We were inspired by a recent blog from one of our recruitment partners, HOSCO, about what life is really like when you work on board some of the most incredible cruise liners in the world. We have a number of hospitality management graduates and alumni who have begun their careers on cruise liners, and chatting to some of them recently and looking at the prospects for employment on board these floating palaces, we think you’ll be just as inspired as we are.

 

Looking at the positives

There’s no denying the many positives you can gain from working on a cruise ship. First of all, you get to travel the world. Make sure that if you’re going to begin a career in the cruise industry that you sign up for a variety and number of different contracts so that you truly get to fill up your passport with stamps from all over the world. It’s such a privilege to travel, so make the most of it whilst you can. Secondly, you can save money on board so that when you return home, you’ve got a lovely deposit for a big ticket item. Your accommodation, meals and laundry are all taken care of during your time on board, so save your pennies for calls back home and put the rest in the bank. Pay wise, hosco reports that you can look at earning around 1700 to 2100 euros per month for waiter or junior positions on board (R29K – R35K per month).

Thirdly, you will be exposed to training opportunities throughout your stay. Make the most of learning everything you can across all departments and take those skills with you to your next job. Some of the finest and most professional staff work on board cruise liners – soak up their knowledge and training and don’t be shy to add it to your CV. Because working on board a cruise liner is intense and involves hard work and high standards of excellence, those who have experience on cruise ships are held in high esteem when applying for jobs. It’s a brilliant starting point for any hospitality career.

We looked at Princess Cruise Ships for some guidance on what to expect on board:

• Furnished living accommodations
• Crew-specific cafeterias (also known as the Crew Mess) with a variety of menu items from around the world
• Laundry facilities and services
• Crew Store with discounted convenience items such as toiletries and snacks
• CrewCard pay system to help you manage your finances at home while working at sea

Additionally, they offer recreational facilities which include:

• Recreation rooms dedicated to crew member activities which include a DVD library, bicycle rentals (for port days), Wii video games, and a general lounge area.
• Crew Wi-Fi and discounted Internet services to help you stay in touch with your family and friends at home
• Crew Bar with discounted drinks
• Crew Gym
• Crew Pool

Looking at the negatives

Contracts on board a cruise ship typically last 6 months at a time. Whilst that seems easy to achieve, remember that you will work 7 days a week for that entire period of time and that you will work most of the day and night for 6 months. It sounds ridiculous but that’s the way it works. There are breakfast, lunch and dinner shifts and you basically rest in-between. It is tough going, so be prepared to work really hard. If you get seasick, if you’re not able to stand for long periods of time or if you hate small spaces, this may be a stumbling block for your cruising career. You see, aside from all the hours spent serving food and drink or making beds / checking guests in, you won’t be able to retire to the privacy of your own luxurious and spacious cabin when you’re tired. You will likely be required to share accommodation with two, three or 4 individuals in a combined cabin with a shared bathroom. Privacy is difficult to achieve when accommodations are limited. If you can live with that, you’ll be fine.

How to get a job on board a cruise liner

Despite the long hours and small accommodations, the opportunities that working on cruise liners offers young graduates is enormous. One of our Culinary Arts Alumni, Kirsten Redelinghuys, gave us 3 tips for those looking for employment on board a cruise liner in an online interview:

Q:What are your top 3 tips for those looking for jobs on cruise ships?

A:Experience. Most ships are looking for chefs with experience, so get the best you can and as much of it as you can, and work hard in whichever position you are in at the moment.

Persistence. There aren’t that many recruitment agents who deal with cruise ships so contact the managing company direct and keep trying till they respond.

Mommy can’t help you. Take responsibility for your career and life, and cut those apron strings. Tie your own!

International Hotel School is privileged to be connected to a number of recruitment agencies specialising in cruise jobs who come and visit our students on campus regularly. Once students complete their application forms and all the pre-screening is done, a skype interview may take place, followed by background checks, medicals, visa assistance and finally a job offer if the candidate is suitable. Talk to your campus Student Facilitator or sign up for our job mailers via our website to view the cruise options available.

Whatever your reason for choosing to work on a cruise ship, remember that it opens doors for other employment opportunities, so if you get a chance to apply, go for it. You get to travel, meet new people and experience new places. It’s a thrill and a job of a lifetime. If you have any queries, give us a call on 0861 44 33 00 or email info@dev.brokenpony.club for assistance.

(Content and images sources: https://www.hosco.com/en/plus/index/article?id=20; http://www.princess.com/careers/shipboard-cruise-jobs/; http://dev.brokenpony.club/hotelschool/2012/06/cheffing-in-a-cruise-liners-kitchen)