Research suggests that families with children make up one-third of the world’s cruisers. Therefore, cruise lines are expanding their children’s services, offering a comprehensive variety of entertaining, yet educational activities for children to have an enjoyable experience. If you are very serious about working as a Youth Counselor, you need to gain as much knowledge as you can by visiting theme parks, child-care centers, and schools. Having completed a life-saving and first aid certificate will also improve your chances. Interviewers will give preference to those with experience as a baby-sitter or nanny, and those with a degree in Education, Child-care, Recreation, or Psychology.

Many people are amazed at the variety of positions available on cruise ships. Think of a cruise ship in terms of a floating city. There are not only positions in customer service; there are the people who look after the navigation and the operations of the ship, there are health professionals who look after the well-being of passengers and staff, there are crew who ensure the ship is safe and clean, and of course there are the people who entertain and serve the guests.

When applying for a position, think about what you enjoy doing. You want to aim for a position in which you will find fulfillment, since it is difficult to separate your work from your social life when working on a cruise ship. It is not like a normal office job where you go to work from 9am - 5pm, and then come home, mix with other people, and forget about your day’s work. On a cruise ship, you socialize with your work colleagues, and you work alternate hours, therefore having a job that you actually appreciate will enable you to get the most out of your time working on a ship.

Choose an appropriate position for yourself. If you enjoy talking to people, then a position in the entertainment or hotel department is probably suited to you. If you enjoy working alone, perhaps a position in the deck or housekeeping department is more suited to you. The most common position that people apply for is the Captain of the ship, however a vast majority of applicants do not have the experience or qualifications. The key to finding a position is to explore within your realm. There is such a high turnover of staff, since contracts generally last four to six months, so there are people who are coming and going all the time. If you are willing to stay, you will be able to move into different positions easily.

Here is a list of terminology that may come in handy for when you board the cruise ship.

Aft: Near, toward, or in the rear of a ship.

Amidships: In or toward the middle of the ship.

At anchor: The position of the ship after it has dropped anchor.

Beam: Width of a ship at the widest part.

Bearing: Direction or position of the ship with respect to its destination.

Berth: The particular parking space the ship docks at the pier.

Board: To come onto a ship.

Bow: Front portion of a vessel.

Bridge: Navigational, command, and control centre of a ship, where the Captain

works.

Bulkhead: The walls of a ship.

Bulwark: A guard that protects a ship from big waves.

Captain: Master or commander of a ship.

Course: Ship’s direction based by degrees.

Crew Pass: A picture identification to show when crew members embark and

disembark a ship.

Deck: Floor of a ship, especially in the open areas.

Disembark: Exiting a ship, usually at the end of a cruise.

Dock: A protected water area in which vessels are moored.

Draught: Depth of water a ship draws, especially when loaded.

Embarkation: To board a ship, usually at the beginning of a cruise.

Fantail: The back deck of the ship.

Fathom: Six feet.

Forward: Towards the bow of a vessel.

Funnel: Ship’s smokestack.

Galley: The kitchen inside a ship.

Gangplank: Ramp running from the pier into the side of a ship by which

passengers board.

Gangway: Opening in the side of a ship through which it is boarded or

provisioned.

Hatch: Doors that connect one level to another.

Hull: The frame or body of a ship. Excludes anything built above the main deck.

Knot: A measure of Nautical speed about 1.1508 statute miles per hour.

Latitude: Distance measured in degrees north or south of the equator.

Leeward: The side of a ship opposite from the side from which the wind is blowing.

Length: The distance from the extreme front of a ship to the extreme rear of a ship.

Log: A device for measuring the speed of a ship.

Longitude: Distance east or west of the prime meridian.

Master: The captain of a ship.

Muster: The assigned station during lifeboat drill.

Nautical Mile: 6,080.2 feet. Slightly more than 1.15 land miles.

Pilot: The local official who guides the vessel into port for docking.

Porthole: A round window.

Portside: The left side of the ship facing forward.

Purser: Official on a ship responsible for papers and accounts and also for the

welfare of other passengers.

Quarterdeck: The rear part of the uppermost deck on a ship.

Starboard: The right hand side of a vessel facing forward.

Stern: The rear part of a ship.

Steward: The person who services a cabin.

Tender: The smaller ship, boat, or lifeboat used to transfer passengers from the ship to shore and back again while the ship is anchored offshore.

Tonnage: A measurement of the carrying capacity of a vessel.

Wake: Moving waves, track or path that a boat leaves behind it, when moving across the waters.

Windward: The side of the ship that the wind is blowing into.

When applying to cruise lines, it is important that you keep your resume succinct, and present important information in such a way that it can be easily identified by the reader. Different layouts of resumes vary according to the country; therefore ensure that you have done your research about what is the acceptable format for the country in which you are applying. It must be noted that the majority of cruise lines are based in the US, and standard format for a resume in the US is one page. However, other countries such as Australia, the UK, and New Zealand accept lengthier resumes. Following, are two examples of resumes for cruise lines; one being the standard US format for a Youth Counselor position, while the other being a standard Australian format for a position in Hospitality.

Do not waffle

Use dot points, rather than writing sentences and paragraphs. Employers want to be able to find the information they need by quickly scanning. Avoid repetition, do not use the word “I”, and ensure that you write in past tense. Do not use abbreviations, acronyms, jargon, or slang.

Presentation

Use good quality paper, be conservative in your fonts, use boarders when necessary, and be consistent with the format and style of writing.

Always ensure that you send a cover letter along with your resume. The cover letter gives you the opportunity to sell yourself by highlighting your skills and attributes in a personal manner, whereas a resume is factual information. Keep your cover letter succinct; do not go into too much detail, and leave the reader wanting to find out more. Identify key points relevant to the position for which you are applying. Be very specific about which position you wish to apply for, and emphasize what you can bring to this position, and how your previous experience relates.

In order to save you time, you can use the same cover letter when applying to different cruise lines, but ensure that you change the cruise line’s contact details, as well as the reason why you would like to work for that specific cruise line.

• Use good quality paper
• Do not exceed one page
• Break up your letter into about 3 or 4 paragraphs
• Avoid using fancy fonts
• Check your spelling and grammar
• Have someone proof read your work
• Address the cover letter to a specific person or department

There is so much information available on the internet about cruise ship jobs, but where do you start? By now, you would have probably noticed all of the websites that are devoted to finding you a job. However, you may have realized that although there is so much information available and so many recruitment agencies out there, it is still difficult for you to find your ideal job on a cruise ship.

You will need to be careful of scams. Many websites will charge you money, and then you will never hear back from them. Also, you may be looking at buying several books related to cruise ship jobs. A common way for prospective employees to purchase books is via the internet. However, BEWARE: many authors rate their own books in their reviews, and therefore have five star reviews. This does not indicate the quality of the books. Things to look out for in the reviews are: grammar style, wording, commonalities in punctuation. If you notice similarities in each review, chances are that the actual authors wrote the reviews themselves. If there is a name below the review such as, “Crystal Waters, Marketing and Recruitment Manager, Carnival Cruises”, then do your research on this person who wrote the review. See if they really exist. Ensure that you research the book through alternative websites, and see if the reviews are consistent. You will be very surprised what you will find when you read reviews, especially authors bad-mouthing other authors to reduce their competitors’ sales!

There will be obstacles that you need to overcome to get your dream job, therefore you need to have a vision of what you want, and then you need to have a framework in place of how to get it. Following, are some pointers that you will undoubtedly find most useful in your search for your desired position.

1. Persistent Breaks Resistance

The cruise industry is very difficult to get into, but once you get your foot in the door, it’s pretty much smooth sailing from there on. Since the industry is extremely competitive and cruise lines only accept individuals of a high caliber, you need to make yourself stand out. Many people apply for a cruise ship job who are not really serious about working at sea. Therefore, you need to differentiate yourself from the rest. Make yourself known to the cruise lines, and then if there is a position open, you will most likely be at the top of the list. Remember - the toughest part of getting to the top of the ladder is getting through the crowd at the bottom. Cruise lines do not want to chase candidates; therefore, making yourself available will make you more desirable. Making yourself known to cruise lines by either phone or email will most likely work in a positive way for you, however your relentless and persistent approach must be in a polite and friendly manner. Being demanding and insistent will not get you anywhere.

2. Do Not Play Hard To Get

If you call a cruise company and they ask for your resume, ensure that you follow up. Keeping a clear record of who you have called and when, and the details of your conversation, will enable you to have an accurate and precise account, and will prevent you from accidentally calling the same company twice over, and asking the same questions. When following up, ask questions such as, “When will I hear from you?”, “When do you think there will be a position available in my field?” and, “What can I do to ensure that I will definitely be considered for this position?” In most cases, cruise lines will be calling you from another country; therefore do not be a fish out of water. You want to make it easy for the cruise lines to catch you. Provide them with as many contact details as possible, and check that you have the correct country codes. If you provide cruise lines with a home telephone number, notify other occupants of your house that you are awaiting a telephone call, to ensure that they take a message and behave in a professional manner. The last thing you want to ruin your chances is a lazy housemate who forgot to give you a message.

3. Conduct Your Own Research

Having done your homework will go along way. If you call up a company, you may be taken by surprise if they ask to interview immediately over the phone. If you have no prior knowledge of the cruise line, chances are, you will not get the job. Finding out a few details about the cruise line will be very valuable, especially if you are presented with the question of, “Why do you want to work for ______ cruise line?”, or “What makes ______ cruise line stand out from the others?” Visiting the cruise line’s website will be beneficial before phoning them. In addition, reading travel magazines, and the travel section of newspapers, will keep you informed on the latest news regarding the cruise industry.

4. Create your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is going to be your selling tool. Making yours prominent will catch the eye of the reader. Most cruise lines require you to send a photo. Although you may feel that you will be discriminated against, you must realize that the majority of the time interviews are conducted over the phone, rather than in person. Working on a cruise ship involves being in the public eye at all times. Therefore, immaculate presentation is absolutely essential. Human resource professionals have limited time to assess applications; therefore, if you do not have a well-structured and concise letter, the reader will not be prompted to read your resume.

5. Revise Your Resume

If the assessor has read further than your application letter, chances are that he or she thinks you may have potential. Therefore, you need to ensure that your resume is up to scratch. Make your resume relevant to the position for which you are applying. Present a stable work history, but refrain from going into detail on unrelated material, and keep the information succinct and in a format that is easy to follow.

6. Work Your Network

Sitting at home waiting for your phone to ring will not get you a job. You need to be proactive and make contacts. Networking is one of the best methods of finding a position on a cruise ship. Speaking to people and letting them know that you are actively searching for a position will enable them to keep their eyes and ears open. If you call a cruise company, and you are told that you’re speaking to the wrong person, before you hang up, ask who you should speak to, and if you can be transferred to that person, or alternatively, get their direct contact number. Gather as many contact names as possible, so when you make your follow up calls, you are able to mention certain people that you have previously spoken with.

7. Make Your Impression

Remember….first impressions last. Cruise lines want you to demonstrate your ability to conduct yourself in a professional manner; therefore you need to be enthusiastic and responsive at all times. When you first call up, even if you are not speaking to your direct contact, ensure that you are polite to any point of contact, whether it is the receptionist, personal assistant, etc. They may hold the key in order to get through that gateway.

8. Presentation

When it comes to working for a cruise line, immaculate presentation is essential. Most positions on cruise lines require you to be in the public eye at all times when on duty. Therefore, you need to be well-groomed and neatly dressed. The first point of contact that a potential employer has with you, is when you send in your resume. Cruise lines require you to send in a photo, therefore, you must ensure that you look neat, are well-dressed, and most importantly, that you look friendly and amicable. A passport-sized photo is usually required, however, you do not have to send in a passport shot of you. Just ensure that you cut it to that size, and choose the most appropriate photo of yourself. Do not send a picture where your eyes are red, or a party shot after you’ve had ten beers. Ensure that you look presentable, and are smiling.

9. Attitude Determines Altitude

Cruise lines endeavor to employ crew members who are bright and friendly, and who display enthusiasm. In order to stand out from the rest, make yourself appear interesting. Show the prospective employer that you have had experiences, that you have stories to tell, and that you would make an interesting employee to be employed by their cruise line. Employers want people who are fun-loving and are open to new experiences, and have the ability to interact with anyone and everyone. Do not be elusive, and don’t try and cover up jobs from your past. Remember: you do not have to tell your interviewer everything about your work history, but don’t make it obvious that you are hiding things. Sometimes it is better to divulge certain information about your work history as it shows honesty, but make sure you get a feel for the situation before telling the employer how you got fired for putting super-glue on your boss’ chair.

10. Fail To Prepare…Prepare To Fail!

Ensure that you have read travel brochures, looked up information on the internet, and can rattle cruise statistics off the top of your head. This will make you stand out from the rest. Displaying planning and initiative will demonstrate to your future employer that you have the ability to behave in this manner in other situations. Bring a copy of your cover letter and resume to the interview, even if the interviewer already has been given a copy. If it is a phone interview, ensure that you have copies in front of you, and also jot down your own notes, e.g., questions, comments. Ensure that you have practised with a friend or family member, and make them ask you their own questions (ones that you may not have specifically prepared for). This will determine how well you can think under pressure, and get your mock interviewer to give you feedback. Also, rehearse in front of a mirror, and analyze your body language.

There are many different positions aboard cruise ships; however, since there is such high competition for cruise ship jobs, it is important that you know how to go about getting a cruise ship job.