Discover how to start a high-paying career on a cruise ship with our step-by-step guide. Learn about the required certifications, interview process, and benefits of working at sea.
Did you know that the cruise industry generated a staggering $150 billion in total global revenue by the end of 2023? In addition, cruise ship jobs are, on average, some of the best-paying in the industry. Most cruise ships offer their employees several benefits on the ship (such as free lodging, free meals, and insurance), making working on cruise ships one of the best jobs to earn and save money in the hospitality industry.
So now that you know the state of the industry, let me guide you through the steps to get started!
Step 1: Send Us Your CV
Great stories may start with "Once upon a time...", but in the real world (at least in this case), they start with "I made a really great CV and sent it to Placement International...". So the first thing you should always do is make sure your CV looks as professional as possible. It's also important to ensure your profile fits the basic requirements of the cruise program:
- +21 years old
- At least 1 year of experience in Culinary or Food & Beverage
- Valid passport for at least 1 year
- Passionate about life at sea
These are the basic requirements most cruise lines ask for, but company requirements and preferences are always changing, so make sure to add any important skills you have (hint: languages help a lot on a cruise ship!).
Step 2: Book Your First Interview
Congratulations! If you have reached this step, it means that we have reviewed your profile, and forwarded your CV to our cruise ship partners, and they have shown interest. Now, you will need to book an interview with our team to move the process forward.
The interview is partly to assess your character and English language skills, but it is also the best opportunity to ask any questions you have before you start the main part of the course and interview. So go into this interview with a professional attitude, but also remember to let your personality shine through, and do not be shy when asking questions!
Step 3: Gather the Necessary Information
During the interview in Step 2, our team will also tell you what documents you need before you can proceed. To prepare you for this stage, see what documents you'll need below:
- Your CV
- All your certificates and diplomas
- All your letters of reference
- Copy of your passport
During this stage, we will also inform you how exactly your CV should be formatted for the cruise program. You can view a list of these guidelines here.
Step 4: Get Your Cruise Hospitality Certification
This is arguably the most important step in starting your hospitality career abroad - all major cruise lines require applicants to obtain a standardized certification in both operational cruise hospitality and STCW. So, naturally, the next step in the process is to obtain this certification.
The courses themselves are filled with several modules designed to prepare you for life at sea and the international safety standards of working on a ship. These include Itineraries, Guest Satisfaction, Crew Life, and Anti-Piracy (okay, it's not quite called "anti-piracy," but anti-piracy procedures are one aspect of the course you'll need to master before you begin the program).
If I didn’t convince you how useful this course is when I mentioned anti-piracy, there are some other distinct benefits to taking this course:
- A Lifetime Certificate: Once you complete the cruise certification, you will have that qualification for the rest of your career in the hospitality industry. This means that if you want to work on a cruise again in the future, you will not have to go through the process again. It also means that if you want to do your course and postpone your placement, this is entirely possible!
- 15 Hours of Useful Skills, All Online: The course is designed so that candidates from all over the world can gain the qualification without having to commute to an education center. This could be perfect for any hospitality professionals looking forward to the next challenge!
- A Place is Pretty Much Guaranteed: At this point, we would have already forwarded your CV to our partner cruise companies and expressed some interest in your profile. This means that the chances of you getting placement after completing the course are very good!
Step 5: Have Your Formal Interview
Look, Mr./Mrs. Cruise Course Graduate! Now that you have received your certificate, it's time for the actual interview. Between you and our team, we will find a time when both you and the HR of your chosen cruise line are available for the interview.
Once you have secured your interview slot, you'll be able to show off your newly acquired knowledge and skills to your new potential boss. But do not worry. We will prepare you for the interview and guide you every step of the way!
Step 6: Start Your Journey at Sea!
Well done!!! You have passed your interview with flying colors and are now ready to pack your bags and begin your adventure. We will guide you through the procedure to obtain your transit visa and ensure that the next steps are as simple as possible. The exact procedure of what comes next depends on the ship, but we will try to streamline it as much as possible so all you have to do is prepare the necessary paperwork, pack your bags, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
If you want to start your career in cruising now - or prepare for one in the future - now is the perfect opportunity. Just click here to get started!
