Even if you have no prior experience, you can still apply for some cruise ship jobs. This is if you are interested in working aboard a cruise ship. There is a job that fits your skills, whether you want to work in human resources or as a member of the crew. You may hone your job hunt and get ready for work at sea by being aware of the positions that are available on cruise ships.
5 Entry-Level Cruise Ship Jobs in the USA
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Coordinator of Activities
An activity coordinator earns $42,502 a year. Those who organize activities on a cruise ship are known as activity coordinators. These people could concentrate their planning on a certain type of activity, such as youth or couples gatherings. When the cruise ship docks, activity coordinators can also assist passengers in organizing their days.
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The Bellperson
Those who work in this role earn $36,652 a year on average in the United States. Bell employees carry out a range of tasks linked to passenger care. They show passengers to their cabins and assist them with carrying their luggage. Additionally, Bell employees may assist guests with carrying their baggage upon disembarking and provide demonstrations of how to use specific services. They might also assist with cleaning the ship’s reception area and room service
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The Bartender
The average pay for a bartender in the United States is $39,458 a year. Bartenders serve drinks and take meal orders from passengers on cruise ships. They keep bars clean, make sure they have enough supplies on hand, wash and disinfect glasses, cutlery, and equipment, and mop and clean the floors. Additionally, bartenders move trash to the appropriate receptacle and make sure the bar has a consistent supply of glassware.
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Cabin Steward
A cabin steward earns an average of $56,510 a year. A passenger’s stateroom is cleaned by cabin stewards. Often referred to as cabin attendants, their duties include vacuuming floors, making beds, cleaning bathrooms, and replenishing minibars and toiletries. In addition to helping passengers find their rooms, cabin attendants also handle orders for room service.
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Deckhand
A deckhand earns up to $40,244 a year. In the galley sections of a cruise ship, deckhands carry out general cleaning, organizing, and other maintenance duties. They might carry materials to and from work and storage places, clean or scrub floors, and take out trash. They follow safety, hygiene, and health protocols in all of their work. In addition, deckhands assist with docking and run the equipment on a ship’s deck. When necessary, they load supplies and equipment while keeping watch.
How to Work Cruise Ship Jobs in the USA With No Experience
Being prepared can help you have a more effective job search and application process if you want to work on a cruise ship. You can still pursue this kind of work even if you have no prior experience.
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Research roles
Look into the many careers available if you want to work on a cruise ship. Take a look at websites for cruise lines or online job boards. Asking someone who has worked on a cruise ship about their experience and the types of jobs they anticipate finding is a good idea. Usually, you can get positions in the kitchen or cleaning with little to no experience. These occupations might help you progress to more lucrative and fascinating careers, even though they might not provide the highest wages on the board. To decide if a position is something you truly want to pursue, thoroughly research each one.
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Select a cruise line.
Once you have decided what kind of work you want, look into several cruise lines or businesses. Investigate each of these cruise lines to learn more about their employment opportunities and to gain a deeper understanding of their cultures. You can ascertain the legitimacy of the firm you are interested in by investigating several cruise lines.
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Obtain the Requirements.
You frequently have to fulfill a wide range of standards on cruise ships, both general and role-specific. Before applying for a job, make sure you meet these requirements. Regardless of the role, you should be 18 or 21 years old or older and have fluency in the language. Other requirements are a current passport, work permit or visa, and achieving a passing grade on the medical test. Remember that every cruise ship has its unique standards. Therefore, it is useful to look into jobs at particular cruise ship firms to find out what other certifications you might acquire.
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Apply for a job on a cruise ship
Some cruise companies utilize an agency or hiring partner, while others require you to apply through their head office. Examine the careers area of the website of the cruise line you wish to work for. Once you’ve located a position that interests you, apply online by following the guidelines. Usually, a résumé and cover letter must be submitted.
Why Work Cruise Ship Jobs?
Working on a cruise ship offers a distinctive way of life and career.
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Opportunity to see the world
Working on a cruise ship allows you to go to many different places all over the world. This not only increases your awareness of other cultures, but it also allows you to travel for pay.
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Low costs
There are not many cost-of-living expenditures when working aboard a cruise ship. For instance, you can save more money because you don’t have to pay for items like rent, food, petrol, or television.
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A feeling of belonging
You get to work and live among a diverse range of individuals from other countries when you work on a cruise ship. Not only does this give you a strong network of support, but it also allows you to go out in port with friends you made while working there.
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Crew savings and discounts
Numerous ports provide crew members with a range of savings on amenities like dining options, resorts, and taxis. Even while you might only go to some places once, you might go back to others when the ship comes back to take advantage of these discounts.
Top Cruise Lines to Work For
Every cruise line has its own culture. This is because of the diverse crew, the kinds of professions on cruise ships, and the cruise’s main goal. Each of these variables should be taken into account while determining how to secure a job on a cruise ship. Here are the top 6 cruise lines to work for.
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Royal Caribbean International
Being one of the largest cruise lines in the world does not automatically make Royal Caribbean International one of the greatest places to work. The Oasis-class Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas are two examples of well-known ships where you can work. With locations on six continents, the opportunities for employment with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line are virtually limitless. Some advantages are available to employees, such as:
- Discounts on cruises for employees and their families
- Several crew actions
- Free lodging while working on board
Crew members at Royal Caribbean frequently meet together outside of work hours, demonstrating the company’s friendly and collaborative work culture. But those workdays can be long; you might not be able to take a complete day off for weeks.
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Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is next on our list of the top cruise lines to work for. Another big cruise line that is well-liked by cruise fans is Carnival. Workers are happy with Carnival’s many perks, which may include health insurance, life insurance, and a 401(k), depending on your employment. Employees at Carnival frequently put in long hours, just like those at other large cruise companies. Workers characterize their jobs as demanding, particularly on well-known ships like Carnival Horizon and Panorama. If you wish to work for Carnival Cruise Line, these are important considerations.
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Disney Cruise Line
Perhaps every Disney fan’s greatest fantasy is to work for Disney Cruise Line. After all, Disney and travel are a surefire combination. On a Disney cruise, you can anticipate being completely encircled by the Magic Kingdom. Currently, Disney operates five cruise ships that visit Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean. There are several benefits to working on a Disney cruise, such as:
- merchandise discount
- Free admission to a theme park
- Opportunities for development
- Health insurance
The capacity to deliver exceptional passenger service in a family-like setting is one quality that Disney Cruise Line particularly seeks in staff members. You’ll get plenty of instruction on what to expect aboard the cruise ship. You’ll need to pay close attention to the guidelines because they have strict standards for how their employees behave on board.
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Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line comes next. You can anticipate a fast-paced atmosphere where you’re always learning, just like with any cruise line. Because Norwegian Cruise Line’s crew is comparatively youthful, you can anticipate a vibrant culture. According to some workers, navigating the culture can be difficult at first, but they eventually make friends for life. Numerous prospects for promotion accompany the learning opportunities. There are also fantastic health, dental, vision, and matching 401(k) benefits to look forward to.
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MSC Cruises
One of the biggest cruise lines in the world, MSC Cruises, has over 30,000 employees across all of its cruise ships, making it one of the greatest places to work. MSC offers a variety of cruise ships, which is exactly what you’re looking for. Employees on board come from more than 114 different countries, representing all the places this cruise company visits. At the moment, they run 19 ships, including the MSC Seaside and MSC Meraviglia, and they go to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Europe. Benefits offered by MSC Cruise include complimentary medical care from the ship’s physician, crew shore excursions, and staff bar parties.
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Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises comes in last on our ranking of the top cruise lines to work for. Celebrity Cruises provides its employees with a wide range of possibilities, including transatlantic cruises and Hawaiian excursions, on well-known cruise ships like the Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Summit. There is a lot of respect among the staff members, and the work culture is generally excellent. According to certain staff members, Celebrity Cruises boasts friendly management and effective service methods. Celebrity Cruises personnel are typically paid more than those on other cruise lines, even though working for them can be just as stressful as working for any other cruise company.
How to Find Cruise Ship Jobs in the USA
Your desired work type will determine that. According to Walt Nadolny, professor emeritus of marine transportation and global business at the State University of New York Maritime College and a former environmental officer for Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, the most entry-level jobs are typically those like cabin attendant, dishwasher, and laundry worker. However, it is improbable that foreign-sailing enterprises will hire Americans for those positions. The ships are not governed by American labor laws because they are often registered or flagged in foreign nations. According to Nadolny, “the lower-paying jobs are not being compensated at an American salary.” In similar situations, operators usually hire from regions with lower median wages than the U.S. and relatively weak currencies, such as parts of Asia and Eastern Europe. But even for those types of jobs, U.S.-flagged ships are required to employ U.S. labor.
Important Benefits of Cruise Ship Jobs
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Opportunities for Travel
The opportunity to go to several places quickly is one of the main benefits of working on a cruise ship. You might have the chance to visit far-flung places and engage with diverse cultures, depending on your function and the ship’s schedule. This might be a great way to expand your horizons and add international experience to your resume
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Competitive Salary and Benefits
Jobs on cruise ships can provide competitive pay and benefits, especially for management or specialist positions. Many cruise ship employees receive benefits, including free meals, lodging, and access to onboard amenities in addition to their regular salary. Some cruise lines even include retirement plans and health benefits.
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Professional Growth and Friendship
Working aboard a cruise ship can offer the chance to form strong relationships with coworkers from around the globe. As crew members collaborate to provide guests with an unforgettable experience, they frequently speak about the sense of friendship and teamwork that grows on board. This can be a chance to pick up new abilities and gain practical experience in a hectic and exciting environment.
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Extended Workdays with Heavy Tasks
With long hours and heavy workloads, working on a cruise ship can be taxing on the body and mind. Depending on your position, you can be required to perform 12-hour or longer shifts seven days a week. This may necessitate a high level of endurance and stamina and leave little time for leisure.
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Restricted Privacy and Personal Space
For people who respect their privacy and personal space, living and working aboard a cruise ship might be difficult. Crew members may have little opportunity for personal activities or alone time because they usually share cabins with one or more coworkers. It is critical to feel at ease living in close quarters and sharing space with others.
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Isolation and Homesickness
It can be lonely to work aboard a cruise ship, especially for people who are separated from their support systems and homes. As crew members get used to life onboard and in new ports of call, they may suffer from homesickness, loneliness, and culture shock. Maintaining communication with family and friends back home is crucial, as is trying to establish a connection with coworkers and other passengers.
Read Also: Non-profit Jobs in the USA
Conclusion
Cruise ship jobs in the USA offer a unique career path for people who love adventure. For somne roles, there is no experience required with a minimal entry requirement. Cruise ship jobs offer good employment opportunities with competitive pay and career advancement. Despite the challenges, cruise ship jobs are suitable for people who are eager to meet people around the world.