I Work on Cruise Ships – Why Financial Freedom Feels Out of Reach

I work on a cruise ship, but I haven’t achieve financial freedom. Not yet, anyway.

The dream of financial freedom – where you no longer work for money, but money works for you – sounds amazing.

Some people on land seem to achieve it effortlessly, investing, saving, and retiring early.

But what about those of us who work at sea? Can cruise ship crew members ever truly break free financially, or are we destined to keep signing contracts just to stay afloat?

The Financial Advantages of Working on a Cruise Ship

Compared to many land-based jobs, cruise ship crew have a unique financial advantage: we don’t have to pay for rent, food, or transportation.

That alone can make it easier to save.

• Tax benefits: Depending on your nationality, you might not pay income tax on your cruise ship salary.

• Lower living expenses: No daily commutes, no grocery shopping, no rent.

• Potential to save aggressively: Some crew members have the ability to save a large portion of their salaries, but whether they do depends on personal financial habits.

It seems like the perfect setup to reach financial freedom quickly.

But if that were the case, wouldn’t more crew members be financially independent by now?

The Challenges That Hold Crew Members Back

Saving money on a ship is easy in theory.

In reality, it’s not so simple.

• Inconsistent contracts: We don’t have a steady paycheck year-round. Once a contract ends, income stops unless you have something lined up.

• Spending temptations: The crew bar, port visits, spontaneous shopping. It’s easy to spend because, after all, “we work hard, we deserve it.”

• Limited investment opportunities: Depending on your home country, access to investment platforms might be restricted.

• Lack of financial planning knowledge: Many crew members don’t know where to start with saving or investing.

For me, saving was always a priority.

I worked on cruise ships for about eight years and saved a lot – not always a big spender, but still, it wasn’t enough.

Pre-pandemic, I made mistakes.

I occasionally indulged in spontaneous shopping, though less than many others.

Most of my spending went toward experiences while travelling.

But the biggest financial habit I had? I always sent money home.

My Personal Financial Journey at Sea

During the pandemic, I learned about financial freedom for the first time.

Before that, I never really thought about it.

Working on a cruise ship made financial independence seem possible in theory, but my circumstances at home made it feel out of reach.

I had savings, but they weren’t enough.

I missed investing earlier, and when COVID hit, I realised how fragile financial security could be.

The pandemic was a wake-up call.

My circumstances at home reminded me of poverty, but at the same time, it made me determined to achieve financial freedom.

That’s when I started to rethink everything – how I saved, how I spent, and what I needed to do differently moving forward.

Is Financial Freedom Achievable for Cruise Ship Crew?

The short answer? Yes – but it requires a different approach.

Financial freedom as a cruise ship crew member isn’t impossible, but it won’t happen automatically.

The traditional “save, invest, and retire early” model needs some adjustments when your income is contract-based and your expenses fluctuate between ship life and vacation periods.

Some crew members manage to save enough, invest wisely, and eventually quit ship life altogether, using their savings to build businesses or passive income streams.

Others stay onboard for years but still struggle financially because they don’t have a long-term plan.

Which category do you see yourself in?

Steps Crew Members Can Take Toward Financial Freedom

If you want to work toward financial independence while working at sea, here are some key strategies:

1. Track Your Expenses

Many crew members think they’re saving a lot, but without tracking expenses, it’s easy to underestimate spending. Start by noting every expense – crew bar tabs, WiFi, shore excursions, shopping, and vacation costs. Understanding where your money goes helps you adjust spending habits and maximise savings.

2. Set Clear Savings Goals

Instead of just saving “whatever’s left,” create a savings goal per contract. For example, decide that you’ll save 50% of your salary or aim to set aside $10,000 per contract. Having a goal makes saving intentional and structured.

3. Diversify Your Income

Your cruise ship job provides a good income, but what happens between contracts? Consider building a side hustle – whether it’s freelancing, remote work, selling digital products, or investing in rental properties. The key is to create multiple income streams so you're not solely dependent on your contract.

4. Invest Wisely

Savings lose value over time due to inflation. Investing helps your money grow. Look into index funds, ETFs, or real estate – whichever is most accessible based on your nationality. Even starting small with $100 per month can make a big difference long term.

5. Avoid Lifestyle Inflation

It’s tempting to increase spending as you earn more, but financial freedom comes from keeping expenses low even as your income grows. If your salary doubles, try to maintain your original budget and invest the difference instead of upgrading your lifestyle.

6. Plan for Life Beyond Cruise Ships

Many crew members work contract after contract without a long-term exit strategy. Ask yourself: Do I want to work at sea forever? What’s my financial plan for the next 10 years? Whether it’s retiring early, starting a business, or transitioning to a land-based career, start planning now.

Designing a Life Beyond the Next Contract

Financial freedom as a cruise ship crew member is possible, but it takes strategy, discipline, and a willingness to think long-term.

Some crew members retire early, invest smartly, or start businesses after leaving ship life.

Others continue working contract after contract without a clear exit plan.

The difference? A financial roadmap.

If you’re a cruise ship crew member, where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

Still onboard? Financially independent? Or somewhere in between?

And most importantly – what are you doing today to make that happen?