Cruise Ship Employment Opportunities
From LoveToKnow Cruises
People who love to travel may find themselves considering cruise ship employment opportunities. There is no shortage of jobs for people who want to live and work on the high seas.
Types of Cruise Ship Employment Opportunities
There are many different types of cruise ship jobs. To get any of them, it is recommended that a person have at least one year of experience in a similar, or at least related, position. Some are more competitive than others.
Hospitality Positions
People in these positions have the most direct contact with the passengers on the ship. They make sure their stays are as comfortable as possible and help the cruise line keep them coming back for repeat voyages.
Jobs in this line of work include:
- Room stewards
- Cleaning and housekeeping staff
- Gift shop, golf shop and casino attendants
- Excursion and customer service desk attendants
- Special event directors
- Babysitters
- Photographers
- Equipment rental desk operators
Food Service Positions
People in these positions work in either the fancy restaurants on the ship or in the more low-key snack bars and buffet areas. Since most ships serve food 24 hours a day, hours can be very long, depending on the job.
Jobs in this field include:
- Wait staff
- Chefs and sous chefs
- Dining room hosts
- Bartenders
- Dish washers
Entertainment Positions
People who work in cruise entertainment often work shorter hours than other ship employees. However, they don’t only work during performances. They also have to attend several rehearsals.
Jobs in the entertainment field include:
- Singers
- Dancers
- Choreographers
- Emcees
- Magicians
- Disc Jockeys
Personal Care Positions
Most larger cruise ships feature spas and fitness centers. These facilities need staff to keep patrons looking and feeling their best.
These positions include:
- Masseuses
- Nail technicians
- General beauticians
- Fitness instructors
- Personal trainers
- Salon operators
Cruise ships also need medical personnel on staff in case passengers become sick or injured.
Deck Staff Positions
People who prefer working behind the scenes and have some technical knowledge may be interested in deck staff positions. While cruise ships may seem to glide on the water effortlessly, it takes a lot of hands to keep massive vessels afloat.
Deck staff positions include:
- Deck officers
- Engineer officers
- Safety personnel
- Ship captains
Finding a Job
One of the easiest ways to find cruise ship employment opportunities is online. It’s best to apply directly through a specific cruise line site instead of using one of the omnibus cruise ship jobs sites, many of which charge for their services. In addition, it's wise to send in a resume highlighting your experience as well as the cruise ship company's official application. (Note: It's better to apply for a specific job instead of saying you will take any position.)
If English is not your native language do not be alarmed. Cruise ship operators recruit individuals from around the world. However, if you do not speak English fluently you are less likely to be considered for a job in the entertainment or customer service fields, though that doesn’t mean you can’t get promoted later.
Additional Considerations
Working on a cruise ship is not all about having fun. Cruise ship jobs require a lot of hard work. Some drawbacks include long hours, little time to yourself, cramped quarters, difficulties in communicating with family and friends at home, and dealing with people who do not tip. The stress of working on the ship and not being able to leave at the end of the day also contributes to high turnover.
While those who love to travel and meet new people could really benefit from cruise ship employment opportunities, it’s important to take some time to consider the pros and cons before accepting a job offer.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 766 times. This page was last modified 16:03, 18 July 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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