Working on cruise ships is often described as a combination of good earnings and exceptionally demanding conditions. Long working hours, physical exhaustion, and months-long absences from home are part of the daily routine for ship staff.
However, what regularly triggers the most reactions is the space where employees live—cabins that are often smaller than an average apartment pantry.
Stefan Kovačić, a crew member on a cruise ship, recently showcased the space where he will spend more than seven months without a break. On Instagram, where he goes by the handle “Stefi o1” and has over 30,000 followers, he regularly shares details of life on board.
A Four-Square-Meter Cabin for Months at Sea
Stefan’s cabin spans only about four square meters and looks almost identical to those from previous years, as crew housing units are strictly standardized.
Accessing the cabin is possible only with a ship card, which simultaneously serves as identification, a key, and a means of movement control on the ship. Within that tiny space, there is a bed, a wardrobe for civilian and work clothes, a small refrigerator, basic hygiene supplies, and a television with a limited number of channels. Every centimeter is carefully utilized, and comfort is secondary to functionality. Nevertheless, Stefan tried to give the space a personal touch. New Year’s decorations, a small Christmas tree, and tiny details testify to the need to create a sense of home even in cramped conditions.
A One-Square-Meter Bathroom and Daily Compromises
The bathroom presents a particular shock to those seeing these conditions for the first time. The toilet, which Stefan shares with one other person, occupies about one square meter. It houses the shower, sink, and toilet with no extra space—everything is within arm’s reach.
Employees point out that while basic conditions are met—hot and cold water are available and hygiene is maintained—the real challenge is not the functionality, but the fact that one lives and rests for months in a space the size of a large walk-in closet. Workdays on cruise ships often last 10 to 12 hours without traditional days off. In this context, the cabin is not a place of leisure but strictly a space for short breathers and sleep between shifts.
Earnings as the Main Reason for Staying
Despite everything, interest in cruise ship jobs does not wane. The reason is simple: a stable salary, provided housing and food, and the possibility of earning a sum in a few months that is difficult to achieve on land. The price of such a choice, however, is paid right here—in four square meters of personal space, far from family, privacy, and the everyday comfort that most people take for granted.
Source: Kurir | Photo: Private Archive