Easy Guide to Applying for a Cruise Ship Job

Many people are considering looking for jobs on cruise ships. There are many jobs available on cruise ships that are not available elsewhere. Working a job on a cruise ship is also very lucrative. You will find it very engaging and make a ton of money.

Working on a cruise ship is a life-changing experience, but if you don’t have any experience, you might wonder if you can apply. You can still apply for a cruise ship job even if you don’t have experience. Anyone who wants to apply for cruise ship jobs will learn that it is a very good springboard for their career.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you are interested, check out the guide below to learn how to apply for a cruise ship job.

Easy Guide to Applying for a Cruise Ship Job
Image Source: Cruise Job Directory

Meet the Eligibility Requirements

One of the important things to learn when applying for a cruise ship job is to meet the eligibility requirements. 

ADVERTISEMENT
Easy Guide to Applying for a Cruise Ship Job
Image Source: Maritime Fairtrade

Every cruise line or company has its own set of requirements. It is best to check the company’s website to make sure that you qualify for all available positions. 

Check out all the general eligibility requirements below.

Age Requirement

One of the major requirements for cruise ship jobs is the age requirement. Applicants must be 18 or 21 years old and above to be allowed to work on a cruise ship. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Many cruise lines are very strict with the age requirement especially when they travel over different territories. 

Some roles may also require the applicant to be over 21 and have experience working on a cruise ship.

Required Documents

Before you can even apply for cruise ship jobs, you must have all of the required documents prepared. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Cruise ships require every employee to have a valid passport and visa. You will not be even considered for a cruise ship job if you do not have all of these documents. 

Be sure that you have already prepared them even before you apply for your first job.

Medical Records

Apart from your passport and visa, you must also pass the medical requirements by submitting your medical records. 

You must be free from any contagious diseases which is why applicants must undergo thorough medical examination before they are even hired.

Looking for the Best Cruise Ship Role for You

The cruise ship is composed of different departments which include food service, entertainment, hospitality, passenger service, maintenance, engine work, deck work, and many more. 

Easy Guide to Applying for a Cruise Ship Job
Image Source: Business Insider

Go ahead and do your research, see which ones you’re most interested in and find out how you can be qualified for the job. 

Most of the time, applicants with a hospitality background are more likely to work in hospitality services while those with an engineering background work on engine work. The best way to do this is to check the website for job listings.

Your Resume is Key

Now that you have decided on a role, it is time for you to prepare your resume. Your resume is the key to getting hired including your cover letter. 

Your resume must include important details, including your personal information. Highlight the skills relevant to the position you’re applying for, and make sure you can back them up with experience or information from your previous employer. 

For those who have no experience, you can always mention your internship to bolster your chances of getting hired.

Submitting Your Application

Now that you are fully prepared, it is time for you to apply. The best way to apply for a cruise ship job is to apply online. 

You can check out the website of the cruise lines that you want to apply to and submit your application. You can also attend a cruise job fair where you can find a plethora of cruise companies that are looking for applicants. 

When you attend these job fairs, make sure that you are presentable and you are prepared to answer interview questions.

Skills Required for Cruise Ship Jobs

If you want to land the best cruise ship jobs, you will need to have the skills that many cruise lines require from their employees. 

Easy Guide to Applying for a Cruise Ship Job
Image Source: Mickey Visit

It is also best that you already have these skills so you won’t have to adapt to the work environment when you work on a cruise ship.

Effective Communication

You will most likely be working on a cruise ship with many other employees from different departments. It is best that you use effective communication so you can build proper relationships with your co-workers. 

Having effective communication is also advantageous especially when you’re dealing with passenger’s issues. This will make you an effective employee who is reliable and resourceful.

Proper Organization

Working on a cruise ship can be very chaotic. A lot of information is relayed left and right, and you even have to deal with new information within a few minutes, so you need to be very well-organized. 

Having proper organization can help you manage your time better. You become effective at prioritizing which tasks should be completed first and which important information is more effective at resolving the issue.

Teamwork

As with many other workplaces, teamwork is key to having a harmonious relationship with both your co-workers and your passengers. 

A person with strong teamwork makes completing different tasks a lot easier which means that you are easier to work with. 

This is also displayed with your passengers’ concerns, as you can relay and recommend your passengers to different departments that can cater to their needs.

Approachable and Friendly

Since you’ll be working with other people, you must be approachable and friendly towards your passengers. 

This ensures that they will enjoy their stay on the cruise ship and allow them to fully experience your hospitality. A friendly and approachable person is important for a cruise ship to retain passengers.

Conclusion

It is common knowledge that it can be very difficult to get a job on a cruise ship. It can be even harder for people who are not prepared, so be sure to follow the guide above so you can have a better chance of landing the cruise ship job that you’re applying for. With a wide variety of jobs that you can apply for, cruise ship jobs are always available for you.