The focus of this study is to concentrate on service employees in the hotel department of cruise ships — the most important group of workers in a customer-oriented environment and yet the most challenged of all employees as they are responsible for satisfying the customers’ expectation (Bardi, 2003; Randal & Senior, 1996; Testa, 1999). Therefore, any information and insights that con- tribute to the understanding of motivation and experi- ences of service employees on cruise ships could enhance the service quality in the industry.