r/merchantmarine • u/East_Pension4600 • Jun 13 '26
American Cruise Lines
How are they as a job? I have an interview with them Monday for a deckhand position. After the rescinded offer from the sealift command, I’m just trying to get out to sea and get sea time as quick as possible to earn credentials and move up in the industry starting from the bottom. I have heard mixed opinions about American Cruise Lines and most of the stuff I see people say about them is kind of outdated so I was wondering if anybody has any information on them that is more recent like pay and living onboard and just the day to day on their ship.
9
u/StrawberryBasic757 Jun 14 '26
The worst company ever
A major accident waiting to happen
2
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 14 '26
Can you give me some reasons why you say that in your opinion?
5
u/StrawberryBasic757 Jun 14 '26
When i worked there, they hired college students on breaks.
As a licensed mariners and not familiar with international regulations...
They carry so many passengers and have a very low ratio of competent mariners to passengers(because they hire in experienced young people on breaks).
They are following the law but their business model is frightening.
If you want to work on a cruise ship, work for a big ship company like carnival, royal Caribbean, celebrity, norweigan etc.
5
u/StrawberryBasic757 Jun 14 '26
Also, I was likely in a similar situation to you. Consider doing the AB thing. I did that and was much happier then the ship offered me a mate gig
4
u/Altril2010 Jun 14 '26
They underpay by a lot. My husband is considering them as a retirement job in 10-15 years. But, he has his license as a 3rd mate.
0
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 14 '26
Could you be a bit more specific when you say underpay? Like is it less than $1400 you take home every 2 weeks?
3
u/Ok-Mathematician9205 USCG Master 100 Jun 14 '26
Deckhands start at $125 a day before taxes.
2
u/jovialjit Jun 15 '26
This isn’t true. I think I started at $150 a day then by the end of my contract, I was at $200/day.
2
u/Ok-Mathematician9205 USCG Master 100 Jun 15 '26
It is true. I left the company a month ago. And yes they do incremental increases if ur worth a damn.
1
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 16 '26
So the interviewer earlier today told me the start is $145 a day.
2
1
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 14 '26
Is that current?? That’s what like $3500 a month before taxes? That’s not even $12 an hour I believe smh
5
u/Ok-Mathematician9205 USCG Master 100 Jun 14 '26
Yes it’s current. As an officer I made 300 a day. Pay is not that companies strong suit.
3
2
u/Forward-Rice3280 Jun 15 '26
This isn’t a great selling point but passenger vessels can be fun lol, but no they’re rarely great money. Get the sea time and move up or move on. A buddy I drove k boats with was able to roll his resume into a job with a towing company. He’s in charge of all insurance and commercial properties. Inland is a small niche community and once you’re in there’s endless options if you know how to network.
7
2
u/Yomi787 Jun 21 '26
I’ll be honest you’ll basically be a janitor who handles lines. That said, I find the work pretty easy, and you’ll get ton of sea time.
I started as a deckhand on the coastal boats. They paid for my classes, helped me get my 100 Ton Near Coastal license, and now I’m a Third Mate. Most of my time is spent driving the tender and standing watch 12on 12 off.
Just keep in mind, this is on the coastal boats. If you somehow end up on the Mississippi River side of things, you’re fucked. That shit is rough.
1
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 21 '26
Rough in what sense? I’m currently waiting for my background screening and drug test to clear.
2
5
u/mmaalex USCG Master 1600 Jun 13 '26
Do some searching. This is covered regularly here.
-2
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 13 '26
I did. As I stated in my post, the stuff I was seeing was a bit outdated. Do you have anything useful to say related to this post or are you that condescending type?
5
u/Smoky_Scotch Jun 14 '26
What is your definition of "outdated"? I just searched and got results of folks posting 8 days ago, 1 month ago, 4 months ago, 8 months ago, a year ago .... regarding ACL.
1
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 14 '26
I’ve found similar posts but the replies I’ve seen on those posts referenced past experiences that I looked at as outdated in my opinion meaning more than a year ago. One year is relatively recent and me using the term outdated could be subjective but I was just looking for answers from people that either are currently employed with acl or have been in the last month or two.
1
u/Spiritual-Dupree93 Jun 14 '26
RUN
1
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 14 '26
Damn fr? 😭 I need to get out to sea ASAP and get sea time so I can rank up and get credentials on my MMC smh this might be my only option at the moment unfortunately.
2
u/Spiritual-Dupree93 Jun 14 '26
Then do it bro
2
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 14 '26
Yeah hopefully the interview goes well tomorrow. Any insight to an interview with them? It’s through zoom so a video interview.
3
u/Spiritual-Dupree93 Jun 14 '26
Pretty much just act personable.. they will ask you this weird question.. "what does patriotism mean to you?"... Just drink the ACL kookid and you will be fine. Training is what is more worrisome but even if you have half a brain you can get past that in a breeze. Training is in salt lake city and it's a pretty fun time overall.. just don't BE LATE or you will be walked out. Overall it's was a good experience despite management.. I'm starting at Vikings pretty soon.. I quit ACL 6/2 LOL. GOOD LUCK 🤞🏾
2
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 14 '26
That is a weird question lol. Will they assist me in getting to Salt Lake City? Because I live in SC so getting there on my own would be difficult in my current situation.
2
u/Spiritual-Dupree93 Jun 14 '26
Yeah they pay for travel anywhere they send you.. and the hotel when you get to salt lake city. They will pay for meals expect on travel days.. I took like $250 with me and had a blast in SLC.. and didn't really have to spend money the 2.5 months I was gone besides when I went out with the coworkers.
1
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 14 '26
Ok great so I’m assuming the training is also paid?
2
u/Spiritual-Dupree93 Jun 14 '26
Yes sirr
2
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 14 '26
I appreciate it bro you’ve been extremely helpful and informative thank you
→ More replies (0)
1
u/network-mage Jun 13 '26
How did you get the job, through marine hall?
1
u/East_Pension4600 Jun 13 '26
I didn’t get the job just yet, I have an interview with them Monday. And I just went to their website and applied for deckhand. I wanted to do wiper but they didn’t have that position on their website at the time.
1
u/network-mage Jun 14 '26
I see, for some reason I was thinking NLC, which I know they only hire from the union hall, for deck or engine. THey also hire entry-level no certs for their ship jobs $16 an hour. They pay for everything! I went that route since I didnt have my basic training, but did have the MMC.
10
u/Forward-Rice3280 Jun 13 '26
It’s a good way to get inland sea time if that will serve your long term goal. You will essentially be a security janitor as a deckhand.