How to work on a cruise ship

To work on a cruise ship, follow these steps:

• 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.

• Use connections

If you happen to know someone who works on a cruise ship or used to, definitely use them as a valuable resource to help you understand what it is like and what kind of entry-level jobs you can expect to find.

• Determine which cruise line you want to work for

There are many different companies to choose from. This might be based on where they travel or the pay rates of their employees, but whatever are your determining factors, make sure to get a good sampling of what's out there. An extra tip is to also look into the employee reviews of various cruise lines.

• Requirements

Most cruise lines have requirements you must obtain in order for them to be able to hire you. These can be general and those that are specific to a certain role.

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 line's website to learn how to apply. Some go through hiring agencies, while others allow you to apply with their head office and it's a good idea to also have a resume prepared for this step.