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StoreWhat is it like to work onboard? Here we explain what living and working onboard ships is like
Cruise Ships are marvels in and of themselves. Take a look.
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Cruise Ship Employment
How to get a job onboard cruise ships
Acquiring cruise ship employment is much easier than many people think. Any job that exists on land has a cruise ship equivalent, already making you a perfect candidate.
As a recent college graduate, I myself was looking for an employment opportunity to travel and meet people while working in my respective field of broadcasting. Not long after submitting my resume to several company web sites, I had my first cruise ship employment offer as the onboard Broadcast Technician. Three years later, I have a lot of amazing memories from my cruise ship days.
Here are some tips for you to get a job onboard.
1. Decide what position you want and go after it. If you are good working with people look into a front desk position. If you are outgoing and charismatic, get a job on the event staff. And if accounting is your thing then get with the finance department. There are a lot of possibilities.
Any job you can do on land, there is a shipboard equivalent. Other departments include spa, theater, IT, deck & engine, gift shop and the restaurants. Additionally, some positions allow you certain privileges like drinking and dining in guest areas and going to see theater shows. Those can make life onboard much more fun, so research your position and go for it.
2. Learn about the cruise lines to see what one looks the most interesting to you. Each cruise line caters to a different demographic so if you can tailor your resume and cover letter to that end, then your chances of employment are even better. For example Carnival goes for the younger party crowd while Holland America has an older more mature demographic. What do you prefer?
3. Don't pay for a job. There are companies out there who claim they will help you find your “dream job” onboard cruise ships but don't bother paying someone to find the job for you. What they don't want you to know is that you don't need to pay anyone for a job onboard cruise ships.
Shipboard jobs are everywhere and turnover is huge, so just be patient and your position will arrive. You can also register with free staffing companies who are paid from the cruise lines to hire you. Remember, you shouldn't have to pay money to find a cruise ship job. Just be resourceful and know what you want.
4. Apply directly to the cruise lines official web site and follow up if you have there phone number. Almost every cruise line web site has an employment section online and that is where you make first contact.
Make a resume for cruise ship employment and submit it to every company you would like to work at. This can take some time but is a successful and cost effective way to apply.
5. Be patient. From the time you submit your resume to the time you walk onto the ship could be anywhere from 2 days to 4 months. People in the corporate office are very busy and wont get back to you immediately, so be patient.
Then, after you get the job offer, you still must go in for your physical assessment. This is nothing to worry about, just a quick physical from your doctor to make sure you are in good health.
6. Keep being patient. So they have hired you, sent you for your physical and now you are waiting for a ship to open up. This again can take a day or even another month. What some employees do is keep an old job or find part time work knowing that the ship could whisk you away at any moment.
Should someone fall ill, get pregnant or sign off unexpectedly early, you could find yourself on the next plane to Barcelona or Sydney. This is the nature of the industry and can take some getting used to.
7. Embrace you're new lifestyle. When you get there don't be overwhelmed by the new lifestyle which you have just worked so hard to get. It can be difficult at first getting around, meeting all new people and the culture shock all at once.
While onboard, you need not worry about communication, with all ships having satellite for the internet, TV and phone. You can check your email, Facebook and even call your soon to be ex-boyfriend.
It will be like you never left home. Except you did. And you are going to have a great time while people back home get jealous. And be sure to visit the crew bar after work to socialize. That is where some of the best stories come from.
Overall, employment onboard cruise ships can be a great experience for the right person however it isn't for everybody. You do give up some of your personal freedoms but the experiences you gain will more than make up for it.
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Mike is the founder of Travel Droppings and has been traveling since 2005. Hobbies include staring at maps, drinking coffee and helping old ladies cross the street. Future trips include England and Australia.