Disney Kids Club job. 70hrs a week. No days off.

cosmobrown · 2026-04-08T01:57:40+00:00

DD is applying to work as a kids club worker on Disney Cruise lines. She had an interview recently that confirmed she would be expected to work 7 days a week, 10hours per day. no days off for the whole 4 month contract I was quite shocked to find out the hours they are expected to work. AIBU? Is this even legal??

hcee19 · 11/04/2026 07:26

Yes it is legal. Maritime law is different. Look it up, there lots of info.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 10/04/2026 22:14

It must be a medical then in addition to requiring the ENG1 medical ?
The ENG1 is more re general health / fitness / weight, eyesight, hearing, blood pressure.

VanillaCoffee747383o · 10/04/2026 16:43

cosmobrown · 10/04/2026 15:46

DD mentioned she would have to have a blood test if she got that far through the process??

A quick Google shows cruise lines require medicals, including blood tests for HIV etc.

She'd be on a boat for 4 months. They can't afford for her to be sick.

Also, I've worked abroad before and needed a full medical. It included blood tests for a variety of things and even x-ray to show I never had tuberculosis or something. The government didn't want sick people, fair enough I guess.

corblimeygvnr · 10/04/2026 15:49

Have a look at the reviews on Glass Door.

Original poster

cosmobrown · 10/04/2026 15:46

DD mentioned she would have to have a blood test if she got that far through the process??

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OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 10/04/2026 15:32

What needles ? My dd has had her ENG1 twice ( as it lasts 2 years ) and never had needles.

Original poster

cosmobrown · 10/04/2026 13:41

Well, lets see if she gets offered a job now then. She's done her interview with Disney, and waiting to hear back.

Another thing putting her off is the medical - she has a dreadful phobia of needles!!

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Hellometime · 10/04/2026 13:26

Disney cruise line operates many routes inc Alaska, Europe, Singapore, Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico. She can apply and if gets selected decide if it’s for her. Personally at 21/22 I’d give it a go for cv and the experience. It’s very competitive to get a place.

Hellometime · 10/04/2026 13:23

Depends on route and shift she’s working. Some all aboard times are late evening.
The kids clubs operate long hours early morning until late evening. There may be scope to go off in morning then work her shift. The kids clubs also operate at some ports so eg running activities for kids on the beach on private island so would at least see daylight.

Original poster

cosmobrown · 10/04/2026 13:11

Arrrhhh - RESCUE, not REDUCE!!!

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Original poster

cosmobrown · 10/04/2026 13:10

Oh. That's not so much fun then.

Maybe she could accidentally get left behind on some Caribbean Island and I would have to fly out to reduce her….😂

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Bjorkdidit · 10/04/2026 13:02

She might not be able to leave the boat in the evenings because they're often at sea overnight - I don't know the exact schedules but it will be common to be in port in the day time and then at sometime in the evening, leave for the next destination.

You hear about passengers being left behind if they don't come back from their day out on time, I assume this would also apply to crew/staff.

Original poster

cosmobrown · 10/04/2026 12:58

I guess if she's working say 8am - 6pm, I guess she can leave the boat and have a night out in the town?? Is that how it works??

Many many years ago I used to date a musician who worked on the QE2 and he had a blast with plenty of time off. But he wasn't working 10 hours every day. He had a passenger cabin shared with one other, but he showed me the crew quarters and they were pretty cramped. I know it's a long time ago now, and Disney is different, but it does make me wonder if she would actually have a good time.

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Overwhelmedandtired · 10/04/2026 10:41

cosmobrown · 09/04/2026 17:24

Oh it's absolutely her choice. I was just shocked to hear about the hours, and wondered how normal/legal it is. She is applying for other jobs too.
At the moment, the hours have put her off the Disney thing a bit, but is also tempted by the whole travelling experience. AND, she hasn't even been offered the job yet, so it may be a non problem anyway!
Money-wise, if she can live at home, she can save the most £££
Adventure-wise, she should take the cruise job (if she's offered it).
It'll be interesting to see what she choses.

I get the adventure side completely, I worked overseas when younger too. What's confusing me a little is what time she would actually get to explore the countries she's travelling to if she is working 10 hours a day, every day, with no days off. If she is looking for adventure, may be worth checking that she would actually have the time around work in order to get off the ship occasionally, and not just stuck on a big ship, in the same room/area working all the time. Having said that, working intensely for a short period, getting paid a lot, could then just give her funds to have the adventure afterwards.

Best of luck to her! Hope whatever she decides goes well

Fencer90 · 10/04/2026 09:01

The people who work at Florida resorts dont call it "Mousewitz"for nothing.

user1476613140 · 09/04/2026 22:33

I don't think it's that bad. Free bed and board.

Upsetbetty · 09/04/2026 22:30

JohnTheRevelator · 09/04/2026 22:15

Is that actually legal?

Yep

noctilucentcloud · 09/04/2026 22:28

It fits the marine working hours directive as it doesn't exceed 14 hours a day or 72 hours a week and there's more than 10 hours rest time a day with it being in a chunk at least 6 hours long.

JohnTheRevelator · 09/04/2026 22:15

Is that actually legal?

VanillaCoffee747383o · 09/04/2026 21:41

cosmobrown · 09/04/2026 17:24

Oh it's absolutely her choice. I was just shocked to hear about the hours, and wondered how normal/legal it is. She is applying for other jobs too.
At the moment, the hours have put her off the Disney thing a bit, but is also tempted by the whole travelling experience. AND, she hasn't even been offered the job yet, so it may be a non problem anyway!
Money-wise, if she can live at home, she can save the most £££
Adventure-wise, she should take the cruise job (if she's offered it).
It'll be interesting to see what she choses.

She's lucky she can live at home to save, that's not the case for many young people.

For someone who can't crash at their mum's place, you can see why the job can be very lucrative. The couple of people I know do it very much for the money. They make a lot from tips as well (although they're not in the kids club, not entirely sure how the tips thing works there).

I'd expect the competition to be quite fierce for the job.

Seewhatsnext · 09/04/2026 21:18

The competition will be fierce… hundreds upon hundreds of applications. She will be very lucky to get the job so I wouldn’t worry until you actually know if she’s got the job

Donsyb · 09/04/2026 21:14

I have quite a few friends who worked on cruise ships when they were younger - dancers, spa, retail etc. they all loved it - decent pay, free food and board, get to travel the world and really good social life/ family feel amongst the other crew.

Its not something most do forever or as you get older, but for a young person, it’s a great opportunity

August1980 · 09/04/2026 21:10

HelpFeelSoTerrible · 08/04/2026 07:21

She’ll have a brilliant time! In your 20s, 10 hour days are nothing. It’s only 4 months, as well. What a great life experience for her.

I was thinking this too. My cousin in his 30’s single - left his private paediatric practise to work a doctor on the ship. I saw him 2 weeks ago when he was on his break and he said he loves it. I joked saying must be nice and cushy and he said nope! It’s like running an and e on every 12 hour shift!

not only does he get the regular colds and flu, he gets cardiac issues and suicide too! I don’t think it’s for the faint hearted bit if you are young, and hardworking go for it!

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 09/04/2026 18:23

Disney must be one of the most in you face toxic brands ever.Massively over hyped entertainment and over priced tacky products and services.

That's Capitalism for you

Original poster

cosmobrown · 09/04/2026 17:24

Oh it's absolutely her choice. I was just shocked to hear about the hours, and wondered how normal/legal it is. She is applying for other jobs too.
At the moment, the hours have put her off the Disney thing a bit, but is also tempted by the whole travelling experience. AND, she hasn't even been offered the job yet, so it may be a non problem anyway!
Money-wise, if she can live at home, she can save the most £££
Adventure-wise, she should take the cruise job (if she's offered it).
It'll be interesting to see what she choses.

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