What are the requirements to work on a cruise ship? - Crew Life at Sea (2023)

FAQs

What are the requirements to work on a cruise ship? - Crew Life at Sea? ›

One of the main reasons people choose to work on cruise ships is the chance to travel to many places they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. Since they live on the ship, they receive room and board as part of their compensation. They travel the world without paying for expensive hotels and food.

One of the main reasons people choose to work on cruise ships is the chance to travel to many places they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. Since they live on the ship, they receive room and board as part of their compensation. They travel the world without paying for expensive hotels and food.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $102,500 and as low as $14,500, the majority of Cruise Ship Worker salaries currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) to $58,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $90,000 annually across the United States.

Cruise lines require at least a high school education, or equivalent, for most entry-level jobs. While in high school, you should concentrate on classes such as geography, sociology, and a foreign language. Fluency in Spanish, French, or Mandarin is highly desirable.

“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”

You can talk about skills from the job posting or your transferable skills. And you don't have to limit your qualifications to paid work. Whatever uniquely qualifies you for the position could come from volunteer work or from experiences at school.

When asked in an Indeed survey about the difficulty of their interview at Carnival Cruise Line, most respondents said it was medium. Indeed's survey asked over 189 respondents whether they felt that their interview at Carnival Cruise Line was a fair assessment of their skills. 92% said yes.

Among many difficult jobs on cruise ships, handpicking the toughest one is tricky. Still, one job will stand out in terms of horrific working conditions and cruel working hours-the galley steward.

How long does it take to get hired for a cruise ship? ›

The hiring process for working on a cruise ship can be very different than other jobs. On land, you can expect to apply for a job, get an interview, and start right away. In the cruise industry, it can take as long as 6 months to a maybe even a year to get put onboard!

Your answer to the "tell me about yourself" question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you're a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.

Upon successful completion of their training, crew members are offered a contract, typically ranging from two to nine months. There are no holiday entitlements, but crew members can choose when they take the six- to eight-week break that automatically comes with longer contracts.

Common interview questions might include 'Can you tell us a bit about yourself? ' or 'Why do you want this job? ' Meanwhile, job-specific questions could include: 'What skills can you bring to this cruise line?

Finding a job on a cruise ship can be incredibly competitive, so make sure you include all relevant qualifications and experience when you apply. Entry requirements will differ depending on the cruise company and the job you're applying for.

Bartenders, main show entertainers and third-party shop employees are some of the more obvious ones, but they're not the only ones. Most cruise ship employees that do not receive gratuities receive a salary instead. For example, a cruise ship captain won't receive tips, but they will receive a healthy salary.

Do cruise ship employees get free food? A majority of cruise ship lines offer their employees free food throughout the duration of their contracts. There's typically a special kitchen on the boat that prepares food for staff members. Employees may eat in separate dining areas, depending on their classifications.

A cruise ship crew member for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian Cruise Line can earn an annual average between $16,000 to $20,000. For leadership staff onboard cruise ships, the annual salary can be much higher from $30,000 to $100,000.

What's your greatest weakness? ›

Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.

Why should we hire you? Make your lack of experience work in your favour. Use this as a strength and tell the panel you are fresh, enthusiastic, hungry and ready to get started! You want the panel to hire you because of your passion for this job and how much you are attracted to their company.

You need to highlight why you're the best match for the role by explaining the accomplishments, skills, or personality traits that set you apart. However, don't criticize other candidates while you do so. Maintain a positive tone and keep the response focused on what you can offer, rather than what others can't.

When answering this interview question, focus on the skills and qualities you possess that most closely align with the needs and requirements of the role. For example: Hard or soft skills, like software expertise, or excellent customer service skills. Qualities like dedication, determination and perseverance.

Typical extra tips may be $15-20 per passenger for a seven-day cruise paid to the cabin steward for exceptional work, or an extra $10-20 per passenger to a waiter who offered spectacular dining service. Similarly, it is often acceptable to tip $1-3 when room service is delivered depending on the size of the order.

The average Carnival Cruise Lines salary ranges from approximately ₹1.3 Lakhs per year for a Waitress to ₹21.8 Lakhs per year for a Sr Sous Chef. Salary estimates are based on 991 Carnival Cruise Lines salaries received from various employees of Carnival Cruise Lines.

What happens if you quit on a cruise ship? ›

Cruise workers who resign before completing their contract must pay for their own transportation back home and may not be eligible for future employment, according to interviews with four former and current employees, company documents, and meeting recordings obtained by Insider.

Good news for the young at heart, there is no maximum age to work on cruise ships. Unfortunately, the truth is that there are some jobs on board for which applicants over the age of 35 would not be considered. The main concern for the employer is that the job-seeker is fit, both physically and medically.

If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

How long does it take to disembark a cruise ship? Disembarking all passengers from a cruise ship takes a few hours, depending on the cruise ship's size. From the time your color-coded departure group is called, you can be off the ship in 15 minutes.

“I see this opportunity as a way to contribute to an exciting/forward-thinking/fast-moving company/industry, and I feel I can do so by/with my …” “I feel my skills are particularly well-suited to this position because …” “I believe I have the type of knowledge to succeed in this role and at the company because …”

On ships, you live where you work. Unlike life on land, there is no rent to be paid or monthly utility bills that need to be taken care of. All basic living expenses are covered at sea for crew members: accommodation, water, electricity, and food.

Can I bring a family member or friend onboard? Crew members who meet specific length-of-service criteria have the option of requesting "relatives travel," a benefit that allows family members to sail onboard for a limited period of time. Some restrictions may apply.

- What is the standard length of a contract on a cruise ship? Most cruise lines offer minimum four to six months contracts, depending on the cruise line or/and position, contracts could be extended or employees could take time off and then go back for another contract.

One of the main reasons people choose to work on cruise ships is the chance to travel to many places they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. Since they live on the ship, they receive room and board as part of their compensation. They travel the world without paying for expensive hotels and food.

How should I dress for a cruise interview? ›

Cruise Packing Checklist: Personal Items

This includes everything from your boarding documents to your toothbrush. Boarding documents. Luggage tags. Passport/birth certificate. Copy of passport/birth certificate (carry a copy of your passport with you in port; keep the original in the cabin safe)

Cruise ship crew life can be intense: long hours, no days off for months, lots of rules, demanding guests, small living quarters and little to no privacy. But working on ships also allows you to travel to places some only dream of while making some amazing connections with fellow seafarers from all over the world.

The hiring process for working on a cruise ship can be very different than other jobs. On land, you can expect to apply for a job, get an interview, and start right away. In the cruise industry, it can take as long as 6 months to a maybe even a year to get put onboard!

Upon successful completion of their training, crew members are offered a contract, typically ranging from two to nine months. There are no holiday entitlements, but crew members can choose when they take the six- to eight-week break that automatically comes with longer contracts.

What is the average age of employees at American Cruise Lines? The most common age range of American Cruise Lines employees is 20-30 years. 56% of American Cruise Lines employees are between the ages of 20-30 years. The least common age range of American Cruise Lines employees is less than 18 years.

The cost of living onboard a cruise ship varies depending on the type of cabin you choose and the amenities you desire. Generally, retirees can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 - $3,000 per month for accommodation, meals, entertainment, and other activities.

What is life like for a cruise ship employee? ›

You work long hours.

Rather than working traditional five-day weeks, cruise-ship employees often work seven days a week for the duration of their contracts, which can range from about two months to 11 months.

So many cruise ship crew members — especially the younger, unmarried service staff — blow off steam the way 20-somethings away from home for the first time typically do: by partying and hooking up with each other like it's the end of the world. “Think about when you went to college for the first time,” says Bruns.

Staffers typically live with a roommate in tiny cabins that have bunk beds and small closets. We usually eat at our own buffet and hang out after work at the crew bar.

Rather than working traditional five-day weeks, cruise-ship employees often work seven days a week for the duration of their contracts, which can range from about two months to 11 months. The hours can also be intense, from eight to nearly 20 hours a day.