When you think about cruise ship jobs, glamorous roles like entertainers or officers may come to mind. But behind the scenes, dishwashers are the glue that holds the culinary operations together. Working as a dishwasher on a cruise ship, also called Galley Utility, may not be the most glamorous job onboard. Still, it’s an essential role that keeps the entire dining operation running smoothly.
As a dishwasher, you’ll be part of a hardworking team behind the scenes, ensuring all plates, utensils, and kitchen equipment are spotless and ready for use in the ship’s restaurants, cafes, and buffets.
While the job may seem simple, the fast-paced environment of a cruise ship kitchen can make it an intense and physically demanding position. However, if you thrive in a team setting and don’t mind getting your hands wet, it can be a rewarding experience—especially when you factor in the opportunity to travel the world.
Table of Contents
The Day-to-Day Life of a Dishwasher
As a dishwasher on a cruise ship, you’ll be working in the heart of the ship’s food operations, usually in one of several large kitchens (or galleys). You’ll be in charge of cleaning and sanitizing dishes, utensils, pots, and pans used by both guests and crew. Here’s a snapshot of what a typical day might look like:
Early Morning Start
Your shift could start as early as 5 AM, depending on the dining schedule of the ship. Mornings on a cruise ship are busy, with breakfast being one of the most popular meals. You’ll begin by preparing the dishwashing station, ensuring all necessary cleaning supplies and equipment are ready for the day.
Nonstop Cleaning
During meal service, the dirty dishes, trays, and kitchen equipment come in fast. You’ll be responsible for loading these items into industrial dishwashing machines, which can clean hundreds of items at a time. You’ll also be tasked with hand-washing certain items, like large pots and pans, that won’t fit in the machines.
Midday Break
After breakfast, you might get a brief break before lunch service begins. Depending on the ship’s itinerary, you might get some time to explore the ship, enjoy a quick snack, or relax before the next rush.
Lunch and Dinner Rush
Lunchtime is typically a whirlwind of activity. The ship’s restaurants and buffets will be packed with hungry passengers, meaning more dirty dishes for you to handle. You’ll need to keep the dishwashing station running smoothly, ensuring that clean dishes are returned to the kitchen quickly.
After lunch, you might have a little downtime before the dinner rush, which is typically the busiest meal of the day. The process repeats: dirty dishes come in, and you’ll be responsible for keeping up with the flow.
End-of-Day Cleanup
Once dinner is over, it’s time to clean and sanitize the dishwashing area. This involves scrubbing down the dishwashing machines, cleaning out drains, and making sure everything is ready for the next day. You’ll also need to ensure that all kitchen equipment is spotless and properly stored before clocking out.
Skills and Qualities Needed
Being a dishwasher may seem like a straightforward job, but it requires a unique set of skills and qualities to thrive in this fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Physical Stamina: This is a physically demanding job that requires standing for long periods and handling heavy kitchen equipment. You’ll be on your feet all day, so stamina is essential.
- Team Player: The kitchen team depends on you to provide clean dishes and equipment quickly. Good communication and teamwork are key to making sure the kitchen runs efficiently.
- Attention to Detail: It’s critical that dishes and equipment are properly cleaned and sanitized to meet health standards. Attention to detail ensures that nothing is missed.
- Time Management: You’ll need to work quickly and efficiently to keep up with the flow of dirty dishes, especially during meal times when the workload can be intense.
- Adaptability: Working on a cruise ship means dealing with a constantly changing environment. You may need to adjust to different shifts, dining schedules, and guest preferences on the fly.
Education and Experience Requirements
Becoming a dishwasher on a cruise ship doesn’t require any formal education, but experience in the food service industry is a big plus. Many cruise lines prefer candidates who have worked in restaurants, hotels, or catering environments. Previous experience as a dishwasher or kitchen helper will help you get hired.
Cruise ship life is very exciting and visiting awesome locations around the world is just one of the many benefits of working on a cruise ship. If this is your first time going to work on a cruise ship, you might be wondering what you need to pack for a cruise ship contract. This post might just be what you are looking for.
How Much Do Cruise Ship Dishwashers Make?
The salary for a dishwasher on a cruise ship typically ranges from $800 to $1,200 per month. While this might seem low compared to land-based jobs, keep in mind that your living expenses, including food, accommodation, and utilities, are covered by the cruise line. Additionally, some cruise lines offer tips and bonuses, which can boost your overall income.
While it’s not the highest-paying job on the ship, dishwashers can save a good portion of their earnings due to the lack of living expenses. Plus, the opportunity to travel to exotic locations adds value to the experience.
Pros of the Job
Onboard Amenities: As a crew member, you’ll have access to some of the ship’s amenities, such as the crew gym, dining hall, and recreation areas.
Travel the World for Free: One of the most exciting parts of working as a dishwasher on a cruise ship is the opportunity to visit different countries and explore new cultures, all while earning a paycheck.
Simple Job Duties: While the pace can be intense, the tasks themselves are relatively straightforward. You don’t need advanced skills to excel at this job, making it a great option for those looking to enter the cruise industry.
Saving Money: Since your living expenses are covered, you’ll have the chance to save a significant portion of your salary.
Cons of the Job
Shared Living Spaces: As a dishwasher, you’ll likely share a small cabin with other crew members, which means limited privacy.
Physically Demanding: This job requires long hours of standing, bending, and lifting. The constant flow of dirty dishes during meal times can make the job feel hectic.
Repetitive Tasks: Washing dishes day after day can become monotonous, especially during longer contracts. If you’re not used to repetitive tasks, this could become a challenge.
Limited Personal Time: Cruise ship jobs require long hours, often 10-12 hours a day, with limited days off during your contract. Your personal time might be limited, especially during busy sailing periods.
Final Words
Working as a dishwasher on a cruise ship is not just a job—it’s a lifestyle. It’s an opportunity to grow, save money, and explore the world while meeting people from all walks of life. If you’re ready for an adventure and willing to embrace hard work, this could be the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Cruise Ship Life FAQ
Most Commonly Asked Questions About Working on a Cruise Ship!I had so many questions before I started working on a
A Day in The Life: Shore Excursion Staff (Job Description)
The shore excursion department is by far one of the best jobs I had while working on a cruise ship.
How do You Get a Job on a Cruise Ship?
Insider Tips Before Applying to Work on a Cruise Ship The beauty of working on cruise ships is that there is
Ten Reasons Why You Should Work on a Cruise Ship
Imagine that you just visited the Acropolis in Athens yesterday and today you are hanging out at the famous Paradise
Cruise Ship Life – Meet Eric Hernandez
In this post, you will learn a little bit about Eric Hernandez. Eric was born and raised in New Mexico
Ten Tips For Surviving A Cruise Ship Contract
Cruise ship crew work months on end without a single day off. You are on the cruise ship between 4