Have you ever wondered what it is like to live and work on the world's biggest cruise ship?

At the heart of every cruise vacation is the ship's hardworking crew members. From the housekeeping team to bartenders, dining room wait staff, and entertainers, it would be impossible to have a smooth sailing without the crew. 

Life on board as a crew member is exciting and demanding. Most crew members work long hours and live in tiny cabins below the passenger decks. In return, however, they meet people from dozens of different countries and build lifelong friendships. 

Ex-crew member Bryan James recently traveled aboard Star of the Seas with his girlfriend, Jaidyn, while she was finishing her contract. 

Although he is no longer working as an entertainer aboard cruise ships, James continues to document his life on his well-known YouTube channel, which has amassed over 500k subscribers. 

His channel is filled with behind-the-scenes glimpses of life on board, as well as some cruise secrets from experienced sailors that will help you plan the ultimate getaway. 

In a recent video, Jaidyn briefly shares a look inside her crew cabin before signing off and starting her next chapter: relocating to Arizona with James. 

Read more: Crew member reveals that uneaten food on cruise ships isn't always thrown away

Better Crew Rooms on Icon Class Ships

When Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024, she was filled with record-breaking firsts, including the largest waterpark at sea, the first-ever elegant supper club restaurant, a brand-new enclosed AquaTheater, and a complimentary food hall. 

However, below deck, Royal Caribbean's team designed a completely different world for the 2,000-plus crew members who keep the ship running around the clock. Dubbed the "Crew Neighborhood," this hidden area spans four decks and functions like a miniature city-within-a-city, with everything from an indoor and outdoor pub, a dedicated game room, a gym, a mess hall, and even a salon. 

Another highlight of the new Icon Class ships is the redesigned crew accommodations. During the early stages of the class's conception, the cruise line sent out surveys to crew members asking them what they'd like to see aboard Icon, and at the top of the list were better cabins.

Icon Class vessels are the only cruise ships to feature unique L-shaped crew cabins. Other added features include privacy curtains, enhanced finishes and materials, and easier-to-climb beds. 

"This [L-shape] accommodation allows each crew member to have their own private space where they can really relax and have their own time," said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO.

Read more: Photos show the secret crew-only areas on Icon of the Seas

Cruise Ship Crew Quarters on Star of the Seas

During her time on Star of the Seas, Jaidyn shared one of the new L-shaped crew cabins. Although the space isn't large, the redesigned accommodation feels more comfortable and private.

Jaidyn had the top bunk, complete with a grey privacy curtain, while her roommate slept on the lower bed positioned just below. The innovative layout creates a little separation between the two sleeping areas, with each crew member also having their own flat-screen television. 

The compact cabin also features built-in storage, ensuring that every inch of space is maximized and used efficiently. The built-in closet has hanging space, as well as small shelves for folded clothes, shoes, and other personal belongings. 

Directly next to the closet is a small staircase that leads up to the top bunk. These stairs make it easier and safer for crew members to climb into bed.

There are additional built-in drawers near the cabin's entrance door, too, along with a small desk with two shelves above it. Crew rooms typically have an attached ensuite bathroom. Jaidyn, however, doesn't show it. 

Finally, in the short room tour, Jaidyn explains that crew members are required to leave clean linens when departing the ship. 

"Here's everything that I'm kind of leaving behind for the next group of girls. We have to have clean linen, clean shower curtain, all of that," she says. 

Overall, the cabin isn't as grand as Star of the Seas' Royal Loft Suite, but it’s designed with practicality and comfort in mind for those spending long stretches of time at sea. 

Crew members typically don't have large cruise ship cabins. Oftentimes, they have to share a tiny stateroom with another coworker, with the cabins barely large enough to fit bunk beds, a small desk, and a closet. Cruise ship captains, however, live very differently. 

Captains oversee all onboard operations to ensure that the ship is safely operating during each and every voyage. As such, their living quarters reflect the level of responsibility they carry. 

Their luxurious staterooms often feature a spacious bedroom and living area, easy access to the Bridge, panoramic views, and more. 

TikTok user Allie Rae shared a rare look at a captain’s cabin, posting a 30-second clip of her father's living quarters aboard the Independence of the Seas. 

The video, which was shared on Wednesday, January 5, has already received over 190,000 views and 18,400 likes. 

Thoughtfully designed to balance comfort with functionality

Rae opens up the door to reveal an expansive entryway before heading into the main living area. The elegant columns have been wrapped with tinsel for the holidays. 

The living room is anything but cramped, with a large entertainment center, flat-screen television, a couch, loveseat, recliner, and dining table. 

Tucked into the corner is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, while the bar has been fully stocked with wine and glassware. 

Finally, the living room is bathed in natural light from three portholes. This differs from most crew staterooms, as the majority of the cabins are windowless. 

The stateroom also has a large office with two massive portholes. As such, the captain has a quiet, functional space to review CCTV footage, plan routes, and handle other important administrative duties. 

Rae pans over to her father, who is hard at work in his office. "My name is Tor, and I work here," he jokingly says. 

(Credit: Tor I. Olsen/LinkedIn)

According to his LinkedIn page, Tor I. Olsen has been in the maritime industry since 1978. 

He began his career with Royal Caribbean in January 1987 aboard the Song of America and has since worked on several of the line’s most notable ships, including Empress of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas.

Rae's TikTok account also features videos highlighting the behind-the-scenes life of cruise ship crew members

For example, Rae posted a day-in-the-life video, showing her enjoying lunch in the Main Dining Room with her family before accompanying her father to help judge the crew's various holiday competitions, including the Christmas door, tree-making, and office decorating contests.

"After lunch, I got to go with my dad and the Executive Team here on board to judge some of the Christmas trees that were put in for a Christmas decorating contest," she says. 

"On top of that, I also got to go around with them and see the different doors that had entered in the door decorating contest. There were so many cute ones, [and] it was very hard to choose a winner," she adds. 

Have you ever wanted to see what's under the surface of Royal Caribbean's AquaTheater pool? 

Well, you aren't alone. I've often joked that if it were offered, I'd pay extra for an under-the-water tour of the technologically advanced pool that makes one of the most popular shows at sea possible. 

While that isn't an option, one performer recently gave a rare glimpse below the surface. Although she doesn’t go into too much detail about the interworking's of the pool, she reveals what guests don't see during the AquaTheater shows, including the submerged doors where performances make their dramatic entrances. 

In the 22-second TikTok, user @ocean.performer briefly explained how the pool works, saying that "it's made of three parts: stage right, center lift, and stage left."

Each section can move independently, allowing the pool’s depth to change throughout the show to let divers safely perform their stunts. 

She concludes the video by showing the depth of the AquaTheater pool at its current level, coming in at 3.7 meters — or roughly 12 feet — deep. However, it can actually be adjusted as deep as nearly 18 feet. 

Since being posted, the short video has received over 18,000 views and 520 likes, indicating that there's a lot of curiosity about Royal Caribbean's most exclusive pools. 

Other clips on the TikToker's page reveal that she's a performer working aboard Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship that sails out of Miami, Florida. 

The AquaTheater pools are the deepest at sea and have two 30-foot diving platforms

Another performer, Ginni van Katwijk, shared a behind-the-scenes look at one of the high dives that takes place during AquaTheater shows. 

When Katwijk posted the Instagram video, she was working aboard Harmony of the Seas, the third Oasis Class ship to enter service for Royal Caribbean. 

"Just like normal," she says as she prepares to dive off the platform, "easy peasy." She then raises her arms, takes a deep breath, and gracefully jumps off the diving board into the AquaTheater pool. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shows off daring high dive on cruise ship: "Should be illegal"

Users were amazed by her bravery.

Calstatic_king wrote, "You give me anxiety but I can’t stop watching 😂😂😂."

Another added, "Watching you put your hands up and seeing them slightly shake before you centered yourself reminded me that you are a human, but totally a professional! You are incredible at what you do!!!"

What ships have an AquaTheater?

Since launching in 2009 aboard Oasis of the Seas, the AquaTheater has become a signature feature of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships. Never before had anyone seen daring high dives and choreographed water stunts in the middle of the ocean. 

Today, AquaTheaters can be found on eight ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, including the two Icon Class vessels:

• Oasis of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Star of the Seas

That said, the AquaTheater on Icon and Star of the Seas is different. Instead of being located at the back of the ship, they're found in the enclosed AquaDome. 

Because the theater is inside, it features climate control settings, advanced lighting, and AI-based technologies to deliver the most immersive and dynamic iterations of the show yet. 

Pro tip: make your reservation for the first or second show! Performances can sometimes be canceled due to weather, so booking early gives you a better chance of seeing the AquaTheater show. If your performance is canceled, you will have time to make it to another before disembarkation. They may even reschedule it for you! 

Cruise ship crew members have interesting jobs. No two days are ever the same when dealing with guests. It’s a demanding and fascinating role, but it is also rewarding. 

A now-deleted Reddit user who claims to be an Officer aboard an Oasis Class cruise ship shared insights into their life at sea.

"Hi cruisers!! First Officer here! Since we always have guests asking interesting stuff on bridge tours thought [of] making this post. Remark: not disclosing RCI private information and future company plans!" they wrote. 

Since being posted, the thread has gotten over 440 comments and 1,100 upvotes. Needless to say, there were a lot of people interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of a cruise ship. 

What percentage of the water consumed on board is desalinated and purified? 

The Officer said that all the fresh water on Royal ships is purified per United States Public Health (USPH) regulations. 

"We are producing water on the principle of Reverse Osmosis — Seawater converted to Fresh Water," they said. 

The original poster (OP) added that 3 out of 4 cruise ships are also likely to get water loaded at the turnaround day port (like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Seattle). 

What kind of crew cabin do you get?

While cruise ship Captains get mega-suites near the Bridge, other crew members typically live in smaller quarters and often share a windowless room and/or bathroom. 

However, because the OP has a higher ranking than cabin stewards, bartenders, etc., they have a private stateroom on Deck 3 with a small porthole, double bed, private bathroom, sofa, and television. 

What would happen if there were a mechanical failure while underway (like an engine failure)? 

The OP said, "We have a lot of redundancy for almost everything."

Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's second-newest Oasis Class ship, has 6 engines. However, they typically only use 3 at a time. As such, if there's an engine failure, the engineers can start another one.

How in-the-loop are crew members about the future plans of the company?

According to the Officer, it all depends. A lot of news is shared via rumor, though. 

"Sometimes there are only rumours spreading across the ship which are likely true. Heard about the Legend of the Seas name 9 months before it was revealed," they wrote. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean CEO talks rumored new ship size and where it could sail

What is the career path to become an officer on a cruise ship?

Just like with most professions, you can't wake up one day and immediately become a cruise ship Officer. 

First, you have to begin with 4 years at Maritime University to earn your Bachelor’s in Maritime Studies and Navigation. During your studies (or immediately after), you must also complete one year of cadetship. 

"Then you get the STCW II/1 Officer of the Watch license and you start as Second Officer in Royal," the OP said. 

Some cadets are lucky and start working for a cruise line. However, the majority of officers work their way up, starting as cadets on cargo ships. 

As a First Officer, is your job primarily logistics and handling the port of call with local authorities? Or is it more like managing staff and driving the ship?

(Credit: Reddit)

The OP does not manage anyone. Instead, they work purely on the navigational side. 

Their responsibilities include updating navigational charts weekly, making the routines, watchkeeping, and dealing with ballast water reports.

And yes, it's possible to get bored performing the same duties over and over!

How often are lifeboat drills performed, and how often are the lifeboats thought of/spoken about during regular operation?

The muster drill happens more frequently than lifeboat drills. According to the OP, the safety drill is weekly, whereas they only lower the release the lifeboats from the hooks every 3 months. 

If working on a ship operating shorter cruises, the safety drill would happen more frequently, such as every Friday and Monday on 3- and 4-night sailings. 

Roughest water you've experienced? Details? Did it bother you?

The roughest waters the Officer experienced were when they were arriving in Vancouver, Canada. 

"We were drifting around for 5 days and on the second day we got 33 feet (11 meters) waves," they wrote.

"The ship listed around 22 degrees. Most of our ships (Royal) [don't] exceed [a] list [of] more than 2 degrees, so you can imagine how rough the [sea] was."

Are you able to enjoy passenger areas if you're off-duty?

The amount of privileges crew members have depends on their position. The higher up you are, the more freedom you have. 

For this First Officer, they like to eat dinner in the Windjammer with colleagues, walk through Central Park and the Royal Promenade, and watch shows. 

Can you see onto the balconies?

Balconies are not as private as you might think. Although there are dividers that limit how much one can see into neighboring balconies, they don’t provide complete privacy.

The OP said, "From the bridge some of the balconies are visible yes! More interesting is in CocoCay when we dock with [another] ship."

Read more: Guide to balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean

How often do whales come close to the ship?

(Credit: Reddit)

"[Whales are] very rare, especially in the Caribbean," they wrote, "Alaska and [the Northeast Coast] can encounter some and you can see the tails."

Dolphins, however, are a different story. The smart mammals swim with the ship's bow. 

Apart from CocoCay, do you have a favorite port of call in the Caribbean?

The OP loves San Juan, Puerto Rico, calling it a "lovely" place. 

On the flip side, they claim that sailing into St. Thomas is challenging. 

Do you ever want to go on a cruise as a passenger on vacation?

For many crew members, especially in safety or operational roles, it is difficult to switch their working brain off. 

"I’ve never done it, and I [don't] think I will do it as I always see the ships from safety’s point," the First Officer shared. 

What’s the funniest thing or behavior that you’ve seen?

Working on a ship means you’re bound to have tons of funny stories from guest interactions. 

One of the standout moments for the OP is when they were asked if crew members live on the ship. 

"[O]ne of my colleagues said that we are taken by helicopter by the end of each day. It was funny because he was joking, but the guest thought we [were] taking helicopters [every day]," they added.

Do you have family back home?

A lot of cruise crew members spend months away from their loved ones. The OP is no exception. 

They spend around 2 to 3 months onboard per contract, with the same time off. As such, they have about 6 months off during the calendar year. 

What’s the longest you’ve had to wait for a pier runner?

Cruise ships operate on a tight schedule and have strict all-aboard times for guests in ports of call. If you're late, you may have to frantically dash down the pier before the gangway goes up. It's fun to watch pier runners, but you don't want to be one. 

The longest the OP has waited on a pier runner was about 30 minutes in Roatán, Honduras:

"The Guest Services Manager managed to reach the couple missing and then we decided to wait."

How much socialization is there between the various divisions?

Cruise ships are like floating cities where people from all departments interact daily, both on and off duty.

"The crew windjammer is [open] for everyone and we regularly sit with engineers, cast members, guest services etc. [It's] nice to find friends from different divisions."

The wildest events on a cruise ship are off-limits to guests — no suite or loyalty status will get you in. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, revealed that these secret crew-only parties are sometimes so large that they need to close down one of the public spaces to accommodate the crowd. 

"Crew parties can get so big that there's no place that you can throw them below deck," James says in a recent TikTok, which has amassed over 130k views. 

"So, to solve this, the cruise ship will shut down a place like the ice skating rink or the Solarium, and they'll lock the doors and say it's a private event." 

According to James, the parties are typically thrown about once per month, and they’re massive. They sometimes draw more than 1,000 crew members on mega-ships like Utopia of the Seas.

On smaller ships without ice skating rinks, they will throw a "provisions party," where the crew parties "deep, deep below deck in one of the large storage areas." 

Some vessels are even notoriously known as party ships, and James says that he knows plenty of crew members who don't care about the ports of call: 

"If the crew bar is good, then they're good to go."

Special events for Seafarers' Day

Seafarers' Day is an annual holiday dedicated to those who work on ships. It takes place on June 25 and isn't just for cruise ship crew; it's for seafarers of all stripes who work on ships and play an important role in the global maritime industry. 

To celebrate, cruise lines often go all out with special events for the crew. After all, there wouldn't be cruise vacations without the hardworking crew members!

"[It] kinda feels like Christmas, the Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving all wrapped up in one," James says. 

James celebrated Seafarers' Day while working on Allure of the Seas in Europe (he will be onboard Allure until August 21, 2025). 

One of the highlights included a huge raffle for prizes like PlayStation game consoles, iPads, and GoPros. The crew mess was also transformed into a festive banquet hall with a chocolate fountain, freshly carved turkey, plenty of desserts, decorative ice sculptures, and more.  

However, the star of Seafarers' Day was the massive party thrown for the crew — with unlimited free drinks like beer and soda. 

Speaking of food, did you know that crew members sometimes get leftovers from the guest buffet?

In a previous video, James revealed that uneaten food doesn't necessarily get thrown away at the end of the night. 

"If there's something really good leftover, it winds up downstairs at something that we call 'midnight mess,'" he explains, "And the sooner you get there, the better the food is. I'd say after an hour, it ends up just being normal crew mess food." 

In this particular TikTok video, James shows that the special dishes available for the crew included grilled pork chops, sautéed spinach, and shrimp curry. Although it's small, the midnight mess is a well-deserved treat for those who help keep the cruise ship running.

Read more: Crew member reveals that uneaten food on cruise ships isn't always thrown away

One of Royal Caribbean's most famous crew members is bidding life at sea a fond farewell. 

Chris Wong, a crew member who has worked on cruise ships since as far back as 2013, is taking his final bow after years of service on some of the line's most dazzling vessels.

"I have officially announced and decided that this will be my last ever contract as a crew member for Royal Caribbean. After a long career with this company, it is now time to move on to the next phase of my life. I am excited and nervous for what is to come," he shared on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum. 

Wong's 11th — and final — contract is aboard Allure of the Seas. Allure finished up a massive dry dock a few months ago and is sailing in the Mediterranean for the first time since 2015. 

He shared on his Patreon that taking this contract was a difficult decision. However, working aboard Allure after her multi-million dollar renovation in Europe was too enticing to turn down. 

Although he wasn't planning to return to sea, he states that there's no way he is going to change his mind about continuing to work on cruise ships. 

"No matter what happens this year, this is going to be my final contract...this will be my last year as a seafarer," he says in a video posted to his popular YouTube channel.

"Now is the time. I've always been told that you will know when the right time is for you to walk away from this life."

He rose to fame during the pandemic, giving cruisers a first look at ships as they restarted

Wong started sharing vlogs on YouTube in 2019, shortly before the global pandemic caused the cruise industry to shutter. Since then, he's amassed 114,000 subscribers and over 8 million views. 

His content during the cruise shutdown offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what life on cruise ships was like during one of the most uncertain times in the industry's history. 

He posted videos showing what it was like to be stuck in quarantine as a crew member, as well as providing updates on their protocols. 

For example, the crew wasn't allowed off the ship for a while, but he was happy to share that in May 2022, they were finally granted shore leave again. 

After the pandemic, he continued to vlog about his experiences as a crew member. He provided great coverage of Icon of the Seas during her launch, going as far as showing what their newly designed cabins looked like and the crew-only neighborhood. 

Read more: Photos show a tiny crew-only cabin on Icon of the Seas

"This has given me everything"

Working on cruise ships for over a decade allowed Wong to travel the world. 

Not only that, but he was part of some amazing projects, including working on Ovation of the Seas during her restart after the pandemic, as well as on Icon of the Seas during her inaugural season as the world's largest cruise ship. 

2024 was a big year for Wong, too. In August, he received his 5-year recognition award, followed by a major promotion to Casino Host in December. 

Yet, despite his success within the company, Wong felt it was time for a change. 

"The way I was able to travel, the way I'm able to make friendships that span the globe, the opportunity to create this online community. My whole professional life, what I'm trying to say, has been incredible, and I owe it all to Royal Caribbean," he says. 

Read more: Photos show the secret crew-only areas on Icon of the Seas

Wong will make the transition to becoming a paid passenger

After finishing his contract on Allure of the Seas, Wong's plan is to continue to sail aboard cruise ships. However, he wants to experience them as a passenger, rather than a crew member. 

His overall goal is to work his way up the ranks of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, ultimately becoming a top-tier Pinnacle Club cruiser — a status reserved for the most loyal fans. 

That said, one of the ways he hopes to fund this next chapter is through the Chris Wong Membership Club. This is a subscription-based community for fans who want to support his journey, gain behind-the-scenes access to his adventures, and receive exclusive content.

He also plans to provide tips on how to book cruises, review pre- and post-cruise hotels, talk about dining reservations, and more. 

"This is going to be a crucial part to start my journey to becoming a Pinnacle member within the Crown & Anchor Society," Wong explains. 

Pricing starts at just $1 per month. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shares how much he makes working on a ship

Sea days are busy for crew members. Although they're ideal for passengers to kick back and relax, the behind-the-scenes reality for crew members is vastly different. Still, there are opportunities for the crew to take time away from demanding passengers, collect themselves, and possibly win a special prize. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean who has worked on numerous ships in the fleet, shared incentives offered to crew members on busy sea days, when many are working 10 to 13-hour shifts. 

"There is one part of the day, though, that gets kind of relaxed around here," he says in a reel shared to TikTok, "It's called Tea Time."

On this specific day, Tea Time took place in the crew mess and came with a fun twist: crew-only bingo. 

Passenger bingo is a popular activity, as the prizes often include onboard credit, free cruises, and more. However, playing isn't free. Royal Caribbean offers different packages, with the cheapest costing around $40 for 3 paper cards. 

Cruisers line up in advance to secure their playing cards and seats ahead of the highly anticipated game. Comparatively, the attendance for the free-to-play Tea Time session in James' video was scarce, with the crew presumably catching up on rest, tackling other duties, or spending their break eating lunch in the mess. 

Crew bingo offers rewards and doesn't cost the crew money to play

"They just announced the prices," James continues, "First place is some headphones, Skull Candy; second place is a bottle of wine; and third place is a case of water." His voice sounded disappointed, as he initially thought crew members were playing for a cash prize. 

Cash prizes for passenger bingo depend on how many guests are playing and how many cards have been sold. It's not uncommon to hear of jackpots as high as $5,000 or $6,000 being won by lucky passengers. 

As mentioned, the cheapest package to buy into bingo costs $40, but some cruisers are willing to pay for the top-tier options that cost upwards of $70 and include over 35 ways to win on a special tablet. 

"There's typically only one or two sea days per cruise"

According to James, port days are more balanced. While the days are still long, there's a different rhythm compared to sea days, when thousands of guests need to be constantly entertained and fed.

However, there are sailings, including Transatlantic and Transpacific voyages, where passengers might be at sea for 7, 8, or 9 days in a row. "They make you wonder, 'Why do I do this job?'" James jokes. 

"But then you realize at the end of that 7-day sailing, you wind up in Tokyo or you're in Australia," highlighting one of the perks of working on a cruise ship, despite the grueling hours and sometimes unpleasant guests. 

James is currently working aboard Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is in Europe for the first time since 2015. She just underwent a major revitalization, bringing new concepts to the 14-year-old vessel, including Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, the Mason Jar, the Pesky Parrot, a resort-style pool deck, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and so much more. 

James has been sharing glimpses of his life as a crew member on cruise ships across various social media channels, including TikTok (831k followers) and Instagram (305k followers), for three years. However, James claims that his contract on Allure of the Seas, which lasts until August 21, is his last. 

"For me, this is actually my last contract ever," he said in a TikTok posted on April 10, "If working on ships has taught me anything, it's that I don't have to hunker down and have that typical 9 to 5 job. I want to be able to continue to travel and work on my own terms." 

One Royal Caribbean performer lost their job for over 6 months due to a visa disaster. 

Lera, an artistic swimmer from Russia who had worked on Royal Caribbean ships for 6 years, lost a contract when she didn't get her visa renewed in time. 

While working on cruise ships, she had been sharing behind-the-scenes videos of what it's like to be a crew member on her social media, with her YouTube channel amassing nearly 9,000 subscribers. 

These include tiny cabin tours, a crew-only beach in Labadee, and sailing on a repositioning cruise without passengers. 

Last year, she realized her visa was close to expiring, so she went to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas during a port day. 

"Spoiler alert: This was the worst decision ever," she says in a video shared to her YouTube channel. 

Lera booked an appointment for March 25 and brought all the required documentation, including proof of a new contract offer. 

She claims this interview was different compared to other ones. She was asked questions about whether she was traveling to the U.S. for personal reasons and exactly how many days she planned to be in the country. 

"At the end of the interview, I thought, 'That's it. I'm fine. Everything is good,'" Lera explains. However, she was given a piece of paper and told that her documentation needed to be sent for administrative processing.

She began researching what administrative processing was, learning that it's an extra background check. Still, she never learned why her application was flagged or how long the process would take. 

"Believe me, I am doing everything legally. I'm working with one of the biggest cruise ship companies in the world. I never break any rules," she remarks. 

Unfortunately, her hope quickly faded when she discovered a chat with other foreigners going through similar issues — some had been waiting for years!

"No visa means no contract, no work, no nothing...My whole life is built around my contract"

Reading comments about other people who had been waiting 2 to 3 years consumed her, and Lera started to feel down. Because she didn't have a visa, her next contract was canceled. 

"I was feeling so sad because everybody in my cast started receiving contracts," she says. 

Her husband, Mario, also refused his contract because they didn't want to spend 10 to 11 months without seeing each other. 

While they want to settle down and have a family, she claims it's different when you're choosing to make that decision versus when you're forced to do it. 

The last month of her contract wasn't as happy as expected. Not only was she sailing through Europe, which was a dream, but her parents came on board. 

"I was just so exhausted. I was trying to process everything...My whole life is performing on a cruise ship," she confesses. 

However, she had accepted her fate by the very end, saying that she remembers telling herself to enjoy her last show. 

Once the contract ended, she returned to Russia and spent time with her family, but she spent a lot of time lying in bed and thinking about her next steps. 

With time, she began to feel better, celebrating her 30th birthday:

"I am healthy. I have my husband. I have my family and friends...I will be okay."

After her birthday, she visited Colombia and kept emailing the Embassy

After six months of waiting, she finally received an email instructing her to return to the Bahamas, but not revealing whether she would receive her visa or not. 

Initally, Lera booked an Airbnb for five days. Because of the lengthy process, though, she spent over two weeks in the Bahamas. She couldn't leave because the Embassy had her passport. 

"Honestly, those two weeks [were] the worst," she says. Since she wasn't there on vacation, she was constantly anxious.

She finally received her passport but was disappointed to learn that she had only been granted one visa. Lera didn't get the visa needed to travel to Miami, Florida, for rehearsals. Royal, however, assured her that everything should be fine. 

She got a contract to work aboard Allure of the Seas

Lera was excited to be working aboard Allure of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship that just re-entered service after a $100+ million revitalization. Still, after getting the visa and contract, she felt everything was too good to be true. 

With rehearsals scheduled to begin in late February, she started planning her life around her new contract. Her gut feeling was right, as she received an email saying immigration rules had changed, and she couldn't travel to Florida without a tourist visa. 

Lera claims she's the "most controlling person ever," yet she had no control over her life. 

She felt lucky that Royal wanted to continue working with her

Instead of revoking her contract, Royal agreed to let Lera travel straight to Allure. She was supposed to leave at the end of March ahead of Allure's April 11 voyage, but she needed to obtain a Schengen visa.

This added another complicated layer to her already tight travel timeline, especially since she says that right now isn't the best time for Russian citizens to obtain visas. Because she was still in Colombia, she needed to return to Russia to apply. 

"I don't know who cursed me. Please, can you lift that curse? I cannot handle this anymore," she half-joked.

After applying for the visa, she was stuck in yet another limbo, waiting for the country to return her passport. 

Though they had confirmed her passport had been mailed, they didn't disclose whether she was granted the right visa. Without the Schengen visa, she couldn't work on Allure of the Seas, which is where her husband is working.

In the meantime, she tried to keep herself busy by rehearsing using videos sent to her of the choreography, utilizing her phone and laptop to watch the other casts' movements. 

"I'm trying to keep my head high and hoping that I will get the Schengen visa," Lera says. 

She doesn't end the video on a negative note

With hopeful music playing in the background, Lera opens up a package containing her passport. She's shaking and scared. 

However, she quickly breaks down into tears when she realizes she got the necessary Schengen visa.

"I did not expect to react like that...I'm going to a ship!" she happily remarks. If you're sailing on Allure of the Seas this summer, keep an eye out for Lera, who is ready to return to work on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship! 

Crew members work very hard on cruise ships, but have you ever wondered how much they make?

Chris Wong is a crew member onboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas working in the casino onboard. He also produces in-depth videos about living and working on a cruise ship on his YouTube channel, Chris Wong Vlogs. In fact, he claims in the video he might be one of the world’s most followed casino hosts on YouTube!

To celebrate his recent milestone of achieving 100K subscribers, Wong wanted to provide insight into his current salary working for Royal Caribbean on his channel. He just received a promotion within the company to a senior-level position in the casino while also posting regularly to his YouTube channel with 107K subscribers.

Wong has been working for Royal Caribbean over the last decade and started his YouTube channel a few years after. Although Wong is currently working on Quantum of the Seas, he previously worked in the casino onboard Icon of the Seas, which is Royal Caribbean’s newest and most innovative ship to date.

The video is extremely insightful, especially for those looking to potentially begin a career working on a cruise ship. Throughout the video, Wong shares a transparent look into his personal finances, and explains why he doesn’t plan to leave Royal Caribbean anytime soon.

Wong shows his first paycheck for $2,890.21, followed by a second paycheck for less.

Continuing in his video, Wong shares how Royal Caribbean pays employees on a biweekly basis. This means each crew member is paid twice per month, but not every paycheck for Wong is the same amount.

In the video, Wong shares a glimpse into his actual paycheck from Royal Caribbean. He shows his first paycheck (with sensitive information redacted) with a total net payment of $2,890.21. This paycheck covers the first two weeks of January 2025, as Wong says he filmed the video back in February 2025.

Next, Wong shares his second payment from January 2025. This time, the total net payment was less at only $1,450.09. This brings the total monthly payment to $4,340.30 for Wong in USD.

He has also blurred out the itemized paycheck, which Wong says includes commission, tips and several other factors. Ultimately, Wong says this is a fantastic salary for him, especially considering the rising cost of living and inflation. He states he wouldn’t be able to make this much working back in his home country of the United Kingdom.

In addition, Wong emphasizes that he has very few bills to pay by living onboard. He said he only pays for his cell phone bill and internet usage onboard. Wong states he will occasionally spend money in ports of call. However, he doesn't currently have any large payments, such as a mortgage or car payment.

Why his pay fluctuates so much

Interestingly, Wong’s paychecks appear to vary drastically, as his first paycheck is about $1,440 more than the second paycheck. What is causing this fluctuation? Wong says there are multiple factors at play that contribute to each biweekly paycheck.

While Wong says he can’t provide too much detail for confidentiality reasons, he says the combination of commission, tips and “a bunch of other things” are factored into each paycheck.

Further, Wong emphasizes that casino host salaries can vary across Royal Caribbean’s fleet depending on the ship and itinerary. Currently, Quantum of the Seas is sailing around Australia, although the ship was previously sailing in Alaska and also spent some time in Asia.

According to Wong’s video, he is actually getting paid less working on this ship compared to his time on Icon of the Seas. The biggest reason for this involves the ship’s destination and tipping culture. 

Wong states that crew members usually have the highest earning potential when sailing from the United States to the Caribbean. Because tipping culture is more prevalent in the United States, crew members often get paid more.

In fact, Wong says he was making more as an assistant casino host on Icon of the Seas sailing to the Caribbean than he currently makes in a more senior position on Quantum of the Seas. The most he was paid for one month working as an assistant on Icon of the Seas was closer to $5,000, according to Wong.

In general, he states that crew members typically earn the most when sailing to the Caribbean. However, each position varies onboard and some are paid differently. Realistically, crew members should plan to earn a smaller starting salary when first beginning their career with Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line.

How are crew members paid?

Wong also shared interesting insight regarding how crew members on cruise ships actually receive the money. When you first board for the start of your contract, Wong says you will be set up with a US-based bank account to receive payment. This is how you will receive your paychecks while onboard. 

This account is given for the sole purpose of Royal Caribbean paying employees their salaries. Crew members are not paid to their personal bank accounts. Once he receives his paycheck in this account, he can do whatever he wants with it.

Why Wong isn’t planning to leave Royal Caribbean anytime soon

At the end of his video, Wong shares that many subscribers often inquire about whether the casino host plans to get a land-based job anytime soon. Ultimately, the answer is “no”.

Between his low living expenses, comfortable paychecks and engaged online YouTube audience, Wong is very happy with his current lifestyle. He states he has been able to save so much money by working on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and doesn’t plan to leave in the near future.

In addition, Wong says he would need to restart his career from the bottom if he pursued work back in the United Kingdom. The casino host questions why he would want to leave a comfortable salary onboard to make less money and have more bills to pay on land. 

Of course, Wong clarifies that he misses his family and friends; however, he is very comfortable living and working on the cruise ship. Essentially, Wong is happy with the life he’s built onboard and online. Between the stream of income from YouTube and his salary from Royal Caribbean, he doesn’t plan to leave the ship life for a “normal job” in the United Kingdom.

Wong says he first started his YouTube channel about five years into his Royal Caribbean career when he was still working in the online retail shops. During the pandemic, Wong says he channel really exploded in growth during the pandemic and continues to be a steady source of income for him. Now, he shares in-depth looks at the crew member lifestyle to his thousands of followers. 

Royal Caribbean has given a proper send off to one of its most beloved ship captains.

Captain Johnny Faevelen announced he would be retiring after 50 years of working in the maritime industry, and Royal Caribbean wanted to make sure he was recognized for his hard work.

Executives and friends were on Symphony of the Seas when he was invited to a gathering where the Captain got an official thank you.

"Bittersweet day as we celebrate the legendary Captain Johnny’s retirement," wrote Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley on Facebook.

"50 years of your dedication and leadership at Royal Caribbean will always be honored! We will greatly miss you and your Harley but not too long until we’ll see you cruising on Star of the Seas!"

As part of the celebration, he was awarded his own glitzy "Royal Bling" necklace.  

The crew members chipped in and bought him a personalized motorcycle helmet that he can wear on shore to remember his time as Captain.

The significance of the motorcycle helmet is Captain Johnny is an avid Harley Davidson motorcyle fan and would keep a motorcycle onboard his ships to take on shore for joy rides.

Captain Johnny's favorite cruise memories

After 50 years of working on cruise ships, anyone would be curious what stands out.

He's spent so many years at the helm of the world's biggest cruise ships and been a very prominent figure within the fleet.

Captain Johnny was asked what his top cruise memory was and he picked one from when he was Captain of Mariner of the Seas.

"Top one would be we sailed Mariner of the Seas around Cape Horn," he reminisced in a video.

Cape Horn is the southernmost point  of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and it's a challenging and dangerous place to sail because it's where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. It's considered one of the most difficult yachting challenges in the world.

His second favorite memory was about being the Captain on a brand new cruise ship, "Number two would be taking out seven of the biggest cruise ships in the world."

Among the ships in the list include Symphony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas.

But one memory he treasures a lot is a personal one, "Top memory I have from 50 years is actually when I gave away my daughter. You know, a Captain can marry people, and my daughter and future son-in-law contacted me and said, 'Daddy, can you marry us?'."

"And in doing that, have a Captain's hat on one minute, and then being the father the next one and I could marry them, that's the pinnacle of my life as a Captain with Royal Caribbean."

Cruise fans share their favorite Captain Johnny memories

News of Captain Johnny's departure from the fleet spread quickly, and it seems many cruise fans will miss him.

Many of them shared anecdotes and stories on Facebook.

Chris Birdsong wrote, "My first captain I ever had on Royal! Well deserved retirement, will miss seeing him around the ship."

Fabian Rodriguez posted, "I was fortunate and honored to sail alongside Captain Johnny for several years, sharing wonderful moments as part of the Freedom and Mariner crew. You will be missed Captain. Stay safe and take good care of yourself."

"That Around The Horn cruise on Mariner was also our favorite memory of our own 35 years of cruises... Well done, Captain Johnny," wrote Robert Lorrey.

A career spanning decades of incredible ships

Looking at Captain Johnny's resume, you'll quickly discover an impressive array of ships he has worked on.

He began his journey with the company in 1975 as an Ordinary Seaman aboard the Song of Norway, Royal Caribbean's first purpose-built cruise ship. 

He spent some time working on cargo ships in order to move his career forward, but eventually returned to Royal Caribbean and achieved the rank of Captain in 1994, with his first command on the Nordic Prince. 

Over the years, Captain Faevelen helmed several notable ships, including the Monarch of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas. 

One thing that always set him apart from other Captains was his style and outgoing personality. He drove a motorcyle, had a Segway that he used around the ship, and even had a pet parrot for a time.

In recent years, he has been open about his battle with melanoma, sharing updates on his treatment and recovery. 

As he steps into retirement, Captain Faevelen looks forward to dedicating time to his family, including his wife, two children, and soon-to-be five grandchildren.