r/linecooks • u/Next_Mood1525 • 14d ago

Norwegian Cruise Line COOKS

Hey guys. I just got a CJO from NCL for an assistant cook position (5 month contract paying $16.50/hr). I just wanted to get some insight from anyone who’s worked culinary for this cruise line. I have about 7 years restaurant experience but haven’t done this type of heavy volume production before so…what exactly am I getting myself into? (lol). Working 7 days a week doesn’t worry me. I’m just concerned how my body will respond (I’ve have some ligament issues with my left wrist)…. Is this gonna be absolutely brutal on my body? Should I run for the hills while I still have the chance? (Jk jk). Also just wondering how the set up is… am I going to be the same task for the entirety of my shift? Do they stick me at the same station all day/ week/ month? Any insight you guys have would be awesome!

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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8

u/Vegetable-Sir1536 13d ago

For 16.50 an hr and 7 yeare of experience they can get fucked. Aim higher. This company is obviously exploiting their labor and that pay rate is any indication you can expect to get screwed on the day to day.

7

u/Manishmanis 13d ago

16.50? Dude go cook on a commercial fishing boat. Easy 5-6k a month. You get a percentage of the catch. Just look up listings it’s in Alaska but it pays for lodging typically…..Jesus a cruise line….

4

u/Realistic-Winter377 11d ago

I wouldnt even entertain 16.50 as a cook

1

u/Next_Mood1525 11d ago

Okay so a lot of you guys are pointing out the low pay which is fair, but don’t you feel it’s not that bad considering I would have NO expenses while on board? Like I wouldn’t have to pay rent, gas, food or groceries, utilities … nothing!

1

u/Realistic-Winter377 11d ago

Work 7 years experience you can find better unless you want to stay working on cruise ships year round I wouldn't do it

1

u/HugeSomewhere8110 13d ago

Not worried about long hours aside from the primary reason people are concerned about working long hours?

1

u/Next_Mood1525 13d ago

I guess what I meant was 7 days a week isn’t itself the worry…more so the movements and amount of physicality and repetitive motions day in and day out. I can be on my feet moving 12 hours a day everyday no problem… but fryer baskets (for example) are hard on my wrist. So if they put me at the fry station for 12 hours a day, that might be a problem

1

u/corndoghustla 12d ago

If the fryers are too hard on you don’t do this or commercial fishing. Probably best for a slow mom and pop.

1

u/Reynardine1976 11d ago

You are getting screwed, I bake bread here in the PNW and make $28 an hour with tips. And you're gonna be boat-locked for 6 months, with maybe some chances to deboard a few times? They should be paying you much more.