If you're considering a career out on the high seas, there are a number jobs you can get on a cruise ship. While the work can be demanding due to the 24/7 nature of the industry, the rewards are plentiful.
Not only do you get the chance to travel to breathtaking destinations, but you also forge lifelong friendships with colleagues from around the world and gain invaluable professional experience.
It's worth noting that working on a cruise ship requires adaptability, teamwork, and the ability to thrive in a multicultural environment.
How to become a cruise ship employee
Cruise ship staff often receive a lot of training before preparing to work as full-time employees.
Some cruise lines may require their employees to complete training programs that last for several months. After they complete their training period, employees usually sign a contract to work on the ship for a specific amount of time.
These contracts may last up to nine months, where employees commit to working on the cruise ship until their contract ends.
Because of the variety of positions on a ship, working on a cruise may employees the opportunity to advance their careers. For example, you might begin working on a cruise as an assistant tour manager, then get promoted to a lead tour management position.
What are the working hours on a cruise ship?
Depending on their roles, cruise ship employees may work unusual hours.
Staff members often expect to work around 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Some employees may work early in the morning, like those who prepare food, while others work late into the night, like bartenders and entertainers.
What are employee roles on a cruise ship?
There are a variety of positions that involve working on a cruise ship, such as cabin stewards and deckhands.
Entertainment team
The entertainment team hosts a variety of activities with the passengers - from trivia games and informative presentations, to exercise classes and DJ'ing at the disco.
Working well with people, especially children, and being fluent in other languages additional to English, would be helpful.
Casino
You may want to work as a dealer (e.g. blackjack, roulette), a slot technician or cashier, if the cruise ship has a casino on board. You'll be required to have at least a year's experience and be at least 21 years old.
Food and Beverage services
Think bartenders, waitresses, chefs; as well as higher level jobs analysing the financials in an attempt to max profit.
To qualify for this, you may need a:
- a qualification from a hotel, chef or catering school.
- experience working in a restaurant (ideally fine dining)
Medics
Nurses, paramedics and doctors are necessary on a cruise ship that may have over 100 guests.
Qualifications and training as a paramedic, for example, would be helpful and needed for this job, or any medical related qualification where first-aid training is instilled.
Many things can happen, such as food poisoning or slipping and breaking a bone. Medics help in case of an emergency, especially when the ship is far out to sea and away from a clinic or hospital.
Retail Stores
Jewellery, watches, fragrances, cosmetics, handbags, apparel, sunglasses and liquor sales can all be sold on a cruise ship.
Employment positions include the likes of jewellery sales specialists, fragrance consultants, sales assistants, cosmetic consultants and watch sales specialists.
You'll need to have at least 2 years experience in retail, be able to take inventory, and be good at working with customers. Being able to talk multiple languages is an advantage, as well as having a degree on your resume.
If you've been at sea before and have the relevant experience, you may want to take a job as a manager or trainee manager.
Housekeeping
Responsibilities include cleaning rooms, public areas, doing laundry and moving baggage. To land this job, first get experience in the hospitality industry and ensure your communication skills are good.
Spa Work
Jobs vary from masseuses to personal trainers, nail technicians, barbers, receptionists and hairdressers.
Passengers can enjoy facial therapies, acupuncture, massages or fitness training. Whilst not attending to passengers, expect to spend time marketing your product and taking inventories.
Technical and Deck Work
The ship's Captain falls in this category - safety, navigation of the ship and maintenance of equipment.
This includes propulsion systems, air conditioning, power systems and entertainment support systems. For example, watchkeeping officers ensure that the boat is safely navigated, there are plumbers, engineers and electricians.
Human Resources
They'll implement the shipping line's HR policies with the onboard staff. A Bachelor's degree in HR will help you get this spot, as well as any relevant experience.
Information Technology
Maintenance of servers, networks and computer systems (including desktop). A minimum of 2 years relevant experience would be required, together with the appropriate academic qualifications.
Photographers & Videographers
Selling photographs and videos is a big money spinner for cruise lines. To get this role, you should have at least a year's experience in photography and the relevant computer skills.
Living space
To complete their responsibilities, cruise ships require their employees to live on the boat. Unlike in a house or apartment, the living space on a cruise ship is likely to be small for employees.
Your new home will likely be a small cabin at the bottom of the ship with no windows, and shared with up to 3 people. The cabin will typically have a shower, a TV and a storage cupboard.
You'll be required to keep that cabin neat and organised. The people in the cabin are your colleagues, so you'll probably be spending a lot of time with them in the space you share.
Most cruise lines offer their staff free room and board throughout the duration of their contracts. They often cover the costs of basic living expenses, such as water and electricity bills. This allows employees to travel wherever the ship goes, frequently visiting new countries during their free time.
A majority of cruise ship lines also offer their employees free food throughout the duration of their contracts.
There's typically a special kitchen on the boat that prepares food for staff members. Employees may eat in separate dining areas, depending on their classifications. For example, there might be different designated eating spaces for the ship's officers, employees and crew.
It can take up to 3 weeks to get used to life onboard. If, after 3 weeks, you're not enjoying it yet, then this probably is not the life for you.
Be sure to really think about taking a job on a cruise ship, because it is a line of work that will likely keep you away from home and family and friends for long periods of time.
