Captain’s Welcome And Live Onboard

 

Quite a lot of young people from around the world dream about working on cruise ships and, but few can imagine what cruise jobs are really like. The reality is that candidates for cruise ship employment have to realize that they are applying for a job, not a holiday!

 

Working on a cruise ship is an experience that you certainly will never forget. However, before you apply, you must realize that most jobs on large cruise liners are very difficult and demanding. Naturally there are certain pros and cons which should be considered.

 

Pros:

• Normally it is not too difficult to get a job on cruise liners. Requirements are a proper command of the English language, multi lingual is a big advantage! Good back ground and solid training from famous hospitality operations and international luxury hotels is a must!
• If you work on cruise liners, you will travel to many attractive, world famous travel sites, remote destinations and see very interesting places. Although you spend most of the time aboard, there are some chances to go ashore and see the sites.
• You meet people from all over the world, pick up additional languages, learn about many international different cultural customs and may forge some enduring friendships.
• You can earn quite a lot of money. Since you do not have many opportunities to spend the money aboard, you can easily save most of it.
• You get free accommodation and food. Moreover, you don’t have to pay the utility bills.
• You will enjoy a long holiday (usually 6-8 weeks) after your time at sea.

 

Cons:

• You will usually work 5-7 months straight through, without a day off.
• You will work quite long hours – 12 or 14 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Accommodation for the cruise staff is very modest. On newer ships two people or, on older ships, even more share a small cabin and a bathroom. The crew cabins of the major cruise lines have televisions supplied. Most cabins are situated on one of the lower decks and they do not have windows. You have to give up some of your habits and get used to those of your roommates’.
• You will be at sea in all types of weather. If you suffer from severe sea-sickness, perhaps you should find a job ashore. Light forms of sea-sickness, however, are common amongst experienced seamen.

 

If you are accepted after an interview with a representative of a particular cruise line, you cannot choose the cruise ship or the trading area, but you must strictly comply with the requirements of the Cruise Line which hired you.

When you sign the contract with a cruise line company, you will usually pass a course on work safety, first aid and hygiene. You get free medical care in case you get ill on a cruise ship. Your employer – the cruise line, will pay and cover for your health insurance for the period of the contract. This duty is based on the international conventions regarding employment at sea.

Cruise line staff can use the various leisure facilities on most ships, such as the gym, fitness center, swimming pool, bar and meeting room. These facilities are only for the staff. Normally it is forbidden for employees to socialize with the passengers during their free time. And they are not allowed to use the facilities for the passengers at any time!

All new crew members on a cruise ship have to undergo some degree of initial training and introduction after joining the ship, and must adhere utmost discipline and follow various restrictions. All your supervisors will expect you to work hard with a permanent smile on your face. On the other hand, cruise ship work gives young people a good income and the chance to visit a variety of very beautiful and exotic places around the globe.

If you wish to know the sea, its beauty, colors and aromas, and to get a job on a cruise liner, all you have to do is to have a look at our job listing and the agent and/or HR Director will inform you about the opportunities, requirements and your chances of getting a cruise job.

If you do meet all the criteria and speak very good English, you will be offered a registration and later you will be invited to specific interviews with representatives of the cruise lines.

At the end of the whole process is your embarkation on the designated cruise ship. You will work hard at sea with a good job on board the cruise liner. Of course, the sea is not always smooth and beautiful, it can be also dangerous and tough. You will have to deal with your ship rolling and pitching on the ocean waves, and with passengers who will be seasick and whom you will have to look after.

Most cruise liners embark in the USA or in other international ports. It is most probably that you will be required to pay the travel expenses from your home to the port yourself. Most cruise line companies want their employees to buy a single way ticket and pay the travel deposit that will be returned to you once the contract is over. However, if you decide to leave before the contract terminates or if you get fired, you will forfeit your deposit. It will be used for purchasing the ticket back to your home country. You will be guarded to the airport to make sure you leave the USA and do not stay there illegally. The deposit is usually from $300 to $500. Some of the largest cruise lines recalled the deposit payments so that the new employees have less expenses.

 

Enjoy your exited work & time onboard   –  happy & save global sailing!