BRIDGE95 · CV GUIDANCE
How long is a cruise ship contract?
Contracts are counted in months
Cruise contracts are fixed-term and usually measured in months rather than years. The length varies by department, rank and company, and the figure in the offer is the one that counts - not the figure you read in a forum.
Leave comes after the contract, not during it
On most vessels you work every day of the contract, and time off comes as a block of leave between contracts. Plan personal commitments around that pattern rather than expecting weekends or days ashore.
Extensions and early returns happen
Contracts are sometimes extended by mutual agreement, and sometimes end early for operational or medical reasons. Ask how notice works in both directions before signing, and get the answer in writing.
Why contract length matters on your CV
Recruiters read your dates to judge whether you complete what you start. Show joining and leaving dates for each contract. A record of finished contracts is one of the strongest signals a returning candidate can present.
What to confirm before you accept
Contract length, notice period, who pays for travel to and from the vessel, and what happens if the itinerary changes. These are ordinary questions and asking them does not weaken your application.