| How will I find my dream job on a cruise ship? Who will | | | | Certification. Sell yourself - Apply early and often - but |
| hire me? What do I need to know? Where will I get | | | | don't pester the Personnel Office by phone. Send |
| tips for getting hired? You will find the answers to | | | | follow up letters and resume updates. Great tips for |
| these and other questions about working on a cruise | | | | getting hired! |
| ship if you read the following excerpts from Mary | | | | The cruise industry hires year-round and seasonally. |
| Fallon Miller's book 'How to Get a Job with a Cruise | | | | Most employees work for a period of six to nine |
| Line'. You'll get to know how much they will pay you, | | | | months with one to two months off. Many |
| what you'll be doing and how long you will be doing it. | | | | departments add staff for holiday cruises, and peak |
| Imagine what it takes to operate a floating resort - a | | | | sailings through winter and spring. Doctors and nurses |
| virtual city. That is what a cruise ship is. It employs | | | | can find year round employment or assignments as |
| experienced workers in over three hundred kinds of | | | | brief as two to three months. Peak hiring times for |
| jobs to run this kind an enterprise. Here are some | | | | youth counselors? Holidays and summer - perfect for |
| good tips for getting hired! Those people that are | | | | students or teachers who love to travel. List your |
| seasoned in the entertainment industry will be | | | | specific dates of availability (e.g. from May 15 to Sept. |
| considered first - and then if you are proficient in such | | | | 1) so the Personnel Office knows how to schedule |
| occupations as hospitality, tourism, restaurants and | | | | you. |
| bars, teaching, childcare, sales, customer relations, | | | | The pay compares to good jobs ashore - plus you |
| gaming, marketing, fitness, health and beauty, medicine | | | | save a lot of money because most expenses are left |
| and healthcare, administration, banking, accounting and | | | | behind. On board ship your room and meals are |
| financial management, your skills will also be in demand. | | | | included. No more rent, grocery, electric, or gas bills! |
| Cruise lines hire dependable, competent people with | | | | You can bank your salary and tips, or blow it all in |
| outgoing, positive attitudes, students, career-changers, | | | | ports of call. Sample current pay ranges: Casino |
| retirees - "people" people, who enjoy working with | | | | Manager: $2,000-3,000 per month (revenue sharing.) |
| others. Your number one priority as a cruise line | | | | Gift Shop Retail Sales: $1,000-1,500 per month |
| employee is to provide a safe, fun and memorable | | | | (commission included.) Hairstylist / Beautician: |
| vacation experience. | | | | $1,000-1,300 per month (tips included.) Shore Excursion |
| To get hired on a cruise ship you need to: Know the | | | | Manager: $1,800 - $3,000 per month, plus commission. |
| players - Royal Caribbean International, Princess and | | | | If you really are interested in learning how to get a |
| Carnival are known as the 'Big Three', with the largest | | | | cruise ship job, you'll need to know what you want to |
| fleets in the industry. These employers should be at | | | | work at, find out who's hiring, determine how to get |
| the top of your list. Choose jobs that interest you - | | | | hired, establish whether it is year-round or seasonal |
| Practice public speaking whenever possible, study a | | | | employment you'll be involved with and how much they |
| foreign language or get your CPR or Lifesaving | | | | will pay you. Make a plan and stick to it! |