How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship

by Sara Colakovic

August 5, 2022

If you love to travel and adore cruise ships you might wonder how all the crew members got there and it takes a miracle to get a job on a cruise ship.

Luckily, the cruise ships are like hotels on water, and the demand for staff is constant. This means you can start working and traveling around the world if you are prepared to put in the effort and work your way up.

So, this article will help you understand what are the requirements, and all the pros and cons of living and working on a cruise ship. This might be the best career opportunity in your life, so read carefully and let’s get started.

Is It Hard to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship?

Cruise ships and luxury yachts have always been challenging when it comes to new career opportunities. On one hand, the requirements, working hours, and conditions can be quite limiting, but on the other, you can start with no experience and work your way up.

Generally speaking, getting a job on a cruise ship is not hard as long as you choose the right agency and you are willing to put in the work.

Some cruise ships are more inclusive than others, and you will notice a variety of rules and regulations. But, overall you can start your career right away even if you don’t have any previous experience. With so many passengers and crew members, there is always a need for cleaning staff and inexperienced seasonal workers.

What Are the Most Popular Jobs on a Cruise Ship?

Imagine a cruise ship as a luxury hotel and the staff that’s needed to keep everything running smoothly. There are many jobs and roles on a cruise ship you might never notice if you are traveling but they all play a vital role in maintaining the ship and the comfort of the guests.

As mentioned before some positions require no previous experience while others strictly need trained professionals.

Here are a couple of career opportunities on cruise ships:

You can always add to your experience by working in hotels, sailboats, or even yachts. This way you will have the upper hand when applying for a job on a cruise ship.

How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship?

Working on a cruise ship can be an exciting opportunity to move forward in your career and travel the world. But what exactly do you need to consider before applying and how to submit your CV?

Here are some of the suggestions to consider:

1. What are the requirements to work on a cruise ship?

Depending on your agency and the cruise ship you will be working on, as well as the role you are applying for there might be different requirements you need to fulfill. In general, all crew members need to:

Be at least 18 or 21 years old
Meet the language fluency requirements
Have a valid passport
Have the required visa or work permit
Have a basic safety training certificate
Pass a medical examination
Pass a criminal background check

2. Available job opportunities

Before you apply for any job on a cruise ship you should go through the offer made by agencies and see what fits your needs and expertise. Some roles are more demanding than others, so you will have to prove your experience and back up your claims with legitimate references.

With so many staff members on each ship, you will be able to find a role that is the perfect match for your skills and knowledge. Even if you don’t have any previous experience there are always seasonal staff opportunities you can take.

One of the best things about cruise ship employment is the ability to move up the ladder and make major advances in your career if you are willing to work hard.

3. Weigh out the pros and cons of working on a cruise ship

Working on a cruise ship is very exciting and quite the opportunity to see all the places around the world, but the contracts are long and shifts can go on for 20 hours straight.

So, before you apply for any job on a cruise ship be sure to weigh out all the pros and cons.

Pros:

Great career opportunities
Traveling the world
Meeting new people and cultures
Learning new languages
Rent-free living
Amazing compensation

Cons:

Long contracts
Long working hours
Strict rules and regulations

4. Apply for cruise ship jobs

Once you’ve discovered a position that interests you, you can apply online by following the guidelines. You must send a cover letter, résumé, and anything else required in the job post.

Depending on the cruise ship at hand and the partner agency you might need different application forms. This is why it’s a good idea to contact the agency directly or send your application online if there are links.

Employee retention is above industry average, and crew members choose to stay with the company rather than go to another line. Many employees have served for ten years or more. Seniority does confer advantages, such as more contract flexibility, preference for working on certain ships, and prospects for professional advancement.

Final Thoughts

Working on a cruise ship is a demanding career where the hours and contracts are long, but there are many benefits as well. You can have the opportunity to travel the world and visit all the docks the cruise ship has to stop in, and you will most certainly make friends for life.

But, if you thought getting a job on a cruise ship is impossible this article should help you a lot. With the right hiring agency by your side, you should only consider the few recommendations mentioned above and leave the rest to the professionals.

So, if you are ready to take your career to a whole new level and combine working with traveling, apply now.