What is it really like to leave home, step aboard a ship, and build a life on the oceans?
For some, it’s a short adventure. For others, it becomes a career spanning decades. For many, it becomes a defining chapter of their lives.
Ship Life brings together the voices of crew members from around the world, sharing honest, personal accounts of life at sea aboard both cargo and cruise ships.
Ship Life
The untold stories of living and working at sea
What is it really like to leave home, step aboard a ship, and build a life on the oceans?
For some, it’s a short adventure. For others, it becomes a career spanning decades. For many, it becomes a defining chapter of their lives.
Ship Life brings together the voices of crew members from around the world, sharing honest, personal accounts of life at sea aboard both cargo and cruise ships.
Most maritime books are either technical career guides or travel memoirs. Ship Life sits somewhere in between—a collection of lived experiences from real crew members, documenting not just the work, but the human side of an industry that most people only see from the passenger deck.
Inside these pages you’ll discover stories of:
- ⚓ First contracts and lifelong careers
- ⚓ Life behind the scenes in departments across the ship
- ⚓ Adventure, challenge, growth, and resilience
- ⚓ Friendships, family, love, and relationships at sea
- ⚓ Returning home and building a life beyond the gangway
From hospitality teams and entertainers to deck officers and captains, each contributor offers a unique glimpse into a world rarely seen by passengers and often misunderstood by those on shore.
Whether you’re considering a career at sea, preparing for your first contract, supporting someone who works on ships, or simply fascinated by life beyond the horizon, Ship Life offers an authentic window into the realities of living and working on the world’s oceans.
Because ship life is about far more than the places you visit.
It’s about the people you meet, the experiences that shape you, and the journey that stays with you long after you return to land.
To order a signed paperback copy, please get in touch here.
OUR MISSION
To provide an honest, balanced, and human insight into life at sea through the voices of those who have lived it.
By sharing real experiences from crew members across the maritime industry, we aim to help aspiring seafarers make informed decisions, prepare for the realities of shipboard life, and feel better equipped for the journey ahead.
We also hope to support those embarking on their first contract by offering reassurance, perspective, and a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges that life at sea can bring.
Is Ship Life Right for You?
Whether you’re considering your first contract, exploring a maritime career, or simply curious about life beyond the horizon, Ship Life offers a unique window into the world of working and living at sea.
Through authentic stories from crew members around the globe, you’ll discover:
⚓ Ships & Experience
Experiences from both cargo and cruise ships, ranging from first contracts to careers spanning more than 40 years at sea.
⚓ Life On Board
Insights from a wide variety of departments, including hospitality, entertainment, engineering, deck officers, and captains.
⚓ Relationships At Sea & Beyond
Stories of friendship, family, romance, personal growth, returning home, and life after the sea.
⚓ The Reality of Ship Life
The highs, the lows, the challenges, the opportunities, and the lessons learned along the way.
Follow our individual journeys and gain an authentic understanding of what it truly means to build a life at sea.
Because the decision to work on ships isn’t just about a job—it’s about a lifestyle, an adventure, and for many, a life-changing journey.
The question is… is ship life really for you?
Start Your Ship Life Journey
Read the first two chapters or listen to the first three chapters for FREE.
Considering a career at sea?
Get a taste of what ship life is really like with two complimentary chapters from Ship Life.
Inside, you’ll discover authentic stories, practical insights, and first-hand experiences from crew members who have lived and worked aboard cargo and cruise ships around the world.
To receive your free chapters, simply email:
michelle@shiplife.co.uk
Signed Copies only £14.99
If you’d like a personally signed paperback edition of Ship Life, we’d love to hear from you.
Order yours today.
What Readers Are Saying
“A thorough, practical and highly readable guide for anyone considering a career aboard a cruise ship.”
“Interesting, insightful and informative — a must-read before committing to working at sea.”
“Seeing it as a finished book was incredible. I couldn’t put it down. Reading the experiences of people from different departments, both cargo and cruise ships, was fascinating. Having contributions from senior officers and captains added another dimension entirely. Michelle has created something genuinely valuable for anyone considering ship life.”
— T, Australia (Crew Member)
Additional international reviews can be found on Amazon and Goodreads.
Join The Conversation
Ship Life is more than a book—it’s a community of people connected by a shared experience of life at sea.
Whether you’re a current crew member, former seafarer, cadet, officer, entertainer, or someone considering your first contract, we’d love to hear your story.
Connect with us, share your experiences, and become part of the Ship Life community.
To purchase a signed paperback, get in touch here.
Let’s connect
Feel free to get in touch or join our community on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to hear about your stories and journey.