Opinion on working for a cruise line?

Question

This is full of numerous questions. So each is at the bottom of each paragraph. Ok, so my life has taken quite a dramatic turn. I figure it's better to just start over and start doing everything I'd like to in life. I have always tossed around the idea of working for a cruise line. So, I figure I might as well do it now since school has been tossed to the backburner b/c of financial reasons and I need to take this time off to work. What are your opinions of working for a cruise line? Is there a certain cruise line I should avoid? Is there a cruise line that I should go for over others?

I would be in my senior year of college, except for the new circumstances. I have a resume that I have already used this past year that was geared towards getting an internship in the music business. Should I use the one I already have? How should I alter it for a cruise line? Should I put my waitressing (resturaunt and bar) and bartending experience? Should I include retail experience? Basically what should I and should I not include? How would I take care of my cover letter?

I was looking at Norwegian Cruise Line and they say I need to get my MMD and when I send in my resume with cover letter to also include salary expectations. Do I get my MMD now since I am applying, or do I wait until after I receive an offer? Does it cost money and if so how much? Also, what do I put down for salary expectations since I don't know what the going salary is at the moment?

Any help is much appreciated since this is a major decision for me. Thanks in advance for any help! :-)

Answer 1

It is what you make of it, like anything else in life.  I have a cousin who was a dealer for Carnival for about 7 years before marrying an officer and retiring to Spain.  I have a neice who worked for NCLA as a bartender for 5 months and couldn't wait to quit.  You are most likely to get hired by NCLA, as they have to hire Americans.  Most of the other lines are leery of doing so, as we, as well as Western Europeans don't last long working 100 hours a week for 5 bucks an hour.

As far as your resume, concentrate of what you want to do on the ship.  If you want to be a waitress/bartender - stress that.  If you have a music/entertainment background and want to work with the Cruise Director - stress that.  If you want to work in a Gift Shop - stress the retail.  DON'T just say "I wanna job on a ship, any job, any ship"...Cruise lines are not impressed by that, any more than any other employer.

As far as the Merchant Marine Card - I think NCLA will send you to their Academy upon hiring you (they used to).  The others have their own training - just make sure you qualify to become an "able-bodied seaman".

As far as salary expectations, if you tell the truth, no one will hire you.  They simply don't pay well - and don't much appreciate being reminded of it.  Unless you have extensive experience, or awesome (and provable) skills in some area, I would just put down 'minimum wage'

Answer 2

Let me just say this. Cruise lines pay very bad. Yes you might think that its nice to go around the caribbean all the time but for the crew all you do is work and only get time off like one day a week. Also you have to live in the crew quarters which resemble that of crew quarters on a Naval battleship. It is not a luxurious job and you are paid less then minium wage since you are in international waters.

Answer 3

I just answered this on someone elses question. This guy has a wealth of information and answers back promptly for all your questions! My friends who are marine engineers LOVE cruising! Most hate their rooms though (2 people to a closet)...hope this helps.

I had wanted to work on a cruise ship years ago, especially after I came back from vacation on one. Not much information is out there but several of my friends are now engineers for many cruise lines. As a result they hooked me up with this persons website (I don't know him personally but it gives a fantastic insight). He seems to enjoy his job. He's also on youtube.com but that's not nearly as informative! Good luck.

http://web.mac.com/cruisingjames/iWeb/We...

http://www.youtube.com/user/cruiseshipcr...