Hawaii Jobs on Cruise Ships

While Hawaii jobs on cruise ships are not easy to come by, they are not impossible to obtain. Cruise lines typically have a high turnover, so job seekers can always count on an interesting mix of job openings aboard some of the world’s most exciting cruise ships. Whether you’re a highly skilled chef, an entertainer or a bartender or you’re interested in becoming a crewmember, the hiring process is still the same — somewhat complicated, fairly strict, and very competitive, but well worth it once you’ve experienced your very first cruise as a member of the staff.

Some of the most popular Hawaii cruise lines include: Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, and Holland America.

Hawaii jobs on cruise ships typically fall under one of 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 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 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.

Considered the Hotel Management Department; staff members in these positions 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 Steward/ess, Accountant, Executive Chef, Wine Steward, Chief Purser, Purser Staff, 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.

For more information about applying for Hawaii jobs on cruise ships, check out Cruise Ship Jobs online. Here, you can download the latest 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!