How do you get a job on a Cruise Ship?

Question

I searched online a bit but a lot of the websites say that you have to send them money to apply, which makes me skeptical. Can anyone offer any tips or advice?

Answer 1

Don't pay in advance. Don't go directly to the cruise lines, unless you can wait a few years, the process is very slow.

www.hardingbros.co.uk

and

www.starboardcruises.com

are the fastest ways in, also the easier jobs.

Both are concessions that run shops onboard.

They wont charge you anything to apply.

The work is easy, basically you have to be polite and know how to work a computer.

You don't work while the ship is docked, so you get to see the sites (shops are duty free, can't open on port)

You are staff rather than crew and that makes a LOT of difference.

There is one site that gives a lot of information:

http://www.workoncruiseships.com/

but they do charge a small fee, but its worth.

(no, i do not own it or work for them).

good luck

Answer 2

You need to go directly to the cruise line web sites.  On their web sites you will find a link to jobs, employment, human resources or some such link that will give you information about their positions. Some sites even have current vacancies they are recruiting for. Several cruise lines have new ships coming out soon so opportunities will be there. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney and some others will have new ships launched in the next couple years.

Here are some links:

The luxury cruise lines are:

REGENT SEVEN SEAS:

http://www.rssc.com/

RADISSON:

http://www.cruisingluxury.com/Radisson.....

SILVER SEAS:

http://www.silversea.com/

CRYSTAL:

http://www.crystalcruises.com/home.asp.....

AZAMARA:

http://www.azamaracruises.com/07/azama.....

Other cruise lines that most people go on:

CUNARD:

http://www.cunard.com/

HOLLAND AMERICA

http://www.hollandamerica.com/

CELEBRITY:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/home .

ROYAL CARIBBEAN:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/gohome.d.....

NORWEGIAN:

http://www.ncl.com/

PRINCESS:

http://www.princess.com/index.html

CARNIVAL:

http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/

DISNEY:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/.....

Then there are some that operate out of Europe:

P&O:

http://www.pocruises.com/pocruising/Ho.....

STAR:

http://www.starcruises.com/newweb/main.....

COSTA:

http://www.costacruise.com/B2C/USA/Def.....

MSC:

http://www.msccruisesusa.com/

I know that on Royal Caribbean's site if you go to the bottom of their home page and click on OUR COMPANY it will take you to a page where career opportunities are listed by category: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ourCompany...

Then there are more links that will let you see and download job requirements. Celebrity Cruise line is a RC affiliate and so you should be able to get similar information from them the same way. here's a link to their jobs page: http://www.celebritycruises.com/aboutcel...

Here's Norwegian Cruise line: http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPag...

Answer 3

First, what position are you looking to get?

If you are looking for a spa/salon position, those are usually not hired by the cruise line, but a concessionary like Steiner Leisure out of London.

If you are really serious, there are two companies that seem to do most of the hiring of U.S. citizens for the big cruise lines, they are C-Deck and Just Cruisn.   They are known as hiring partners.   You can do Google searches to find websites.  Neither of these places charge money as they are paid by the cruise line.  You should never give money to a place that says they will place you with a cruise line.

Don't listen to people who tell you to send your resume to the cruise line, especially through the main website.  (Some of specialized websites for certain departments, this is a much better option) Unless you know the name of the person that does the hiring for that particular department, it will get you nowhere.  

Here is how I did it:

Submitted a resume through www.royalcaribbeanproductions.com  which is Royal Caribbean's Production website.  RCP is responsible for casting singers and dancers, production and technical staff, and for writing, creating and producing the production shows.    

About a month later, got a call from someone at Royal Caribbean Productions.  Did a quick 10 minute phone interview with them.  They said they do not hire anyone directly, but they would send my information to a hiring partner (see above) and the hiring partner would complete the process.  About a month, and about $1,000 later (the cost of the medical) I was on a ship.

It can be a great experience, but very emotionally and physically demanding at times.

Answer 4

Go to www.HCareers.com they have all sorts of travel and hospitality jobs! hope it helped.

Answer 5

Go to the cruise line website and look for a likn for "carrer opportunities"  or "fun jobs", or "employment opportunities."  Different lines use different phrases...but every site has one."

Answer 6

go directly to the cruise lines web-sites and submit your resume

also attach an uptodate professional head shot photo

good luck!