could show you what it looked like!

The number one question that I’m always asked about working on the ship is “What were the rooms like?”  Let me tell you, the first time I opened the door to my crew room, it took my breath away (not in a good way, either!)  I don’t think it’s possible to imagine how tiny a crew room is without actually seeing it! 

Seriously, your mind can’t even fathom such things.

When I opened the door to my home-away-from home for the first time, the door swung into the room and immediately took up half of the interior space.  To my left was a wall that had two narrow desks, each with one shelf above with metal railings so your items wouldn’t fly off during rough waters. We had a television on one of the shelves, which broadcast the guest television channels as well as an additional movie channel for the crew.

Immediately in front of me were two bunk beds.  I don’t think they were even a normal-size twin bed, they were so small.  Thankfully, though, they each had a curtain that could be pulled the entire length of the bed so that you could sleep while your roommate had the lights on. 

Though we each had two closets, which would hold about eight hangers each, most of the storage was in and under the bed.  The headboard and footboard could be lifted up for some small storage and we each had a drawer under the lower bunk.  That’s it.

If all of this wasn’t depressing enough, I hadn’t even stepped inside the “bathroom” yet, which was being hidden by the opened room door. 

Crew bathrooms are very reminiscent of airline bathrooms, only with a really tiny shower in the corner.  The shower is in the shape of a triangle, and you can’t lift both arms up at once without hitting the shower curtain and having it cling to you.  The toilet and sink were crammed in there, too, with very little storage space.

The room was entirely too small for one person (more senior members of staff did get single rooms). Imagine putting two people in it at the same time – there was no room to even move around, since we had about nine square feet of open floor space. 

When my boyfriend sent me a bouquet of flowers on my birthday, the flowers ended up taking up so much room that we had pollen on our clothes for about a week, since the flower arrangement consumed about half of our useable walking area by the door. 

At Christmas, my family wanted to send me a small tabletop tree to decorate.  They just couldn’t comprehend that there was literally no surface space to set a tree on.

So, that was to be my living arrangements for the next six months.  I would soon learn that I was directly under the luggage loading area, too, which meant that every debarkation morning, the walls would literally start shaking as passenger’s luggage was being carted off the ship directly above my head about 5 a.m. 

Thankfully, my room was right next to the elevator because I never did learn to navigate my way through the maze of rooms that created the crew quarters.  Every single room looked the same, and countless times I got lost trying to find my way back from the laundry room.

Doing Laundry on a Cruise Ship and Being Assigned Costumes to Wear 

Doing laundry on the ship was a new experience, too.  Because of strange work hours, I would have to put in a load of laundry before heading off to host a dance party, and hope that no one was stealing my clothes as I was doing the twist and the hand jive in WaveBands. In between shows, I would run down to the crew area to put my clothes in the dryer, and then run back up to the guest area to socialize with the guests.

I didn’t have to do too much laundry, though, because all crew members are fitted for costumes as soon as they get onboard. You never have to wash your costumes, you just bring them down to costuming to exchange them for clean clothes, hopefully ones that are actually your size. The costuming area is hidden away among the lower decks, where the heat and steam from the industrial washers and dryers creates agonizingly miserable conditions for the crew members whose job it is to wash bedding, towels, costumes and linens all day.

Each crew member has a series of costume pieces, depending on their position. I was taken in the back of the costuming department and measured for a wide array of costumes that I would need during my varied job duties:

• Formal nautical outfit for standing in the embarkation greeting line
• Slacks and a blazer for standing behind the Guest Services counter
• Polo shirts and shorts, as well as pants, for walking along the deck and hosting deck parties
• Shirts and shorts to be worn on Castaway Cay, as well as a bathing suit
• Silk shirts and dressy pants for evening activities
• Outerwear jacket and belts that corresponded to each outfit. 

I also received two nametags, the defining moment when you know that you are truly a crew member . Sure, signing the contracts and getting a crew ID makes you feel like a crew member, but for me, it was official when I had the nametag that was to be worn at all times so that guests could identify me as part of the crew.

The last pieces of my costume were my favorites.  We hosted two themed dance parties on each sailing, a 1950s party and a 1970s party, so we had to have appropriate costumes. Those weren’t to be found in normal costuming, though. 

We got those from theater costuming .  It was so exciting to go behind the stage of the Walt Disney Theater to the costuming department, where racks upon racks of fanciful show costumes were hanging.

A seamstress that was dedicated to keeping up the costumes for the theater productions also fitted the Cruise Staff for our specialty costumes. Since the girl who I had replaced on Cruise Staff was the exact size that I was, I didn’t need to have a costume specifically made for me, but we went through the paces of measuring me to make sure that we had the perfect fit. I was assigned a green felt poodle skirt with a crinoline underlay, a cardigan sweater and gauzy scarf for the 1950s party, and a lime green pantsuit for the 1970s party.

Safety Training for My Disney Cruise Line Job 

After coming aboard as a new crew member, there is not much time for rest, and there won’t be until after your contract ends. It’s that simple. And NOT an exaggeration.

Safety training starts just hours after you board the ship, beginning with the assignment of a life jacket and your crew station during an emergency. While you will see some crew members positioned throughout the ship during each safety drill before embarking on your cruise, every crew member has a position to take somewhere in the ship should there be an actual emergency .

As part of the Cruise Staff, my position would have been in the Oceaneer Club, checking I.D.’s of children who were being picked up by their parents.

Safety training is taken extremely seriously among crew members onboard the Disney Cruise Line.  There are strict guidelines to follow, stringent protocols in place for every conceivable event, and at no time will a half-hearted attitude be tolerated . 

The safety training for all of the new crew members in my training class started with thick manuals of information that we read, discussed and were then tested on during numerous classes that took place in the crew lounge area below the guest decks. Medical emergencies, life boat drills, fire safety, etc. were thoroughly covered in every aspect.

Crew members can expect to frequently be retested on safety procedures at any time and you could possibly lose your job if you can’t pass a test on safety protocol. You can’t just study a safety booklet enough to pass a test and then forget the information, much like in high school or college, so all of the new crew members spent hours learning and memorizing safety procedures.   After classroom discussions, we had tours of the ship with the lead crew member in charge of Safety. Though you can spend hours reading manuals about the safety precautions that are installed in the ship, it only takes a minute or two of a demonstration to instill in you an appreciation and understanding of all that it takes to make a ship safe on the ocean.

We watched demonstrations of the water-tight doors that can be closed through various areas of the ship, listening as the doors lumbered loudly to seal off a corridor while bright strobe lights lit up the hallway and a deafening alarm pealed through the surrounding area.

We then took a tour of the ship’s bridge, where a large electronic chart of every square foot on the ship was mounted on the wall. A myriad of different colored mini lights represented sensors throughout the ship that were monitoring heat, electrical currents and water levels, constantly scouring the ship for any small problem that might occur. We inspected life boats and completed training in evacuation procedures. In a matter of a day or two, our new training class had become experts in safety at sea.   After the majority of safety training was completed, we were then allowed to report to our individual crew assignments for job-specific training, which would continue to be interspersed with safety training for the next week or two.  I reported to the Assistant Cruise Director who immediately started training me in my role as a member of the Cruise Staff.

Sea Sickness While Working on a Cruise Ship

Since the Cruise Staff department is relatively small, it’s necessary for new crew members to jump right in and quickly learn the ropes.  One of my first activities was helping to host the 50s dance party.  Though I might have looked the part while doing the Twist in my poodle skirt, guests probably didn’t realize that I was battling one of the worst cases of seasickness that I had ever encountered.   I have suffered from motion sickness my entire life, even getting sick on the mountainous roads of my hometown. I was so anxious to work onboard a cruise ship, though, that I didn’t want to admit that seasickness would be a problem for me. And I thought I’d get over it.

It turned out to become a HUGE problem that never ended. That first night while sailing, all I wanted to do was hang over the side of the deck and be sick, but as I soon found out, seasickness is not an excuse for missing work !

As I sat with my head between my knees in the cramped, darkened DJ booth at WaveBands, I soon wondered what I had gotten myself into. But, receiving no sympathy from my fellow crew members, I had to get out on the dance floor and try to keep my footing while the ship rocked and my stomach churned.    I assumed that I would eventually get accustomed to the motion of the ship and that my seasickness would become a thing of the past. That never happened. 

What did happen was that I frequently visited the crew member portion of the Infirmary and grabbed handfuls of packets of seasickness pills that were readily available in a handy bin right next to the aspirin.

There were many times when I had to get through a deck party or dance party or other event simply by sheer will, but I soon found out that one of the best remedies for seasickness was to simply stop thinking about it and go on with life. It worked just as well as the mountain of seasickness pills that I must have consumed during my time onboard.

Working with the Cruise Director 

Learning the ropes of hosting dance parties and deck parties was pretty simple. My job as a Cruise Staff crew member was simply making sure that people had a great time, whether it was dancing in the crowds during the Sail Away party or talking with guests before the Disney Theatre performances.

Other parts of my job required much more training. 

On embarkation days, the Cruise Staff manned the shore excursions desk, booking shore excursions and answering questions about what was available at our ports of call.

I had to become familiar with the most popular shore excursion destinations, so during the first two cruises I was able to take shore excursions along with guests so that I would be able to answer guest questions on future sailings.

On subsequent sailings, a member of the Cruise Staff was sometimes assigned to be onboard a shore excursion in case problems arose, so I frequently was able to enjoy a boat tour around Nassau or a trip to Atlantis.

Note: Disney Cruise Line has since changed the roles of the Cruise Staff. Now, there are separate crew members just for shore excursions and different crew members for entertainment. When we sailed on the Disney Fantasy during its inaugural year, I found this out by talking with crew members. I was a little jealous that they had less work to do than I did!   Another aspect of my job that required in-depth training was the family activities. We used microphones for most events, so there was training in the electrical systems for each venue, plus how to handle technical glitches with the microphone in case the Engineering Staff was unable to show up for each activity.

I had to receive training for the DJ stations at each venue, too, just in case I had to handle the sound as well as host an event. Learning the technical aspects of sound was a piece of cake compared to trying to operate a movie screen in Animator’s Palate, which I never really mastered.

Each activity that we hosted onboard had its own set of challenges.

For one event, guests made cars out of potatoes and assorted vegetables and raced against each other to compete for a prize. The activity sounds simple enough, but required much planning and execution.

I had to learn where the produce supply pantry was located below decks. This might not sound like a big deal, but I frequently got lost in the crew decks because everything looked the same and there were so many small alcoves and hidden doors.

Picking up pounds of potatoes, celery, carrots and the like wasn’t always easy, either, as you had to sign out the produce with kitchen managers who frequently weren’t aware of why we needed their produce, resulting in challenging conversations.

Then we had to transport the vegetables to guest areas, but not using guest elevators, which was strictly forbidden .

Once inside the lounge, we would then have to set up the supplies before finally arranging with the Entertainment department the arrival of Mickey Mouse at the end of the races.

What seems like a simple one-hour activity to guests could actually take two to three hours of prep time and scheduling , trying to get many different parts of the ship to cohesively work together, which isn’t always easy.

After the first few sailings, I was finally starting to get used to my new position. Hosting dance parties and teaching guests how to do the Electric Slide had become second nature to me. Preparing the Disney Theatre for each production was my nighttime ritual.

I was equally adept at exercising with Goofy on the sports deck as I was hosting the elegant Captain’s reception with everyone dressed in their finest. 

Hardest Part of Living on a Cruise Ship

While I was easily adapting to my new role in entertaining guests, I wasn’t adapting as easily to the living conditions of a cruise ship crew member.

Surprisingly, the hardest aspect of cruise ship life for me was the strange sensation of feeling like I was living in a foreign world, even though I spent so much time in Port Canaveral and on a Disney ship full of Americans.   As I mentioned before, I was one of only a handful of Americans to be working onboard the Disney Wonder. My immediate boss was also an American and had worked at the Walt Disney World Resort, too, so we had a great deal in common and I had someone that I could easily talk to.

Everyone else, though, was from a myriad of different nationalities. When you’re living and working with other people in a very close environment, cultural differences tend to become much more pronounced.   Though everyone on my team came from an English-speaking country, our phrases and vocabulary definitely weren’t the same. There were many, many times that our conversations seemed to need an interpreter, even though we were all speaking English.

I know I wasn’t the only one feeling this way, because many guests would come up to me and say “Oh, you’re from the United States!  I can actually understand what you’re saying!”

Of course, language was just one of our cultural differences. Throughout the ship, everyone had a different style of dress when they weren’t wearing their cruise line uniforms, different political views, different work habits and ethics, different ways of dealing with the opposite sex….everything seemed to be different.

It was as if I was living in a foreign country and dealing with culture shock, yet twice a week I would sail back to port in my home country and yet not feel like I was home at all.

What Crew Members Eat on the Disney Cruise Line

One of the biggest cultural differences of all was the food .

In the crew mess below decks, the cafeteria is a display of multicultural tastes. Never in my life had I seen broths served with every meal, yet apparently this is common in many countries, so there was always a large vat of some type of broth liquid available. Rice is also a mainstay, and there was plenty of it. 

There were more hot teas to chose from than I had ever been used to before. Yet for all of the nods towards other country’s culinary tastes, there was rarely a supply of “American” food, such as sandwiches, hamburgers, pastas, etc.

This might sound like a blessing in disguise, since American diets are traditionally too heavy with too many calories. Yet, when you’re working for 18 hours a day on your feet doing very physical activities, you need some substance to get you through the day and we were definitely NOT getting it.

The food situation became so bad that my boss, knowing my journalism background, asked me to write a letter to DCL management to increase the foods available and their quality.  The lack of edible food in the cafeteria was a situation affecting everyone.

Though there are plenty of places onboard the ship for guests to get a quick snack whenever they want, it was not like that for the crew. The Crew Mess was essentially your one-stop dining destination, and if you weren’t eating food there (especially when they were closed periodically throughout the day), then you had to rely on food you bought in port.

The problem with that, though, is that you actually needed time to get off the ship, get transportation to a store to buy food (which has to be prepackaged and not fresh fruits, vegetables, etc. because of Customs rules) and get back to the ship. With our work schedules, that didn’t happen too often. 

And if you remember my description of our crew rooms in a previous article, there was no room to store food even if you were able to purchase it.

Perhaps during a cruise you might have seen some crew members dressed in work clothes eating in guest areas.  As officers, you are allowed to do that, and as a member of the Cruise Staff, I was a very low ranking officer but still had that privilege.

However, my boss didn’t think it would look appropriate, so we weren’t even allowed to go to the snack bars, even though it should have been one of the perks of my job. 

With the lack of food that I was willing to eat and the heavy amount of physical activity every day, I was soon losing weight at a rapid pace. By the end of my time with the DCL, I was stick thin and my clothes just hung on me. I was already wearing the smallest size costume that was available, and even those quickly became too big, even the bathing suit.

It was a serious medical problem that guests would find hard to believe with the extravagance of food in the guest areas, yet the lack of food for the crew was a problem nonetheless.

When I was able to get off the ship, my only concern was finding a place to eat. To this day, I still consider a Subway sandwich that I bought in Nassau to be one of the top ten food highlights of my life .

Before you start questioning my taste, I also consider Artist Point and Victoria and Albert’s at Walt Disney World to be among the tops, too. But I had been so hungry for so long and just wanted something “American” that every single bite of that sandwich tasted like a little bit of heaven to me.

You might be wondering to yourself, why was it so hard to get off the ship to get food? After all, guests can come and go whenever you’re in port. Not crew members.

Getting Off a Cruise Ship as a Crew Member

When most people dream about getting a job on a cruise ship and sailing the world, they imagine working onboard a ship while still being able to enjoy the freedoms and little luxuries of being a guest. They think, “Wouldn’t it be nice to work as a waiter onboard, and get to explore Cozumel or Nassau during the day before heading to work for the rest of the night?”

Unfortunately, it does not work that way.

The most important difference between cruise line guests and crew members is the sheer frustration in just trying to disembark the ship.

It’s important to point out that this has nothing to do with the Disney Cruise Line itself. It’s just the nature of the industry and a myriad of Customs rules.

As a guest, you anxiously await the general disembarking announcement of each port day so that you can start walking down the gangway and begin exploring the port of call. Just because the ship is in a port of call, though, doesn’t mean that the crew members will be disembarking, too.

When we were in ports during the sailing, such as Nassau, the crew were allowed to get off the ship along with everyone else. However, you actually needed the time to do it .

Crew members’ schedules are highly erratic and rarely are you given an eight-hour time span in which to work, like most jobs on dry land. You might be scheduled for work for an hour, with an hour break, and then work again for a couple of hours with 30 minutes off.

My team’s daily schedules came in a tiny, pocket-sized Excel document. Each 24-hour day was sectioned off in 30-minute segments. I just about went blind trying to decipher which blocks of the column were shaded in for work and which were break times, because every single day we had a different schedule.

The entire Cruise Staff team religiously walked around with an Excel document folded up in their back pocket because we never knew for certain where we were supposed to be at any given time in any day.

The thought of working for an hour or two and then having a break for a while sounds good in theory, until you try to do it while living on a ship.

You know how it can take up to 15-20 minutes to walk from your stateroom just to get some lunch? It is the same problem for crew members. So a 30-minute or hour break is quickly eaten up with travel time just to get back to your room or the crew mess.

With a schedule like that, it’s nearly impossible to find the time to clear Customs getting off the ship, go somewhere, and then wait in line to get back onboard and report to duty on time in the appropriate costume.

Other than leading shore excursions, I rarely ever got off the ship in the Bahamas because it was physically impossible. And you rarely, if ever, get a day off … for six months straight.

Do You Get Any Time Off When Working on a Cruise Ship?

Though some crew members, such as the dining staff, had a more structured work schedule and were allowed half days off every now and then or large blocks of personal time, the Cruise Staff never had that luxury.

With only six to eight people on staff at any time, we all worked around the clock. Typical days would start at 8 a.m. and not end until well after midnight, especially if you were hosting a deck party or acting as DJ for a club.

We actually had staff meetings at 2 a.m. , the only time when one of us wasn’t working, so even if your work day ended at 10 p.m., you couldn’t really get much sleep because you had to be in a meeting at 2 a.m.

We also had staff meetings while we were docked in Port Canaveral, the only time that we really had the opportunity to run errands, get a haircut or go to Wal-Mart. Though some other crew members had the luxury of being able to go into town all day while in our home port, the Cruise Staff always had to be back on the ship well before lunchtime, because we were all expected to be a part of the receiving line for newly embarking guests, as well as manning the Excursion Desk.

Though the Cruise Staff’s schedules made it extremely difficult to find time to get off the ship in Port Canaveral, the Customs officials made it a crazy guessing game for all of the crew members. Any time we were in Port Canaveral, crew members could not just walk off the ship like the guests. We had to wait for “windows.” These “windows” were pockets of time that Customs would allow crew members to disembark.

The “windows” were never at the same time, might only occur every one to two hours, and there was never a specified amount of time that the “window” was open.

So, early every Thursday and Sunday (well before 7 a.m.), all of the crew members would start gathering anxiously in the elevator waiting area near the Infirmary, just outside of the crew disembarking point. Crew members were sitting on the floor, lying on the steps or standing up in a crowd of bodies who were desperately trying to get off the ship.

No one knew when Customs would start scanning the first crew member ID and allowing you to get off the ship. When the process did start happening, there would be a rush of people pushing their way forward and trying to get through the security line, because sometimes Customs allowed the disembarking phase to last for 30-45 minutes, while sometimes they mysteriously closed it off after 15 minutes, possibly not to reopen for another three hours.

The “windows” situation was a source of high stress and exasperation for every crew member on board. You were never guaranteed the ability to get off of the ship to go buy some toothpaste or get a new pair of sneakers. It wasn’t just for crew members working onboard the ship, though.

Even DCL shore-side staff who came to the ship while it was in port to take care of some business would often become trapped onboard because of the “windows.” The “windows” were finally discontinued in 2007, much to the enjoyment of every DCL crew member. Next time you sail, ask a crew member who has been around for more than a year about the crew “windows.” You’re sure to get some good horror stories.

Though there were many challenges in trying to disembark the Disney Wonder as a crew member, there were many reasons to stay onboard.

Crew Life Onboard a Cruise Ship

Just like cruise line guests are excited and eager to enjoy the deck parties, cocktail evenings and other occasions to have fun and celebrate, the crew members are anxious for events of their own. While it is fun to work a party as a crew member, you’re still expected to serve the guests and be professional.

Let’s face it, crew members need time to themselves when they’re not serving the fruity frozen drink of the day, dancing the electric slide or wearing the requisite shorts with a hem two inches above your knee caps.

That’s where the crew pool comes in.

Some guests are aware of the Disney Cruise Line crew member pool which is located at the bow of the ship. You might have seen it from the guest decks and wondered, “How do I get to that pool? There’s hardly anyone there!” or you might have heard about it during DCL trivia contests.

The crew pool is literally one of the few places where crew members can just hang out and be themselves, without fear of acting improperly in front of guests.

During the day, crew members can work on their tan, take a swim, or just socialize in the open air and sunshine. At night, the crew pool transforms itself into party central. This is where the crew members gather to have drinks, talk about their day and socialize. It’s essentially just like any bar you’d go to after a long day of work or during a night out on the town. Crew parties last until the wee hours of the night, and sometimes they actually have a theme, like a costume night.

When it was raining or the winds were just too rough, crew parties were held inside. There was one common crew area, beside the crew mess, where many crew activities took place. It was generally just a meeting room, filled with seats and booths. This is where we had crew training during our orientation onboard the ship.

However, at night, crew members gather here to watch movies, have impromptu parties and generally just gather with friends. Since crew rooms are so small and there are few places available anywhere on the ship where crew members can congregate outside of guest contact, these were essentially the places to be seen.

Occasionally, crew members were allowed to “take over” guest areas. The Cruise Staff and Children’s Programming Department routinely had parties in the area that used to be the ESPN Club the night before members of our staff left the ship at the end of their contract. Since this occurred quite frequently, we could easily have gatherings in the Club late in the evening on the nights before disembarkation when guests were busy packing their suitcases and weren’t staying in the clubs too late.

We were also fortunate to be able to take over the Spa late one night. We weren’t able to enjoy spa services, but we could utilize the steam showers and saunas. At that point, a full size shower was definitely a luxury experience .

Crew members could go to the spa for discounted services or haircuts, but it still wasn’t cheap. For hair cuts and personal grooming supplies , most crew members tried to get to Wal-Mart, Walgreens or the mall when we were in our home port.

Thankfully, there is a transportation service just for crew members that allowed us to get into the city and run our errands without needing to hire a taxi. The crew buses service all cruise lines, and are essentially shuttle buses that have scheduled pick up times at the most popular spots that crew members frequent. Without the crew shuttles, it would have been much more difficult to get into town since very few crew members have cars.

Time in port is also when crew members try to get in contact with their family. Since most crew members are not from the U.S., it’s a challenge for them to find and use international calling cards on the public pay phones that are banked outside of the crew disembarkation point.

Have you ever noticed the lines of crew members standing around pay phones at ports of call? This is the only time that we were able to really talk to our families, and the nuances of trying to use international calling cards are extremely frustrating. Remember, we have very little time off the ship so being patient and trying to figure out the phones while the time clock is ticking is extremely annoying.

I was reduced to tears more than once just trying to get a phone call to go through to my family in the U.S. from a pay phone in the Bahamas or Mexico. In fact, there’s a pay phone in Cozumel that took quite a “beating” during my frustration in trying to make an international phone call. (I never did succeed.)

Of course, if you have a cell phone you can use it while in port… in theory.

Do cell phones work on cruise ships? Not really, in my experience. And that’s even on a sailing in 2019 that I had problem using my phone while in port for debarkation.

Though I had a cell phone back then, it wouldn’t pick up reception on most parts of the ship while in port. I walked the decks endlessly trying to get a signal.

Though reception was a bit better while we were sailing out of port, I was usually working during that time and couldn’t make any calls. So, in order to stay in touch with my family and hear their voices, I either had to take a crew shuttle into town so I could get phone reception and call them around 7 or 8 a.m. (thankfully my family was in the same time zone that I was), or use the static-filled public phones in ports of call while other crew members were standing in line behind me anxiously awaiting their turn on the phone.

Getting Mail and Phone Calls on a Cruise Ship

When I was a crew member, the Internet was not available on the Disney Wonder, so times have changed, thankfully for the better. (However, I heard in the videos posted below that paying for the privilege of internet as a crew member eats up half of your salary, which isn’t too much to begin with.)

One of the only public places for crew members to check their email was at an Internet cafe somewhere on Nassau. I never did visit the cafe, because I never had time. Remember, it’s really difficult for some crew members to have enough free time to do any errands off of the ship. Since we stayed late in port at Nassau, many crew members would head to the cafe at one or two in the morning.

For the international crew members, email was the cheapest and easiest way to keep in touch with their friends and family. However, all of the cruise lines that docked in port had crew members who were all competing for the computer terminals at the Internet cafe. Just because you had the time and the money for a taxi to travel there, it didn’t necessarily mean you were going to be able to check your email.

If you weren’t using a pay phone, cell phone or email, your communication with the rest of the outside world relied on your postal mail… if you got it.

Since we were living on a ship, mail only came twice a week while we were in port. Our mail was sent to a stateside address, then delivered to the heads of each department on the ship. For instance, all of the Cruise Staff personal mail was delivered to our boss, who then had to hand it out individually.

So it’s not like you’re ordering supplies on Amazon.com and getting them in a couple days.

For me, mail was mainly cards and letters from my family and boyfriend, but some crew members relied on the mail to receive credit card bills and other important financial matters.

If there was a delay in the mail, it could really mean trouble, especially since the outgoing mail had to wait until you came back in port several days later and then had to pass through the chain of command once again.

Mail delivery was one of the highlights of my week, since it was one of the few ways I could keep in touch with my family. If they sent pictures, I would immediately tape them to the walls of my bunk bed. I kept every single card and letter. I was ecstatic when I would get a small gift in the mail. The mail system was my lifeline to the life that I was used to back on dry land.

Having Guests Visit You Onboard the Cruise Ship

Luckily for me, I had friends and family in the area who wanted to drive to Port Canaveral to see me, so I was really able to stay in touch with people. But it’s not like a crew member can just walk off of a ship to see someone that has popped in to say hi.

Because of the previously mentioned crew “windows,” it was really hard for anyone to come see you on the cruise ship. That made seeing my boyfriend, who would drive an hour each weekend to the port to see me for just a few brief hours, really difficult. Because if I missed a crew window, I wouldn’t see him again for a week.

In fact, one weekend the crew “windows” were never opened and we were not allowed to leave the ship. My boyfriend was waiting on the dock to see me, and my cell phone had no reception in port. Even the onboard satellite phones that cost about $8 a minute weren’t working because we were in port, so there was no way to let him know that I wasn’t going to be allowed off of the ship.

Frustrating isn’t even the word to describe what it feels like when you can’t see friends or family who are so close, yet so far, in the bureaucratic red tape of sailing in international waters.

Another time, my aunt and family surprised me by driving to the port to see me, not realizing the legalities that were involved with me getting off of the ship. They were in the boarding terminal and somehow got a message through to my boss on the ship that they were there. I was ecstatic, but I couldn’t leave the ship.

Thankfully, my boss was able to somehow pull some strings and get the appropriate paperwork together for me to simply step off of the gangway into the boarding terminal so that I could see my family. By that time, though, so much time had passed doing the paperwork that it was a very brief reunion.

To get around all of the red tape and spend some quality time with me, my boyfriend surprised me on Thanksgiving by booking a stay on the Thanksgiving sailing. The entire lobby heard me scream when I saw him walk off of the gangway into the main lobby of the ship.

While I was so happy that I would be able to spend time with him, once again the intricate laws of the cruise line would limit our time.

Just to be able to have dinner in Palo’s, I had to request special written permission from one of the heads of the dining department to be in the restaurant, because I was a crew member. My schedule for the sailing had already been made, so there was no way to get a few extra hours off.

During my limited time off, I just really wanted to relax and enjoy a decent meal so we ordered room service from his stateroom. The room service waiter recognized me and nearly refused to serve us the food because I was a crew member, even though it was ordered by a paying DCL guest.

While it was clearly obvious that I was forbidden to be in guest areas to socialize when I wasn’t on the clock, it was also forbidden for any guests to enter the crew quarters, so the complexities of trying to find a time and place to visit a personal acquaintance were quite frustrating.

Cruise Line Crew Member Contracts

Crew members are signed to a contract of a specific length, usually six to nine months. At the end of the contract, you can choose to extend the contract with no time off, or sign up again for another contract with a set amount of time off in between, typically six weeks.

You are paid a base wage with cash compensation for each week of your contract. Then money is accrued per week to be paid as a cash bonus when your contract is up.

Included in your monetary compensation will be non-cash compensation such as food and rooming. So you won’t be charged for that, but they consider the value of that as part of your compensation package.

With a crazy work schedule and little sleep, I decided not to renew my contract. Though I will always look back at my time with Disney Cruise Line with fond memories, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat, I knew that signing up for another half of a year onboard the ship was just not for me .

Leaving the ship is a bittersweet time. You’re excited to get on dry land for more than several hours at a time. It’s exhilarating to return to a bedroom or a house with a normal size bathroom and closets and bed. It’s a comfort to realize that you don’t have to battle daily with seasickness anymore.

But there’s also what you leave behind.

The crew members onboard cruise ships become a tight-knit family… after all, you live and work with these people every day, all day, with little or no contact with your actual family. When saying goodbye, it’s a very real possibility that you’ll never see your fellow crew members again.

Everyone comes from around the world, so it’s not as easy as returning to a city and being in the same geographical area as old friends.

And there’s no guarantee that when you come back to the ship, if you renewed your contract, that your friends would still be onboard. Contracts end and begin at staggered times, people get transferred to other ships, etc.

How Guests Impact Crew Member’s Lives

And then there are the guests. Some guests really can make your day or your entire week, and it’s kind of sad to think that you’ll be leaving those experiences behind.

On one cruise, I was talking with a family who knew where I lived (a remarkable occurrence since I was living in a tiny town at the time). After commenting that I didn’t get many opportunities to talk with my family, they got my mom’s email address and emailed her to tell her that I was doing OK and they had just visited with me on the ship. That one simple act still remains with me today. It was something so simple, so easy, yet meant so much to me.

I started a conversation with another guest at a pin-trading event onboard. I was commenting how Chip and Dale were my favorite characters and I hadn’t gotten the opportunity to buy a Chip and Dale pin on land, since they weren’t available onboard the DCL. Surprisingly, the woman bought a Chip and Dale pin when she got back to Orlando and mailed it to me on the ship.

Once again, such a simple act, yet it meant so much to me.

Would I Work on the Disney Cruise Line Again?

Those are the things that I remember most about my time onboard the Disney Wonder. Yes, the crazy work hours and unusual living conditions are always in the back of my mind, but I focus more on the unique opportunities that I was fortunate enough to experience, the places that I traveled, and the people from around the world that I met.

I remember the exciting energy that was present on the ship each and every time we set sail. Every sailing was a new and different experience that was entirely shaped by the people who chose to set sail with us on that specific voyage.

Some sailings were more boisterous than others, some were more subdued, yet each took on a different feel depending on who checked in on embarkation day.

After I first left Disney Cruise Line, I felt a lot of nostalgia. There were a lot of crew members on the shows and commercials who I used to work with, and seeing them on television doing a role that I used to do brings back a lot of memories. I missed my extended family. I missed the allure of sailing.

But over time, I realized that I am too old and know too much to do that life again. The amount of work that you are asked to do, and the personal freedoms you give up, are too great for the small amount of money that you make. (And, yeah, it’s small! My contract actually stated that I had a 70-hour work week. Though I feel like I worked more.)

Sailing as a crew member onboard a cruise ship isn’t a permanent vacation. Neither is travel writing or full-time RVing. People like to look in at your life from the outside and assume it’s all fun. Without knowing the crazy amount of work it takes to get there.

I thought that crew member life would have gotten better in the two decades since I was a Disney Cruise Line crew member. I was shocked to find out it really hasn’t.

During one late night binge-watching on YouTube, I found the Gianna Alexis channel . And it was very disturbing to hear that not much has changed while living on a cruise ship, even 20 years later.

P.S. 20 years ago there was NO WAY that I would have been allowed to take video or photos or document my life on DCL the way that YouTubers can now. 

Here’s some of her videos that you’ll want to listen to in order to know what life is like onboard the Disney Cruise Line now:

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Thursday 8th of December 2022

I just came back from my first Disney cruise, and for some reason I was dying to know what it’s like to work there. Your article answered everything I was curious about and more. Thank you for sharing! I’ll definitely have a greater appreciation for all that the staff do next time I go on board again!

Sandra, so glad you enjoyed the cruise! Yes, there's so much more that goes on behind the scenes!

Monday 18th of July 2022

This is such an honest and insightful post, thank you for writing it! I have just graduated as a teacher and have been looking at applying to the youth Activities department role on board!

Sophie, Thank you! The Youth Activities Department is a great place! If you apply, good luck!!! Enjoy every moment.

• Disney Cruise Line

Ever Wondered What Its Like to Work on a Disney Cruise Line Ship?

by Melissa Roden · January 13, 2022

Admittedly, if there’s one job I have fantasized about having, it is seeing the world and sailing the seas on a cruise ship!  If you’ve ever sailed with Disney Cruise Line then you know that youth activities are one of the HUGE bonuses of choosing to sail with Disney. With Disney its not just about exciting ports-of-call but encouraging young passengers to use their imaginations and inspiring hours of fun.  

Disney recently checked in with Stephanie, a youth activities manager on the Disney Dream who talked about what a day at the office is like!  

“I grew up in a home daycare center established and owned by my mom, so working with children and childhood development has always been part of my DNA.” After years of helping her mom and being surrounded by growing toddlers and young, imaginative minds, working with children not only became second nature to her, but it was also inspiring and fun. “Children are hilarious, creative and curious. Being part of their growth and development is very rewarding,” Stephanie shared.

Stephanie adds that she’s always dreamed of traveling the world and seeing new places.  So, new a career at sea with Disney was the perfect career path as it combined both of her interests! 

“The idea of traveling the world and being able to see many different places that I had never been exposed to inspired me to begin my career at sea,” Stephanie said. “To be able to bring these two parts of my world together, both a love for travel and a passion for childcare, and successfully make a career out of it, it’s like a dream come true.”

With Disney Cruise Lines, it also helps to have a love of Disney and Stephanie has this in abundance. She remembers owning VHS tapes of almost every Disney movie as a kid.  Now she gets to bring these stories to life and create magical moments for guests in Disney’s Oceaneer Club

Stephanie said that she has worked for Disney Cruise Line for nine years and has been placed on both the Disney Wonder and the Disney Dream.  In her current role, she brings the magic to kids, tweens and teens at the exclusive youth spaces available on the Disney dream!  When guests stop me to tell me how special and magical their experience has been in our youth spaces, that’s so rewarding for me,” said Stephanie. 

So what’s the best part about working for Disney Cruise Line? According to Stephanie its not about the fabulous destinations but rather the people behind the magic.  Stephanie said that for her meeting people from so many different walks of life has given her a global extended family.  She joked that she has a couch to crash on in at least 10 different countries. 

When asked if there’s a particular sailing that was super memorable, Stephanie advises that it was a sailing she went on with her mom!  She recalls, “It was her first time on a Disney cruise and her first time meeting Mickey Mouse! It was such a magical experience for both of us, and I was very proud to show my mom the Disney Dream and for her to meet all of the amazing people who I’ve gotten to know on board. My family is very proud of all that I’ve accomplished at Disney Cruise Line over the years, and they love to share my stories with anyone who will listen.”

I’m definitely envious of Stephanie’s career! Though a future as a Disney Cruise Line employee may not be in the cards,  you can still experience all of the magic of a Disney getaway at sea by booking your package today!  Sailings are currently available to reserve through Spring of 2023. 

Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for further Disney Cruise Line news and updates!

Didn’t make it to Disney in 2021!? Well we’ve got some fantastic news- Disney Packages are currently available to book through the end of 2022! That gives you plenty of time to plan that magical getaway and I’m here to help. 

With new policies and procedures in place during the year ahead, there’s never been a better time to work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner who can help you navigate through Disney’s new way of doing things!  I’ll be on hand to assist with everything from finding that perfect package and getting the best deals to organizing park passes, Disney Genie+ and dining reservations.  Best of all- my services are ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Just fill out my form  HERE  to get your FREE, no-obligation quote. Alternatively, feel free to reach out at  [email protected]  or follow along on  Facebook

Tags: Careers Disney Cruise Line Disney Dream Youth Activities

Melissa Roden

As an agent with MickeyTravels and a Blogger with MickeyBlog I enjoy sharing, tips, tricks and advice to help readers and clients get the most out of your time with Disney. When I'm not helping clients plan their perfect holidays or nab those hard-to-get discounts you can find me enjoying a Dole Whip at Disney World with my daughter! Reach out for a FREE, no obligation quote at 1.800.801.4025 or find me on Facebook !

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Table of Contents

About Disney Cruise Line cruises

Disney cruise line prices, disney cruise line loyalty program: castaway club, what is the best disney cruise line ship.

Disney has a massive global footprint across its theme parks, films and merchandise. And it doesn’t stop there. Among its many offerings is the Disney Cruise Line, whose fleet of five ships sails all over the world.

Family-friendly but with adults-only areas, Disney cruises offer some of the most comprehensive cruise options around. Let’s break down everything there is to know about the Disney Cruise Line, including pricing, destinations and its loyalty program.

You can always expect some magic from Disney, and there is no exception when sailing on Disney Cruise Line. Although its fleet is small, it offers a high-end, family-friendly experience for guests. Here’s a quick overview of Disney Cruise Line’s key features.

Cabin types: Disney Cruise Line offers all the usual cabin types, including inside, oceanview, verandah and concierge-level rooms . Disney Cruise Line’s cabins are larger than average and designed for families, with split bathrooms and privacy curtains. Their largest rooms can accommodate up to seven guests. 

Main U.S. routes: Disney has several departure points from within the United States, including options from San Diego, New York City, Miami, and Galveston, Texas. However, its most frequent departures are from Port Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida, to the Bahamas and the Caribbean or from Vancouver, British Columbia to Alaska.

Loyalty program: Disney Cruise Line offers the Castaway Club to repeat guests. It has four membership levels — Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl. The first level is earned by completing a single cruise. 

» Learn more: Disney Cruise Review — Mickey at Sea Gets an A+

Disney Cruise Line destinations

Although Disney currently operates only five ships, the cruise line still manages to cover most of the world. Here are the locations you can currently sail on a Disney cruise:

New Zealand.

Pacific Coast. 

Panama Canal.

South Pacific. 

Transatlantic. 

Cruises are available in a variety of lengths, from three nights up to 15 nights.

Disney cruises tend to be more expensive than the average cruise. Currently, for example, the cheapest cruise departing from Port Canaveral is a three-night trip to the Bahamas, which costs $1,958 for two guests.

And you’ll pay more to take a "special occasion" Disney cruise. The same three-night Bahamas cruise sailing during Disney's Silver Anniversary at Sea starts at $2,345 for two guests.

When it comes to timing, standard logic applies. The high season will cost more, especially during holidays and the summer break.

The cheapest rate we found — the previously-mentioned $1,958 — is for a cruise in late January, a time when those with school-aged children might have trouble getting away. Meanwhile, the most expensive period for this cruise takes place over the Christmas holiday and rings in at $3,737 for an inside stateroom.

For all destinations, if you’d like to save money, avoid peak periods and search all available dates to find the lowest rates . This is true even on less popular cruises, such as those sailing up to Alaska .

The cheapest cost for two guests to Alaska from Vancouver is $2,983 in mid-September, while the same cruise will cost you $4,607 if you sail over the Fourth of July holiday.

One-way positioning cruises — that is, those that end in a different location from where they started — are often much cheaper per night than standard round-trip cruises.

What’s included

Disney cruises are more inclusive than most cruises. You don’t, for example, need to pay extra for soft drinks on a Disney cruise like you would on Norwegian Cruise Line . You’re also entitled to complimentary room service 24/7, unlike on Virgin Voyages, where you'll be charged a $5 fee for each delivery.

Here are more inclusions you can expect.

Live, high-quality entertainment.

Large staterooms (designed for parties of up to three guests).

Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay (on most Bahamas and Caribbean cruises).

Upscale restaurants, quick-service dining, poolside snacks and room service.

Adults-only lounges and pool areas.

Waterslides (on some ships).

» Learn more: How much does a Disney cruise cost?

Disney isn’t known for its loyalty programs. For example, there is no frequent traveler program associated with staying at one of its resorts or frequenting its parks. However, Disney Cruise Line rewards repeat customers with various benefits, including a complimentary specialty dinner, free photo downloads and an exclusive terminal check-in area.

Castaway Club levels

The Castaway Club levels are Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl.

How to earn : Sail on one cruise.

Best benefits : Book cruises one day before the general public, online activity planning 90 days before sailing, check in 33 days early, exclusive terminal check-in.

How to earn : Sail on five to nine cruises.

Best benefits : Book cruises two days before the general public, online activity planning 105 days before sailing, check in 35 days early, onboard reception, special discounts. 

How to earn : Sail on 10 to 24 cruises.

Best benefits : Book cruises three days before the general public, online activity planning 120 days before sailing, check in 38 days early, complimentary specialty dinner.

How to earn : Sail on 25+ cruises. 

Best benefits : Book cruises four days before the general public, online activity planning 123 days before sailing, check in 40 days early, complimentary unlimited digital photo package. 

» Learn more: Which is cheaper, Disney World or a Disney cruise?

The Disney Wish is the newest Disney Cruise Line ship and certainly its best. It just launched in the summer of 2022. Among its many amenities, guests can find the first-ever Disney attraction at sea. It’s a 760-foot water slide filled with show scenes, lighting, music and more that touches down into a lazy river.

The Disney Wish also has dedicated areas themed for "Frozen," the Marvel Universe and "Star Wars."

In addition, the Disney Wish has all the regular amenities you’d expect on a Disney cruise, including live entertainment, pools and spacious staterooms.

Disney Cruise Line does not offer free Wi-Fi. Instead, it has three levels of packages from which to choose:

Stay Connected: $10 per day for the entire cruise or $12 per day for a 24-hour period.

Basic Surf: $20 per day for the entire cruise or $24 per day for a 24-hour period.

Premium Surf: $30 per day for the entire cruise or $36 per day for a 24-hour period.

These packages are available on the Disney Wish, Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. The Disney Wonder still operates on the old data-usage Wi-Fi packages.

Most of your daily expenses, including your food and non-alcoholic beverages, are included when sailing on a Disney cruise. However, if you’d like specialty drinks or alcohol, you’ll need to pay extra. Gratuities are not included, and Disney Cruise Line's recommended tip is a minimum of $14.50 per guest, per night.

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t offer the standard drink package other cruise lines offer. Drink packages allow you to pay a flat-rate price and drink as much alcohol as you’d like.

Instead, you’ll either pay per drink or purchase bundled quantities onboard. It’s also possible to purchase a specialty beer mug at the pub onboard, which can then be refilled across the ship. Much like Disney’s popcorn buckets, your beer mugs entitle you to cheaper refills on all your beer.

In the past, Disney Cruise Line required that you be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 before sailing, but this is no longer the case. Guests departing from the United States are not required to do either, though the cruise line highly encourages you to get vaccinated before sailing.

Most of your daily expenses, including your food and non-alcoholic beverages, are included when sailing on a Disney cruise. However, if you’d like specialty drinks or alcohol, you’ll need to pay extra. Gratuities are not included, and

Disney Cruise Line's recommended tip

is a minimum of $14.50 per guest, per night.

(Top photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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16 Things Staff Have Said About Working Aboard Disney Cruises

Things change when you’re working onboard a Disney cruise rather than just enjoying it.

Disneyland is supposed to be the most magical place on Earth, so what does that make Disney cruises? From the sounds of it, Disney cruises are just as magical as going to one of the parks – perhaps for some folks, it may be an even better time since you’re out at sea! There are tons of entertaining things to do on a Disney cruise, from meeting the characters to hanging out in one of the clubs or activity centers to indulging in a tempting buffet. Most guests leave happy (and maybe slightly bloated) after setting sail on a Disney cruise.

But what about the employees? Things change when you’re working onboard a Disney cruise rather than just enjoying it. Cruise employees get to see all of the behind-the-scenes drama. There’s not much room for downtime or having a personal life when working on a cruise since you can’t exactly get off the ship when your shift ends. Working on a Disney cruise sounds like a lot of hard work, but at the same time, many current and former staff say it was one of their best experiences. Keep reading to see 15 things Disney cruise employees have actually said about working on the water.

16 “Lie To Us To Get An Upgrade”

Some staff is able to give guests upgrades at their discretions, such as free goodies or better accommodation. While there’s no single way to get on an employee’s good side, one Reddit user who used to work for a Disney cruise liner recommends fibbing about special occasions “Tell them it's your birthday trip, you're proposing, anniversary, etc. Disney loves to celebrate!” DisneyAMA explained online.

15 “We Work Over 100 Hours Per Week”

According to employee reviews on Indeed , Disney cruise employees are expected to work long hours without necessarily getting adequately compensated. A former chef de cuisine for a Disney cruise wrote this scathing review; “verbal and physical abuse, forcing us to lie about our working hours, stopping us from having a break.” Another former employee adds that it’s not uncommon to work “100-110 hours a week.”

14 “It's Possible To Get Fired Mid-Cruise”

Just because you’re in the middle of the ocean doesn’t mean your job isn’t on the line. Disney AMA explains that employees who are fired mid-cruise are expected to get off the ship when it next docks. “If it's a very serious offense, they'll station a security guard outside your room and you'd be escorted for the rest of the time on the ship,” the Reddit user explained.

13 “We Totally Date Each Other”

Although we’ve all been warned not to date our co-workers, it doesn’t sound like Disney cruise employees take that to heart. DisneyAMA admits many co-workers become involved with each other during their time at sea. “You are confined on a ship from 4-9 months with only these people,” the Reddit user wrote. “The young 21 years olds hook up just as much as the 40 something married with kids people do!”

12 “Don’t Expect Us To Potty-Train Your Kids”

Disney cruise employees are not allowed to take a child to the bathroom for legal reasons, but when the parents are off somewhere enjoying the adult-friendly cruise activities, they don’t always have the option to wait. “We are not allowed to clean them or wipe them if they have accidents,” DisneyAMA explained on Reddit. “We do because the parents are awful and never actually answer their phones.”

RELATED:  20 Photos Taken By Passengers Aboard Disney Cruises

11 “We Can Be Fired For Becoming Friends With Guests”

Disney cruise employees are expected to provide stellar service, but they’re also expected to remain professional. This means no exchanging personal information with guests, even if they’ve developed a friendly dynamic with one another. I became friends with one family and exchanged contact information,” DisneyAMA explained. “The mom and I have become quite close friends... which is a huge no-no and a terminable offense.”

10 “It's The Kids (Not Adults) Who Start Fights”

Disney cruises are a fun, family-oriented vacation. But given how many kids are on board a ship at one time means some things are bound to go wrong. Writing on Reddit, DisneyAMA revealed that their worst guest interaction happened when one child hit another, sending the parents into an uproar. “We had a kid who was hit in the head by another kid. the former employee explained. “[The parents] wanted the kid (Who was about 4) and his family all kicked off the ship and demanded HUGE compensation...”

9 “We Can Get You The Best Seat... Just Ask”

All you’ve got to do is ask! If you want a seat to remember, such as one of the coveted Enchanted Garden Booths, then simply ask one of the cruise employees. It’s not a guarantee that they’ll be able to fulfill your request, but according to Travel + Leisure, this is the most convenient way to ensure you have an incredible dining experience at sea.

RELATED:  15 Strange (But True) Facts Parents Should Know About Disney Cruises

8 “This Jobs Takes A Toll On Our Mental Health”

Disneyland may be the happiest place on Earth, but we’re not sure if that applies to the employees. Former Disney cruise employees have been honest about the toll working on the infamous ships takes on their mental health. Having to smile 24/7 – no matter how rude guests maybe – isn’t as easy as it sounds. “I really enjoyed my time on the ship, but it was truly a roller coaster of emotions. You are always exhausted, so emotions are heightened,” Reddit user DisneyAMA explained.

7 “There’s A High Turnover Rate”

While there are some employees who have been with Disney cruises for decades, many of the staff you’ll encounter are relatively new, as there’s a high turn-over rate. After their first 4 to 5 months, many staff is hesitant to sign up again because of how taxing the job is. There’s even a high turnover rate when it comes to management. “The management onboard changed every three or four months and some managers are good at being managers where others should not be managers at all,” one ex-employee wrote on Indeed.

6 “The Accommodations Are Cramped”

It’s obvious that cruise ship employees are expected to sleep on the ship during their time at sea, but according to ex-Disney cruise employees, the accommodations are anything by lavish. A former youth Activities Entertainment Host described the rooms as “tiny cabins with a roommate.” Don’t expect much privacy during your hours off!

RELATED:  15 Intense Rules Passengers Have To Follow Aboard A Disney Cruise

5 “We're Forced To Take Vacation Time”

Business Insider explains that most crew members are on a four to five-month contract. But after that expires, they’re required to take an 8-week ‘vacation’ before they’re allowed to work on another ship. One ex-employee tells the publication it’s a way to protect the mental health of the staff. "Let's face it, it's hard work being 'on' six days out of seven. It's good to go home and see our families and recharge our batteries," they explained.

4 “We Get To Enjoy Free Food”

One of the best parts of cruises is the buffet, and when you’re working on a Disney cruise ship, you can fully expect to enjoy the large quantities of food. Many former employees note on Indeed that staff gets their food for free. The only downside? Don’t expect a lot of variety or the highest quality of food.

3 “Don’t Bother With The Character Meet-and-Greets”

It’s understandable why guests would assume the character meet-and-greets are the best places to say hi to Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck – but it’s actually not! Travel + Leisure recommends waiting until you see a character freely wandering around the cruise, like on the pool deck or even in the elevator. That way, you won’t be waiting in line for hours.

2 “We Put Up With A Lot Of Wardrobe Changes”

Many guests are impressed by how intricate the employee uniforms are – there’s basically a different uniform for every position. One former employee admitted on Indeed they would change their “uniform 3 times a day for locations,” depending on where they were needed to work.

1 “Careful What You Say On Comment Cards”

Many guests don’t realize how much of an impact filling in a comments card can be. According to Business Insider, complaints are taken seriously by management. "Our managers really do read all of those, and if we've made a guest unhappy, we'll definitely be reprimanded," a former employee tells the publication, adding that staff may also be rewarded for a very positive comment card.

NEXT:  Captain Marvel Will Join Disney Cruise Lines In 2019

Be Part of the Story

Youth Activities Counselor

• Interact with and supervise all children participating in Youth Activities programs, ages 3-17 years, by providing a safe environment so children of all ages will enjoy themselves
• Assist in the set-up for all facilitated activities and execute clean-up duties upon completion of program including cleaning and sanitizing of spaces and objects, before, during, and after the facilities open
• Prepare food trays for children during meal or snack times
• Conduct required sanitizing procedures (USPH) when associated with appropriate programs and events
• Provide program support and assistance by partnering with the Entertainment host team
• Facilitate and present small scale activities independently or with other Youth Counselors, as needed
• Perform meet & greet functions
• Function as a Nursery Counselor as necessary
• Provide an emotionally and physically safe environment for children
• This position has high guest interaction
• Actively participate in all Castaway Cay job responsibilities associated with position and line of business as directed by DCL leadership
• Execute additional job responsibilities, as assigned by DCL leadership, based on operational need
• Comply with all company set policies and procedures, along with all maritime and ship rules, regulations and procedures
• Participate in Emergency Duties as specified in the ship Assembly Plan

• Minimum two years recent experience working in a high-volume, fast-paced recreational/camp environment with children
• Strong oral and written communication and organizational skills
• Must be able to command the attention of large groups of children
• Be at least 20 years of age
• Be able to speak, read and write fluent English
• Willingness to live and work onboard one of our vessels for a certain length of time (based on position)
• Be able to work a seven-day, 70-84 hour week with limited time off
• Be able to adhere to Disney Cruise Line appearance guidelines
• Agree to share a cabin with other crew members
• Be flexible with your work schedule, job duties and work locations
• Enjoy working in a high-volume, fast-paced, guest-service oriented environment
• Appreciate diversity among guests and crew

Preferred Qualifications

• Schooling in recreation, education, or related field of study is preferred
• Bi-lingual in Spanish and/or Portuguese
• Microphone experience preferred
• Experience working with special needs children

Additional Information

This is a SHIPBOARD role.

Applicants must:

• Be genuinely interested in a career at sea and willing to live and work onboard a Disney Cruise Line vessel
• Be committed to the position you are applying for at least 2-3 contracts before a transfer or promotion
• Be willing to follow and perform safety role, emergency duties and/or associated responsibilities as specified in the ship Assembly Plan
• Be willing and able to uphold the general safety management responsibilities specified in the Safety Management System in areas and operations under their control
• Be willing to follow and embrace United States Public Health requirements and guidelines as well as Environmentality requirements and Company practices
• Be willing to share a cabin with other crew members and appreciative of working and living in a multi-cultural environment
• Be comfortable living in a confined space with strict rules and regulations
• Adhere to a structured lifestyle, personally and professionally

** Disney Cruise Line is a drug-free workplace. All new hires are required to undergo drug/alcohol testing within the first week onboard and throughout their contracts. Failure to pass the drug/alcohol testing will result in immediate termination.

Your Responsibilities:

Have a valid passport and C1/D Seaman's visa (DCL will provide you with documents to obtain this) Complete a pre-employment medical Obtain a criminal background check Bring approved work shoes

Join our Talent Community

See the latest jobs, news and events by joining our talent community:

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We welcome your comments and questions about this Youth Activities Counselor opportunity at Disney.

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New cruise ship Disney Treasure gets 1st taste of water

Disney Cruise Line’s new ship can float.

The Disney Treasure entered the next phase of construction as work continues at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, with the float out of the 144,000-gross-ton, 4,000-passenger vessel.

The sister ship to Disney Wish that debuted in 2022 will also be coming to Port Canaveral this December, set to take on seven-night Caribbean itineraries.

The ship’s first taste of water came last month, according to an update on the Disney Parks Blog .

“Water from the Ems River was pumped into the building dock where the ship is being constructed, lifting the hull from the floor of the chamber,” the post reads. “The shipyard team was then able to guide the Disney Treasure to a new location, where it will undergo the next phase of construction.”

The ship had its keel laid in March 2023 and is expected to be complete after 20 months of construction. The vessel still has a lot of interior and top-deck work to be completed before it makes its way along the Ems River for sea trials after which it will be handed over to DCL.

Haunted Mansion bar is coming to Disney’s new cruise ship

Among spaces coming to the ship are bars inspired by the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea theme park attractions and an Aladdin-themed Grand Hall atrium. Its top deck will once again feature the AquaMouse water coaster-dark ride combo. One new dining venue on board will be themed to the Pixar movie “Coco.”

Construction recently began on a third sister ship in what was originally referred to as the Trident class that will be named Disney Destiny.

“The Disney Treasure and the Disney Destiny will soon be next to each other in the shipyard, marking an unprecedented era of growth for Disney Cruise Line,” the post reads.

The three ships along with the purchase of the unfinished Global Dream cruise ship that DCL acquired in 2023 and was renamed Disney Adventure will grow the DCL fleet to eight vessels by the end of 2025.

Disney Adventure is headed for the Asia market, and Disney Destiny’s first home port has yet to be announced.

Disney’s first two ships, Disney Magic and Wonder, debuted in 1998 and 1999, followed by sister ships Disney Dream and Fantasy in 2011 and 2012.

The doubling of the fleet from four to eight vessels in three years coincides with the debut of a new private Bahamas destination set to open this summer called Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on the tip of the island of Eleuthera.

The line has also expanded its year-round presence in Florida with not only its main home port out of Port Canaveral, but a new second Florida home base out of Port Everglades that opened last fall.

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