Cruise ship employees share several common character traits. They have a passion for travel and adventure and they enjoy working with people. If this sounds like you, then there are a number of cruise ship employment opportunities available to you. Before we discuss the opportunities available, there are a few things that you should keep in mind about the cruise industry and the hiring process.
Because the cruise industry is a seasonal industry for the most part, cruise lines typically have a high turnover. So, individuals looking for jobs on cruise lines can always count on an interesting mix of cruise ship employment opportunities aboard some of the world’s most exciting cruise ships. Whether you’re a highly skilled chef, a singer or you’re interested in becoming a becoming a member of the technical crew, the hiring process is still the same — complicated, fairly strict, and quite competitive. But once you make it through the hiring process, the rewards are truly great.
Before you begin searching for cruise ship employment, it is important to figure out exactly what kind of position you want to shoot for. Keep in mind that there are literally dozens of cruise ship employment opportunities on available and they typically fall into the following categories: 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.
Cruise ship jobs in the activity/entertainment department are considered some of the most glamorous cruise ship employment opportunities aboard the ship. These positions deal with anything relating to passenger entertainment and are often synonymous with “cruise staff.” This department includes: DJ’s, 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.
Other cruise ship employment opportunities can be found onshore and these consist of office positions. 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 ship employment opportunities, visit: Cruise Ship Jobs online. Here, you can download the most recent 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. Good luck!