A transatlantic cruise will take you on a journey across the Atlantic from New York to England, Spain to Port Canaveral, or any other route offered by just about every large cruise line in the world. Transatlantic cruises also have variety of itineraries as well ranging from as little as six days up to 15 days or more.
If you are interested in a job on a cruise line that offers transatlantic cruises, you may begin your search by selecting a cruise line. But first, make sure you have what it takes to become a member of any given department on cruise ships. Departments include:
- Activity/Entertainment Department
- Deck & Engineering Department
- Service & Hospitality Department
- Personal Care Department
- Office Positions
Jobs on cruise ships 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.
Each position in each department will have its own set of requirements relative to experience, education, licensure, and certification. This means, you must read each job posting carefully before applying. To get started on the process, Choose a cruise line or two, or three. Visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official cruise line listings and contact information. Once you have located the site, visit the website and double check to make sure they offer transatlantic crossings. If so, search around for job postings. Most cruise websites have a career center or job postings page.
If the cruise line lists job openings, simply follow the application procedure to the letter. If the cruise line does not list job openings online, 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 a fee. You can apply for a job on your own, free of charge, sign up with a placement agency, or use Cruise Ship Jobs’ service. Good luck!