Is a cruise ship captain a most wanted job?

Question

Will I have problems finding a job as a cruise ship captain. I think that job sounds really fun, but I figure that there aren't as many ships as there are people who want that job. Am I right?

Answer 1

I do not think you are going to be able to pick up the classified ads and find Cruise Ship Captain ads.

Since most of the cruise ships are foreign to US, their senior crew is of that nationality (Norwegian, Greek, etc).  They all have a Master certificate.  Most have well over 20 years of experience working their way up through senior crew positions.

They are extremely well-paid and have huge responsibilities.  For an American, it is almost impossible to get one of these positions.

Answer 2

the previous answers seems right on the money to me...and you will be in charge of EVERYTHING that goes on inside and outside that ship!  Remember Capt. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise?...a fictional character, yes, but he knew everything about that craft.  Even after Spock and Scotty gave their OPINIONS about something, it was still the captain who made all the decisions...and it is the captain who will answer when anything goes wrong on his craft.  Remember a few weeks ago when that ship went down in the Mediterranean?  Do you think it was the captains' job to steer the ship?  Was it the captains' job to know where all the rocks are located under all that water?  Is it the captains' job to know the food might be spoiled?  Is it the captain's job to  know when one of the engines "misses a beat"?

YOU BETTER KNOW IT IS!!!

I don't think it's a job you really have to aspire to...it's a reward you earn after years of experience and lots and lots of maturity.

Answer 3

Most cruise ship captains are captains of non commercial fleets for a number of years - so after captaining an oil tanker for years, this is the benefit that they get.  That's why so many of them are poorly trained and roguish.

Answer 4

you will need a degree from a recognized maritime college, then start as fourth officer and spend about 20 years accumulating seniority and time at sea before you can get a masters ticket that reads "any tonnage, any ocean"......as well as enough time with a company to have a record that allows them to trust you with 5,000 people and a half billion dollar ship........

so you better get started quick!

Answer 5

you are right