According to the Cruise Lines Association (CLIA), more than 14 million passengers will cruise in 2010. The CLIA is the world’s largest cruise association, promoting 25 major cruise lines, all of which offer a number of cruise jobs. Here are some cruise job opportunities and cruise ship careers.
Types of Jobs on Cruise Ships
Cruise jobs have evolved along with the growth of the cruise industry. In addition to the traditional jobs on cruise ships such as accommodation stewards, waiters, bartenders, pursers, gift shop associates, casino dealers and entertainers, unique cruise jobs are also available. Here are some of those other cruise job opportunities.
Computer Officer – This is a behind the scenes tech support job. The computer officer makes sure all onboard computers and networks are running properly.
Internet Manager – This management job provides support in the onboard internet cafe as well as for onboard wireless systems. The position looks after all satellite internet systems and sells internet minutes to passengers and crew.
Youth Counsellors – The onboard children's center is supervised by a team of youth counsellors that organize activities for young passengers.
Cruise Staff – Cruise staff are the crew members that organize and host activities for the passengers. The head of this department is the Cruise Director.
Photographers – Onboard photographers take numerous photos throughout each cruise in hopes that passengers will purchase the photos. Photographers work on commission.
Spa Staff, Hair Stylists, and Fitness Trainers – These onboard staff positions all report to the Spa Manager. There is also a spa receptionist onboard responsible for booking appointments.
Event Planners – These positions may look after onboard weddings for passengers as well as organize other parties and receptions. Each cruise line has a different name for this position as well as its specific duties.
Cruise Sales Consultant – This management position is responsible for selling future cruises to passengers that are currently onboard. They give presentations to large audiences as well as work regular desk hours.
Port and Shopping Presenter – Different from a Port Lecturer, the Port and Shopping Presenter hosts live presentations onboard to feature jewellery and other luxury items that are available in the ports of call.
How to Find Cruise Line Employment
There are a number of ways to find a cruise job or cruise ship career. To begin, each cruise line has an employment section of their website listing their cruise job vacancies, such as DCL Jobs (Disney Cruise Line) and Royal Careers at Sea (Royal Caribbean International). Secondly, cruise lines also use hiring partners (agencies) to help qualify potential candidates.
Alternatively, concessionaires are the revenue-producing departments such as the photo department, the spa, gift shops, and the art auctioneer. These jobs are all hired independent of the cruise line. For example Image Photo is one of the concessions that hire photographers and videographers. Whereas, One World Spa (Steiner Leisure) hires staff for the spa and Starboard Cruise Services is one of the concessions that hire gift shop associates.
Unfortunately, cruise applicants need to be aware of recruitment scams. Both Carnival Cruise Lines and Crystal Cruises warn potential applicants on their cruise employment web pages about fraudulent employment ads. For a directory of cruise lines, cruise line agencies and contact information, check out the website, Work on Cruise Ships. The site also features articles about preparing resumes and cover letters for the cruise industry as well as a discussion forum where members can post their resume and have it critiqued.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
