Applying for a Job on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Before we discuss the ins and outs of applying for a job on Norwegian cruise lines, here is a bit of information about Norwegian Cruise Lines. Norwegian cruise ships are among the most luxurious cruise ships in the industry today. The Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) fleet includes: Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Majesty, and Norwegian Sun as well as Pride of America, Pride of Hawaii, and Pride of Aloha.

Norwegian cruise ships are famous for the variety and quantity of bars, restaurants, and lounges onboard, as well as large and luxurious staterooms, and varied onboard activities. A good example is Norwegian Gem. This sister ship to Norwegian Pearl features: 12 restaurants (and 24-hour room service), 11 bars and lounges, a four-lane, mood-lit bowling alley, exclusive courtyard villas and garden villas, and inter-connecting staterooms (excellent for families or groups). Besides mood-lit bowling, other onboard activities include: bungee trampoline, yoga, kickboxing, swimming, spinning, shopping, relaxing at the spa, and jogging, to name a few. Norwegian Gems itineraries range from the Bahamas and Florida, to the Caribbean and Europe. This ship also offers one and two-day cruises around New York City! Norwegian cruise ships travel to Alaska, Bermuda, Bahamas and Florida, the Caribbean, Canada & New England, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coastal, the Panama Canal, and South America.

About Norwegian Cruise Line and Freestyle Cruising

Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the world’s top premier cruise lines. This innovative cruise line offers freestyle cruising coupled with luxury amenities for those looking for a little something extra. “Freestyle Cruising” means that passengers have the freedom to choose when to dine, when to dress-up or down, when relax or when to party, and even when to disembark. In a nutshell, what you do and when you do it is 100% up to you.

With Freestyle Cruising, there are no schedules and even the accommodations are flexible. This means, passengers will have their pick of an excellent assortment of accommodation types including: 3-bedroom rooftop Garden Villas, inside staterooms, and large family suites. Now that you know the ins and outs Norwegian Cruise Lines Freestyle Cruising style, it’s time to get to know the ships, and everything else this cruise line is about!

Applying for a Job on Norwegian Cruise Lines

So, how do I apply for a job with this innovative cruise line, you ask? For starters, experience and a certain skill set play an important part in obtaining employment with Norwegian Cruise Lines. This cruise line hires only the best. That said, an energetic personality and fun attitude are important as well as a desire to work with people. Let’s take a look at the different departments and positions on cruise ships.

Jobs on all cruise ships will fall under several categories: Activity/Entertainment Department, Deck & Engineering Department, Service & Hospitality Department, Personal Care Department, and Office Positions.

Jobs in the Activity/Entertainment department are considered some of the most glamorous jobs aboard the ship. These positions deal with anything relating to passenger entertainment. This department includes: DJs, Production Managers, Photographers, Managers, Casino Staff, Host/Hostess and Cruise Consultant, to name a few. Those best suited for jobs in this department are typically enthusiastic and extroverted.

The Deck & Engineering Department is one of the most important departments on the vessel –without it the ship would never set sail. This department is responsible for maintaining and running the vessel. Please note that the positions in this department are not typically entry-level positions, especially on large ships. The department consists of deckhands, maintenance workers, engineers, and officers. These positions help to motor or sail the ship, attend to the physical maintenance needs of the ship, and keep it in accordance with fleet regulations and international maritime laws. Officers are in charge of passenger safety as well.

Staff members in the Service/Hospitality Department or Hotel Management Department have the responsibility of managing the bars & restaurants and passenger cabins, as well as shipboard retail concessions like gift shops. Just a few Service/Hospitality positions include: Hotel Manager, Cabin Stewards/Stewardesses, Accountant, Executive Chef, Wine Steward, Chief Purser, Purser Staff, Chief Purser, Bellman, Pastry Chef and the list goes on and on. Most service positions such as bartenders, waiters and cocktail servers can earn a good amount of extra money from tips.

No cruise would be complete without a department devoted to helping passengers pamper themselves. The Personal Care Department includes spa, fitness, beauty and medical services. It helps manage hair stylists, manicurists, massage therapists, fitness instructors, beauty therapists, spa attendants, nurses and physicians all dedicated to the well-being of passengers.

Most office positions are onshore — employees typically work in the main office performing administrative tasks, arranging cruises or performing general office tasks. Office positions generally fall under the following categories: Accounting, Administrative/Clerical, Air Operations, Marketing/PR and Reservations/Sales.

When you are ready to apply for a position, visit Norwegian Cruise Lines OFFICIAL website at www.ncl.com. Norwegian Cruise Lines has a career center/job postings page.

Once you locate the job listing you’re interested in, it is important to follow the application procedure to the letter. Applicants that do not follow directions are typically passed over in favor of those that do. If the cruise line does not list any job openings on its site, send a polished cover letter and resume to the cruise lines Human Resources Department. The Human Resources Department is typically located at the cruise lines headquarters. This information is usually listed on the cruise line website. It is important to include the position you are interested in so that it can be directed to the appropriate department manager.

For more information about jobs on other cruise ships visit Cruise Ship Jobs online. Here, you can download the 2010 cruise ship employment guide; you can read through cruise line profiles; you can find out which ships are hiring and for what positions — and you can even apply for a cruise ship job right online.