To become a scuba instructor on cruise ships, you must begin by becoming a certified scuba instructor. To become a scuba instructor you must at least be 18 years of age and acquire a high school diploma. It can be helpful if you have a bachelor’s degree in marine biology or environmental sciences.
All scuba instructors must become certified in CPR and pass a physical examination. Scuba instructors must have above average physical strength in order to hoist tanks, administer CPR, and carry out other tasks involved in first aid and safety techniques. Besides safety issues, aspiring cruise ship scuba instructors must be experts with scuba gear. Familiarization with all aspects of scuba equipment is essential. Spotting weaknesses before they happen helps to prevent accidents.
Scuba diver certification is required. Two organizations, PADI and NAUI, provide the scuba diving training and certification. To acquire certification a certain amount of dives must be successfully completed and logged. A written examination is also required. In addition, the aspiring diver must prove their ability through logging a specific number of divers in open water and in controlled situations.
Once all of the above steps have been completed, you will receive certification as dive master. Once you have obtained status as a dive master, you have to graduate to the level of “dive instructor.” Accredited dive schools such as the Commercial Diving Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, provide detailed instruction on moving up to the next level. The regiment is more rigorous and the amount of measured dives increases. Like anything else, the more experience you have, the better you get. Logging between 50 and 100 dives is required to reach “dive instructor” level. At this level, the diving tests are more difficult, including both the physical and written examinations.
Dive instructors that specialize in a certain area (or several areas) will have the most opportunities for jobs on cruise ships. There are several specialties that dive instructors can pursue. These include: cave diving, long line diving, deep sea diving, and night diving. Check with your local accredited dive school to determine which, if any specialty area, you would like to pursue.
One of the main skills you must possess is the ability to teach someone else what you know. To be able to convey the method, safety, and fun to those on the cruise ship is an important ingredient. Dive instructor schooling will help develop the talent you have.
Once you have obtained the necessary training, certification, and experience needed to become a scuba instructor on cruise ships, it’s time to choose a cruise line. Some of the top cruise lines for scuba diving instructors include Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and luxury lines such as Costa Cruises and Cunard Line. Once you have chosen a cruise line, it’s time to search for cruise lines’ OFFICIAL website. Visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official listings.
Once you have located the official web address, visit the cruise lines’ website and search around for job postings. Most cruise line websites have a career center or job postings page. If the cruise line lists job openings, be sure 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 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 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 apply for a cruise ship job right online. Please note that this website charges an application fee.
Cruise Ship Job Perks
Cruise ship employees will enjoy more than free travel to exciting destinations. Cruise ship employees receive free accommodations and meals. They also receive a competitive salary, health insurance, and free air travel to and from the ship.