If you’re interested in cruise line employment, the first thing to remember is that it’s not as easy as it looks to secure a position. In fact, jobs on cruise lines are some of the most competitive positions in the travel industry. Cruise line employment has numerous benefits and many of these benefits can only be enjoyed on a cruise ship. Think about it, what other position within the travel industry offers plenty of fresh air, spectacular views of the ocean, and recreation, as well as numerous places to eat, shop, relax and be entertained? All under one roof! And as a cruise line employee, you will have the opportunity to visit several exciting and/or exotic locations — all in one trip.
Of course, you can only enjoy the ships numerous amenities and activities when you’re not on the clock, but even during your shift, you will have the opportunity to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and the sea — all while working and interacting with passengers from all walks of life.
Because the cruise industry is seasonal, cruise lines typically have a high turnover. So, individuals looking for cruise line employment can count on an interesting mix of job openings aboard some of the world’s most exciting cruise ships. It is important to keep in mind that the hiring process for most cruise lines can be complicated, strict, and again, extremely competitive. But once you make it through the hiring process, the rewards are truly great.
Before you begin your search, keep in mind that there are there are literally dozens of cruise line jobs and they fall under a number of different departments. These include: Activity/Entertainment Department, Deck & Engineering Department, Service & Hospitality Department, Personal Care Department, and Office Positions. One of the nicest perks, no matter what department you plan to work in, is in most cases, all standard living expenses are covered including room, food, health coverage, etc., which means the majority of your earnings can be saved. Compensation varies depending on position, the cruise line, etc.
Positions within the activity/entertainment department are considered some of the most glamorous jobs aboard the ship. These positions deal with anything relating to passenger entertainment and are often synonymous with cruise staff. This department includes: DJs Production Managers, Photographers, Managers, Casino Staff, Host/Hostess, and Cruise Consultants, 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 jobs in this department are not typically entry-level cruise line jobs, especially on larger 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.
Considered the Hotel Management Department, staff members in these cruise lines jobs 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 jobs on cruise lines include: Hotel Manager, Cabin Steward/ess, Accountant, Executive Chef, Wine Steward, 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.
If you want to be a part of the cruise travel industry, but you don’t want to spend any time at sea, you can find cruise line employment in the area of office or administrative positions. 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.
For more information about cruise line employment or to apply for a cruise line position visit Cruise Ship Jobs . Here, you can download the most recent cruise line 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. Good luck!