I am thinking about working on a cruise ship, please help?

Show all answers

Anja H

A cruise ship is not different from any other business - it is an extended hotel.
So in order to work there you need to have previous experience in the job you are applying for.
Entry level positions would be a cleaner in the Housekeeping, Dish or Potwasher in the Galley, or Snack Utility in the Restaurant (mainly at the buffets)

Like it is with every other business, one can make a living in working on a cruise ship - yet not in the US or Europe with positions where no experience is needed. This is why, you will not find certain nationalities in these positions.

I had a 3 year apprenticeship in the hotelbusiness from Germany and 2 years work experience in a hote, when I started working on a cruise ship - and I was able to make a good living.

You should not pay any fees for applying, but go directly to the cruise lines websites to apply and not to agencies.
What you will need and need to pay out of your pocket is a passport and a medical examination including drug tests - once you are hired - before embarking on the ship.

Besides the departments of a hotel you find on a ship as well:
Shops - Retail experianc required
Casino - Casino dealership education and experience needed
Salons - Must be a hairdresser or for the Spa a massage therapist.

When applying to a cruise line you need to know the job you want to apply to. Just to say - hi I am available- will not get you any response.

Working hours are 10-14 per day, 7 days per week for 6 to 8 months.

If you know what you can and want to do, and you have more questions, you get get in touch with me by e-mail here.

@ linlyons
Salaries on cruise ships vary from US$ 600.00/month up to 10,000.00 a month and depend on position (and therefore past experience) and not nationality.
NCL has a ship under US flag, which sails in Hawaii, and while they pay as per US laws (which is not that great with the minimum wage you have over there) and they have problems finding US nationals as crew.

@Jack M
there is nothing deducted from your salary onboard a ship for room and board.
What is deducted is a certain percentage, in case one does not finish their contract - and it is kept by the cruise line in order to buy a flight ticket home for that person. If the person finishes their contract, they get that money back.
For US nationals, the regular taxes depending on your declaration are deducted.
Living quarters are mostly 2 in a cabin, on older ships up to 4. Once again, depending on your position you will have also nice single cabins...

linlyons

one might keep in mind that cruise ship operators have the luxury of flagging the ship outside the US, and paying wages appropriate outside the US.
i've not been on one, but it's my understanding that much of the staff is not American, and likely does not get paid wages that Americans would like.
also, not being American, hours, and other working conditions, are not what you've likely become accustomed to.

good luck.

ggcj.new1

I work on the cruise ships and I would suggest as some of the others have said, contact the main cruise lines and find out more. Also on the company web sites there are buttons to the vacancies, but all are not apparent, some are called 'about us' etc. so keep searching. I also contacted a company that supplied a very good guide book with job profiles, how to get work, contact addresses etc and you got a bi-monthly news sheet with all latest vacancies. They are based in Glasgow, so plug it into a search engine, they were helpful. The service does cost a few quid but in my mind well worth it.
But be prepared for some long work hours and not large pay as itвЂ™s made up with tips in the areas you are looking at.

Just done some research for you as it was a couple of years ago I used them and the company can be found on www.cruiseservices.co.uk

The other thing to think of is 10 hours a day is a good day in some jobs on the ships with 11 and 12 being more like it, with the accommodation and bar work, other jobs have less work time, or if you have experience in something and get offered a supervisors position, or go for administration on the Pursers side of life, the working hours are less. but the company I mention will check your CV and suggest the options.

Good Luck

Jack M

Working on a cruise ship is the best and worst. Best being you get to travel and check out some pretty cool places. Worst you aren't paid what you think you are getting remember they knock off room and board from your pay check. Also the living quarters that the crew get are less than ideal. If money and living space are not an issue go for it.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: