Side Hustles for Cruise Ship Crew to Earn Extra Money

Can Crew Members Earn Extra Money?

Earning extra money as a cruise ship crew member sounds like a good idea – until you realise how few realistic options exist.

Unlike land-based workers, crew can’t just pick up a second job, start a business, or take freelance work in their free time. Internet access is unreliable, company policies are strict, and long working hours leave little room for anything extra.

Yet, many crew members want more than just their salary. Some send most of their earnings home and need a little extra for themselves. Others want to save faster or prepare for life after ship work.

So, is it possible to earn side income as a crew member? The answer is yes – but only in a few ways.

There are two realistic approaches:

• A few small side gigs onboard – Haircuts, extra shifts, or selling personal items at a crew bazaar (if allowed).

• A better approach: Setting up income during vacation – Selling used items, running a short-term land-based business, or creating a digital side hustle that earns passively while onboard.

Most “side hustle” advice doesn’t fit ship life. But if you focus on what actually works, there are still ways to earn extra.

Why Crew Members Rarely Charge for Services Onboard

Ship life is different from life on land.

There’s an unspoken crew communal culture where most crew members help each other out for free.

Need a favour? Someone will probably do it without expecting money. Someone’s struggling with a language barrier? A colleague will step in. A uniform needs a quick fix? The ship’s seamstress might help for a small tip or a thank-you gift.

This strong sense of community means that many typical side hustles just don’t work onboard.

Why pay for something when a fellow crew member will help you for free?

This is why many of the side income ideas you see online aren’t practical at sea. Crew don’t charge each other for minor favours, and cruise lines don’t allow selling to guests.

But that doesn’t mean earning extra money is impossible. It just means you need to know what actually works.

Onboard Side Gigs – Limited but Possible

Most crew members work long hours with little free time, so side gigs onboard are rare. Unlike on land, you can’t just start a small business or pick up freelance work when you have a break.

But a few ways to earn extra within limits do exist.

These are not official side jobs – just informal ways crew members earn a little extra among themselves.

Haircuts for Men

A few crew members cut hair for other men in crew hallways or cabin alleys.

It’s simple, doesn’t require internet, and has steady demand. Most crew don’t have time to visit a barber during shore leave, and onboard salons charge guest prices.

If you know how to give a decent haircut, it can be an easy way to make some extra money. But this isn’t for everyone – only a small number of crew members do this, and it spreads through word of mouth.

Crew Bazaar (If Allowed)

Some ships allow a monthly crew bazaar where crew can sell personal items to each other.

Crew members leaving the ship often sell things they don’t want to carry home – clothes, gadgets, or accessories. Crew could also bring small items from home to resell.

Whether it’s a used smartwatch, a barely worn jacket, or unused speaker, crew bazaars give crew a chance to sell unwanted items before sign-off.

Not every ship has this event, but if yours doesn’t, you could suggest it to the crew activity committee. Some ships have successfully organised a crew bazaar where crew can sell items they no longer need, making it one of the only approved ways to sell onboard.

Selling informally to onboard friends is possible, but a bazaar provides a better chance of finding buyers at the right time.

Extra Shifts: The Only Formal Way to Earn More Onboard

While side gigs are limited, some departments offer formal extra shifts for crew members looking to earn additional income.

• Embarkation Assistance – Luggage loading/unloading on embarkation day (usually for men).

• Housekeeping Assistance – Helping clean or prepare cabins after disembarkation.

• Cross-Training Opportunities – Some cruise lines allow crew to train in another department, such as casino or food & beverage, which may lead to extra earnings.

These shifts are officially paid by the company, not informal arrangements. Crew members who sign up receive extra wages for the work, making it the most stable way to earn more money onboard.

Most crew don’t have side gigs, but a few find small ways to earn. Extra shifts are the only formal way to make additional income. If there’s no crew bazaar, suggesting it to the crew committee could be an option.

A better option? Finding ways to earn money during vacation instead.

That’s where passive income and land-based side hustles come in.

Earning Extra Money During Vacation

While working onboard, making extra money isn’t always an option. But during vacation, crew members have more flexibility to explore different ways to earn before heading back to sea.

Some may want quick ways to earn extra cash, while others might look for longer-term opportunities that could generate income even while onboard.

Here are some ideas to consider for making the most of time off.

1. Exploring Short-Term Work on Land

For those who don’t mind actively working during vacation, short-term jobs could be a way to boost savings before the next contract.

Freelance or Gig Work

Platforms like food delivery, rideshare driving, or hospitality jobs might offer temporary income.

Selling Homemade Products

Baking, crafting, or making personalised gifts could be an option for those with creative skills.

Teaching or Tutoring

Short-term coaching, language lessons, or fitness training could work for those who enjoy sharing knowledge.

This works best for crew who prefer immediate earnings rather than long-term passive income.

2. Selling Items

Selling personal or bulk-purchased items can be an easy way to make extra money.

Selling Personal Items

Selling things you no longer need can be an easy way to make extra money. Whether it’s clothes, accessories, or gadgets, secondhand marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Shopee, or Carousell make it simple. Instead of storing unused items, why not turn them into cash?

Buying in Bulk for Resale

• Wholesale or discount shopping – Some products, like clothes, accessories, or household items, can often be purchased in bulk at lower prices and resold individually for profit.

• Seasonal or trending products – Buying off-season or trending items when prices are low and selling them when demand increases.

Buying and Reselling Exclusive Products from Overseas

• Limited-edition snacks or drinks – Some snacks from Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan might have demand at home.

• Beauty and skincare brands – Certain luxury or specialty products may be available at lower prices abroad.

• Branded fashion & accessories – High-demand items that may be difficult to find in some countries.

This option requires some upfront investment but can be profitable for crew with buyers at home.

3. Setting Up Digital Income Before Returning to Sea

Unlike short-term jobs or selling physical items, digital income has the potential to generate earnings even while onboard with minimal upkeep.

1. Creating and Selling Digital Products

Some digital income sources require creating something once and selling it repeatedly. These options take time and effort in the beginning but can continue earning passively afterward.

• Ebooks & Guides – Writing about personal experiences, niche skills, or personal development and selling on platforms like Amazon Kindle or Gumroad.

• Print-on-Demand Merch – Designing T-shirts, mugs, or stickers with original artwork or slogans and selling through Redbubble, Teespring, or Etsy without handling inventory.

• Custom Templates & Digital Downloads – Creating printable planners, budgeting spreadsheets, social media templates, or design assets and selling them on Etsy or Creative Market.

These require upfront effort, but once created, they can generate passive income without constant involvement.

2. Earning Passive Income Without Creating Products

For those who don’t want to create digital products, there are still ways to earn passive income online by leveraging existing content, platforms, or investments.

• Affiliate Marketing – Earning commissions from recommending products online.

• Ad Revenue – Monetising a blog, YouTube channel, or website with ads and sponsorships.

• Investments – Exploring stocks, rental properties, or small businesses.

These methods take time to set up but can provide long-term earnings even while onboard.

Making the Most of Vacation Time

Short-term jobs provide fast cash.

Selling personal or bulk-purchased items can be a simple way to earn.

Digital products and passive income offer long-term financial security.

Not every crew member needs a side hustle, but vacation time is the best opportunity to set up income streams that continue earning while at sea.

Final Thoughts

While onboard side gigs are rare, vacation opens up opportunities to earn extra income. Whether through short-term jobs, selling items, or digital income, the right approach depends on individual goals and time availability.

The goal isn’t just to make extra money. It’s to create financial flexibility, both onboard and beyond.