Exploring cruise ship employee well-being

Abstract

This thesis explores different facets of work well-being, challenges and coping strategies among cruise ship employees. The research project addresses the following three research questions: What facets of work well-being are critical amongst cruise ship employees? What are the key threats challenging cruise ship employee well-being? What strategies do cruise ship employees implement to cope with these challenges? Data were collected during in-depth interviews with European front-line cruise staff from the hotel department. The findings suggest that camaraderie among co-workers, recognition from guests, travel opportunities, feelings of elation from overcoming challenges and the sense of positive anticipation are vital for crew well-being. The study identifies critical sources of stress, such as long working hours, high customer demands and the degree of unpredictability of the working environment. Further challenges result from the inseparability of work and personal lives and the overload of daily impressions. Coping strategies, including balancing time alone and social interaction, engaging in sports or staying in touch with loved ones back home, help employees manage stress. Additionally, social support structures and emotional resilience play a vital role in maintaining well-being in this demanding and dynamic work setting. The results contribute to the practical understanding of employee well-being in the cruise industry and emphasise the unique characteristics of cruise ship work. The study advances the understanding of the phenomenon of cruise ship work becoming addictive and yields pathways for tailored HR interventions. The study also identifies areas for future research, such as exploring cultural differences in well-being among cruise ship crew, conducting intervention studies to enhance well-being in the cruise industry or applying longitudinal approaches to capture changes in well-being over time.