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Numerous studies have highlighted the high prevalence of anxiety and stress among workers in sectors such as aviation, merchant shipping, and other high-demand professions. However, there remains a notable lack of research specifically addressing the mental health of cruise ship crews, particularly with regard to anxiety disorders.
In recent decades, scientific research has consistently shown that industries with high emotional and physical demands, such as aeronautics and the maritime sector, provide an environment conducive to the development of stress- and anxiety-related disorders. Prolonged exposure to exhausting workdays, social isolation, lack of privacy, and limited control over the work environment are well-documented risk factors for mental health deterioration. For example, studies in the field of aviation have shown that pilots and cabin crew frequently experience work-related stress and other psychological disorders, driven by the intense work pressure and high responsibilities inherent in their roles (Muñoz et al., 1991).
However, despite these findings in related industries, research on anxiety among cruise ship crews remains limited. While aviation has developed specific prevention programs targeting stress and fatigue among pilots and cabin crew, the cruise industry has not yet received similar empirical attention with regard to the psychological well-being of its workforce. The few existing studies in the broader maritime context have focused primarily on the merchant marine and commercial fishing, leaving a significant gap in understanding the unique psychological demands of cruise ship employment, where work dynamics differ considerably.
A significant study on the mental health of seafarers, conducted by Yale University in collaboration with the ITF Seafarers Trust, revealed alarming levels of anxiety and suicide risk among maritime workers, with 17% of participants reporting symptoms of anxiety (ITF Seafarers Trust, 2019).
Furthermore, the literature on occupational and organizational psychology indicates that the combination of high job demands, prolonged periods of isolation, and limited access to stress management resources significantly increases the risk of developing anxiety disorders. In maritime environments, the blurred line between work and personal life, coupled with alienation from support networks and the need to adapt to a highly hierarchical and structured environment, further amplifies these risks. The lack of autonomy and personal control in these contexts is a recognized catalyst for the onset of anxiety symptoms.
Recent research on stress and fatigue among maritime personnel underscores these concerns.
López López (2023) points out that maritime workers face excessive workloads with inadequate rest periods, a circumstance that not only puts their health at risk but also increases the likelihood of maritime accidents.
Furthermore, previous studies on mental health in high-demand sectors, such as healthcare and hospitality, have identified "emotional labor" as a crucial factor that can significantly contribute to increased levels of anxiety and burnout. Emotional labor involves the need for employees to regulate and express specific emotions in the professional sphere, even when these emotions do not reflect their true internal state.
One of the most concerning aspects of this situation is that, unlike workers in land-based industries, cruise ship personnel have very limited access to psychological support resources. In many conventional work environments, human resources departments implement wellness programs and psychological care services to promote employee well-being. However, on cruise ships, these services are often scarce or nonexistent. Psychological assistance is generally unavailable on board, and structured protocols for managing stress, anxiety, or emotional crises are rarely established.
This lack of support is intensified by the lack of private spaces where crew members can disconnect, reflect, or process their emotions without the constant pressure of maintaining a professional image.
According to the ITF Seafarers' Bulletin, maritime workers often face isolation and extreme fatigue, factors that further increase mental health risks (ITF Seafarers Trust, 2020).