Let’s start with the obvious: the hospitality industry has taken a beating in the past year. Movement of our guests has been greatly restricted and non essential businesses across the globe have been forced to shut down due to the quarantine measures in place to prevent COVID-19. This is the obvious, however what may not be so obvious right is that we will get through it, and cruises should be your choice for when we do.
Did you know that the cruise industry has generated 134 billion dollars in n total global revenue by the end of 2019? In addition, cruise ship jobs are, on average, some of the best paying in the industry. In addition, most cruise ships offer their employees several benefits on the ship (such as free lodging, free meals, and insurance), which makes working on cruise ships one of the best jobs to earn and save money in the hospitality industry.
Although cruise lines were among the hardest hit by the proverbial economic "storm" of the Coronavirus, the industry is poised to survive the disaster. In fact, many of the companies that were previously struggling are now hiring again as the situation has improved and many of the ships are implementing newer regulations to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
So now you know the state of the industry, I am going to give you the steps to get started!
Step 1: Send us your CV
Maybe great stories in fairy tales 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 make sure your profile fits the basic requirements of the cruise program:
+21 years old
Current college student or graduate majoring in hospitality/culinary arts
Valid passport for at least 1 year
Be 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 skill 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, forwarded your CV to our cruise ship partners and they have shown interest. In this case, 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 on 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 is one aspect of the course you'll need to master before you begin the program).
Now if I did not 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: that's right, 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 (perhaps until after COVID -19 has been brought under control), 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 hospital doctors who are in quarantine and 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 for you!
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, 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
Author: Chris Robinson
Editor: Jarya Kotyleng
