A career at sea is one of the few jobs where you travel the world, live on board and earn a living at the same time. If you have ever wondered what cruise ship work is really like, and what it takes to get hired, this guide covers the essentials.
What is life on board like?
Crew members live and work on the ship for the length of their contract, usually alongside colleagues from dozens of countries. Accommodation and meals on board are provided, and time off is spent exploring ports of call. The work is demanding, with long shifts and a lot of teamwork, but many people find the experience life-changing.
Which jobs are available?
Cruise ships are floating cities, so the range of roles is wide. They include hospitality and guest services (stateroom attendants, servers, bar staff, front desk), galley and bakery roles (cooks, bakers, pastry), housekeeping and laundry, aquatic and entertainment staff, retail and spa, and technical and engineering positions. Open positions change often, so always check the current list on our jobs page.
What do you need to get started?
- A valid passport.
- A clear criminal record check.
- Relevant experience or training for the role you are applying for.
- A cruise ship medical, completed with an approved medical provider once you have an offer.
- STCW safety training and a seafarer visa, depending on your position and the ship's route.
Don't worry if some of this sounds unfamiliar. Our onboarding team guides every candidate through the paperwork step by step, and our partner VisaPal can assist with visas and STCW course bookings.
How does the process work?
- Apply online for the position that suits you on our jobs page.
- Screening: our recruiters review your CV and may invite you to a short call or interview.
- Endorsement: if you pass screening, we endorse your application to the cruise line. Please note that an interview with the cruise line is not guaranteed.
- Offer and onboarding: once you receive an offer, we help you complete your documents and prepare to board.
Our no-fee promise
Portside Consulting has a strict no-fee policy. We never charge recruitment, application or placement fees. If anyone asks you to pay for a cruise ship job in our name, please contact us immediately.
Ready to start?
Browse our current openings and apply on the Portside jobs page. Questions? Reach us through our contact page.