Top Management Jobs on Cruise Ships

Jobs on cruise ships are available through several different departments including the activity/entertainment department, the deck & engineering department, the service & hospitality department, the personal care department and the administrative department. Each department offers a variety of top management jobs including but not limited to:

Before applying for any given management job on cruise ships, you should become familiar with the function of each department and the types of candidates each department will be receptive to.

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.

For more information about jobs on cruise ships visit Cruise Ship Jobs online. Here, you can download a 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 even apply for a cruise ship job right online.

If you have a specific cruise line in mind, visit the cruise line website first. Visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official cruise line listings nd website addresses. Once you have located the site, visit the website and search around for job postings. Most cruise line websites have a career center or job posting’s 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 line’s 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.

Cruise Ship Job Perks

Cruise ship management positions are the highest paying positions on the ship. Management personnel can expect to earn anywhere from $2,400 per month on the low end up to $8,000+ per month on the high end. For example, cruise directors average $3,800-$7,5000 per month, while shipboard systems managers earn an average of $6,000-$8,000 per month. Production managers (entertainment) can expect to earn anywhere from $2,400-$3,100 per month, while restaurant managers may earn $3,400-$5,200 per month.

Cruise ship managers also receive free travel to exciting destinations, free accommodations and meals, health insurance, retirement and vacation benefits, and free air travel to and from the ship.