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.