Below are details regarding the different positions aboard cruise ships. Please note that the salaries state average salaries aboard cruise lines, however, these may vary depending on the cruise line that you work for. In addition, the cruise ship job current vacancies listed on our website may vary slightly according to the specific position at hand.

Captain

Duties

• The highest ranking officer
• Responsible for the ship’s complete operation and navigation
• Exercise authority and decision making in the event of an emergency
• Steer and operate the cruise ship using radio, radar, buoys, depth finder, lights, and light houses
• Maintain records of daily activities and port of call
• Prepare progress and personnel reports
• Compute the position, set course, and determine speed, using charts, compass, and area plotting sheets
• Attend and speak at social functions
• Provide a daily report over the microphone

Qualifications/Experience

• Must hold a Captain’s license
• Diploma from an accredited maritime training school
• Must hold all applicable qualifications recognized by maritime government body
• Minimum of 20 years experience in the shipping industry
• Extensive knowledge of ship safety, navigation and maritime law

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Sound organizational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to make decisions under pressure
• Ability to give direction
• Highly motivated with strong leadership skills
• Highly developed interpersonal skills
• Ability to think laterally
• Must hold positive attitude
• Disciplined and self-motivated
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Friendly and perceptive
• Sense of humour
• Excellent public speaking skills

Staff Captain

Duties

• Assist the Captain in the ship’s safety, and daily operations
• Responsible for the welfare of passengers and crew
• Operate computerized and electronic equipment in the control room
• Responsible for interior and exterior maintenance, deck work, safety, and security
• Report to the Captain

Qualifications/Experience

• Captain’s license is required
• Minimum of ten years experience in a subsidiary position onboard
• Must hold all applicable qualifications recognized by maritime government body
• Minimum of 10 years experience in the shipping industry
• Extensive knowledge of the navigational system and computerized equipment
• Management experience

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Sound organizational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to make decisions under pressure
• Ability to give direction
• Highly motivated with strong leadership skills
• Highly developed interpersonal skills
• Must hold positive attitude
• Disciplined and self-motivated
• Excellent public relations skills
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Friendly and assertive
• Sense of humour

Chief Officer

Duties

• Provide the Staff Captain with assistance
• Responsible for the external cleanliness, care and maintenance of the ship
• Provide crew members with appropriate training in general seamanship, safety, security, and environmental matters
• Assist in the maintenance, cleanliness, and refurbishment of ship
• Report to the Staff Captain

Qualifications/Experience

• Must hold all applicable qualifications recognized by maritime government body
• Extensive knowledge of the navigational system and computerized equipment
• Captain’s license is preferred
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years experience in a secondary position onboard a ship

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Sound organizational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to make decisions under pressure
• Ability to give direction
• Highly motivated with strong leadership skills
• Highly developed interpersonal skills
• Must hold positive attitude
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Friendly and assertive
• Sense of humor

First Officer

Duties

• Responsible in assisting with navigation and supervision of bridge operations
• Supervise the maintenance of all navigational lights, proper storage of signals and other emergency signaling equipment
• Supervise and coordinate activities of crew members
• Supervise inspections and maintenance of the ship’s portable fire-fighting equipment
• Steer and operate the cruise ship using radio, radar, buoys, depth finder, lights, and light houses
• Determine geographical position of ship
• Supervise crew in repair and replacement of defective vessel gear and equipment
• Report to the Chief Officer

Qualifications/Experience

• Must hold all applicable qualifications recognized by maritime government body
• Extensive knowledge of the navigational system and computerized equipment
• Minimum of 5 years experience in lower level positions

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Must hold positive attitude
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Ability to give direction
• Sound organizational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to make decisions under pressure
• Highly motivated with strong leadership skills
• Highly developed interpersonal skills
• Ability to learn quickly
• Friendly and assertive
• Sense of humor

Second Officer

Duties

• Responsible in assisting with navigation and supervision of bridge operations
• Supervise the maintenance of all navigational lights, proper storage of signals and other emergency signaling equipment
• Supervise and coordinate activities of crew members
• Supervise inspections and maintenance of the ship’s portable fire-fighting equipment
• Steer and operate the cruise ship using radio, radar, buoys, depth finder, lights, and light houses
• Determine geographical position of ship
• Supervise crew in repair and replacement of defective vessel gear and equipment
• Report to the Chief Officer

Qualifications/Experience

• Must hold all applicable qualifications recognized by maritime government body
• Extensive knowledge of the navigational system and computerized equipment
• Minimum of 3 years experience in lower level positions

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Must hold positive attitude
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Ability to give and take direction
• Ability to cope well with pressure
• Decision making skills
• Ability to learn quickly
• Friendly and assertive
• Sense of humor

Third Officer

Duties

• Responsible in assisting with navigation and supervision of bridge operations
• Supervise the maintenance of all navigational lights, proper storage of signals and other emergency signaling equipment
• Supervise and coordinate activities of crew members
• Supervise inspections and maintenance of the ship’s portable fire-fighting equipment
• Steer and operate the cruise ship using radio, radar, buoys, depth finder, lights, and light houses
• Determine geographical position of ship
• Supervise crew in repair and replacement of defective vessel gear and equipment
• Report to the Chief Officer

Qualifications/Experience

• Must hold all applicable qualifications recognized by maritime government body
• Extensive knowledge of the navigational system and computerized equipment
• Minimum of 2 - 3 years experience in lower level positions

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Must hold positive attitude
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Ability to give and take direction
• Ability to cope well with pressure
• Decision making skills
• Ability to learn quickly
• Friendly and assertive
• Sense of humor

Chief Radio Officer

Duties

• Responsible for operation and maintenance of all radiotelegraph and radiotelephone equipment and accessories
• Operate all radio communications onboard, as well as to other ships
• Operate emergency radio equipment
• Supervise and train crew
• Report to the Staff Captain

Qualifications/Experience

• All applicable qualifications recognized by maritime government body
• Extensive knowledge in communication and electronic equipment
• Experience in the maintenance and repair of electronic equipment
• Minimum of 2 - 3 years experience in lower level positions

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Responsible
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to take direction
• Ability to cope well with pressure
• Ability to learn quickly

Security Officer

Duties

• Responsible for the safety of passengers and crew members on the ship
• Responsible for staff training in all aspects of safety procedures at sea
• Conduct regular inspections for fire safety compliance
• Report to the Staff Captain

Qualifications/Experience

• Extensive experience in security and fire arm handling
• Military background preferred

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Responsible and assertive
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to give direction
• Sound negotiating skills
• Ability to cope well with pressure
• Ability to learn quickly

Security Personnel

Duties

• Responsible for the safety of passengers and crew members on the ship
• Conduct regular inspections for fire safety compliance
• Report to the Security Officer

Qualifications/Experience

• Extensive experience in security and fire arm handling
• Military background preferred

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Responsible and assertive
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to give and take direction
• Sound negotiating skills
• Ability to cope well with pressure
• Ability to learn quickly

Quarter Master

Duties

• Responsible for supervising deck staff
• Organizes the maintenance and cleaning of the deck
• Steer ship under direction
• Stand by wheel when ship is on automatic pilot
• Relay specific signals to ships within vicinity

Qualifications/Experience

• Minimum of 1 - 2 years of relevant work experience
• Military background preferred

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Responsible
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to give and take direction
• Ability to cope well with pressure
• Ability to learn quickly

Safety Officer

Duties

• Responsible for safety of passengers and crew in the event of an emergency
• Responsible for providing crew and passengers with adequate training for safety drills

• Report to the Security Officer

Qualifications/Experience

• Extensive experience in security and fire arm handling
• Military background preferred
• 1 - 2 years onboard safety experience

Personality

• Ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities
• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Responsible and assertive
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to give and take direction
• Sound negotiating skills
• Ability to cope well with pressure
• Ability to learn quickly

Seaman

Duties

• Responsible for general maintenance of the ship
• Conduct cleaning, painting, trash pick-up
• Measure depth of water in shallow and unfamiliar waters using leadline
• Steer ship under direction of ship’s commander
• Stand by wheel when ship in on automatic pilot and verify accuracy of course by comparing with magnetic compass

Qualifications/Experience

• No previous experience necessary
• Apprenticeship training an advantage

Personality

• Ability to remain calm in the event of an emergency
• Responsible
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to take direction
• Ability to learn quickly

Deck Attendant

Duties

• Responsible for keeping the open decks in order
• General duties
• Opportunity for promotion

Qualifications/Experience

• No previous experience necessary

Personality

• Responsible
• Ability to take direction
• Ability to work with others as well as autonomously
• Ability to learn quickly

Remember that you are a little fish in a big pond. Whether you are interviewed over the phone, or in person, you need to be well prepared. You may be presented with some difficult and challenging questions, therefore practice selling yourself. Demonstrate your ability to work in a team environment by providing examples. Do not give one-word answers, because you may be selling yourself short. This is your time to shine, and you may be only given one opportunity, so seize that moment, and show your assessor why you should land a job at sea.

Standard Questions

• What makes you stand out from others who have applied for this position?

Mention your personal attributes that are specifically related to a position on a cruise ship, e.g., have an adaptable personality, willing to try new things, have a passion for culture and learning about places. Also, mention whether you speak another language, or if you are trying to learn another language, and mention a unique characteristic that not many other people possess.

• What do you know about the cruise ship industry?

Discuss the fact that it is such a rapidly growing industry, and give statistics. Also, discuss major ports, different cruise lines, and how there are different types of ships to accommodate different individuals, and give examples.

• What do you know about _____ cruise line?

Ensure that you have done your background research. Mention how many cruise ships in the cruise line’s fleet, mention names of the cruise ships, capacity, itinerary, clientele, and destinations to which they travel.

• Describe the coping mechanisms you will use in order to deal with being away from home for a long period of time.

If you are a people-person, mention that you will make an effort to meet people from all over the world, and interact with them, and learn things about their culture. Also, discuss hobbies that you have, and how you will incorporate these into your cruise ship life in order to keep you occupied, e.g., you love to play chess and cards, therefore you will bring these along with you.

If you enjoy your own company, mention that you are an independent person, and you do not have a problem with creating your own fun, and doing things on your own. Mention hobbies that you can engage in by yourself. If you have a passion for learning Spanish, therefore point out that you will bring along your Spanish books to read in your spare time, or if you enjoy writing, mention that you will bring a journal to write about all your experiences.

• Describe your personality characteristics that enable you to work effectively in a team environment.

Describe traits that involve getting along with others, such as being enthusiastic, friendly, trustworthy, and understanding.

• What did you not like about your previous job?

Don’t say “nothing” and don’t say “everything”. Outline things that you think could have been done better, for example, the organization needed to be improved. Also, mention something specific to your position that may be not related to the position that you are applying for on a cruise ship. Don’t forget to indicate what you did to overcome the problem in your job. For example, I found my previous position to be monotonous at times, and as I enjoy variety, I would try and break my day up and alternate my tasks.

• Describe yourself in three words.

Refer to the Personal Qualities checklist. Try and use strong, positive words, such as Passionate, Innovative, and Energetic, rather than Calm, Diligent, and Tolerant. In order to work on a cruise ship, you need to be able to demonstrate that you have the energy, the passion, and the drive.

• What are your weaknesses?

Do not say that you don’t have any weaknesses. Mention a weakness, that may work in a positive way also, for example, sometimes I tend to take on too many tasks at once, and then mention what you are doing to overcome this weakness, for example, I therefore try and prioritize my workload so that I do not get bogged down.

• What are your short-term goals?

Indicate that you have a passion to work with other people from all over the world, learn about different cultures, perhaps study another language, have the opportunity to travel, and to learn new skills in an environment different to at home. Be sure to outline the fact that working on a ship has been a major goal of yours for ___ years.

• What are your long-term goals?

If you plan on working on cruise ships for the majority of your life, then say so. Cruise lines have such a high turnover, and therefore do not expect a lot of crew members to make a career out of their job, so you do not have to say that you would like to stay with their company for years. If you are unsure of what your long-term goals are, mention something to do with the position for which you are applying, and also mention that even though you may be a little unclear of what your long-term goals are at this stage, you hope that you can look back in the future and feel that you have been successful at whatever you have done.

• What will you do if you are not enjoying working on a cruise ship?

You may not have thought of this question before, as most people think cruise ship life will be a blast. But what if you aren’t enjoying the work, or you don’t like the people you are working with, or you feel homesick? An interviewer doesn’t want to hear that you will walk the plank, or fly back home. Let them know that you are prepared for this and have thought about this in-depth. Mention the fact that there will be so many different crew members to make friends with and therefore you will not have a problem in making friends. Also, discuss the fact that it is contract work and you know that you will not be stuck in it for a long period of time, and you will need to give it a few months before you will actually be able to determine whether you really do not like it. If you have been away from home for long periods, mention this, as well as the fact that you will keep in contact with friends and family by phone and email.

• What do you expect to earn in the cruise industry?

There is not much room for negotiation with cruise ship positions, as cruise lines have such a huge pool of candidates to choose from. Don’t forget that in most cases, you do get paid in TAX FREE US $$$!

• What are your hobbies? How do these relate to cruise ship jobs?

Discuss hobbies that generally involve team-work and also travel, since you will be around people the majority of the time, and you will also be going to new destinations. Mention team sports that you may play, clubs that you belong to, or community work that you may be involved in. Also discuss the fact that you have an interest in travel, perhaps anthropology, ancient ruins, architecture, sailing, photography, etc. Also, if you enjoy reading, mention books related to travel that you may be reading.

• What does “team-work” mean to you? Apply this to working in a team on a cruise ship.

Use words such as interaction, adapting, goal-setting, decision-making, patience, tolerance, understanding, and fitting-in. Identify the fact that you look forward to interacting with different nationalities and having the ability to learn from others.

• Did you present any innovative new ideas to your last employer? What were they? How do you think you can be innovative on a cruise ship?

Indicate whether you found solutions to problems, and how you went about these, whether you created faster ways of doing things, and what the results were.

Behavioral Questions

You may also be asked behavioral questions. These are used to predict future behavior, by examining how you have behaved in the past. You should answer these questions by giving the Circumstance of the situation, the Action that you took, and the Result of the situation. In order to remember these, just remember the acronym CAR. At the conclusion of the interview, there is usually an opportunity for you to ask questions. Ensure that you have at least five questions prepared, because some may have already been answered during the interview. Ask open-ended questions, where the assessor needs to give more than a yes/no answer, and ask questions that show that you have taken the time to research the company, and which give you an opportunity to convey your knowledge of the cruise ship industry. Below are some examples of what you may be asked:

• Describe a time when you have used imagination or initiative to solve a problem.
• Describe a time when you have done more that you should have in a job.
• Describe a time when you have had to deal with a difficult customer.
• Give an example of a time where you have had to cope under pressure.
• Give an example when you have taken on a leadership role.
• Describe a time when you have been given a demanding task at short notice, and how did you handle this?
• Describe a time when there was a crisis in the workplace, and what did you do to cope?
• Tell me about a time when you made a wrong decision in the workplace.
• Give an example of how you have resolved a dispute with a colleague in the past.
• Tell me about a time where you have sought to take on new challenges.

Questions To Ask Your Assessor

• What are the exact duties to be performed on the cruise ship?
• Is there a position description available specific to your cruise line?
• What is the uniform that is required on the cruise ship?
• Who will I be working with on the cruise ship?
• How many people will be in my team on the cruise ship?
• I am aware that your cruise line accentuates the need for staff to be trained in aspects of safety. Will I be provided with this training onboard? Is there anything I can do to prepare for this?
• Will I be provided with any onboard training in this particular position?
• Who will I be reporting to on the cruise ship?
• What are the steps for your selection process to get a job on the cruise ship?
• Are there possibilities for a promotion on the cruise ship?
• I have been informed that your cruise line travels to _______. If I am successful, will I need any specific immunizations?
• Is there anything else that I could do to prepare for this position aboard the cruise ship?
• What kind of notice would I be given before I am required to board the cruise ship?
• If I am successful, am I sent an employment contract before I board the cruise ship?
• Where would I be boarding the cruise ship from?

What to do in an Interview

• Take in a folio consisting of your resume, cover letter, two passport photos, and any transcripts or certificates relevant to the position
• Reread your resume and notes while you are waiting
• Introduce yourself
• Project personality
• Maintain eye contact (if more than one interviewer, ensure to look at all the interviewers when responding to questions)
• Nod your head to show that you are listening and that you agree
• Speak from experience at every opportunity - try to avoid talking about what you could, should, or would do
• Display interest and passion
• Use clear and concise language
• Write down any names that are pertinent, i.e., the interviewer(s)
• At every possible opportunity, use your knowledge of cruise lines in your answers to questions

What NOT to do in an Interview

During the course of an interview, the employer will be evaluating your negative attributes, as well as your positive attributes. Listed below are some possible attitudes and actions that may lead to rejection:

• Poor presentation
• Failure to look interviewer in the eye
• Rambling on too much about the one topic
• Identifying negative traits
• Lack of knowledge on cruise lines
• Lack of appreciation for the value of experience
• Inability to express ideas clearly, and giving yes/no answers
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Continuous fidgeting
• Failure to ask questions
• Condemnation of past employers
• Constantly looking at your watch

Working long hours on a cruise ship can affect your health, therefore it is important to maintain a balance between work and play. Ensure that you get 7-8 hours sleep per night so you can enjoy the exotic destinations that you will visit. Food for the crew is generally of a good standard, with plenty of variety. Ensure that you get adequate nutrition each day, rather than retreating to eating bowls of fries. Chefs cater to suit various cultural preferences; therefore you will be presented with a diverse range of foods, so use this opportunity to try new things. Different countries have different hygiene standards. If you are visiting ports in foreign areas, ensure that places you eat at are clean and hygienic, as you do not want to come down with gastro. Even though you may see locals eating the foods, you may not be used to certain foods from some countries, so be aware of what you are putting into your mouth, and eat in moderation.

Alcohol for crew members is very cheap and accessible, and crew have a notorious reputation for drinking. Refrain from drinking every night, and drink in moderation, as the motion of the ship tends to make you feel tipsy or ill. Cigarettes are also very cheap and accessible; however, avoid smoking and smoky environments as this can contribute to sickness particularly on a cruise ship. As germs on a cruise ship can spread rapidly, avoid sharing drinks. As you will be in the sun a lot, ensure that you wear sunscreen and a hat. The air conditioning on the ship may dehydrate you, so drink plenty of water, and keep extra bottles in your cabin in case of an emergency, as you should refrain from drinking the tap water.

Most cruise ships provide a crew gym, therefore you will have the opportunity to exercise most days. You will also find that you will do a lot of walking around a cruise ship, and some cruise ships do not allow crew to use the passenger elevators, therefore enjoy climbing the stairs, as this will keep you fit and healthy!

If you do happen to get sick, adequate care is provided by doctors and nurses on board.

If you are very keen to find a position aboard a cruise ship as soon as possible, please refer to the 2010 Cruise Ship Employment Manual. You will be one step closer to cruising towards your dream job. The idea of sailing around the world to exotic locations while being paid, seems like an opportunity of a lifetime. Imagine observing tropical islands that slide past on both sides of the ship, watching the hot red sun glisten as it slips into ocean, admiring the snow-capped fjords that seem so close to touch, and marveling at the panoramic views of the ever-changing landscapes. You are now entering the golden gate to your new future.

Recruisement has developed this Employment Manual to help you navigate your way through those tumultuous seas you may encounter, in order to make the application process smooth sailing for you. We will assist you in learning about the cruise industry, determining which positions you may be suited to, and how to adapt to life onboard. This will assist you in cruising ahead to your desired position.

Since the cruise industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, jobs are plentiful and there is also an extensive variety. This manual provides descriptions to over 100 positions, and since there are contracts of varying lengths, there are positions available all year round. With the unprecedented growth of new ships, there is more demand than ever for crew. There are approximately 30 ships scheduled to be built within the next three years, which will create another 80,000 jobs! Cruise ships have become like floating cities, offering luxurious facilities, and a wide array of amenities to suit passengers from all over the world. There is also a diverse variety of jobs offered to crew members, ranging from entry level positions, to managerial positions. In addition, crew members are given the experience to soak up the sun and explore the unexplored.

People looking for cruise ship jobs usually love to travel. Onshore experience and working with others is a prerequisite for most cruise ship jobs. The most common type of experience is that of Hospitality. There are many positions available such as bartenders, waitresses, and managers. Cruise lines do like to employ candidates with previous cruise ship experience, but even if you have not worked aboard a cruise line, you still should be able to find a job provided you have at least a couple of years experience in the area that you are applying for.

Cruise ships can be compared to a floating city, where there are cruise ship jobs available in a wide variety of areas. It is necessary for all cruise ship staff to be able to communicate in English, and any additional language is a significant bonus. There are areas such as entertainment, beauty and health, childcare, sales, fitness, nursing, accounting, administration, engineering, trades, officers, chefs, and many more. If you are looking for a cruise ship position, the interview process may be very easy and smooth sailing, but sometimes it can be quite extensive and cumbersome – it really depends on the position and the cruise line. Sometimes you may only need to have an interview with the cruise ship recruitment agency, but then sometimes you may need to have an interview with a cruise line as well, and then even if they do have a position available, it could be up to 6 months until you are sent your contract to board the cruise ship.

All cruise ships must comply with the applicable regulations in the country of registry, the US Coast Guard and certification by a Classification Society. Cruise ships much also be in compliance with the International Convention on Safety Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Cruise ships ensure that crew members are adequately trained in safety procedures. You will be required to undertake a Safety Training Induction Program, which consists of Ship Safety Familiarization, Basic Personal Survival, Basic Fire Fighting, and Elementary First Aid.

In addition, you will be required to attend lifeboat drills on a regular basis. A lifeboat drill will usually take place within 24 hours of embarkation, and at other times that are requested by the ship’s Captain. It is compulsory for crew to attend these drills, and failure to attend may result in punishment.

An emergency procedures card is posted in crew members’ cabins, which describes the specific procedure in the event of an emergency. Crew members are also assigned to a specific lifeboat as well as a specific muster station, and this location is on the Emergency Information Card. Life jackets are usually in the closet or under the bed of cabins, and additional ones are usually stored in lockers at the muster stations. At lifeboat drills, all crew members and passengers will be required to wear their life jackets to their muster station.

A ship’s emergency signal consists of seven short blasts, followed by one long blast of the ship’s horn. Upon hearing the signal, crew members and passengers must make their way to their cabins, put on warm clothing, covered footwear, and life jacket. The crew members are responsible for directing passengers, to remain calm, and to follow instructions of the officers in charge.

You are probably wondering how you will be able to communicate with the rest of the world while you are sailing the high seas. Don’t be alarmed! Cruise ships today possess the latest in technological equipment and satellite communications, to provide you with instant and clear communication, no matter where you are in the world. Cruise ships can be reached via direct-dial satellite telephone, or fax. Cruise ships also have internet facilities where you will be able to communicate with family and friends back at home. However, using the internet on cruise ships may become fairly costly and therefore it is cheaper to use the internet cafes when in port. In most ports it is easy to find internet cafes. If you have a laptop, many cruise lines will provide you with internet access in your cabin via a data port.

You will have the ability to make phone calls and send faxes from the ships’ telephones and fax machines, which may be very expensive. It is therefore a good idea to take your cell phone on the ship. Be sure that before you leave your home country that you call up your phone company and activate International Roaming, to allow you to receive calls while you are away. Having a cell phone onboard is a great way to keep in contact with family and friends, as you are able to send and receive text messages. Although most cell phones will not receive coverage while out at sea, once the ship gets within about an hour of a port, your phone service will come back on. It is very expensive for you to make and receive calls on your cell phone, therefore it is best to find a pay phone in port, and only use your cell phone for emergency purposes.

Calling cards can be purchased on most ships for a decent price, otherwise you should be able to buy them at internet cafes in port. Be aware though - when you arrive in port, there will be hundreds of crew members wanting to call back home, therefore, to avoid spending most of your day in port waiting to use the phone, try and get off early and make a quick dash to the pay phone!

      Crew members must always wear their name badges in public areas on the cruise ship

      Crew members must be dressed appropriately at all times on the cruise ship

      Crew members must be in uniform when in public areas when the ship is sailing or set to sail

      Crew members shall not congregate in public areas (maximum of four crew members together at one time)

      Crew members should not be in public areas after 2am on the cruise ship

      Intoxication in public areas may result in a warning

      Crew members should not sit on a bar stool or stand at the bar in a public room

      Gambling in public areas is prohibited on the cruise ship

      Crew members should not use elevators when it can be avoided

      Behaving inappropriately in public areas will result in a warning

      Crew parties are not allowed in public areas

      Crew members should be granted permission to invite a passenger into a crew area before doing so

      Crew members are usually not allowed to eat in the passengers’ restaurants unless invited by a passenger

      Crew members should always arrive to work on time, or if possible, a few minutes early

      Crew members must carry their crew pass when leaving or entering the ship

      Crew should always arrive back on the cruise ship prior to the their designated time

      Crew members should respect the cruise ship’s property at all times

      Discarding of waste in public areas is not allowed

      Dumping garbage in the sea is prohibited

      Smuggling of goods on board the cruise ship is prohibited

      Illegal drugs are prohibited on the cruise shipand will result in immediate dismissal

      Weapons shall not be brought on board by any crew member

      Burning candles in cabins is prohibited

      Discrimination against guests or employees is not tolerated

      Sexual harassment is not tolerated

For those of you who have never traveled before, gaining employment on a cruise ship will be a huge eye opener and you may find it difficult to adapt. As St Augustine quoted, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read one page.” A world of opportunity will be awaiting you. Once you have traveled, the voyage will never end, but it will be played over and over in your mind. You need to seize this opportunity, and be open-minded, and realize that this is something that you have wanted to accomplish. It is an opportunity that may only come along once in your life. Working on a cruise ship is not something that you have to do permanently; you can work for only six months if you like, so you will need to make sure that you get the best out of what you are doing, and approach your position with a positive attitude. This is your opportunity to interact with over 100 different cultures, learn so much about the world, make friends from every continent, and most importantly, learn so much about yourself.

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.”

- James Michener

Following, are tips on how to adapt to life onboard:

• Don’t convert currency all the time

• Be open to interact with other nationalities - learn about others, ask questions,   and try and learn some words in their language

• Do not be judgmental - things will be different, so don’t compare everything 

with what you have t home

• Be open to new experiences on the cruise ship - experience the culture, interact with locals, try their food and drinks, go off the beaten track

• Stay positive - if you are lonely on the cruise ship, seek out things that you enjoy and try to be around people

• Get involved - don’t sit around in your cabin and watch movies during your time

off…interact with others, invite them out, go out, play games

• Organize events - the best way to make new friends is to organize parties and

events, e.g., pool, bingo, darts

• Make an effort - learn about what others do on board, show an interest, as this

is the best way to be able to move up in the ranks

• Be active - when in port, organize activities - don’t just hang out in tourist

destinations, in internet cafes, or on the phone

• Learn the names of other staff - whether it be your cabin steward/ess, the

chefs in the restaurant, or people in your department

• Do not look down on others, even if you are in a higher position

• Interact with passengers - everyone is interesting, everyone has a story, so be

prepared to listen!

* Remember…experiences don’t come to you, you create your own experiences!

Since cruise lines are always hiring, there is a plethora of opportunities available at any given time, in any given field. Peak seasons for cruise ships may vary, as it depends where the cruise ship is based. However, it is logical to assume that for the Northern Hemisphere, busy times may be during Spring Break (April), the Summer (June - September), and also Christmas time. For the Southern Hemisphere, busy times may be Christmas time/school holidays, which may range from November to March. In addition, cruising is also popular in the Southern Hemisphere’s Winter months (June - August), as people like to escape the cold and chase the sun. Therefore, busy times are all the time, which means that positions are plentiful.

For certain positions, the busiest times however, are during July/August, and Christmas time. This is because the majority of cruise ships are based in the US, and the majority of the world’s cruisers are from the US. Children are on holidays, and therefore specific cruises are very popular. For positions such as Youth Counselors, Nannies, Babysitters, and Activities Coordinators, it is easy to find shorter contracts, as there is a high demand for short spurts throughout the year. Cruise lines put on extra staff to cope with the demands, and this usually fits into the schedule of students. It is a great experience for students to have the opportunity to travel the world, and save money while they are doing it.

If you are a student that is interested in traveling the world in an academic environment, there are great opportunities aboard The Scholar Ship http://www.thescholarship.com/

The Scholar Ship is a semester-long academic program aboard a dedicated passenger ship that navigates the globe as an oceangoing campus. Students and staff from around the world come together to form a transnational learning community that integrates academic, cultural, and social experiences in programs that enhance students’ personal and professional development.

The Scholar Ship program serves as the backdrop for continuous transcultural encounters in which students are immersed in a multicultural living environment that would be virtually impossible to duplicate elsewhere. During the 16-week semester, students aboard The Scholar Ship also pursue numerous opportunities through the Port Program, in which they participate in academic field studies, shore excursions and independent travel. The Port Program is highly integrated into the classroom curriculum, making for a sophisticated experiential learning experience. The downside of this however, is that it costs money. There is financial aid offered and you can check out the following website:

http://www.thescholarship.com/students/scholarship_financialaid.aspx

If you have finished or about to finish your studies and looking to work in an academic environment while getting a true cultural experience, then a job aboard The Scholar Ship may be for you. Staff members aboard The Scholar Ship's management team are senior, highly experienced education and business professionals. The Scholar Ship provides a truly innovative program that combines academic rigor, experiential education, and intercultural living.

Professionals are exclusively dedicated to the following areas:

• Academic Program Development and Management
• Admissions and Enrollment Management
• Business and Finance
• Marketing and Communications
• Operations

The onboard staff on each voyage represent the multicultural essence of The Scholar Ship program. They are professionals serving a short-term appointment to work aboard The Scholar Ship in the following capacity:

• Academic Teaching and Support Staff
• Onboard Life and Port Program Staff

In addition to conducting lectures, academic teaching staff co-facilitates academic field programs during port calls. An academic support staff assists students with study and presentation skills, English-language development for speakers of other languages, and other needs they may have.

The Onboard Life and Port Program staff come from a wide range of fields such as Student Affairs, Experiential Education, Intercultural Communication and Higher/Tertiary Education Administration. Port program staff plans and orchestrates excursions, academic field programs and assists students in understanding independent travel opportunities linked back to their Learning Circles. Onboard Life staff facilitates learning outside the classroom through a wide range of activities. The staff also ensures the onboard community’s well-being through services that support psychological/mental health and physical fitness. Programs that provide recreational, cultural, social, spiritual and leadership opportunities are also operated by the Onboard Life staff. Lastly, each student is matched with an Intercultural Resident Counselor to ensure a successful experience throughout the entire voyage.