12 Things Cruise Crew Do With Their Precious Time Off

I tell you what – the crew on a cruise ship are a special breed. I don’t think there’s anyone in travel that works harder than these fantastic folks, who do so much to make our cruises special.

They work darn hard, for long hours, and it’s not an easy job by any means. But how do they relax when they do get some precious time off? What are they allowed to do?

Whether you’re thinking about signing up for a job, or you just want to know more about the wonderful people who make everything run ship-shape onboard, there might be some surprises once you know…

1. Hit the Crew Bar

The crew bar is a social hub unlike any pub on land. Cheap drinks, loud music, and a rotating cast of international friends make it the go-to spot after a long shift.

It’s where birthdays are celebrated, frustrations are vented, and unlikely friendships are forged over beers, card games, and spontaneous dance parties.

Expect more than just drinks – theme nights, wine and cheese evenings, and special parties all add different vibes.

Prices at the crew bar are super-low compared to what guests will (around $2–$3 for drinks), and crew can pre-order bottles to keep in their cabins. Dress code? There isn’t one. Crew might show up in pyjamas or go all out with hair and makeup, depending on their mood.

The vibe ranges from mellow to wild depending on the night, the weather, and the energy onboard – but once work wraps up, it’s usually buzzing with life. With no real “weekends” at sea, any night can feel like a Friday.

2. Go Sightseeing

Some crew take every chance they get to explore new places. Even with limited time, a quick walk to a beach, a famous landmark, or a local market can be just the reset they need.

Repeat itineraries help – by the third or fourth visit, many know exactly where they want to go. But at the same time, it can mean that sightseeing quickly becomes a little repetitive itself.

Still, whether it’s ticking off bucket-list sites or just taking in the vibe of a new town, sightseeing helps keep wanderlust alive.

What crew often do, if they’re lucky enough to have time ashore on a regular basis, is hunt out the hidden gems. The spots that are off the beaten track.

Next time you’re on a cruise, if you get the chance to strike up a conversation with a crew member, ask if they’ve got any recommendations. You might be surprised.

3. Try New Food and Drink Shoreside

Crew are fed for free on a cruise ship, which is a great perk – except that things can get a bit repetitive. It’s not like the menu is changing constantly.

So while crew will often try to save as much money as possible, some may see local cuisine as a huge perk of working on a cruise ship.

For food lovers, trying the best jerk chicken in Jamaica, the freshest ceviche in Cozumel, or authentic pizza in Naples becomes a hobby. Even grabbing a local beer or coffee can feel like a little vacation.

Crew often have their favourite go-to spots in port, and recommendations travel fast onboard – if a place is cheap, tasty, and fast, everyone hears about it.

4. Find Free WiFi

Cruise crew get several perks when living on the ship, but WiFi doesn’t tend to be one of them – and if it is, we’re talking a strict limit on minutes.

WiFi onboard is expensive and even then it’s not always reliable, so shoreside internet becomes gold.

Crew members often have their favourite cafes or hidden WiFi spots mapped out in every port. The moment they connect, it’s a race to download messages, call home, scroll social feeds, and check in with the world.

 It’s not glamorous, but sitting on a curb outside a fast-food place FaceTiming family is a common – and meaningful – scene in cruise life.

Again, if you’re on the hunt for free WiFi yourself, ask the crew – there’s a good chance they’ll know some places.

5. Shop for Essentials and Snacks

Life at sea means limited access to basic items, so port days are a chance to stock up.

Crew head ashore to grab everything from toiletries and vitamins to local snacks and clothes. For many, it’s about comfort: their favourite shampoo, a proper snack stash, or something that feels “normal” after weeks onboard.

Discount stores and supermarkets are top stops, especially in big ports like Miami or Barcelona where selection is wide and prices are low.

However, Bryan James (a prolific YouTuber who works on cruise ships) has suggested that sometimes the onboard crew stores have everything the crew need or want.

I’m surprised he calls the prices cheap, though!

6. Hook Up – But Not With Guests (Normally…)

Romance and flings are part of ship life, but the unspoken (and sometimes spoken) rule is: not with passengers.

Most crew know the risks and stick to crew-only liaisons, which can range from casual to surprisingly serious.

With limited privacy, secret codes, and quick connections, shipboard romances can be both intense and short-lived. Still, the unique social environment makes it easy to bond – and for some, those hookups turn into long-term relationships or even marriage.

Some cruise lines will let crew register as a couple, which can just help ensure they get the same contracts together or, where possible, share a cabin.

Still, that can cause issues if those relationships sour at all…

Suggested read: Why Cruise Ship Employees Don’t Sleep With Guests

7. Relax Shoreside

Sometimes the best use of time off is to simply be somewhere else.

For many crew, stepping off the ship – even just to sit by the water or stretch out on grass – offers a rare kind of peace. It’s a moment without uniforms, rules, or noise.

A cold drink, some sun, and no one asking questions feels luxurious. Especially after long, stressful days, the mental reset of quiet relaxation can be the best kind of self-care.

8. Crew Events

Behind the scenes, ships often host crew-only events: movie nights, talent shows, bingo, sports tournaments, or themed parties.

These moments break up the routine and give people a chance to shine outside of their job roles. Events like crew appreciation days or cultural nights can bring a surprising sense of community.

It’s also a space to decompress with co-workers, share laughs, and celebrate small wins. And with little cost involved, they’re a morale booster.

Read more: Cruise Crew Member Reveals Secret Parties, Banana Eating Contests & More!

9. Exercise

Health-conscious crew squeeze in workouts wherever possible.

Some ships may have small crew gyms, while others may allow crew to use the guest gym outside of normal hours (provided they don’t cause a huge amount of noise).

Time ashore means the chance to go for a run or hike for some, but typically it’s too precious and the exercise will be kept to the onboard spaces.

A lot of crew members see exercise as more about mental health than physical fitness – an escape from tight living quarters and constant company. Whether it’s a quick stretch, a soccer match on a beach, or hitting the gym between shifts, movement helps crew feel human again.

10. Personal Development

Some crew members see their contracts as an opportunity to grow.

That could mean taking online courses, learning a new language, saving money for future plans, or even practicing musical instruments – there are plenty of entertainers onboard to learn from (if they’re feeling generous with their own time off, anyway).

Quiet hours in cabins or lounges become study time, and a surprising number of crew are actively working toward certifications, side hustles, or creative projects.

Life onboard can be intense, but it also offers structure – and for those motivated, time to plan what’s next. Perhaps the next steps towards becoming an officer?

11. Run Errands

Not all time off is glamorous – sometimes it’s just about catching up on life stuff.

Need a new phone charger? Need to send money home? Need a check-up at a local clinic? Crew often use port days to squeeze in things they can’t do at sea.

Some errands are practical, some bureaucratic, but they’re all vital. Even a trip to a post office or pharmacy can feel like a win when you’re used to living on a floating city.

12. Rest!

Above all else, crew are often just exhausted. The hours are long, the work can be physical, and sleep is inconsistent. So when they get a break, many simply crash.

That might mean curling up in their cabin for a solid nap, lounging in a quiet corner with noise-cancelling headphones, or zoning out on Netflix.

Rest isn’t always the most exciting thing, but for most crew, it’s the one luxury they actually need the most.

What About During Dry Dock?

When a cruise ship enters dry dock for renovation, it’s often one of the biggest periods of downtime for cruise crew.

Some cruise lines will manage the contracts to make sure that crew return home during this time, but others will still have crew members retained, and may offer them some precious extended time off from their typical duties.

Final Word

There are plenty of options available to crew members when they do have down time, but unfortunately they just don’t get many hours in which to enjoy them.

That being said, a lot of people still really enjoy the lifestyle, so if you’re thinking about working on a cruise ship, don’t be put off too much. As you can see, there’s a varied lifestyle to enjoy around your work.

Here’s another video from Bryan James, showing a rare full day off – and how he squeezed in a few of the things from this article. Check it out:

And if you’re just an interested passenger? Make sure you’re as respectful as possible with the crew’s time. They’re there to work hard for you, but don’t be ridiculous with your requests.

A lot of crew love little gifts of snacks and treats too, just a heads up…

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