The cruise ship segment of the hospitality industry is growing. According to Cruise Market Watch, cruise lines added seven new ships in 2015, increasing total passenger capacity by 18,813. Fifteen new cruise ships are scheduled to launch from 2016 to 2017, which will accommodate another 39,637 passengers.

With every addition, new crew members are needed to handle the increasing workload. From shop and boutique staff to production managers and assistants, job opportunities on cruise ships are varied and plentiful. Whether you’re interested in a career as a cruise director, deck clerk, chef, bartender, laundry steward, IT officer, paramedic, or staff photographer, here are five reasons you should work on a cruise ship this summer.

1. You want to travel the world – for less

Travelling can be expensive. Unless you’re going somewhere you have family or friends, you have to pay for accommodations. Then there’s the cost of food and beverages. Even if you find a place to stay where you have access to a kitchen, three meals a day can take a big bite out of your travel budget.

Unless you’re working on a cruise ship, that is. Room and board is included in your compensation. And while you’ll spend a lot of time on duty, most crewmembers have an opportunity to explore each port. With hundreds of cruise destinations from which to choose, you can easily see the world without breaking the bank.

2. You want to pay down your debt

While cruise ship jobs are not among the highest-paid hospitality opportunities, they make it extremely easy for their crewmembers to save money. In addition to room and board, you can cross utility bills off your list of worries when you spend your summer working on a cruise ship. You’ll need to spend a little on incidentals, but most employers will give you discounted prices on toiletries when you shop at the onboard crew store. This will leave you with plenty of cash to put towards student loan payments and credit card debts.

3. You want to make new friends

Cruise ships are like floating cities staffed with tens of thousands of professionals from all over the world. At Princess Cruises, for example, your coworkers will include individuals from over 70 different countries. You’ll likely share a room with one of them and get to know many of your fellow crewmembers very well. This will give you the opportunity to learn about different cultures from your teammates as well as your exploration of the ports you visit

4. You love to stay busy

If Netflix binge-watching or sleeping until noon sounds like your worst nightmare, you’ll enjoy life on a cruise ship. Crewmembers are scheduled to work every day of their contracts—which can be anywhere from four- to nine-months long. When you’re not on the clock, most cruise ship employers provide entertainment and activities to help you unwind. These may include everything from port tours and deck parties to barbeques and sports competitions. You’ll also have access to crew gyms, pools and lounges

5. You want to gain hospitality experience

After your summer on the cruise ship, you’ll take the skills you developed on board back to the “real world.” They can help you secure a job at a hotel, resort, restaurant, or another hospitality establishment on land. Or, you may choose to sign another contract and keep working your way up the cruise ship ladder, advancing your opportunities with each trip.