What It's Like to Be a Priest Living and Working on a Cruise Ship

Photo byOSV News/Father Reynolds

Father Bill Reynolds, a retired priest from Davenport, Iowa, has spent the last quarter-century ministering to passengers and crew members aboard cruise ships.

Davenport is a city located in the Midwest on the Mississippi River, known for its rich history and vibrant culture.

According to AngelUSNews, Reynolds' journey began in the late 1990s when he was still in active ministry. After attending Mass on a personal cruise, he was inspired by the priest who presided and decided to explore maritime ministry.

Since then, he has served as a priest/chaplain on various cruise lines, providing spiritual guidance and comfort to those who call the sea their home.

"I feel a special commitment to the crew members because many of them work on the weekends," Reynolds said. "Crew members usually cannot get to church, so we take the church to them."

His dedication to serving the crew has earned him praise from his colleagues and the passengers he ministers to.

Doreen Badeaux, secretary-general for the Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America, is one of those who admire Reynolds' work.

"He's fantastic," she said. "He's very pastoral and fatherly and very kind."

Badeaux recalled an incident in March 2023 when Reynolds was serving on a Holland America Line cruise ship that experienced an engine room explosion.

Despite the tragedy, which claimed the lives of two crew members, Reynolds remained calm and provided support to the passengers and crew.

Reynolds' maritime ministry extends beyond providing spiritual guidance. He has also conducted burials at sea, a solemn and meaningful ceremony that requires careful planning and preparation.

"I travel with my laptop, which has the Catholic burial rite on it, so I can readily respond to such requests," he told The Catholic Messenger.

The ceremony typically takes place in a quiet area of the promenade deck, with a small gathering of family, friends, and ship staff.

Reynolds' work has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, he received a heartfelt message of gratitude from a widower whose wife's cremated remains he had buried at sea.

The widower wrote, "More than you know, my gratitude to you for your service is immense. I deeply appreciate the supplications that you made to our Lord Jesus Christ on dear Lynn Mack's behalf." Reynolds was deeply touched by the message, which he sees as a testament to the importance of having a priest on cruise ships to assist the needs of passengers and crew, regardless of their religious affiliation.

The Apostleship of the Sea of the USA is a Catholic maritime ministry organization that facilitates the cruise ship priest program.

Badeaux said the organization is always looking for more priests to join their ranks and is working to raise awareness among cruise lines about the importance of having a priest onboard.