Security Officer Jobs on Cruise Ships

From St. Kitts to the Gulf of Aden, in the past several years, cruise ships and tourists have been the targets of everything from robbers to ruthless pirates. Onshore, each destination has it’s own police force in place, but what kind of protection is offered on board the ship? If you are on a large cruise ship, there will likely be a number of security officers onboard.

Security officers on cruise ships are responsible for dozens of important duties on the ship. Security officers perform investigations, they undertake regular security inspections of the ship they enhance security awareness and vigilance on board, they conduct random searches and major organized and deliberate searches, they organize and direct search and secure procedures for all luggage, and they secure all offices and restricted areas when not in use. These are just a few duties of a security officer. To read more, click here to review a detailed job description by Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL).

Security officers on cruise ships live and work onboard the ship for the duration of their contract. Contracts may last anywhere from 4-10 months, followed by 1-2 months of vacation time. These positions require at least 10 hours a day, 7 days per week. Benefits include a salary range of $2,200-$2,600 per month, health insurance, savings and retirement benefits, free accommodations, and discounts on goods and services onboard.

If you are interested in becoming a security officer on cruise ships, you must be familiar with U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Foreign government agencies’ rules and regulations as they pertain to vessels in port. In addition, the following knowledge, experience, certifications, and physical requirements must be met.

Knowledge and Experience:

·Holds Basic Safety Course Certificate and appropriate licenses and certificates as required by regulations.
·Is required to a have minimum of 4–6 years of police or military training. Preferably a combination of both.
·Poses intermediate to advanced level training in all facets of security to include the completion of a recognized security officer course.

Additional skills include:

·Introduction to Improvised Explosive Devices IED’s.
·Improvised Explosive Device Threat.
·Detection of Improvised Explosive Devices.
·Use of Screening Equipment aSecurity Officer ciated with IED’s minimum of 3 hours.
·Basic X-ray screening course training (40 hours minimal).
·Non – lethal retention training.
·Investigation training.

Please be advised, this is the equivalent of a Police Officer or Military Special Forces Officer. Security Guard experience would NOT be sufficient to apply for this position.

Physical Requirements:

·Able to lift at least 25 lbs.
·Climb on step stool or ladder in order to complete elements of job or facilitate maintenance issues.
·Bend, lean and stoop without hindrance.
·Fine motor skills.
·Use stairs often.
·Work within different temperature changes—indoors to outdoors.
·Able to pass basic safety course.
·All in here mentioned is a minimal description of duties. Other work
·Requirements may be necessary and assigned as business or maritime law dictates.

To apply for a security officer job on a cruise ship, please visit the website for the cruise line you are interested in and check the employment page. If the cruise line lists security officer jobs, simply follow the application procedure. If the cruise line does not list the job you are interested in, send a polished cover letter to the cruise line’s headquarters. This information is usually listed on the website. In many cases, you will have the opportunity to submit your resume online and the cruise line will keep it on file if a position becomes available.

To locate the official website for any cruise line in the world, visit the Ships and Cruises Directory at www.shipsandcruises.com.