Every job has pros and cons and a career at sea is no different. However, here are five fabulous benefits to working on-board a cruise ship.

1. Lower (or no) Taxes

If you’re a UK seafarer, sailing in international waters (which most cruise ship workers are), you are entitled to special tax considerations, often meaning that you have very little, or no tax deducted from your salary.

2. No Overheads

Your accommodation, utilities, food and drink is paid for, meaning the tax-free salary you earn is yours to do whatever you like with!

3. Free Travel

If you’ve got the travel bug, cruise ship life is a great remedy! Varied worldwide itineraries mean you get to wake up in a different part of the world almost every day. Additionally, shipowners are obliged to pay for any necessary visas. Double bonus!

4. Cultural Diversity

As Mark Twain once said; “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” You’ll be living and working with dozens of nationalities and getting a free education at the same time!

5. Lifelong Friends

Seafarers share a special bond. It’s a unique experience that no land dweller will understand until they’ve experienced it for themselves. You’ll make friendships from all corners of the world that will last a lifetime, meaning cheap holidays forever more!