Requirements for cruise ship staff?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

The answers to your questions can best be provided by the cruise lines. Each is likely to have slightly different requirements. So go to each cruse line web site (below), or those that you are interested in, and click on employment, jobs, human resources, or whatever link they have for persons looking for employment.

I have been on many cruises and I know from talking to staff persons, mainly wait and room attendants, that each employee must sign a contract for a MINIMUM period of time, like maybe nine months. During the contract period you work seven days a week varying hours, sometimes split shifts. Staff people do get short off periods so they can spend an hour of so shopping or at the beach when ships are in port. They also get time off each day to R&R. The staff typically has its own area for eating and relaxing. You can sometimes see the R&R areas on ships marked for staff/crew only.

After that contract expires you get to take off for a month or two and then return for a new contract.

The best information on all of this will come from the cruise lines. Once in a while there is a current or former ship crew person answering cruise questions, but they too many not have the full perspective of ALL cruise lines.

Michelle R

Both those statements you made are rubbish!
I work in the shops, have just completed a contract on Cunard Queen Mary 2, and i'm flying to Iceland next thursday to go meet P&O Artemis.

I say go for it! It's a really good, enjoyable time. Pay isn't too bad (shops isn't great because we dont get tips unlike bars/housekeeping who often get very good tips and lots of lovely presents!)

The upside of being in the shops is that due to duty free we cannot open in port so get shore leave! Though we do have to do an IPM shift every couple of ports, it depends how many people are in your 'section'. Usually about every 1in4 ports.

I love it, came back with a little bit of money, lots of new friends and great memories and photos.

Shops/Casino/Spa tend to be concessions so you get extra pirvaledges like having your own 'staff' eating area (your classed as staff rather than crew who are like bars/restaurant/housekeeping/) and you get basic officer status.

So you can go in passenger areas, watch shows, watch the cinema, eat in their areas and drink in their areas. Though this varies with each company. Cunard were very strict but P&O (my next ship) is much more relaxed.

You dont get certain days off (although i know the spa do, because they open in port) So you could work 7 FULL sea days doing 12 hour shifts one week, but the next week you might only have 1 full sea day 12hour shift and then work the other 6days in the evening ONLY after the ships been in port. For us it usually meant working about 630pm-1130pm.

So the more ports the better because you work less hours, its less tiring and you get to see the wonderful places.
THough the downside is that after a day chilling out in port, its often a real struggle to get into work mode!

proud walker

My daughter worked in the casino on a Carnival Cruise Liner out of LA. The contract was for 9 months. The work was hard and long but she had her food cooked for her and her cabin cleaned, also time off when the ship was in port, generally had a wonderful time and made lifelong friends.

You must realise though that there is a chance that you and your boyfriend may be split up Some lines don't like couples.

here is the recruitment page for Cunard to start you off.

http://www.cunard.com/Hr/shipboard.asp

american_pie640

Hi, I work for Regent Seven Seas Cruises as a Navigation officer (driving the ship and working on the bridge) I love working on ships, it has been and is, the best experience ever!! But no both of the things you mentioned are complete rubbish!! Generally speaking cruise ships will sign you on a contract for a minimum period of time, usually between six to nine months but if you want you can request to extend this time whilst on board! This of course depends on which department you wish to work in. I'd say generally housekeeping and restaurant and bar work longer contracts than say reception staff or shoppies!
And as for the height restriction thats definately not true I think someone may be getting confused with aeroplane cabin crews!
Hope all goes well for you and you achieve what you want to!
Jen

Bum Gravy.

What you have heard sounds like bs.
I've worked on a cruise ship, it's great fun. There are loads of jobs, virtually anyone who has common sense, and who has good people skills can get a job.
Get on Google and start searching.

Joker S.

wellz,i dont really think that it is true......lots of peoples are taller then that,that work on cruise ships

srracvuee

well your quest didn't ask that

Tony B

No BS, Its a crappy job on a crappy boat with deplorably crappy living conditions for all those forced to work their way thru the trip. .... Oh, and you better LOVE the smell of diesel fuel and be able to speak Spanish or Chinese or both or you won't be able to understand what the other 6 people sharing your 8 X 8 room are talking about. Go to Florida, get a job at The Breakers in West Palm or The Boca Raton Resort And Club or try Paradise Island in the Bahamas. At least when you are fed up with the crappy job, you won't have to wait until the crappy, stinky, overcrowded boat docks before you can quit.

Cherrypicker

Patience and not prone to sea sickness

SPARKLING MJR

a ship may help

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