| Securing a job, while avoiding the advertising hype | | | | independent confederation of cruise industry hiring |
| Picture yourself plying over thousands of miles of | | | | managers with key relationships and hiring access |
| ocean, while occasionally docking at historic ports of | | | | with every major cruise line. |
| call. Not only are you traveling free, you’re | | | | Further Investigation |
| getting paid for it, too. | | | | On further investigation of the countries that supply |
| The average cruise ship salary range is between | | | | most of ship crew members, I discovered that all of |
| $3,000 to $5,000 per month with zero living | | | | those countries use crewing agencies. In other |
| expenses and full insurance. The core sacrifice is | | | | words, prospective applicants need to apply through |
| being away from family for 4 to 6 months at a time. | | | | those agencies (who collect fees), and then they are |
| The core benefits are traveling the world, making | | | | usually employed within months, or within a year. |
| great money, and meeting great people from around | | | | Each agency has direct contact with H.R. personnel |
| the world. | | | | from various cruise ships. |
| Most cruise ships built today resemble small cities. The | | | | Relationships are the easiest way to land a job on a |
| average crew includes: personal trainers, chefs, wait | | | | cruise ship. Like the old cliché, |
| persons, security guards, housekeepers, bartenders, | | | | “it’s not what you know, it’s |
| blackjack dealers, and even golf pros. You can find | | | | who you know.” The cruise industry is rife |
| hundreds of other jobs available on each ship. | | | | with this conduct, mainly, because it’s a |
| With an average contract of about six months, and | | | | hospitality driven industry, and the staff are |
| with high turnover rates, it’s obvious why | | | | conditioned to behave this way all the time. |
| companies need to fill so many positions. | | | | Top 5 ways to get hired on a cruise ship! |
| However, for most people, finding one of these | | | | 1. A referral from a hiring decision maker who works |
| dream jobs can be as unpredictable as the | | | | in the Human Resources Dept of a major cruise line. |
| treacherous waves in the high seas. Should you mail | | | | What better way to get a job than to have |
| your application? How about faxing or e-mailing it? | | | | reference. |
| Would a direct call to a cruise line company help? | | | | 2. Get a referral from a friend who has influence |
| The mountainous information that is available on the | | | | within the cruise line industry. This friend who has |
| Internet can make your job search even more | | | | contact with those higher up in management, might |
| confusing. Much of the information is vague, while | | | | have enough influence to help you get in. |
| other information is misleading, or is a straight up | | | | 3. A referral from a current employee of a major |
| scam. | | | | cruise line. It sometimes helps knowing anyone who |
| The Truth | | | | already is aboard a ship. They can sometimes give |
| What about web sites that claim to mail, fax and | | | | you helpful information about the people you need to |
| e-mail your application in for you? What are the real | | | | contact. |
| chances of getting hired that way? Common sense | | | | 4. Replying to an ad placed by the cruise lines |
| should tell you, that if someone is sending your | | | | Management Human Resources Dept for a senior or |
| application in with 100 others, you’re probably | | | | non entry-level job! Sometimes, it’s possible to |
| not going to get a job. | | | | look in the local newspaper and see jobs offered |
| With a jovial chuckle, Damien Caldera, a former | | | | directly from the cruise lines. These are usually found |
| Carnival Cruises staff member states: “I don't | | | | in newspapers in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, |
| know a single hiring manager who employs anyone | | | | and any other major cities where cruise ships |
| from any of those faxed or resume e-mail services in | | | | embark. |
| the marketplace. It's just not done. Moreover, it's a | | | | 5. A top alternative way to land an entry-level job on |
| routine to delete and trash this volume of unsolicited | | | | a major cruise line is with the global network. They |
| applications!" | | | | service the world. They have a 13 year hiring success |
| Richard Marshal, HR Fleet Operations, Management | | | | record, and that record of achievement continues |
| Recruitment, Royal Caribbean International, | | | | today. They have the contacts and the proper |
| completely agrees with Damien's declaration here. | | | | guidance to land you a cruise ship job. |
| The truth is that cruise ships never advertise 90% of | | | | The truth is, there are up to 30,000 jobs available |
| their entry-level jobs. Instead, those jobs are handled | | | | each year aboard cruise ships. Plus, that number |
| by companies like Yet, the cruise ship lines own | | | | increases every year. Unfortunately, if you |
| Human Resources Department handles most | | | | don’t follow the correct procedures, you could |
| management level jobs. | | | | find yourself on dry land. |
| ECruiseShipJobs global hiring network is an | | | | |