How to get a job on a cruise ship with no experience

To get a job on a cruise ship with no experience, use this guide:

Search online

If you want to work on a cruise ship, the first thing you should do is research cruise ship positions online. To do this you can do a unique search on a job website or check cruise line websites for openings.

By researching you may also find that while you may not have any experience on a cruise ship, you still have professional experience that applies. Restaurant or hotel experience, for example, are both suitable when applying for a job on a cruise ship.

If you know someone who works on a cruise ship or used to, use them as a resource to learn about the job and entry-level roles.

Try to narrow down the kind of entry-level cruise ship positions you want to apply for so that you can better prepare for specific roles.

Determine which cruise line you want to work for

There are many different companies to choose from. Research different cruise lines to find out which is the best fit for you. This might be based on where they travel or the pay rates of their employees, but whatever your determining factors, make sure to you have a good idea of what is out there.

An extra tip is to also look into the employee reviews of various cruise lines. You can find these on many different career websites and can be a great indicator for those you should apply to or avoid.

Before applying, obtain the requirements

Most cruise lines have requirements you must obtain for them to hire you. Here is a list of the most common requirements that apply for any role on a cruise ship:

• You must be at least 18 years old for certain cruise lines, and 21 years old for others

• You must have language fluency

• You must obtain a valid passport if you do not already have one

• You will need to pass a medical examination

Remember, these requirements are standard and virtually universal among cruise lines, but some cruise lines and certain positions will have even more requirements.

Apply for a cruise line position

Check the cruise lines website on how to apply. Some go through hiring agencies, while others allow you to apply with their head office. It's a good idea to also have a resume prepared for this step. You may also need to submit a cover letter as well.

Here is a list of some common cruise line roles that you can apply to with no cruise ship experience:

• Pot washer

• Server

• Deckhand

• Bar Utility

• Cabin steward

• Galley janitor

• Bell staff

As discussed earlier, if you research these positions you may find that you do have applicable skills from past work experiences. You can always work your way up from an entry-level role.