Small Ship Cruise Employment

Small ship cruise employment is ideal for those who enjoy traveling on the high seas, but rather not work for large mass-market cruise companies that make you feel more like a number than a member of the family.

Small cruise ships have tight-knit crews.

If you crave big dinners, extravagant shows, and large casinos, then a small ship cruise may not be for you. Small ship cruise lines typically carry less than 500 passengers per vessel and do not provide the same glitz and glamor as traditional large cruise ships that often double as floating cities. Rather, small ship companies specialize in providing passengers with individualized attention.

The most popular small ship cruise options include:

• Luxury yacht adventures
• Masted sailing ship cruises
• River cruises
• Paddlewheelers/Steamboats

Small ship cruises are designed for people looking for intimate adventures. Traveling on a smaller size ship means you are able to access ports that larger cruise vessels cannot. In addition, small ships provide unprecedented personalized attention by a smaller, yet devoted staff. With large cruise ship companies, passengers tend to experience similar itineraries and service among a vast fleet of vessels that only differ in regards to decor and quality of food. Conversely, because of their size, small ship cruise companies are able to offer passengers unparallel care in a unique environment.

Small ship cruise employment is your ticket to adventure.

Since small cruise ship companies don't need as many employees as larger corporations in the industry, they tend to be a bit more selective when hiring workers. What’s more, the types of positions they are looking to fill are a bit more specialized than those offered on larger cruise ships.

The following is a sampling of small cruise ship employment opportunities:

• Captain: Responsible for overseeing all crew members and operations on the vessel. Captains also assist in the training of staff and inspecting the vessel and its components. In addition, captains are also responsible for interacting with passengers at certain onboard functions.

• First Mate: Responsible for supervising and coordinating activities on deck and for assisting in piloting, navigation, safety, first aid, cleanliness and small boat operations.

• Engineer: Duties include maintaining and repairing all of the vessel’s electrical and mechanical systems. Engineers are also responsible for keeping the ship’s maintenance records and inventories.

• Cruise Director/Purser: Responsible for coordinating all passenger activities both on board the vessel and in each port. Also, handles public relations for the ship.

• Chef: Responsible for coordinating meal service for guests and ship’s crew, including food preparation, inventory, menu planning, cleaning, training, food ordering and storage.

• Steward: Duties include dining room set-up and service of all meals. Stewards are also responsible for washing dishes and cleaning up the galley. In addition, stewards also clean the guest cabins on a daily basis, including making beds, vacuuming and cleaning the bathrooms.

• Deckhand: Responsibilities include painting, sweeping, window washing and vacuuming as well as luggage handling, participating in docking and anchoring maneuvers and line handling.

• Presenters: Presenters enhance guest experiences by sharing interesting facts. They also act as historians, naturalists, and guides on shore excursions. This position often appeals to retired professors and journalists who have knowledge of specific cruise destinations.

There are a number of similarities involved in securing employment on small cruise ships and larger commercial vessels. For example, cruise companies (regardless of size) tend to hire individuals who are:

• At least 18 years old
• Enthusiastic
• Outgoing
• Passionate about traveling
• Team players
• Personable
• Excellent at guest service relations
• Organized
• Professional
• Physically able to lift and carry objects of moderate to heavy weight, such as luggage and/or equipment

Working on board a small cruise ship is fun, but it is also hard work. The pace is quick, the hours are long, and you can't go home at the end of the day. All crew members are required to work an average of 12 hours per day. However, since you are working in relatively tight quarters, you will have the opportunity to get to know your co-workers quite well, and in most cases you can form lasting friendships with fellow crew members. Additional compensation for your hard labor includes:

• Paid training
• Free meals
• Free room and board
• Cruise discounts for friends and family members
• Meeting new people

Most small ship companies allow job applicants to submit their resumes online. The following are some of the most reputable websites devoted to helping individuals secure work on small cruise ships:

• CruiseShipJob.com
• CruiseLinesJbs.com
• CruiseJobFinder.com
• SmallShipCruises.com

• Thanksgiving Cruises
• 3 Day Cruise Packages
• Princess Cruise Lines

• Adults Only Cruise Ships
• Cruise Ship Cabins
• Royal Caribbean Cruises
• Cruise Ship Formal Nights
• Carnival Cruise Line

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• Main Page
• Cruise Ship Statistics
• Cruise Ship Jobs
• Carnival Cruise Line Employment