Jobs on Cruise Ships: Entry-Level Positions

Table Of Content

• Consider Checking Directly With Cruise Lines for Jobs
• Some of the Biggest Cruise Hiring Agencies
• Send Your Application According to the Instructions of the Employer
• How to Apply for Cruise Ship Jobs
• Submit your application and prepare for the interview
• What are the Best Paying Jobs on a Cruise Ship?
• Do cruise lines tend to hire workers from certain parts of the world?

A good way to know what a cruise line is looking for is by contacting past crew members who have gone through the process. They will provide great tips and tricks to make it through the interview. Now that you know your options, let’s look at how to apply for jobs on cruise ships with no experience needed. Every aspect of a cruise ship needs crew to ensure that a specific level of service and safety is maintained on the ship. Let’s take a closer look at the types of no experience jobs you can find on a cruise ship.

Consider Checking Directly With Cruise Lines for Jobs

And, to start thinking about whether there’s a way that you could live the cruise life full time. And crew members working in the most demanding positions may get one day off each week. If a crew member gets a day off when the cruise ship is in port, they are free to explore the port or take a shore excursion just like guests. It also helps to have a degree in tourism and hospitality, though it’s not a requirement. There are additional online programs to teach relevant skills to cruise line workers.

Some of the Biggest Cruise Hiring Agencies

Or you might prefer a modern ship to enjoy better crew accommodations, or a smaller ship that’s quieter. Beyond the perks written in the contract, crew members spoke highly of the camaraderie and friendships made with other staff members. These positions typically require specialized education and years of experience. The captain serves at the top of the ship’s hierarchy and oversees all cruise ship operations.

Send Your Application According to the Instructions of the Employer

We would like to offer you a listing of the most in-demand positions in this segment of the maritime sector. For me personally, it was the fact that working on board wasn’t just a ‘job’ or ‘career’ – it was a way of life! Contact your country’s official hiring partners and speak with a Cruise Ship Employment Specialist.

However, the good news is that many seafaring positions offer training and certifications on the job. Some of the most prominent ones include Cast A Way, who specializes in finding jobs with the biggest cruise lines in the industry and has been working in this field since 1998. With the ongoing global pandemic, finding an apprenticeship or entry-level role may be a bit more challenging right now. Make sure you understand the application instructions for the specific company you’re applying to and know the deadlines. You must understand how vital company culture is when choosing a new workplace. The process isn’t as simple as going on a job board and emailing your resume.

Submit your application and prepare for the interview

If you search "Royal Caribbean job openings" on Google, the very first result is for the homepage of RCB (Royal Caribbean Group) Careers. From there, you can navigate to a specific line (i.e., Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea) or simply select "search shipboard careers" to get an overview of all the offerings. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. While you are welcome to leave comments below, please note that I cannot help anyone to get a job in the cruise industry, aside from directing you toward the links above.

Prior experience in large hotels or yachts, or developing language skills can also help prepare for the job. Working on a cruise ship offers the freedom to travel while earning a living. The job market for cruise ship roles is competitive, and it can be challenging to land a position without any prior experience. However, there are entry-level jobs available for those willing to start at the bottom and work their way up. It’s also important to keep in mind that different cruise lines may have different standards for dress and appearance, so it’s important to research the specific guidelines for each company. By adhering to the cruise ship’s dress code and maintaining a polished appearance, I can provide exceptional service to passengers and create a positive experience for everyone on board.

What are the Best Paying Jobs on a Cruise Ship?

The safety and security of the passengers are uppermost in the mind of shipowners. An ordinary seaman is like the utility man in a factory or an office building. So, if you have worked in these jobs before, you can apply as an ordinary seaman on a cruise ship. Your task, if hired, is general cleaning of the ship, which includes maintenance and cleaning the deck areas. You can earn from $1,300 to $2,200 per month if hired in this position. Customer service and hospitality are key skills for cruise ship employment.

There are age requirements for working on a cruise ship, but there is no maximum age limit. It’s possible to work on a cruise ship with no prior experience. Personally, I prioritize presenting a polished appearance by avoiding visible tattoos or piercings for any passenger-facing roles on a cruise ship. As a representative of the cruise line, it’s important to adhere to the cruise ship dress code and maintain cultural sensitivity.

As someone who’s interested in working on a cruise ship, it’s important to understand the importance of safety training. Ignoring this aspect of the job could put yourself and others in danger. The safety training covers a range of topics, including fire prevention and response, personal safety, and emergency procedures. Without this training, it would be difficult to ensure the safety of both crew members and passengers.

The first step for getting a job on a cruise ship is to make a checklist of your skills and experience. Cruise ships are virtually floating hotels and therefore draw heavily from the hospitality sector. If you have a talent or have worked in restaurants, bars or hotels, this is one main way to be considered for hiring.

'I'm a Cruise Ship Singer—This Is What It's Like Behind The Scenes' - Newsweek

'I'm a Cruise Ship Singer—This Is What It's Like Behind The Scenes'.

Posted: Sat, 22 Jan 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

To give you an idea, I started my 10 years at sea as a youth activities staff member in the $1,200 USD a month range. Five years later, my salary tripled when I was promoted to Crew Training Officer. By the time I finished up on ships after 10 years at sea, I was making almost six times what I started at. I then remind them that they will be doing this for six months (which is the length of a typical cruise ship contract). Moreover, when you reach a supervisory or managerial level, onboard salaries can triple, quadruple, and skyrocket even further. One of the best things about working onboard a cruise ship is that promotion is NOT based on seniority.

Cruise lines often provide their own training programs, which can lead to certifications and promotions. Whether you’re a recent graduate, in a career transition, or just looking for a change, working on a cruise ship can provide the freedom and adventure you’ve been searching for. But while they’re working on a cruise, crew members receive accessible accommodations and food. Some cruise ships also provide free WiFi and an allowance for drinks and alcoholic beverages.

If you don’t have any experience but want to work on a cruise ship, follow these steps in applying for a job. Casinos, photography services, medical staff, and entertainment are the usual concessionaires that provide their services to the ship’s passengers. For example, they can eat in buffet areas, but they can’t go to nightclubs. Most cruise liners require their crew members, staff, and officers to be clean, including no visible tattoos and piercings on their bodies. Some cruise liners may allow tattoos as long as they are covered.

Organizational Skills – Depending on the cruise job you are applying for, you should give examples of how you have demonstrated your organizational skills. List the activities that you have organized detailing how many people were involved and the age groups that attended. You could also highlight your organizational skills by explaining how you managed X number of projects at the same time.

It’s not all walking on white sand beaches and sipping on $1 cervezas, though that does happen quite a bit. In this outstanding free resource, she shares her expert advice to help you find work on board a cruise ship, even if you have no experience. All in all, pursuing a career in the cruise line, especially without any experience requires a strategic and diligent approach.