Working on Cruise ship as diving instructor

[luke101]

Hey, I am taking the padi course this july, so I am just doing my research, if anyone has info on working aboard a cruiseship as a diving instructor, that would be greatly appraciated, questions like, is the pay good? good accomodation and food? what exactly do you have to do? do you get sea sick and tired of it? do you have to stay on it for 3 months at a time and not touch land? do you have to put up with a lot of people, and do you go diving when the ship ports or do you do it while the ship is moving, like take different boats, just questions like that would help out a lot, thanks!

 

[mike_s]

Brent (I think) from Ft Lauderdale has spent some time on cruise boats. Hopefully he'll answer. (though he didn't teach scuba).

From other people I've talked to, you typically sign a multi month (like 4-8 months )contract where you work about everyday. But I'm sure there are some scheduled off days. You live 2 to a small room. The cruise lines contracts out with dive operators on the port visits. I imagine that most of the instruction is for onboard classes and check out dives or divemaster stuff or at their "private islands"

As for pay, i have no clue for scuba instructors. I've heard some of the other crew make about $2k per month. Others make tons more in tips, like cabin attendants and waiters.

Check out Dive Training magazine. They have an ad in the back pages for Royal Caribbean about every month hiring cruise boat dive instructors. that might help some.

mike

 

[ScubaDobe]

Contact NatureDiver on th board. He works for Norwegian Cruise Lines as a dive instructor. I'm sure he can give you a lot of insight.

 

[DEEPLOU]

Brent (I think) from Ft Lauderdale has spent some time on cruise boats. Hopefully he'll answer. (though he didn't teach scuba).

From other people I've talked to, you typically sign a multi month (like 4-8 months )contract where you work about everyday. But I'm sure there are some scheduled off days. You live 2 to a small room. The cruise lines contracts out with dive operators on the port visits. I imagine that most of the instruction is for onboard classes and check out dives or divemaster stuff or at their "private islands"

As for pay, i have no clue for scuba instructors. I've heard some of the other crew make about $2k per month. Others make tons more in tips, like cabin attendants and waiters.

Check out Dive Training magazine. They have an ad in the back pages for Royal Caribbean about every month hiring cruise boat dive instructors. that might help some.

mike

Most cruise lines I have been on have dropped having their own instructors. Royal Caribbean is only one I have seen (based on the DT want ad) and I am not sure what they expect the person to do.

Have seen Nature Diver posts, appears he/she works excursions dept and that is not just booking dives.

 

[Corigan]

I met Nature diver on a cruise. He had to work excursion hours, do snorkeling demonstrations, and usually take out the snorkleing group. Since NCL's Dive-in program is snorkleing and diving. He didn't get to dive at all the week I was there, but he was off snorkleing nice beaches all week. I've seen the cabins for the crew in cruise ships, wow. Small as can be. The newer ships like RC are much nicer for the crew. They have their own pool tables, hot tubs, etc. They throw parties, and beers are reasonably priced ($1). I didn't see any dive instructors or dive personel from the cruise ship on any of the charters.

I know I couldn't handle the life of living on a cruise. IMHO, it would get old quick.

Matt

 

[colonelchuck]

Just finished a trip on the NCL Sun. The ship dive staff gave and orientation on day one and did some pool stuff, but did not appear on any of the ship dive excursions.

 

[scubawife]

Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess and Windstar all advertise to have onboard DM's. Royal Caribbean, NCL and Princess also advertise to have PADI certification programs onboard.

 

[crpntr133]

$2k a month, I would be surprised at that. A friend of mine did stage shows on board Disney. She liked the experience but it wasn't worth the money.
You do get ports that you get to get off the boat. From my understanding you can also book a tour through the ship. Some do this for quality control as well.
Yes you sign a contract with the line and you will do the same cruise. Thought it would be neat to sign up and do the Bahamas and then off to Alaska or some other place, nope.
I would think that you would get tired of diving! ( Did I say that). Just like any other job, it gets old quick. When I first got certified I thought I would like to become and instructor. Not after the third trip with a class, all work, no play.

 

[drbill]

I work for a small cruise ship line (Lindblad) but do not instruct on board. I either accompany divers for safety, or simply dive myself to gather underwater footage to show to the passengers during my "lectures."

It's a fun experience, but the pay doesn't cover my monthly bills while I'm with them.

Dr. Bill

 

[eagleray2003]

I worked for Windstar which is owned by Holland America, first don't be fooled it is hard work.
Besides diving & snorkelling you do all water sports activities as well as on ship duties like being part of the med team, fire team and man overboard team, must help with embarkation s.p.? as well as other duties.
For the most part a thankless job babysitting out of shape non current divers and people who think they are invinsible.
Pay was not bad, tips poor, commissions almost non existent and constant bickering from passengers.
If you have 6 months to kill want to see some of the world and have thick skin go for it.
After 6 months I said stuff it, more money, more diving working for a land based operator.
If you like life at sea work on a liveaboard.