It takes an adventurous spirit to work on a cruise ship and an even more adventurous spirit to work on a yacht or sailing ship. Yachts and sailing ships can offer over-the-top extravagance or the bare minimum. It just depends on the nature of the sailing. For example, many European river cruises offer the bare minimum because the cruise is all about exploration, not fine dining and casinos, whereas some yacht cruises hire world class chefs and renowned captains to cater to their VIP-like guests.
Jobs on yachts or sailing ships are not as plentiful as jobs on larger ships. The crews are smaller and they typically do not hire entertainers, large numbers of cocktail servers or bar staff, or large numbers of retail personnel. This means competition is fierce for jobs on yachts and sailing ships, but if you have what it takes to compete, you have a good chance of landing one of these coveted positions. Potential captains, chefs, and crewmembers should begin the employment process by either signing with a placement agency or contacting the yacht or sailing ship directly.
To contact the yacht or sailing ship directly, visit the cruise ships/line website. You can locate the OFFICIAL website by visiting Ships and Cruises Directory. Once you have located several sailing ships or yachts you would like to work for, visit the 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, remember 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.
To sign up with a placement agency, you should begin by identifying the top agencies in the industry. Next, you should submit your resume, references, and any certifications or designations you may have. The placement agency will call you in for an interview to assess your background, skills, and needs and match them to positions they may have available or positions they will seek out.
The following list includes top agencies in the field and contact information. Good luck!
CTI Group Inc.
1845 Cordova Road Suite 215
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Tel: 954.568.5900
Fax: 954.568.5888
Crewfinders International
http://crewfinders.com/
404 & 408 SE 17th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954.522.2739
Toll Free: 800.438.2739
Fax: 954.522.2725
Delta Marine Personnel Services Ltd.
http://www.deltamarine.co.uk/
Office Suite 2, Lockside Marina
Navigation Road
Chelmsford
Essex. CM2 6HF
Tel: +44 1245 251 377
Fax: +44 1245 495583
Email: [email protected]
Dohle (IOM)
http://www.doehle-iom.com/index.asp
Fort Anne
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM 1 5PD
British Isles
Tel: +44 (0) 1624 649 649
Email: [email protected]