Cruise ship crew member shares items she doesn’t have to pay for

Ever wondered what life is like on board a cruise ship for members of staff? Employee, Amber Olivia has taken to social media to share her industry insights, offering viewers a glimpse into her time at sea. Taking to TikTok in her latest video, she opened up on what crew members are required and not required to pay for whilst they’re at work – and some may come as a surprise. Speaking from her own cabin, she began: “The first thing we don’t have to pay for is our accommodation – so where we stay, we don’t have to pay rent, it’s all included on the ship. They need us, and we need somewhere to stay.”

When it comes to food, meanwhile, Amber Olivia and her fellow crew members also aren’t required to pay. “It’s all included,” she said.

“Your job depends on where you can eat – we have a crew mess, we have an officers’ mess, some of us have guest benefits where we get to go up and eat in the guests’ buffet and we do have speciality restaurants as well [the latter coming at a discounted rate].”

Amber Olivia added that she also benefits from free “shore excursions”, allowing her to occasionally accompany guests as an “escort” at various stop-off points during the cruise. “We have a board where we can sign up and state which tour we want to go on and at which time,” she revealed. “If it’s approved we get to enjoy the tour, completely free.”

The crew member said the fourth free element of her job is somewhat “controversial”, however, and concerns tax. “I didn’t make the rules – blame the government,” she quipped. “If you get told you don’t have to pay tax, are you going to pay it? No you’re not!”

Whilst Amber Olivia confirmed that she does pay National Insurance and contributes to a pension pot, she explained: “If you are out of the country for so many days then you do qualify for the Seafarers Earnings Deduction, which is what I get.”

She closed: “So the only I thing I do have to pay for is if I get off the ship and want to eat, drink or maybe pay to go to a water park or something. It’s honestly the best job for saving money.”

Amber Olivia’s insight swiftly went viral, amassing a staggering 3.5 million views. Writing in response, one TikTok user queried: “I’m assuming you can’t order anything online then? You’ll only be able to buy new things when the cruise stops somewhere for a while?” To which Amber Olivia advised: “Yes we order to our home port [which is currently Texas] that we go to every week!”

Inspired, a second person replied: “I would love to work on a cruise ship! Doing security that’s something I’ll love to do!” A third exclaimed: “You live on a holiday. With all inclusive food and getting paid at the same time!”

A fourth person TikTok user pointed out: “Tax allowance is applicable if you are out of the UK for 183 days per year. Been the same since I first went to sea.” Whilst a fifth individual requested extra detail: “Wanted to ask the question about excursions! So if the excursion has something like a meal included, would you then have to pay for that?”

“Nope not if it’s included in the excursion,” said Amber Olivia.

Details of the government’s Seafarers Earnings Deduction scheme that Amber Olivia referred to can be found in detail on Gov.uk here.