Jobs on cruise ships gives people an opportunity to see the world and get paid at the same time. This may a job some people have considered, but don't really know how to find jobs on cruise ships.
There are a wide variety of jobs to choose from on a cruise ship, you just have to know how to tap into the market. If you land a job in a cruise line, you will not only get paid, but most likely get other perks like free on ship medical care and room and board. Plus, for many, there is the benefit of getting to travel the world and meet exciting new people.
Entry Level Cruise Job Positions
While you will probably not be able to get a job as a ship Captain or engineer without a degree and extensive experience, there are some entry level jobs you can obtain in the hotel department or other areas on the ship.
There are many offshoots within the Hotel department including administration, cruise staff, food and bar department, housekeeping, entertainers, the gift shop and salon, the casino, and shore excursions or the tour office. There are also positions, depending on your background, for medical staff.
Since a cruise ship is like a floating city, it is not hard to imagine that it takes hundreds of employees to maintain the ship.
While you may start in an entry level position, there is room for growth and opportunity with some additional experience and training. One of the most important skills to have if working on a cruise ship is an outgoing personality. Since you will be away from home a lot, it is also important to be be flexible. On a cruise ship, you will work hard, but you have the opportunity to have fun as well. It is common to have to make a minimum commitment of a few months, you will get a several week break before the start of your next contract.
Various Departments on a Cruise Ship
For the most part, there are about a dozen different departments on a cruise ship. Each department is responsible for the hiring process. The Deck department fills jobs for captains and all other officers, as well as hiring security and safety staff officers.
The Galley department hires employees to fill mainly kitchen staff positions such as dishwashers, cooks, and pastry chefs.
There also positions in the IT department to work on computers and the network. As mentioned above, there is also a need for people to work in the various shops, services and hospitality, and administrative offices on board.
Where to Find Jobs
Every year, cruise ships are hiring people from around the world and many different cruise ship jobs are available. No matter what your skills or career is, there is a good possibility that a cruise ship may have a need for your services and expertise.
One way to find a job offer is to visit the websites of each one of the different cruise lines. There are also job boards on the Internet that specifically list jobs that are available aboard cruise ships.
When you apply for a position, be sure and apply for a specific job that you qualify for. Send the cruise line a cover letter and resume outlining your skills and interests that are applicable for working on a cruise line.
Final Tips About Working in a Cruise Ship
- While there are a lot of perks to working on a cruise ship, it does not come without some cons. For one, you will be working long hours.
- Your room and board is modest and you will most likely be sharing a room with someone else.
- While you will get some opportunity to see some sights, you will mostly be on board working.
- Lastly, if you are prone to seasickness, this may not be a job for you since you will be cruising in all types of weather.
- Take time to do the research. There is a lot of information in finding a job in a cruise ship. Be sure you look at the information ahead of time and become educated in this job process.
While there are many benefits for working on a cruise ship and there are jobs available, this can be a competitive job market. Knowing some basic background and how to find cruise ship jobs puts you one step ahead of others.
Julie McElroy - Freelance travel writer with published articles about places all over the world, including Italy, Colorado, Japan, Germany, and Spain.
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