Cruise Line Employment

Is Cruise Line Employment for Me?

Working on a cruise ship is not a life of endless tropical getaways, luxury accommodations, and sumptuous meals. In fact, it can be a job full of lengthy shifts, drudgery, and disillusionment as crew members learn just what goes on behind the scenes of exotic cruise vacations. Cruise line employment is suitable for many people, however, including individuals who:

• Enjoy travel and may be studying travel-related programs
• Have fewer ties to specific locations or are used to a wandering lifestyle
• Can be economical with their possessions and time management
• Thrive on working with people in a service capacity
• Don’t mind working erratic shifts with few or no days off for long stretches

On the other hand, working on a cruise ship is not the best choice for people who:

• May be susceptible to motion sickness
• Are claustrophobic or cannot become accustomed to living in tight spaces
• Would rather work by themselves on individual projects
• Work best with predictable patterns and consistent schedules

Even if cruise line employment seems like a good match for your personality, it is best to consider the overall lifestyle of crew members before committing to a lengthy contract.

Living and Working on a Cruise Ship

Bartenders need to know how to mix a wide variety of drinks.

Cruise ship life is far different for crew members than for guests. While passenger cabins are well-appointed, crew cabins are far smaller and only offer basic amenities. They are also multi-occupancy: crew members invariably have one or more roommates. The crew areas of the ship are typically sparse and isolated from the glamorous public areas of the floating resort, though there are crew parties, social events, and contests to liven up the below-decks areas.

The vast majority of job positions involve dealing with the passengers, whether you are part of the housekeeping staff, an entertainer, a photographer, or a bartender. While many people enjoy working with others, be aware that as a member of a cruise ship’s crew, you will be responsible for making passengers’ vacations memorable and enjoyable – your behavior, attitude, and public relations skills will continually be scrutinized. One surly response or curt reaction could result in a reprimand and potential dismissal. If you are not willing to work long shifts (often 12+ hours each day) while everyone around you is on vacation, cruise ship employment is not for you.

On the surface, wages for cruise employees seem lower than for similar land-based resorts or jobs. Before rejecting a position based on finances alone, however, consider that your room and board is paid. This makes cruise wages highly competitive and potentially lucrative when compared to wages for similar land-based jobs, particularly if you are adept at saving money while working.

Why You Should Stay Ashore

Cruise line employment may seem desirable, but even if you feel it may be the job for you, there are other reasons to consider staying ashore. If you have strong connections to family and friends, you may not want to set sail for months at a time (contracts are typically 6-10 months long with little time off). While it may be an exciting opportunity, the only fields that regard cruise ship jobs as suitable experience later in life are directly related to travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, depending on what type of position you held – if you are hoping to be a computer programmer, for example, working on a cruise ship may not be an impressive bullet point on your resume. Finally, a cruise ship job is a true commitment – if after a week you decide it isn’t the job for you, you may find yourself and your luggage put ashore thousands of miles from home with no assistance to make your way back. In that case, it would be far better for you to thoroughly consider the consequences of working on a cruise ship before setting sail.

Finding Cruise Line Employment

If you do feel that a cruise ship job is the right one for you, the first step is to prepare for the task. Employment candidates with certain skills are often hired first, and potential crew members should consider investigating:

• Learning another language, particularly one useful on major ship itineraries
• Obtaining CPR and first aid certifications, especially if you wish to work with children
• Taking classes in travel, tourism, and public relations, and obtaining a degree or certification if possible
• Getting related experience in land-based jobs, such as being a photographer, bartender, waiter, housekeeper, child counselor, or other field similar to the position you wish to have onboard
• Taking cruises to become familiar with ports of call and the other side on onboard life

Once you have prepared a resume, investigate the different cruise lines to determine which you’d rather work with. A Carnival ship is far different from a Celebrity ship, for example, and you will have a better experience if you feel comfortable in the ship’s atmosphere. Most cruise lines hire through employment agencies rather than directly, and you can improve your chances of a job offer by fully meeting their application requirements.

Working on a cruise ship and taking cruise vacations are far different experiences, but by being candid about life onboard a cruise ship and whether or not cruise line employment will work for you, it is possible to discover a fascinating and rewarding job sailing the high seas.

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