Has anyone worked on a cruise ship??

Question

I am on the way to conquering my next dream. :)

I am looking into workin on a cruise ship from next summer 2009.

Anyone who has had experience know the best way/ websites to look into?

Many thanks

x

Answer 1

i was security  on a cruise liner, if i was you i would think really hard befor embarking on that job. as pay is little work load is high, not much time for sight seeing or meeting people, fod is c**p you could be sharing a cabin with dirty people and you get out of bed and some one else gets in, without changing the sheets, so if they have invections you will catch it aswell

Answer 2

It depends on where you live.   I worked for American Cruise lines for two summers.  It's on the east coast of US. Free room and board, free travel, but they work you like a dog!  Because you're on the sea, normal overtime and stuff like that doesn't apply.  I would sometimes work 90 hours per week.  Also check out Cruise West if you're on the west  coast.

The larger cruise lines usually require that you have tons of crazy experience.  

If you want to go for it, be prepared to never have a day off for an entire summer, work on a rocking ship, have strict rules, curfew and work you TAIL off.  In the end, I made some great friends and saw some beautiful places, but after two summers I know I'll never do it again.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Lizoh pretty much summed it up, and stated a lot of the same things my friend said after her 5 year stint as a photographer on an NCL Ship that sailed Hawaiian Islands.

I've heard that it helps to have a pre-determined SKILL & experience in a given area when you apply, like being a waitperson, hairdresser, massage therapist or person with a background in 'entertainment' or drama classes from HS or college because when the 'big events' are held, it's all hands on deck.

I can confirm that it is hard work and NOT recommended for those in serious, or long term relationships because of the time apart. By the same token, I've heard it's a great place to look for love if you don't mind everyone knowing all your business and living in very close quarters.

Good luck and follow your dreams no matter what horror stories you hear.

Answer 4

Depends a lot on the position you'll work.

I was a purser for Carnival and later worked at the shop's concesions (www.hardingbros.co.uk and www.starboardcruise.com).

Both are Staff positions, which is a LOT better than crew ones.

Still as a purser there was a lot of work.

As a shop rep and later a shop manager we had it a lot easier, since the shops can't open while on port, so you get a lot of free time...

There's a good site with resume ideas, contacts etc at

http://www.workoncruiseships.com

but there's a small fee.

both Hardings and Starboard hire directly, Hardings does phone interviews for non UK residents.

Either then or directly with the Cruise lines, but directly with the cruise lines takes a lot more time.

Do not use online agencies...

good luck

Even though you do work a lot, it's very cool.

From Midnight Sun in the North Pole, to Dawn in Antactica... amazing beaches in the Caribbean to Mardi Gras in Rio...

I have great memories.