The cruise industry is an interesting business. We spoke at length to our waiter on HAL's Amsterdam about his career. He has been doing this for 5 years.....9 months on, 3 months off every year. He was married and had kids back in Indonesia.
He said even with tips he income would have him eligible for welfare in the US....but by Indonesian standards, he was rich. He planned to work another 2 years....and RETIRE. Yep, he worked 7 years, and was going to retire at age 30.
So he said working 7 days a week, 16 hours a day for 9 months straight for 7 years was no big deal, since he would never have to work again. And he said that is what motivated him to provide the best service for his passengers.......and that he was temporarily away from his family for long periods of time, soon he would be with them all the time.