Work on a cruise ship

A job working on a cruise ship at any of the cruise lines has a lot to offer. If you see yourself as the adventurous type - someone who wants to get out, see the world, meet people, and experience new sights and sounds. It's people like you who are perfectly suited to employment in the cruise line industry!

Maritime Careers

There is a large variety of jobs on a cruise ship. There is a good chance that a job that you have had in the past will give you enough experience to perform a number of the jobs onboard a cruise ship. Some examples include: previous jobs at hotels, restaurants, bars, night clubs, casinos, gift stores, boutiques, grocery stores, convenience stores, health clubs, beauty salons, coffee shops, and just about any hospitality related job.

Is a Cruise ship job for You?

Working on a cruise ship is an experience that you never forget. However, before you apply, you must realise that most jobs on cruise liners are very difficult and demanding. There are certain pros and cons which should be considered.

If you work on a cruise ship, you travel to many attractive destinations and see interesting places. Although you spend most of the time aboard, there are some chances to go ashore and see the sites. You meet people from all over the world and may forge some enduring friendships.

You can earn quite a lot of money. Since you do not have many opportunities to spend the money aboard, ou can easily save most of it. You get free accommodation and food. Moreover, you don’t have to pay the utility bills.

Sometimes working aboard a cruise ship has nothing to do with entertaining passengers, visiting faraway shores, or relaxing during your free time. You will work long hours – 12 or 14 hours a day, 7 days a week.

International law, fleet regulations, and a rich maritime tradition mandate that life at sea be quite different from life onshore. Government and fleet regulations require constant safety and general emergency drills. Sanitation standards are applied with an almost religious zeal. The captain of the ship has ultimate authority. He or she may remove or detain any crew member for any reason deemed necessary.

Sailing the Mighty Seas

The ocean itself is unpredictable. Even in the balmy Caribbean, swells can continue for weeks on end. Many new crew members are surprised by how much a ship bounces once it hits the open water. Ironically, rough seas and the regimen of maritime traditions are often more alluring to employees than the travel and entertainment aspects of the cruise industry. When it comes down to it, salt spray in the wind and orders from the captain are what going to sea is all about. Working on a ship will give you a sense of team participation that can't be replicated on land. Working on a cruise ship is less a job and more a way of life.

Cruise Ship Staff Living Conditions

Accommodation for the cruise staff is very modest. Two people or more share a small cabin and a bathroom. On the larger cruise ships, most cabins are situated on one of the lower decks and they do not have windows. You have to give up some of your habits and get used to those of your roommates'.

Cruise line staff can use the various leisure facilities on most ships, such as the gym, fitness centre, swimming pool, bar and meeting room. These facilities are only for the staff. Most employees do not socialise with the passengers during their free time. They are not allowed to use the facilities for the passengers. Food for the crew gets mixed reviews from most employees. On the large ships, the crew almost always has their own mess hall.

How do you get a job on a cruise line?

One way is simply through word of mouth; it's good to know someone that has worked for a cruise line because they should have information to help. Another way is through hiring agents that assist cruise lines to recruit prospective employees.

Recruitment Agents for Cruise Line Jobs

Most major cruise lines have their own recruitment agents established in particular regions of the world. The recruitment agents will conduct interviews and also check your references. They will also do orientation and training. They do not charge any upfront fees, they earn their fee after you have been accepted for a position.

Hiring agents will run advertisements in the classifieds. These are always job-specific in that they will advertise for an existing opening, such as a cook or waiter.