How to get a job on the cruise ship can be an exciting and rewarding adventure. Start by researching cruise lines and their available positions, ensuring your skills and experience match their requirements.
Prepare a professional resume and cover letter, highlighting relevant hospitality or maritime experience. Finally, apply through the cruise line’s official website or attend job fairs to increase your chances of being hired.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to get a job on a cruise ship.
Getting a Job on a Cruise Ship is Difficult?
A cruise ship job can be hard to get due to the high competition among people eager to experience life at sea. Cruise ship workers do tend to work long hours, but they often enjoy a unique atmosphere filled with camaraderie among the crew. There are many jobs available on a cruise ship, but getting your foot in the door is the first step.
What Jobs are Available on a Cruise Ship?
Reflect on the jobs you’ve seen on a cruise ship. The obvious roles include ship’s officers, housekeeping staff, waitstaff, deckhands, and entertainers. However, there are many other positions you might not have noticed, such as cosmetologists, photographers, expedition leaders, medical staff, booking agents, and personal trainers.
To get a job on a cruise ship, start by listing your skills and experience. Cruise ships are like floating hotels and often hire from the hospitality sector.
If you have talent or experience in restaurants, bars, or hotels, this will significantly improve your chances of being hired.
Consider the option of securing a cruise ship job near home. Cruise lines operating in U.S. waters must hire American citizens or permanent residents.
“For instance, NCL Pride of America, cruising year-round in Hawaii, and the river and coastal ships of American Cruise Lines, employ U.S. crews to meet the requirements of the Passenger Vessel Services Act, avoiding the necessity of visiting foreign ports.”
Contacting Cruise Lines Directly for Job Opportunities
Carnival and other major cruise lines offer numerous cruise ship jobs. You can find jobs on online job sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn, which often provide direct links for jobs on most of the mainstream cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Holland America, NCL, Princess Cruises, and Virgin Voyages. For luxury line opportunities, check Silversea and Viking Mississippi.
“Jobs with Silversea Expeditions and Virgin Voyages offer unique opportunities within the cruise line industry. These cruise lines employ audio technicians, kayak guides, and slot machine technicians. Many agencies and each cruise line’s website provide details on pay scales and benefits, helping candidates decide on their focus.”
Find Cruise Ship Jobs Through Agencies and Contractors
When applying for jobs with cruise lines, it’s important to prepare a strong CV and consider reaching out to agencies or an agent. These agencies often handle queries and screening for cruise ship vacancies and can assist with interviews and negotiations.
Many cruise lines hire entertainers, such as a dancer or a singer, and may request a video showcasing your work. Intermediaries can provide alerts about changes in hiring processes and ensure your CV reaches the right cruise line.
During holidays like Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, and Passover, there is high demand for entertainers on a cruise ship. Entertainers such as stand-up comedy performers, magic acts, and those who play an instrument can find numerous opportunities.
Working with an agent or manager can help navigate contracts and secure positions with a cruise line. Religious services provided by priests and rabbis are also in demand. The passage at sea offers unique opportunities and an idea to engage in a memorable cruise experience.
Positions in spas, salons, and fitness centers onboard are usually filled by the contractor managing these services. One Spa World handles these roles for more than thirty cruise lines, including Seabourn, Oceania, and Azamara.
Some Essential Qualifications For Working on Cruise Ships
- Must be at least 18 or 21 years old
- Meet language proficiency standards
- Have a valid passport
- Obtain the required visa or work permit
- Complete basic safety training certification
- Pass a medical exam
- Clear a criminal background check
- No visible tattoos or piercings
Each job on a cruise ship has its own specific requirements. Being multilingual will greatly improve your chances, regardless of the position.
“Cruise ships have multinational crews. Many workers are from Southeast Asia, with Royal Caribbean employing over 11,000 Filipinos, as well as numerous Indonesians and Malaysians.”
Cruise lines often hire younger workers, but they also employ older individuals for onboard roles. Working on a cruise ship is challenging and requires crew members to keep a positive and welcoming attitude, which demands high energy levels.
How Do you Apply for a Job on a Cruise Ship?
To apply for cruise ship jobs, you can visit the cruise line’s website and navigate to the careers section. There, you’ll find job advertisements detailing available positions and application instructions.
Typically, you will need to submit a resume and cover letter that highlight your relevant experience. Some cruise lines may direct you to an agency or a hiring partner. These agencies handle cruise ship applications on behalf of the head office. Be sure to follow the provided instructions carefully to ensure your application is processed smoothly.
There are numerous fraudulent companies worldwide that pretend to be part of cruise lines’ human resource departments.
“To verify the legitimacy of a company, visit the official website of the cruise line and look for their list of authorized recruitment partners. If the company’s name is not listed, proceed with caution.”
The Best Jobs on a Cruise Ship
- Captain: In their staterooms, people relax and enjoy their cruise, while the Captain oversees the entire ship and ensures the safety of all on board.
- Cruise Director: The Cruise Director manages entertainers and activities, including the cruise ship kids’ club for kids.
- Doctor: The ship’s doctor, with average monthly earnings of $9,750, handles medical needs.
- Gentleman Host: The Gentleman Host and Youth Staff engage with ladies and kids.
- Stage Hosts: The stage hosts performances that entertain everyone, ensuring nobody feels left out.
- Entertainer: As a singer, dancer, acrobat, or comedian, you’ll enjoy ample free time when not performing on stage.
- Shore Excursions Manager: One of the best perks of this job is experiencing all the shore excursions firsthand before promoting them.
- Bartender: If you love being social and meeting new people, working as a bartender on a cruise ship can be a lot of fun.
- Firefighter: Fires on cruise ships are uncommon, so you’ll mostly focus on inspecting equipment and training the crew in fire safety.
- Hairdresser: It’s very fulfilling to help people look their best for formal nights.
Can You Get A Job on A Cruise Ship With No Experience?
- Galley cleaner: Maintains cleanliness in the kitchens
- Cabin steward: Cleans and tidies passenger cabins
- Bell staff: Assists with luggage, runs errands, and performs cleaning duties
- General cleaner: Ensures public areas are clean
- Potwasher: Responsible for washing dishes
- Bar utility: Cleans and replenishes bar supplies
- Deckhand: Keeps deck areas tidy and arranges deckchairs
- Ordinary seaman: Handles general cleaning and maintenance tasks
- Laundryperson: Launders and irons clothes, bedding, and towels
- Engine wiper: Cleans and maintains machinery and equipment
To work on a cruise ship with no experience or qualifications, start with a cruise ship cleaning job to gain experience. Responsibilities include cleaning cabins, ensuring every door and foot of space is spotless, and maintaining areas from the kitchen to the engine room.
Being thorough and efficient in this position is key, as cleanliness directly impacts passenger satisfaction.
Alternatively, pursue relevant qualifications and work experience in your field of interest. Gain experience by working on yachts, sailboats, or in hotels before applying for your first job on a cruise ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types Of Jobs Are Available On Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships?
Royal Caribbean cruise ship jobs offer opportunities in hospitality, entertainment, technical operations, guest services, and retail. To apply, visit the Royal Caribbean Careers website, browse openings, and submit an online application with your resume and cover letter.
How To Get Hired On Cruise Ship?
To get hired on a cruise ship, research cruise lines and apply online for relevant job openings, tailoring your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills. Be prepared for interviews, complete necessary certifications, and pass medical exams and background checks.
How Hard Is It To Get A Job On A Cruise Ship?
Getting a job on a cruise ship can be challenging due to the high number of applicants and the specific skills needed. To succeed, you need relevant experience, meet the job qualifications, and show enthusiasm and flexibility during the application and interview process.
How To Get A Job On The Cruise Ship?
To get a job on a cruise ship, research cruise lines and job roles, then apply online with a tailored resume and necessary certifications. Network with industry professionals and prepare for interviews, ensuring you have required travel documents and pass medical exams.