Jobs on Cruise Ships

Available Jobs on Cruise Ships

Cruise ships are floating resorts that offer a wide variety of employment opportunities. Cruise lines hire people to fill every type of job that a world-class land based resort has, plus for positions related to safely navigating and operating the boat.

Some cruise line positions require specific training or certification, while others represent entry-level employment opportunities.

Job opportunities on cruise ships include:

• Bartenders
• Boat captain
• Casino dealers
• Chefs
• Crew members
• Cruise directors
• Entertainers (singers, dancers, musicians, etc.)
• Housekeepers
• Food preparation crews
• Guest services
• Salon and spa workers
• Shipboard hotel managers
• Stewards and stewardesses
• Wait staff

Are They Hiring?

Cruise lines actually experience fairly high turnover rates, so there are frequently opportunities to apply for jobs on cruise ships. Cruise lines want to hire individuals who have a solid understanding of what it is like to work at sea, and who are legitimately interested in this particular niche of the hospitality job market. Cruise lines strive to avoid hiring people who are simply looking for a way to experience cruise ship travel free. The application process can be very lengthy, and the requirements must be followed to the letter.

Beware of Scams

When you're researching opportunities for jobs on cruise ships, you're likely to come across organizations offering guaranteed cruise ship jobs to individuals who pay for their services or purchase information from them. Do not spend your hard-earned money on these types of offers.

There is absolutely no such thing as a guarantee of employment. There is no reason for a job seeker to ever pay a fee to get information about job openings or how to apply for jobs. Reputable employment agencies do not charge fees to job seekers. They are paid on commission, by the companies seeking to hire workers, when they refer a candidate who goes to work for the company.

There have also been reports of scammers placing help wanted advertisements in local newspapers, asking candidates to send in resumes, and then following up with phone calls asking for money to be wired to pay for a deposit on uniforms. No legitimate employer will ever ask a new hire or applicant to wire money or to provide a credit card number.

Additionally, a cruise line is not going to extend job offers on the basis of a faxed or emailed resume. They, like all large employers, will require a formal application, conduct one or more in-depth interviews, and conduct a background check prior to making an offer for employment.

Where to Look For Cruise Ship Jobs

Cruise lines approach recruiting candidates in the same manner as other large employers. The best way to apply for most cruise ship jobs is to apply directly to the companies that interest you. When you work directly with cruise lines, you can be certain that you are not being victimized by some type of cruise ship employment scam.

Most cruise lines post job openings, application forms, and information about how to apply on their own websites. This is often the best way to find out about open jobs with cruise lines and to make sure that your application gets in the hands of the right individuals. Be sure to follow the posted application procedures to the letter.

Direct Hire Job Announcements

Cruise lines that post open positions, job applications, and details on how to apply for employment include:

• American Cruise Lines
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Celebrity Cruises
• Cruise West
• Crystal Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America Lines
• Norwegian Cruise Lines
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International

Cruise lines have formal application processes, and they post jobs and screen applicants following standard human resources procedures. Do your own legwork, and submit your applications directly to the cruse ship lines with job openings that appeal to you. You'll be on your way to enjoying a career at sea in the exciting hospitality industry.