Has it been your dream to work on a cruise ship and you’re out of an idea of how to go about it? You don’t need to worry anymore because, in this article, we’ve listed all the information you need to know about working on a cruise ship.
Work on a Cruise Ship
Cruise line businesses are continually striving to create improved ships. This means that the number of options for people who want to work at sea is growing.
You can find these opportunities in a variety of settings, including lodging, bartending, and fitness, as well as entertainment, daycare, and retail.
Why Work on a Cruise Ship?
The most obvious benefit of working on a cruise ship is the opportunity to travel the world.
As an on-board member of staff, you’ll see far-flung destinations such as the Caribbean. Also, like South America, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia.
Costs such as accommodation and food are taken care of. As you’re usually on board ship for at least six months of the year, it’s easier to save money without rent or other living costs to pay for.
And whatever you earn, you keep a disposable income.
Another advantage is the connections you make when working onboard. You’ll meet a variety of people from all backgrounds. You can forge new friendships and make international contacts that will come in useful during your career.
What Jobs are on Offer?
‣ Accommodation Staff: Laundry workers, cleaners, and stewards are among the positions available. These are for students and graduates interested in the hospitality industry.
‣ Bar, restaurant, and kitchen staff: The former is best for people who have worked in a bar before, especially if it entails preparing cocktails. Cruise companies also demand experienced wait personnel and expert chefs.
‣ Casino Staff: Working in the ship’s casino could be a terrific option if you’re an experienced croupier.
‣ Deck and engine room: These are in charge of the upkeep and, as a result, passenger safety. These occupations may benefit from language skills. Engineers with a degree or experience in the field will be well-suited for these positions.
‣ Entertainment Staff: These professions are suitable for graduates who can dance, sing, host, or are qualified swimming instructors. This is one of the most competitive pathways.
Check Out The Cruise Companies Can I Work for.
What Qualifications do I Need?
Because cruise ship jobs are so competitive, whatever relevant qualifications or work experience you can include on your CV will help you stand out to potential employers.
The type and amount of required qualifications vary depending on the position and the cruise line to which you are applying. The prerequisites for entry differ depending on the cruise line, so do your homework before applying.
Employers prefer degrees and professional credentials because they reflect a high level of expertise in an industry where exceptional customer service is critical.
To work in IT, administration, or medicine, you’ll almost certainly require at least a bachelor’s degree.
Qualification for the Chef, Beauty Therapist, Accommodation, Restaurant, and Bar Staff
If you want to work as a chef, beauty therapist, personal trainer, or nanny, you should have professional qualifications.
Staff in hotels, bars, and restaurants, as well as entertainers, are often required to have prior experience in a similar position.
It is possible to gain a job aboard a cruise ship with no qualifications or experience, but you must work your way up from the bottom.
It is possible to gain a job aboard a cruise ship with no qualifications or experience, but you must work your way up from the bottom.
Cruise Ship Jobs: Onboard Hierarchy
Officer Positions
Deck Officers, Technical Officers, and Hotel Managers are in this category. Hotel Directors, Cruise Directors, Human Resources Managers, and others are examples of hotel managers and related officers.
In addition, several entry-level posts onboard promote officer status. Pursers (Hotel Front Desk), Cruise Activities Staff, and Entertainers are examples of these positions.
Staff Category
Non-supervisory/non-managerial staff in the following divisions are in this category. Retail/Gift Shop, Photo/Video, Spa/Salon, Casino, Youth Activities Staff, Production Staff, Entertainment Staff, and occasionally Cruise Activities Staff.
Crew Category
Crews from the ship’s biggest departments frequently fall into this category. All Housekeeping personnel, food, and Beverage personnel, and Security Patrolmen, for example.
How to Get Promoted on a Cruise Ship
One of the best aspects of working aboard a cruise ship is that advancement is not determined by seniority.
Mid-term and end-of-contract evaluations are used to make advancements. Taking part in Career Path Transfer Programs, professional development courses, and registered work shadowing can all help crew members advance in their careers?
Most new-hire personnel will begin at the crew or staff level before progressing to the supervisory/managerial or officer level.
Good news: based on your work success, promotions can happen soon! It may also occur because of the ever-increasing number of new ships introduced to cruise ship fleets each year.
The Pros of Cruise Ship Work
1. New People, Cultures
The hotel crew, of which you will be a part, does not interact with the passengers on the ship. The hotel personnel and crew members have their own dining and amusement rooms on board.
These are the people you’ll be interacting with daily. Cruise ships are like floating international hotels, and the crew is often global, with only a few Europeans.
The crew of a ship is usually between 25 and 30 people. The hotel personnel will number between 800 and 1,000 people. That means you’ll get the chance to meet new individuals as well as learn about other cultures.
2. Cheap Adventure
You travel and get paid. Sometimes to tourist destinations to which everyone travels, sometimes to places off the beaten path.
Your living expenses are minimal. You won’t spend money on utilities. The ship has generators that provide virtually unlimited power. The cost of your cabin and groceries is less than it is onshore.
Working at sea also provides a unique job experience. If you work in the food and beverage industry, cruise line experience can prove invaluable in future employment.
3. Experience Brilliant Weather, Sunsets, and Views
If you are from a country with chilly winters, working aboard a cruise ship may be a good way to experience the sun and mild temperatures of the Caribbean, Hawaii, Australia, French Polynesia, or Central America.
Many memories await those who work aboard cruise ships, including sunsets at sea, traveling past Alaska’s glaciers, and transiting the Panama Canal.
4. Fun and Friendships
You will encounter a diverse group of people from all around the world, and these foreign colleagues will become lifelong friends.
Consider how much time you spend with the same folks at work and at home. Many deep relationships are created, and many unforgettable experiences. This includes many love connections that develop because of naval living.
5. Long Vacation
Cruise ship crews enjoy long vacations despite not being paid. Depending on your employment, your work schedule or rotation will vary. But you should plan on taking at least a two-month vacation at the end of your contract.
While many crews return home to see their families and friends, others choose to travel frequently with companions they met onboard.
6. Accumulate Frequent Flier Airmiles
Although the firm that you work for pays for your flights to and from the ship, crew members have the option to earn airmiles. They can exchange Airmiles from some airlines for gift cards.
Cons of Working on Cruise Ships
1. Long Hours and no Days off
Crew members are often required to work an 11-hour day for three to nine months daily.
Although crew members rarely have full days off, they frequently use their free time to watch movies. Also to hang out with friends, sunbathe on deck, or go ashore.
2. On-Call 24/7
They assigned every member of the crew an emergency task, which they must complete in the event of an emergency.
The crew must report to their “crew alert station” in the event of a fire or other issue onboard.
Day or night, this may happen. There are also necessary crew drills and continuing training that may take place during your free time.
3. Lack of Privacy
Most will expect crew members to share a small cabin and bathroom with another crew member, except for some cruise ship jobs.
Your cabin mate may or may not be a coworker, and they may or may not be a person of a different nationality than you.
4. Possibility of Seasickness
The cruise ship may face terrible weather and powerful waves at any point during your contract, making you seasick. Some members of the team are more prone to it, while others have learned to manage it.
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How do I Get a Cruise Ship Job?
To begin with, you must be 21 years old or older. You’ll also need a valid passport, a clean criminal background, and English language skills besides the required qualifications.
Most large cruise companies hire through recruiting agencies. So research and understand the agency’s application procedures before applying.
They made most applications using a CV and cover letter, or by filling out a form. You must personalize your application to the unique role, just as you would for any other job.
As there may be hundreds of people applying for each post, attempt to stand out and be sure to include any relevant expertise.
In most cases, you’ll be expected to submit a photograph with your application for opportunities in the entertainment industry.
But once you have a taste of life on board, it’s difficult not to return contract after contract with possibilities and experiences, unlike any other work.
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