The cruise industry employs about 300,000 crew members from more than 150 countries, with retention rates that impressively top 80%. Many crew members work for the cruise industry for decades and persuade friends and family from home to join them.

This loyalty is not just the product of career opportunities not available at home. Cruise lines work hard to take care of their seafaring employees, dedicating onboard and shoreside teams to crew welfare and the enhancement of life and careers at sea.

Crew members are at sea for an average of two to eight months at a time, and coworkers become like family to each other. They work hard, often seven days a week, so it's essential that cruise ships offer opportunities for relaxation and socializing.

Here's what's taking place below decks to enhance crew well-being and quality of life.

Beyond the basics

In addition to a salary, cruise lines provide all the basics their crew need for daily life. "Many of the day-to-day costs of living simply disappear for crew," says Janna Rowell, external communications manager for Carnival Corporation (parent company of brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line). Seafarers are provided with solo or shared accommodations, meals, health care, free or discounted internet access, and recreational facilities, such as gyms, lounge areas with bars and games, and outdoor deck space. They don't have to pay for utilities or flights to or from the ship.

Beyond the basics, Virgin Voyages, for one, pays for its crew's required medical exams and provides uniforms and free laundry services. The line offers free internet and an abundance of solo crew cabins. "When you invest in your people, they're better equipped to take care of customers," says Alex Zeitz, Virgin Voyages' senior director of Global Operations, Experience, and Belonging.

To accommodate crew on its Icon Class ships, the world's largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean involved more than 1,000 crew members in designing new cabin and social spaces. Together, the team created a new L-shaped crew cabin design with privacy curtains and expanded storage. Crew recreational areas were enhanced to include a crew buffet with live cooking stations, lounges with massage chairs and gaming pods, a larger fitness center, and a crew shop for snacks and necessities.

Mental health and wellness

"While salary, facilities, and connectivity are important, crew members ultimately want to feel proud of the company they work for and confident that they are cared for as individuals," says Teresa Haughey, manager of Crew Welfare and Engagement and traveling HR specialist for Windstar Cruises. To this end, cruise lines prioritize activities and programs that contribute to their crew's well-being. This includes programs that, for instance, partner new crew members with experienced peers to help crew settle into life at sea.

Cruise lines organize onboard teams to support crew welfare and engagement, including through social events and parties, religious celebrations, and team outings. Windstar's monthly activity calendar includes such activities as karaoke, ladies' night at the spa, soccer games in port, and award ceremonies to recognize outstanding team members. Crew dining areas serve regional cuisine from crew members' home countries, and crew receive holiday gifts from their employers.

Crew also have opportunities to explore ashore in ports of call, when operationally feasible - whether on their own, on tours organized specifically for crew, or while escorting guests on shore excursions. There may also be volunteer opportunities where crew can connect with locals and support important causes, such as doing beach cleanups.

Cruise lines directly address mental health issues with 24-hour confidential support hotlines and mental health awareness training. They also encourage peer interaction. Carnival Corporation's award-winning Women Officer Network (WON), for instance, connects female crew members for mentorship, career advancement resources, and peer support.

Prioritizing crew welfare not only creates loyal employees but keeps the cruise industry thriving. "When crew are supported and set up to succeed, the [guest] experience benefits too," says Virgin Voyages' Zeitz. "And that's how we believe great voyages are made."

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