Work On A Cruise Ship Guide
There are a myriad of positions on a cruise ship that provide a wide variety of goods and services to passengers. Workers might help operate the ship, serve food and beverages, tidy and perform maintenance in passenger cabins or other areas, manage activities, and entertain passengers.
This job is in somewhat high demand and is easy to get.
Demand
- Somewhat High Demand
Experience & Degree
- No Experience Required
- No Degree Required
- Native English Speaking Preferred
Citizenship
- No Restrictions
This job is reliable with room & board included but is slightly lower pay.
Pay Range
- Hourly: $5-$25/hr.
Reliability
- Reliable
Housing
- Room and Board Typically Provided
This job provides little schedule freedom and some location flexibility.
Location
- Somewhat Flexible
Schedule
- Not Flexible
Language
- Can get by with English only
Who can work on a cruise ship?
Do you like working with and meeting diverse and varied groups of people? Are you flexible and able to succeed in a changeable work environment? A cruise ship worker should be prepared to bounce between locations quickly, seven-day work weeks, and split shifts. If you have a passion for traveling and working hard, then life on a cruise ship is ideal for you.
Additionally, most cruise lines require 1-2 years of applicable experience. For example, if you apply to work in a retail store onboard, you should have previous retail experience on land.
What are the responsibilities to Work On A Cruise Ship
There are hundreds of positions aboard a cruise ship all with their own respective daily tasks and required skill sets. Every single employee is required to participate in safety and lifesaving drills to be prepared for the low chance of a disaster at sea. There are usually six different departments, broken down below.
Key Responsibilities
Deck
- Navigates the ship.
- Supervises maintenance of hull and deck.
Engine
- Work and maintain equipment.
- Specific jobs might include: carpenters, electricians, engineers, repairmen, plumbers, etc.
Radio
- Videographers: maintain and operate broadcast booth (radio and news.)
- Telephonists: aid passengers seeking to make phone calls.
Medical
- Treat ailments such as seasickness or other serious health issues.
- Give general first aid.
Steward
This department includes a huge range of specialized jobs that focus on passengers’s comfort, some of the tasks might include:
- Chefs: Prepare meals.
- Waiters/waitresses: Serve guests in dining rooms or room service.
- Wine stewards: Help passengers choose wines based on your own expertise.
- Bartenders: Mix and responsibly serve alcoholic beverages.
- Sculptors: Create dazzling ice sculptures.
- Housekeeping: Keep cabins tidy, give fresh linens, keep public areas clean and safe.
Pursers
Also a large department, pursers complete a huge variety of different specialized jobs like:
- Chief purser: acts as the head of the department, and is the primary contact for passengers about the ship policies and procedures.
- Assistant pursers: assist the chief purser as needed. Could be equated with the front desk duties at an on-land hotel.
- Cruise director: plans ship entertainment/activities.
- Youth staff director: plans entertainment/activities for children.
- Casino workers: dealers, cash handling, slot machine attendants.
- Sound/lighting technicians: provide audio and visual effects for entertainment put on by the cruise director.
- Entertainers: sing, dance, act, etc. to keep passengers entertained.
- Dance instructors: teach a variety of dance styles.
What’s the typical schedule for a cruise ship employee?
Cruise ship employees should expect 7 day work weeks with over 45 hours per week. Many cruise ship employees have described the job as fairly demanding in terms of time and effort, but long-term contracts offer breaks of up to two months so you can get your land legs back.
Income Reliability
In general, working on a cruise ship is as reliable as a land-based job and provides a constant stream of work.
Typical Job Duration
Working on a cruise ship can be short-term or long-term, depending on what your position is.
Estimated Hours Per Week
It’s estimated that you can work 45 hours per week or more on a cruise ship.
Room & Board
Working on cruise ship will provide room and board on the ship.
Work On A Cruise Ship – Country Map
The Best Places to Work On A Cruise Ship
Most major countries throughout the world have opportunities for those seeking to work on a cruise ship. Here are some of the best places to work on a cruise ship.
- USA
- The Caribbeans
- Norway
- The Bahamas
- Greece
- Galapagos
- Spain
- Seychelles
- Hawaii
- Tahiti
- Antarctica
Determine if life at sea is right for you.
You should consider the following things: Do you like working with and meeting diverse and varied groups of people? Are you flexible and able to succeed in a changeable work environment? You should be prepared to bounce between locations quickly, seven-day work weeks, and split shifts. If you have a passion for traveling and working hard, then life on a cruise ship is ideal for you.
Decide which cruise line to work for.
Every cruise line is different, so make sure you do ample research to decide which one is the best fit for you. Larger cruise lines will have long itineraries and a lot of staff, which provides a variable and dynamic work environment for you, while smaller lines could provide a sense of community with shorter itineraries and less staff–decide which you like better. Next, go to each line’s website and read up on their employment pages to see which might fit you and your work ethic best.
Pick a position.
You should consider all of your past experiences when deciding which department/position you want to work on a cruise ship. Generally, cruise lines will require 1-2 years of applicable experience–on or off shore. If you’re unsure which position is best for you, you could contact a cruise ship employment specialist to help you determine what fits you best.
Write your resume and CV.
Cruise line recruiters will skim your resume very quickly when going through applications, so make sure it stands out and looks polished. Make sure to optimize your cover letter to be specific to each cruise line so you stick out as a prime candidate.
Apply.
Information on how to apply can be found on each line’s website and the process could vary by line. Applying for cruise work isn’t as simple as firing off applications for on-shore work, and it might require that you use a concession agency or a hiring partner.
Interview.
It’s common practice for interviews to be conducted via video chat, so make sure you include your Skype contact information on your cover letter and that you know how to use Skype well.
All aboard!
When you are offered your first contract, make sure you do the following before you embark:
- Ask the recruiter any questions that weren’t answered in the interview or contract.
- Read every document sent to you thoroughly, paying special attention to your contract.
- Make sure you have all the necessary documents required by the specific cruise line.
- Ask your recruiter or admin about getting reimbursed for required medical checks, visas, luggage fees, and transportation to the ship.
What qualifications do you need to work on a cruise ship?
The requirements to work on a cruise ship include: being 21 or older, pass a criminal background check, have a current passport, have a US C1/D visa if you’re not a resident of the US or Canada, have a certificate that shows you were medically examined prior to employment, and have proficient english fluency.
Is it hard to get a job on a cruise ship?
Cruise ship jobs are fairly competitive, so do ample research and planning to be able to compete with other applicants.
How much do you get paid to work on a cruise ship?
Most cruise ship positions are paid hourly–most people can earn between $1,200 and $1,500 a month, though some positions can make up to $2,500 per month.
What kind of jobs are available on a cruise ship?
Cruise ships need all different kinds of professionals from entry-level retail sales persons, housekeeping positions, food and drink management, HR positions, IT positions, nursing positions, and more.
Can I get a cruise ship job with no experience?
You don’t necessarily need prior experience on a cruise ship to get a cruise ship position, but you’ll probably need relevant experience in the same field on land. For example, if you are applying to sell jewelry in a retail store on a cruise ship, it pays to have prior retail experience. Look at your past experience–work, volunteer, or educational–to see what positions would best suit you and which you’re most likely to be hired for.
Do you get days off working on a cruise ship?
Many people who have worked on a cruise ship have said that the job is demanding and there’s little time off. Workers usually sign a contract which can last up to nine months, but long contracts will include a two month break to get away from life at sea.
What is the best job on a cruise ship?
Some popular cruise ship positions include: ship captain, gentleman host, general entertainer, shore excursions managers and workers, youth counselors, bartenders, and fitness instructors among many others.
Do cruise ship workers get free food?
Food isn’t free for cruise ship workers and food is not allowed in the cabin–all food must be contained within particular crew dining areas.
Do cruise ships have jails?
Yes, most cruise ships have a jail cell in the bottom of the boat near the crew’s quarters.
Do cruise employees hook up with passengers?
There are strict guidelines that ban staff from having relationships with passengers–if caught, the staff member will be immediately fired.
Is working on a cruise ship good money?
The upper limit for a cruise ship worker is $2,500/month, and a cruise ship worker should expect to work more than 45 hours a week.
What is the highest paying job on a cruise ship?
Usually, officers, department heads/chairs, and people working on commission are likely to make the most on a cruise ship.