How would I get employed as a Cruise Ship Captain?

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pzkgfw5

* Captains are in overall command of their vessels, supervising safety, navigation and crew.
* They might operate deep-sea merchant ships, tugboats, towboats, fishing vessels, ferries, dredges, or cruise and entertainment boats in both fresh and salt water.
* They determine their ships' speed, continuously monitor their position using charts and navigational aids and maneuver to avoid hazards.
* Captains keep logs and records of the ship's movements and cargo.

SKILLS

* A complete mastery of nautical knowledge and navigation are standard, garnered through academics and on-the-water experience.
* All officers must be licensed by the US Coast Guard, which offers various kinds of licenses, depending on the position and type of craft.
* Applicants must pass the opening qualifications to be a lower officer and then start at the bottom. Without a degree from a US Coast Guard affiliated academy, three full years relevant seamanship are required that include working up the chain of command.

EDUCATION

* Most officers graduate from the US Coast Guard Academy, US Naval Academy or a US Merchant Marine Academy. These institutions generally offer four-year programs leading to a bachelor of science degree and a license as a third mate.
* With experience and additional training, third officers may qualify for higher rank.

OUTLOOK

* Overall, employment in the water transportation industry will be on a slow rise.
* Because of tough competition, many officers often work at levels below the degree of their licenses. Also, depleted fish stocks and tighter control over quotas and catches will adversely affect many independent mariners.
* Deep-sea shipping for American mariners is expected to even out after a period of decline, while the cruise industry is projected to continue growing.

Kevin L

You aren't going to get hired as a Captain, it's that simple.

Depending on what your formal training is, you might be able to get hired as a Second Officer.

You'll need at least this:

Advanced Fire Fighting Training course in accordance with the STCW-Convention as amended 1995

Bridge Resource Management Training

Hazardous Material Training

Fast Rescue Boat Certificate

Experience from large ocean going ships.

Watch Keeping Officer---without limitations--in accordance with the International STCW-Convention as amended 1995

GMDSS-Certificate in accordance with STCW Convention as amended 1995

ARPA

Seaman's book

Many major cruise ship companies, because of tradition will only hire Norwegian captain's

luludoodie

Sorry, but dream on. Working your way up to this level is going to take years! Hard slog up the advancement ladder is the only way!
Chances of success are slim also!

Mary L

Here's a true story you may appreciate or at least find somewhat instructive: When my company's pilot had just returned from a flight to DC to our small town in Illinois, a couple of "hangar pilots" stopped him when all he wanted to do after a very long day was to get into his car and drive home. Hangar pilots are generally pilots or pilot wanna-be's with low level licensure who tend to hang around the airport a lot and talk. Anyway, they were very pushy and demanded the corporate pilot tell them where to get a certain kind of specialized maps of every airport ("Jepp Charts") used by professional pilots and wanted to know how much they cost. They were fairly rude and the pilot was very tired, and his response was simply this -- "If you knew how to use 'em you'd know where to get 'em."

Same thing for you. It seems that if you have the proper certifications and appropriate experience, you would know how to work toward the employment you want. As I understand it from friends who work as officers on cruise ships and ocean liners, one generally begins work at a much lower level as a junior officer and works one's way up over the years, and that a few are offered Captain's appointments but most are not and finish their careers at lower levels.

dacotah7

I doubt you have the required Mariners Licenses, otherwise you would know the answer to your questions.

Your inexperience and lack of knowledge are very revealing.

Cruise ship captains don't just fall into those jobs. They have a lifetime of training and experience and work their way up the ladder.

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