They not only provide enjoyable cruise travel experiences, but are indispensable to the safety and well-being of cruise passengers”. Cruise ship seafarers include a full range of professionals working on board, from the captain to medical personnel to the stewards that make up guest staterooms. They comprise a highly skilled, highly satisfied, and global workforce who sail year after year and have high job satisfaction resulting in employee retention rates up to 80%. Cruise lines often receive up to 100 applications for each job opening. In addition to their salary, Crewmembers typically receive free medical care, room and board, meals, and many other benefits that are often unavailable in their home countries. CLIA and its members work to maintain the highest standards of safety and treatment for Crew.
The industry strives to provide a high-quality work environment for its Crew members by offering ongoing training, career advancement, and the opportunity to travel the world. Shipping is only the industry with a comprehensive framework of detailed employment regulations that is enforced on a global and uniform basis, as a result of the standards developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). All CLIA Member Cruise Lines support strong worker protections and must comply with international regulations that ensure the safety, security, and fair treatment of Crew, as established by two United Nation (UN) agencies—the IMO and the ILO—and strongly enforced by government authorities.