Work on a cruise ship: reviews, the whole truth. How to get a job on a cruise ship

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Which of us didn't dream of traveling as a child? About distant seas and countries? But it's one thing to relax and admire the beauty of passing places, making cruise tours. And it is quite another to be on a ship or liner as an employee. Perhaps someone will ask: "What has changed?" The opportunity to travel remains, the contemplation of beautiful landscapes and sights - also, on top of that, you can also earn good money.

But if it were that easy. In fact, it turns out that work on a cruise ship is not quite so rosy and cloudless. The reviews, the whole truth that you don't even know about, may make you reconsider your desire to work here. And maybe, and vice versa, having learned all the details, you will finally strengthen your decision.

Ship from yesterday's newspaper

In the Soviet Union at one time the song was very popular:

"I talked about seas and corals, I dreamed of eating turtle soup, I stepped onship, And the ship turned out to be from yesterday's newspaper…"

What is behind the words "work on a cruise ship"? Reviews, the whole truth of which has nothing to do with the picture that a person paints for himself, will slightly open the veil of uncertainty before you. First you need to learn about the features of this type of work. Who can get a job on cruise tours? What are the advantages and disadvantages of working? What are the requirements of the cruise company for applicants? But let's start with what a cruise tour is.

On the green surface of the sea

Some believe that this type of holiday requires huge financial investments and is available only to people with a solid bank account. Such a luxury can still be afforded by some young couples as a honeymoon.

In fact, a cruise can be made by a person with an average income. Cruise companies, of which there are now a huge number, will select a tour based on your preferences and finances.

The opportunity, without wasting time on flights, to see different countries is worth it to make such a trip at least once in a lifetime. The cost of the tour usually includes: accommodation on board the liner, meals, medical services, entertainment programs, sports. Additional services, for which you need to pay extra separately, may include: spa treatments, services of hairdressers and beauticians, masseurs and fitness instructors. An experienced team and qualified staff will do everything to make your vacationbecame truly unforgettable.

Basic requirements for employees

Employers impose quite stringent requirements on job seekers on cruise ships. These include:

1. Applicant must be at least 21 years old and not older than 35.
2. Knowledge of foreign languages, at least one. Most often English. If you know other languages besides it, then this will significantly increase your chances of being hired.
3. Experience in the speci alty - at least a year.
4. Having a letter of recommendation from the job you are applying for.
5. A person must be completely he althy.
6. Good looking, no tattoos or piercings in open areas.
7. No criminal record and a certificate confirming this fact.

How to get a job on a cruise ship

• First of all, you need to contact a recruiting agency or a cruise company to select vacancies.
• Next is the process of collecting the necessary documents, you will be given a list. Usually it includes: a resume with photographs, a certificate of no criminal record, letters of recommendation, copies of a diploma of education and a passport.
• You need to pay the registration fee and for the work of the agency.
• Next you are told the date of the interview. They are of two types: via Skype and in person.
• Take an English proficiency test.
• Now you need to pass a medical commission.
• If all the tests are passed successfully, you arecontract for a period of 6 months to a year.

General rules of conduct on a cruise ship

In every job there are certain requirements that must not be violated. They are here too. Cruise ship workers must not do the following:

• Be rude or insult passengers and colleagues.
• To treat your duties carelessly and of poor quality.
• Get into groups of several people and ignore the passengers.
• Buy liquor at passenger bars.
• Sleeping during the work day, being late for work and going truant.
• Talk to passengers about tips.
• Ignore your appearance and cleanliness of clothes.
• Smoking in non-designated areas.

For violation of one or two of the above requirements, the employee is issued a warning in writing. If the rules are ignored more times, the person is fired.

In some cases it happens right away. Such violations include: fight, theft, drinking alcohol while working, possession of drugs.

Types of occupations offered

If you do not have a special education, you have little choice. You can only get a job as a waiter, assistant or cleaner. In all other cases, special education is required. Who can work on a cruise ship? In addition to the attendants, workers from the entertainment sector are required: animators,musicians, photographers, etc. Let's take a closer look at several types of professions.

• Working as a nurse on cruise ships. Responsibilities will include providing first aid to passengers. Knowledge of English and work experience of one to two years, letters of recommendation are required.
• Working as a cook on a cruise ship. Experience in a restaurant environment is a must. Education must be culinary.
• Maid job on a cruise ship. If you don't have experience, you may not be hired for the job. Your duties will include cleaning the cabins, taking out the trash and checking the availability of personal hygiene products.

The benefits of these professions

1. Good opportunity to make some decent money.
2. A chance to see new cities and countries.
3. No need to spend money on food and accommodation on a cruise ship.
4. The opportunity to travel for free for a long time.
5. Meet new interesting people.
6. A constant holiday feeling.
7. By the end of your contract, you can save a good amount, because spending on board will be the most minimal for you.
8. Free he alth care and uniforms.
9. Get invaluable work experience and recommendations that may come in handy when choosing a new job.

Disadvantages of the profession

If you want to travel the world and earn money at the same time, before making such a decision, weigh the pros andagainst. You already know about the benefits of working on a cruise ship. Reviews, the whole truth of which will help you get to know the negative side, will make your choice more conscious. It's not for nothing that they say that the one who owns the information owns the world.

• You have to work long and hard. From 12-14 hours a day, sometimes up to 18 hours. When you fall down from fatigue, it is unlikely that you will enjoy the trip.
• Many workers note the fact that the inability to be alone even for a short time exerts great psychological pressure. If you don't like to talk to people and are prone to irritability, you won't be able to work here.
• You won't have days off. There will be only a few days during which your workload will drop a little.
• There will also be no time for illness, because there will be no one to replace you. Only in case of serious he alth problems will you have time to recover.
• During a long time with people who can be very unpleasant.

Five reasons not to choose a job on cruise ships

Every profession has certain characteristics that you need to consider if you want your job to be fun. They are here too. Read the following material carefully, and if you find at least one reason why you should not choose such a job, it’s better not to do it. The consequences could be too dire.

List of reasons:

1. Fear of closed spaces.
2. Reluctance to communicate with people. On the liner, you will not be able to be alone even for a short time.
3. Unbalance, irascibility, aggressiveness. These qualities you will not be able to contain for several months, sooner or later they will manifest themselves and serve as a cause of conflict on board.
4. The so-called seasickness. Of course, there are a huge number of effective drugs that reduce the feeling of nausea and dizziness, but it's best not to joke about it.
5. If something does not suit you at work, you will not be able to go anywhere at least until the end of the flight, and possibly the entire contract.

Working conditions

• Working day - from 10-14 hours.
• No days off, seven day work week.
• The contract is concluded for a period of 6 to 8 months.
• Vacation 8-10 weeks.
• Accommodation in a private cabin for 2-4 people.
• Salary from $1000 plus tips.
• Free food and lodging.
• Families of employees receive discounts on cruise payments.
• Paying the ticket in the opposite direction, subject to the end of the contract and the absence of comments from the management.

Reviews from people working on cruise ships

An interesting fact is that many people who come here for the first time conclude a new one after the end of the contract. Although if someone had told them about it earlier, many of them simply would not have believed it.

According to the feedback from employees, one can easily imagine that there is hard work ahead on the cruiseliner. St. Petersburg in this case is no different from Moscow or Tokyo. If you don't have the habit of coping with difficulties, it won't be easy. One of the waiter's assistants says that the hardest thing for her was to get up early in the morning, since the shift began at 6 am. She had to learn not only to wake up early, but also to manage to put herself in order in 10-15 minutes. For six months, she had only 6 days off, and even then these were not completely free days, but only partially.

In the morning I still had to work, then there were 6 hours of rest that could be spent on sleep. But it was a pity to spend this time in this way, when there was an opportunity to go ashore and get to know a new city. True, such opportunities were rare, the days of rest did not always coincide with the parking of the liner.

At the same time, some employees, despite hard work, say that the liner has an eternal holiday atmosphere. This is a bright and enchanting world, and your involvement in it is insanely pleasing.

Advice from seasoned workers to newbies

1. Excellent knowledge of English will serve you well. Working on a cruise ship in St. Petersburg and other companies will bring more pleasure.
2. Learn to easily accept any surprises and troubles, believing that the black stripe ends sooner or later.
3. Be sure to communicate with colleagues at work, the better this communication will be, the more you can help each other. And without this, it will be very difficult here.
4. Remember that self-pity is a luxury. No matter how youit was hard and bad without relatives and friends, reassure yourself that you will see them in the future.
5. Take on board the beautiful words "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger". Let them be your motto for the duration of the contract.

Workers on a cruise ship are divided into two categories of people. Those who, having tried, quit, and those who have been engaged in this type of activity for many years of their lives. After weighing the pros and cons, decide for yourself if working on a cruise ship is right for you.

Reviews, the whole truth about work, may be able to help make the right choice. If you are not afraid of difficulties, love to communicate with people and crave to see new cities and countries, feel free to choose a job on a cruise ship. The most important thing is that you enjoy your work.