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Most are part of a larger parent or umbrella company that has multiple cruise lines within its stable of cruise ships. However, the spread of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown of many countries have hugely impacted the industry. In April 2020, nearly all global cruise ships were forced to suspend their operations due to port closures, quarantine restrictions, and travel bans imposed by governments. Since I've been a senior doctor for more than a decade now, I have a lot more responsibilities, which take up an additional six to eight hours of my days off.
General Requirements for cruise line medical jobs
Many are now looking for more medical personnel to provide medical care and support to their passengers. This includes doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and other health professionals. Now that we’ve covered the salaries of cruise ship doctors and nurses, let’s move on to other jobs and services offered onboard. Within this diverse and welcoming environment, you will practice your medical profession at sea in a truly unique environment. Each ship has a modern, well equipped medical centre which accommodates a skilled team of healthcare professionals. Medical care must be available 24/7; typically, a cruise ship will have two doctors onboard — a senior doctor and a junior doctor or nurse.
Cruise ship careers and job benefits
From my research, the cruise director position seems to offer a decent salary with the potential for growth. As the head of the entertainment department, the cruise director is responsible for organizing and overseeing all onboard activities and events. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to weigh the pros and cons of working on a cruise ship and decide if the earning potential is worth the time and effort required. Additionally, the employee benefits that come with the job, such as free room and board, can be a major perk.
Ship Doctor Job Requirements:
On smaller ships, with up to 3,500 passengers and 1,500 staff, there are two doctors, three nurses, and sometimes a medical secretary. On larger cruises, with 6,500 passengers and 2,200 staff, there are three doctors, five nurses, and a secretary. Life onboard a ship may be fun for the passengers, but that is not the case most of the time for cruise ship doctors. You will be out on the sea for long periods, so all the people on that ship are the responsibility of the doctors. You must be able to provide evidence of your experience in minor surgery, primary diagnosis, advanced trauma care (for senior doctors) and administering anaesthesia. Doctors on cruise ships are often working alone, so need to be trusted to handle anything.
Along with the benefits offered by onboard employment, cruise ship doctor job salary can be an additional source of motivation for the medical professionals in search of a new career opportunity. As with any job, there are pros and cons to working as a cruise ship medical professional. On the one hand, the opportunity to travel and work in a unique environment can be a major draw. On the other hand, the long hours and lack of access to certain amenities, such as free wifi, may not be for everyone. Overall, the salaries of cruise ship medical staff reflect the importance of their work and the value they bring to the cruise industry.
Having your own cabin allows you to have privacy and personal space to rest and recharge during your time off. The cabins are typically equipped with basic amenities such as a bed, storage space, a desk, a small couch, and bathroom facilities. It’s essential to recognize that working on a cruise ship can also be demanding, with long hours and limited time off.
One of the very popular cruise lines to work for is the Royal Caribbean, as it has very competitive salaries and a rewarding work environment. Working with this cruise line is great if you want to see many different places when you are working with them. They also play a key role in ensuring that guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience while on the ship. Accepting an offer of employment, and all terms of and conditions, will allow us to start the onboarding process. As these next steps typically take place locally in your country of residence, your application may be handled by one of our local offices.
Expect far more hands-on and intimate interaction with your patient with more autonomy and responsibility than you may receive in other healthcare settings. Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises are all brands that are part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. To work with any of these brands, apply online through their shipboard employment page if there is a job posting. Autoimmune diseases can be among the most challenging to diagnose, with patients spending years going from one doctor to the next. While varying sources differ on which cruise line is the best to work for, Royal Caribbean International comes out on top of several lists. Despite the long hours, the pay is generally good and allows doctors to save money and plan ahead financially.
Throughout the day, the doctor will also keep track of any ongoing illnesses or injuries and provide counsel and advice to passengers or crew who may need it. Prior to the pandemic, the cruise ship industry was booming, with an estimated 30 million passengers worldwide taking cruises each year. The sector employed some 1.2 million workers and generated revenues of around $150 billion annually. The nurse will then decide whether it requires urgent attention or give them an appointment to come within office hours. My family can join me on the cruise for these short periods, and I don't miss out on big family celebrations in Hungary. There should also be a dispensary where drugs are kept and issued when needed, which will need a pharmacist.
This gives workers a chance to rest, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. For instance, a cruise ship captain can earn an average salary of $98,000, while a newly-appointed cruise director may make around $45,000. When negotiating pay, it’s important to consider the discrepancies that may exist between different positions.
Life at sea isn’t for everyone – the lack of a true day off, and being constantly on-call, can be stressful. But at the same time, senior doctors are looked after on a ship with their own cabin (most other crew members share rooms), plus you can enjoy your expenses being taken care of and just bank your salary. They’ll normally take your details, and get in touch when a suitable position comes up. It may take a couple of years (so keep searching in the meantime), but it’s easier for them to speak to people they know who want to become a cruise ship doctor than it is to sift through applicants.
Crew Center is website run by ex-crew members sharing their experience and Insights about life and work on cruise ships. You can also read the Latest Cruise News, Download Ship Itinerary, or take peak at the Crew Galleries. A medical emergency can happen anytime and anywhere, so they must be ready to react promptly. Doctors on a cruise ship do not have office hours; they must be available for 24 hours while the ship is out at sea.
Family cruise lines also need doctors with the proper certification for pediatric care – both with the training to look after children, and the background checks to prove that they are allowed to. Cruise ship doctors are multi-talented and usually come from a background of working in an emergency department of a hospital. They must be trained in primary care and diagnosis, emergency care, anaesthetic and minor surgery. For more information on daily life and the pros and cons of working on a cruise ship read our ‘life on a cruise ship’ guide.
In addition to this, the doctor may also have to participate in meetings with other medical staff and give lectures or seminars on health-related topics. At the end of the day, the doctor will close out their shift and prepare for the next day’s duties. After this, the doctor will conduct physical exams and tests on any patients who require it.
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When the ship is in port, you may be allowed to disembark and walk around, provided there are other doctors on board covering the ship in case of emergencies. Generally with two doctors on a ship, one is working during port visits while the other is free to explore, so you’ll be able to see half of the ports on a typical cruise. Meanwhile, the average annual salary for an emergency physician in the US working on land is $343,300 per year – significantly more than working on a cruise ship (source). It varies by cruise line, experience, and by the size of the ship you’re working on. But it’s important to note that contracts generally only last for around four months at a time, with two contracts permitted every year.
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