Have you ever been to a nightclub and noticed several very festive and animated individuals that seemed to be having more fun than everyone else? Not only this, but did you also notice that they spent a good chunk of time trying to coax other patrons into their world of fun and laughter? Chances are, the women (and sometimes men) you were watching were social hosts or hostesses – but on a much more energetic level than the hostesses you will find on a cruise ship.
Social hostesses on cruise ships have similar duties, but they are usually a bit more conservative in their interaction with passengers. Social hostesses on cruise ships greet passengers as they come aboard and bid farewell as passengers disembark the ship. Social hostesses attend the captains cocktail party where they introduce the captain to passengers. Social hostesses also conduct social activities, and according to Cruise Ship Jobs, the social host acts as a master of ceremonies at specific passenger activities as directed by the cruise director.
To become a social hostess on cruise ships, you must speak fluent English, and most cruise lines prefer resort, hotel, entertainment or recreation experience. In some cases, they will promote from within, but you must spend at least 2 years working on board before you will be considered for this position. Other necessary skills include superior public speaking ability, excellent organizational skills and you must be experienced with managing crewmembers and crowds and assigning responsibilities. If you excel as a social hostess, there is a strong possibility that you will be promoted to cruise director if a position becomes available.
Social hostesses on cruise ships earn around $1,900-$2,400 per month. In addition to a salary, social hostesses receive free travel to exciting destinations, free accommodations and meals, health insurance, and free air travel to and from the ship.
Once you have all of the skills and experience needed to approach a cruise line regarding employment opportunities, you may begin your job search by jotting down the contact information (website) for several cruise lines you are interested in. Visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official listings. Each cruise line website will have a career center or job postings page. If the cruise line lists job openings, simply follow the application procedure. If the cruise line does not list job openings, 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. Good luck!