How to Start Budgeting for Cruise Ship Crew Life
I’ve been thinking a lot about how budgeting works on a cruise ship lately, mostly because it’s something I’ve had to figure out for myself – more times than I’d like to admit.
When I first signed on, I had this idea that my money would pretty much take care of itself. No rent, no grocery bills, no utilities – just a steady salary every month.
But soon enough, I realised how quickly money slips away when you don’t keep an eye on it. Wifi here, snacks there, a few spontaneous shopping sprees – and before you know it, the salary’s gone, and I’m left wondering where it all went.
The truth is, it’s not just about trying to save money – it’s also about knowing what I actually want to spend on and what can stay out of sight.
So, I’ve put together this simple guide to budgeting onboard. No complicated formulas, no stress – just a way to get clear on your money, make it work for you, and actually leave the ship with more than just a tan.
Before You Start Budgeting, Know Why You’re Doing It
If you search for budgeting advice for cruise ship crew, you’ll find plenty of articles on what we spend – port day snacks, wifi, crew bar nights – but not much on how to actually manage your money onboard. It’s as if the assumption is that because we’re living on the ship, budgeting just happens automatically. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
When I first joined the crew, I didn’t think I’d need to track my finances closely. No rent, no groceries, no bills – it seemed simple enough.
But before long, I realised something crucial: Money still disappears if you’re not intentional. The pay cheque comes in, but if you’re not clear about your financial goals, it’s gone before you even notice it.
The thing is, budgeting isn’t about denying yourself everything. It’s about having a reason behind your spending and savings, a reason that makes sense for your time onboard.
Whether you’re saving for a holiday at the end of your contract, paying down debt, or simply building a cushion for the future, having a clear “why” will give your budget purpose. Without it, every extra dollar feels like a free pass to splurge.
And don’t forget to budget for your time off between contracts – that’s when savings really come in handy.
Know Where You Leak (It’s Usually Boredom)
Cruise ship life can get repetitive. When you're living onboard and spending long hours at sea, it's easy to fall into bad spending habits. Whether it’s late-night snacks, crew bar drinks, or a random online shopping spree because you're bored, the money leaks add up.
To tackle this, start by identifying where you’re spending out of habit rather than necessity. For example, it’s easy to buy something online just to pass the time or grab an extra drink because there’s nothing else to do.
Recognising these patterns is the first step toward making smarter choices. Try setting limits on impulse purchases or cutting back on non-essential spending to keep your budget in check.
Even doing a quick weekly check-in with yourself can make a difference – just to see how things are tracking and whether anything needs adjusting.
How to Manage Your Money Monthly
With a salary that’s paid consistently every month, budgeting becomes a lot more straightforward. Instead of worrying about fluctuating pay, you can plan your expenses around this predictable income, making it easier to set financial goals and stick to them.
Budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Start simple: divide your salary into three broad categories – a portion for savings, essential expenses (like phone bills and toiletries), and discretionary spending (for things like crew bar nights, excursions, or little indulgences in port).
You could try something like 50% savings, 30% essentials, and 20% fun – but the key is to adjust the percentages based on your own goals.
Since you know exactly how much you’ll earn each month, you can set realistic limits and stick to them – not perfectly, but consistently.
This predictable pay cycle gives you the control to manage your finances without the stress of unexpected income changes, helping you build the habits that lead to real savings by the end of your contract.
A Reminder That I’m Not a Financial Guru, Just Someone Who’s Lived Onboard
I studied accounting and finance at university. You’d think that would’ve made me great at budgeting – but nope. I spent years working onboard and still ended most contracts wondering what I had to show for it. My savings were... somewhere. Probably in a drawer full of random trinkets.
So no, I’m not a budgeting expert. I don’t have an optimised app setup or a perfectly balanced spreadsheet. What I do have is the perspective that comes after repeating the same mistakes for longer than I’d like to admit.
That’s what led me to create a simple Excel template – designed specifically with cruise ship crew life in mind. It doesn’t require any fancy apps, complicated setups, or formulas you need to Google. Just a clean way to track what comes in, what goes out, and what’s left.
If it helps you avoid the financial black hole I used to live in, that’s more than enough.
You can now buy the template [here].
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