how to get one? ⭐ Your Guide for 2024

Are you interested in a job on a luxury liner? Work where others vacation with job on cruise ship. Our guide for you.

Are there many jobs on cruise ships right now?

After the end of the Corona pandemic, the cruise business is picking up again. Many people have had to wait a long time for their cruise – the rush is correspondingly high. At the moment, cruise operators are therefore very urgently looking for personnel for all areas. So you have many opportunities to successfully enter this industry at the moment.

What jobs are there on cruise ships?

There are a lot of different jobs on cruise ships. Since cruise ships are small floating cities, service providers are sought here that you also know from any city on land. These are, for example, bakers and cooks, florists and hairdressers, all-round craftsmen (repairs of all kinds) or cleaners. IT experts and personnel managers are also included.

On the ships, however, there are also exotic jobs such as:

• DJ
• bike guide
• entertainment manager
• Fitness Coach.

Quite often, employees with an apprenticeship program in food and body-related services are especially sought after. We have prepared for you a list of recurring jobs on ships that we know of. For some positions the English designations fit best, so the list is mixed German and English:

Bar

• Bar Manager
• Bar waiter
• Bartender

Entertainment

• Family & Arts Manager
• Musical Director
• Stage Technician
• Artists
• Singers
• Kids Animator
• Supervision of children and teenagers
• DJ
• Entertainment Administrator
• Entertainment Manager
• Light technician
• Sound technician

Galley (Kitchen)

• Chef de Partie
• Chef-Baker/Confectioner
• Trainee
• Galley senior baker
• Chef de Partie
• Butler

Administration

• Media Coordinator
• Desktop Publisher
• Crew Administrator
• First Purser
• Chief Purser
• German Teacher
• Hotel Manager
• HR Manager
• IT administrator

Housekeeping

• Asst. Executive Housekeeper
• Asst. Housekeeper
• Executive Housekeeper
• Florist
• Senior Cabin Stewardess
• All-round Technician

Guest Services

• Concierge
• Guest Service Manager
• Night Auditor

Restaurant

• Executive Maitre
• Asst. Maitre
• Headwaiter
• Junior Steward
• Senior Headwaiter
• Senior Maitre
• Senior Steward
• Steward

Shore excursions

• Ass. Shore Excursion Manager
• Excursion Giude Shore
• Excursion Manager
• Tour Guide
• Bike Guide
• Excursion Expert

Spa, Sport and Wellness

• Asst. SPA & Sport Manager
• Fitness Instructor
• Cosmetologist
• Massage Physiotherapist
• Receptionist
• SPA Vitalcoach
• SPA & Sport Manager
• Swimming instructor
• Physiotherapist

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Where can I find cruise ship jobs?

There are a number of specialized job boards for jobs on cruise ships and jobs in the maritime industry in general, including:

In addition, you can also find such jobs on general job boards as well as on the pages of the employment agency.

And of course, cruise operators also advertise jobs directly on their websites, including:

• TUI Cruises
• Viking Line
• P&O Cruises
• Ocean Star Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• MSC Cruises
• Majestic International Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• AIDA Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Line

Work on board

A cruise ship is like a floating city. Luxury restaurants, comfortable accommodations, sports facilities, culture and a cheerful atmosphere define life on board. Qualified and experienced specialists and generalists are constantly needed on the ships.

These include engineers, cashiers, secretaries, hairdressers, musicians, electricians, croupiers, cleaners, nurses, cabin stewards, bartenders, cooks, photographers, waiters, carpenters, salesmen and many others.

Working on a ship is a great opportunity to work, travel, and earn and save money at the same time. The major cruise lines are constantly growing and expanding their operations internationally. Every year new cruise ships are put into vacation service. Naturally, the companies need more and more employees. After all, cruise tourism is booming.

Questions and answers about life on board

Career on board

Many crew members who successfully complete one or more contracts and receive a positive evaluation of their job performance are often promoted to a higher position or transferred to another department. For example, a cleaner working in the hotel department may be promoted to assistant cabin steward, and a galley worker may be transferred to the dining room or room service.

Most companies offer a variety of career advancement opportunities. However, the process and requirements for promotion vary from ship to ship. You can also make a career by transferring to another ship or company – for example, to where certain positions are currently vacant that would be a career move for you.

Advantages of a job on cruise ship

Of course, your first purpose of working here is to make good money. But a job on a cruise ship has other advantages as well:

• you really get to travel around the world
• you get to know not only a lot of guests, but also a lot of crew members – you get to network all over the world
• often you can use the amenities of the ship like sports rooms and SPA for free
• you get a high quality catering on the ship
• on many ships there are language courses for you, for example for English or German, if you need help here.

By the way, on many ships there is a sun deck, which is exclusively open for the crew. So if you need a break from the guests and your work: Here you will find sun loungers, lounge furniture and parasols. You can start your day here with early morning sports and enjoy the sea and sun during your lunch break. On larger ships, the organizers also offer crew events here more often.

Disadvantages of a job on cruise ship

An important disadvantage of the work is first of all the uncertainty about coming occupations. Covid had virtually shut down the entire cruise business with many thousands of people unable to work on the ships as usual. So you should be aware that the jobs depend on many factors that the companies can’t always control either.

Other disadvantages compared to other jobs is your low privacy on the ship. Most of the time you will be housed with several other international employees. Most cruise lines employ international crew members from Italy, Norway, the Philippines, Jamaica, Poland, Russia, Indonesia, Peru, Austria, Turkey and other countries.

Your quarters will tend not to have a view of the sea and will mostly be deep in the ship’s hull. Anyway, you won’t have much free time on board and the leisure options will be limited for you at some point or you already know everything. So you will also spend little money and can therefore save yourself good money during your assignment.

Differences cruises rivers and high seas

The main differences for employees on cruises rivers and cruises high seas are:

• River cruises usually don’t take you as far from home – you usually have shorter arrivals and departures.
• On the rivers, the ships are smaller and so is your accommodation. You also have much less room to spend your free time on the ship.
• Apprenticeship program on cruise ships
• Quite recently, you can also do an apprenticeship program on cruise ships. Since the work here is intense and the free time is small, you can get your vocational degree here faster than anywhere else. This is an Austrian trade school diploma.

The following apprenticeship programs, among others, are available on cruise ships:

• Cook
• Hotel and catering assistant / -in

Looking deeper into prospering job profiles on cruise ships

Cruise Ship IT and Technical Jobs

Cruise ships are increasingly dependent on sophisticated technology, from navigation and safety systems to passenger connectivity and entertainment. IT support and cyber-security roles have become crucial aboard these floating cities. Network engineers maintain internet connectivity, a challenging feat given the ship’s location, while cybersecurity experts ensure passenger and crew data remains secure. Marine engineers and technical experts also play a vital role, often overseeing engine maintenance, power generation, and environmental controls. These jobs require a mix of technical certifications and adaptability for at-sea work.

IT professionals often begin in land-based roles before moving to maritime settings. Many cruise lines provide on-the-job training for their specific systems, but prior certifications in network security, maritime engineering, or IT project management can provide a competitive edge. This field is particularly appealing for tech workers wanting travel experience without sacrificing career growth, given the consistent demand for technical expertise across major cruise companies.

Career Paths for Culinary Professionals

The culinary industry on cruise ships offers a structured yet diverse career ladder, catering to various tastes and preferences. Entry-level roles like kitchen assistants or line cooks provide foundational experience, but talented chefs can advance to sous-chef or executive chef roles. Aboard large cruise ships, each restaurant or culinary area may focus on a specific cuisine, offering culinary professionals the opportunity to specialize, whether in patisserie, sushi, or molecular gastronomy.

Promotions come through a blend of experience and specific certifications. Programs like the “Pro Chef” certification from the Culinary Institute of America or those offered by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies are valuable assets for chefs aiming to reach higher-ranking positions. Besides cooking, chefs on cruise ships must adapt to maritime conditions, such as resource limitations or specific hygiene standards. Culinary staff often enjoy perks such as extended shore leave and special shipboard accommodations, making these roles appealing for skilled culinary artists with a passion for travel.

Healthcare Jobs Aboard: Medical Staff and Unique Needs

Healthcare professionals on cruise ships are a unique blend of emergency responders and general practitioners, often handling everything from seasickness to serious medical incidents. Positions include nurses, doctors, and wellness experts like physiotherapists or psychologists. Certifications beyond national medical licenses, such as Basic Safety Training and crowd management certification, are often required to handle the unique challenges of maritime healthcare.

Healthcare staff must be ready to act in emergencies, from coordinating evacuations to managing viral outbreaks. Ship medical centers are equipped for general care, but in emergencies, medical staff may collaborate with the coast guard or port hospitals. For doctors and nurses, cruise line jobs offer unique professional experiences, from treating multicultural patients to adapting healthcare delivery to limited-resource environments.

Training and Certification Programs for Maritime Hospitality

Maritime hospitality on cruise ships requires unique skills and certifications to handle the high standards of service and safety. Positions range from housekeeping to guest services to event coordinators. Certifications in maritime hospitality from programs like STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) ensure that crew members are well-versed in safety, crowd management, and the specific needs of guests on board.

Many cruise lines offer structured onboarding programs that go beyond regular hospitality training. The nature of the work demands familiarity with international customs, multi-language proficiency, and adaptability to varying guest expectations. For career growth, those with international hospitality management certifications or hotel and tourism degrees can rise to managerial positions, where they oversee teams and ensure a premium guest experience.

Regional Demand and Nationalities in Cruise Ship Employment

The cruise ship industry draws a culturally diverse workforce, with a high demand for workers from regions like Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, where recruitment programs actively source talent. Different nationalities are often associated with specific roles, such as hospitality, deck operations, or culinary jobs. This diversity enriches the onboard experience but also brings unique challenges in terms of cultural integration and communication.

Southeast Asian staff are frequently found in service roles, benefitting from structured training programs in countries like the Philippines, where maritime hospitality has strong support. Eastern European professionals, often recruited for technical and entertainment roles, bring engineering and linguistic skills to international waters. For employers, regional recruiting often balances skill demand with cost-effective hiring practices, creating a blend of skilled, multilingual teams that enhance the multicultural appeal of cruises.