What do you do with your time in between contracts? I've heard of many people selling their cars and placing their belongings into storage facilites while onboard, but what do you do when your contract is over and you're waiting for the next to begin?
while on a similar topic, NCLA says they will give you a ticket to go home, but what if i don't want to go home ?
what if i want to stay in hawaii, do they offer any accommondation at all ? i don't expect them to cover it all, but half would be wecome...
Oahu alone has so much to do, i really wish to spend more time there this time.
I've had anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months between contracts. I've kept my house, cat and car without too much problem. I freelance when home, so at least some $$ is coming in.
Some people go home to their significant other, or to mom and dad, some to friends. Some travel - usually after a contract, one of the benefits of working for a cruise line is getting to cruise as a pax fairly cheap (my line does $10 a day). Knew a guy who once spent his entire vacation in Cozumel, another Costa Rica. Some work temp jobs until they want to go back.
Usually US citizen signs off in an Amercian port, no problem with not going home on the ticket you been given. Most likely you've been also given your letter of employment and air ticket to get to the next contract. Foreign citizens can't just get off in a US port and not go home - I think their work visa expires and they have to leave the country and come back in on a tourist visa.
Most companies will only pay for a flight to and from your home city - so if you want to make other arrangements, you're totally on your own looking and paying for travel and accomodations. Tickets are issued by the cruise line, and you can't 'cash them in' or change them to go elsewhere.
By the time you've spent a contract in Hawaii, you might already meet or hook up with someone who lives there, and be able to stay someplace cheap or free 8)
You're pretty much considered an independent contractor when working shipboard. When you sign off, you're basically 'unemployed' until if and when you go back. It takes a couple years for some cruise lines, or acheiving a manager/officer status to get paid year around and be covered with medical insurance when not working.
I've had anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months between contracts. I've kept my house, cat and car without too much problem. I freelance when home, so at least some $$ is coming in.
Some people go home to their significant other, or to mom and dad, some to friends. Some travel - usually after a contract, one of the benefits of working for a cruise line is getting to cruise as a pax fairly cheap (my line does $10 a day). Knew a guy who once spent his entire vacation in Cozumel, another Costa Rica. Some work temp jobs until they want to go back.
Usually US citizen signs off in an Amercian port, no problem with not going home on the ticket you been given. Most likely you've been also given your letter of employment and air ticket to get to the next contract. Foreign citizens can't just get off in a US port and not go home - I think their work visa expires and they have to leave the country and come back in on a tourist visa.
Most companies will only pay for a flight to and from your home city - so if you want to make other arrangements, you're totally on your own looking and paying for travel and accomodations. Tickets are issued by the cruise line, and you can't 'cash them in' or change them to go elsewhere.
By the time you've spent a contract in Hawaii, you might already meet or hook up with someone who lives there, and be able to stay someplace cheap or free 8)
You're pretty much considered an independent contractor when working shipboard. When you sign off, you're basically 'unemployed' until if and when you go back. It takes a couple years for some cruise lines, or acheiving a manager/officer status to get paid year around and be covered with medical insurance when not working.
Thanks for your in depth response - I appreciate it!
What exactly is provided when working on board in terms of medical coverage, insurance? I'm considering something with NCLA and they say that you're covered as long as your working... between contracts you arent.
If I break my arm while onboard, I'm assuming the'll set it and cast it? What if its something more major, like a heart attack? Or if I need long term medical care..like cancer or something? Should I get an insurance policy on top of what the line offers in terms of 'insurance'?
Also, just a weird question... what do you do if you get called to serve on jury duty while onboard your ship? Do they fly you back, or can you get a certain 'exemption' if you call the court house?
Can't speak for NCLA as they are a US Flagged ship, which means slightly differnet employment rules and workmans comp in the picture.
For the 2 lines that I have worked for, once you set foot onboard and sign your employment contract, you're 'fully covered' - from anything from sniffles to yes, cancer. The doctors onboard can take care of most minor emergencies, but if you have something serious, they send to to a specialist in whatever the next port may be. If you're not fit for duty, they might confine you to your cabin until ready, or if more than a cruise, send you to a hotel/residence in a port to get treatment and pick up the ship the next time in. If more serious, say like your broken arm - they set it and send you home the next turnaround day until you're 100% fit for duty to return. You're paid fully if onboard and I think partial if they send you home. It's not the kind of 'insurance' that you can go for preventative or elective type situations, no vision or dental unless it's an accident/injury/toothache
I'm lucky enough to have a position now where I do have year around medical coverage (HMO card for medical, but no vision or dental)
And funny enough - I did get called for jury duty last contract. My sister filled out some form that I wasn't available and it was taken care of. BTW - make sure you have your mail forwarded to someone you trust and also think about having that person on a bank account with you. Even a 'power of attorney' form if you have property/car etc so they can sign and take care of little things that might come up.
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What do you do between contracts?
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