Don Pedro`s Cruise Liner Ship Jobs

Please note 1: Most "hospitality" jobs on International luxury cruise liners and passenger ships or ferries - i.e. those where you come in direct contact with the passengers ( "Front desk" [ information or purser's office ], bartenders, waiters, waitresses, and hostesses ) - normally require a minimum of two years work experience from an international five star hotel / resort / restaurant. Because a luxury cruise liner ship is a floating hotel.

The "pure" hospitality crew is the biggest part of the Cruise Liner ship crew. Also included in the catering department on a cruise liner you have all the jobs involved with food preparation and cleaning of interior areas. Outdoor areas are normally cleaned and kept "ship shape" by the deck crew. Waiters doing the food and drinks service are included in the hospitality crew.

Please note 2: Jobs Available are changing all the time. I recommend you come back every one to two weeks and check what is available. Go to the job listings on each individual website below and check for new opportunities. Positions listed indicate the kind of jobs one usually finds on each website. It's very easy if you add this page to your "Favourites" (IE) or "Bookmarks" (Firefox). I'm not a recruiting agent.

Please note 3: When the crewing agent have an on-line application form, you must use it - if you don't, your application goes straight into the waste basket.

Please note 4: None of the listed recruiting agents on this page asks for any placement fee - neither in advance nor later.

Please note 5: Every link on this page opens in a new window. If your "Pop-up killer" is too efficient it can also stop new windows. When this happens, please press "Ctrl" and click on the link you want.

Because a luxury cruise ship is a floating luxury five star hotel the employment opportunities are much wider than on any other kind of ship. There can easily - on a big cruise liner - be over 1.500 people taking care of the guests ( i.e. passengers ). The biggest cruise liner ship so far, "Oasis of the Seas", built for Royal Caribbean, will accommodate 5.400 guests in comfort, served by a 3.300 person crew. The ship will enter traffic late in 2009.

This list is not even complete, only the most common hospitality positions on a luxury cruise ship are mentioned:
"Hotel", Food & Beverage, Restaurant, and Bar Managers - Waiters, Maitre D', Sommelier, Chefs (different kinds), Baker, Barman, Cabin Stewards, Stewardesses, Hostesses, Purser, Receptionist, Cruise Director, Shop Assistant, Hairdresser, Beauty Therapist, Fitness Instructor, Photographer, Medical Doctors & Nurses ( male & female ), Entertainers, etc.

The new big cruise ships that are under construction during 2009 and later will have big crews. Below is a list of galley personnel on the cruise liner ship Seabourn Odyssey, a total of 57 people:

1 Chef de Cuisine - Colonnade
3 Executive Sous Chef
1 Executive Pastry Chef
1 Patio Chef
13 Chef de Partie ( station or line cooks )
2 Chef de Partie - Crew
1 Baker
1 Asst. Baker
1 Butcher
1 Asst. Butcher
11 Demi Chef de Partie
3 Demi Chef de Partie - Pastry
1 Utility #1
14 Utility Staff
1 Garbage Manager
2 Utility Garbage Staff

Every one of these different cruise liner jobs is not mentioned in connection with every recruiting agent or cruise liner operator below. Each listing includes only a few examples of the kinds of jobs usually found on each agent's / employer's vacancy list. Go to each website and check for current opportunities ( vacancies ). I'm not a recruitment agent.

On the majority of cruise liners most hospitality employees are given only a very low basic salary - the real income is from the tips the guests leave after ending the cruise. Some examples of basic salaries:

Stewards / stewardesses UK £ 1.500 - 2.500 per month depending on onboard experience ( one £ about 1.5 USD, December 2008 ).
Cooks and Night Bakers UK £ 2000 - 3.000 per month depending on onboard or hotel experience ( one £ about 1.5 USD December 2008 ).

Also the catering personnel must have STCW-95 documentation / certification, including seamen's medical certificate. In many countries there are short STCW courses adapted especially to Cruise Ships. Usually the recruiting agent / employer can advice on these, depending on your country of residence.

The rules for the seamen's medical fitness examination can be found in "Seafarer Medical Examination System"

[ MSN 1765 (M)]. In Britain this certificate is commonly among seafarers often called "ENG1", because that's the official name of the form on which the certificate is issued. The "Medical Examination" document includes a list of countries who's medical certificates are accepted by MCA.

Visitors, temporary workers ( for instance repair crew ), short-time entertainers ( on cruise ships ), etc. are excluded, because they do not take part neither in the navigation nor have any safety-critical roles onboard. Neither are these people included in the "Muster List" nor do they take part in the ship's emergency drills, except as spectators.

There are several employment - money scams going on in the Cruise Line Industry offering good salary and requiring an advance fee. See Cruise ship employment scam and Nigerian and Other Employment-Money Scam Examples.
Information and news on Cruise Ships and Cruise Lines.
Information for Americans about work on cruise ships and how to apply.
Overview and salary examples of cruise liner ship galley ( cooking ) personnel in USD ($) per month.

Employment Opportunities

Newspapers and TV are talking about "economic crisis" and "economic depression / downturn" - I would call it a restructuring. There are new big cruise ships on order and there will be a continuous delivery of big cruise ships until year 2012. True, the shipyards have "problems" and new orders are not placed right now because it takes only two years from start to finish of such a ship.

We should, however be aware, that all the time / every day writing, reading, hearing about the Economic Crisis can create a self-fulfilling prognosis. As long as nobody comes forward with stories about those companies that still are running full speed with no problems the situation of course looks gloomy. But all companies all over the world do not have economical problems. In May 2009 Carnival Cruises did a recruitment drive in Manila, Philippines !

When an old cruise ship is taken out of service the cruise ship is replaced by a bigger ship requiring bigger crew. It's unavoidable that total number of crew / personnel onboard the cruise ships will rise, at least for the next few years.

UK based online recruitment for Holland America Line, Windstar Cruises ( sail-assisted luxury cruise ships ), and Island Cruises. Have offices in New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. Recruits deck, engine, and hospitality ( catering ) personnel. All nationalities are accepted. Use on line application.
South African recruitment agent seeks for small Norwegian flagged 5* luxury cruise vessels touring South Pacific or Alaska, depending on the season: Chief Engineer - 3 months on / 1 month off, Deck Officers - 4 months on / 1 month off, E-OOW Engineers. Officers and Engineers are expected to interact with guests and actively participate in guest activities. Previous experience from passenger liners / cruise ships is preferable. Click on "Apply" button to apply.
Worldwide database on available hospitality jobs: Executive Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Cruise and Hotel Directors, Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, Assistant Maitre'd, Head Bakers, Waiters / Waitresses, Stewardesses, Receptionists, Bar Staff, Assistant Sommeliers, Assistant Food Managers. For more details and to apply, click on position title in job vacancy list.
Cruise Liner ship crew recruiting company ( Oceania Cruises, Island Cruises, Discovery Cruises ) recruiting for "hospitality jobs" on Cruise Liners: Restaurant Managers, Food Managers, Bar Managers, Executive Chefs, Butlers, Sous Chef, Pastry Chefs, Sommeliers, Head Waiters, Assistant Pursers, Head Pastry / Assistant Pastry Chefs, Housekeepers, Receptionists, etc. For more information or to apply click on either job title or "more >>". or enquire by email: services"at"apolloships.com (instead of "at" type @).
Italy based international catering and hospitality recruitment agent with employment on Passenger Ferries and Offshore installations. Website is in several languages in addition to English: Italiano, Español, and Français. Offices in Algeria, P.R. China, Kazakhstan, Libya, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and USA. You must register first before supplying your C.V.
British job placement agency, specializing in Cruise Ship Chefs ( "culinary personnel" ) on luxury cruise liners, like: Executive Chefs, Butchers, Sous Chefs, Chefs Patissiere, Restaurant Managers, Sommeliers, etc. Current vacancy list, no registration fee for applicants. The agency requires both email and "hard copy" application. Use your own application form, Don Pedro's form is not so suitable for catering.
Crystal Cruises, US based cruise ship operator ( Los Angeles, California ), recruits only through authorized agents, see list of employment categories and authorized agents. The cruise line have a warning against fake job offers circulating. Employs hospitality personnel ( guest-customer service ), casino operators, entertainers, photographers, etc.
Island Cruises ( UK ) with two cruise ships ( Island Star and Island Escape ) cruising in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean do recruit for all departments. See instructions how to apply for: Beauty, Gym, Salon, Spa & Retail - Entertainment, Sound and Light Technicians, DJs, Animators for Children, Children's Club - Technical, Security & IT - Casino - Hotel Operations ( hospitality staff ) - Shore Excursions & Guest Relations - Medical Crew ( Doctors & Nurses ).
European Cruise Ship recruiting agent for Celebrity, Carnival, Azamara Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean,, and Seabourne with offices in Spain and Belgium shows recent vacancies for: Hotel Managers, Bar Managers, Assistant Hotel Manager, Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, Patissier, Housekeeper, Receptionist, F & B Manager, Waiters, Executive Chefs, etc. Apply by sending your CV by e-mail to address given on Contact page.
Norwegian cruise liner ship manning agency recruits for Crystal Cruises personnel from Scandinavia: Deck Officers and Engineers ( Females are encouraged to apply both on deck and in engine. ), and Hotel Department ( Hospitality and catering personnel )[ Chefs, Waiters, Sommeliers, Bakers, Butchers, Stewardesses, etc ]. For other positions ( like Security ) you apply separately. Get Pre-Employment Medical Examination forms. Employer requires Drug and Alcohol Testing. Apply online or by e-mail, follow instructions on agency website.
Regent Seven Seas cruise ships - Click on "your" department for specific vacancies and instructions how to apply. This employer accepts open applications.

British management company specialized in employing personnel for cruise ships as photographers and video operators. Download Application Form and Guidance for Application - follow instructions how to apply.
UK cruise ship crew management company hires officers and crew / staff. The same management company handles also superyachts so you can switch between cruise ships and yachts if you so desire. No vacancy list available. For enquiries go to Contact Page.
South American recruiter for cruise ships [ Costa Cruises, RCCL, Apollo Cruise Line, NCL, and Ibero Cruises ] employs mainly catering and hospitality personnel. Head Office in Valparaiso ( Chile ) and branch offices in Curitiba ( Brazil ) and Buenos Aires ( Argentina ). Follow agency's instructions how to apply: English - Español - Português do Brasil.
British recruiting agency with seagoing vacancies for Deck and Engine Crew including Electricians, Hotel Services, and occasionally also Master position. For Deck Officers generally required previous experience from passenger vessels. Scroll down a little bit and click on "Skip Intro" and go to "Vacancies". Scroll down the vacancy list, cruise ship jobs are mixed in with other kinds of ships. Most job listings include salaries paid in UK £ or in € per year. To this recruitment agency you can send an open application with certificate copies attached, see instructions at top of vacancy list. Apply by e-mail to person given in connection with each vacancy.
UK based cruise ship retail store and spa managing company with stores and spas on many Cruise Liner Operators ( Carnival Cruises ): P & O, Cunard, Crystal Cruises, Seabourne, Saga, Fred Olsen Cruises, and others. Get personnel requirements for all applicants.

The retail stores require Shop managers and Assistants, Jewellers, Perfumists, and other retail shop staff, go to retail store vacancies.
The spa require experienced Stylists, Beauty Therapists, Fitness Instructors and Advisers, Nail Technicians, etc. Go to spa vacancies.
Canadian recruiting agent, no placement fee for applicants - the employer pays. "Hospitality jobs" require minimum 2 year experience with a five star hotel or in similar position on cruise liner: Doctors, nurses, bartenders, chefs and other "hospitality" personnel. Deck officers and engineers also for tankers and container vessels ( include your COC in application ). Download application form and fax it back - no email applications.
Recruiting agent specializing in Musicians and Entertainers for cruise liners. Occasionally also entertainment equipment Technicians.
Austrian recruitment agent for hospitality and culinary jobs on cruise liners, ferries and central European river boats. Jobs are mostly for Chefs, Cooks, Waiters / Waitresses, etc. Deutsch / English website. Click on "Hot Jobs" to get vacancy list. Use online application form.
German cruise ship hospitality and other staff hiring recruiting agent for US and European Cruise Liners and European Luxury river cruisers. Vacancy list is partly in German language and contains vacancies such as: Barkeepers, Sommeliers, Bar and Hotel Managers, Guest Relations staff, Cabin Stewardesses, Receptionists ( Front Desk ), Hostesses, Pursers, Waiters, Maitre'D, Chefs of all kinds, etc. Deutsch

Applicants would have an advantage if understanding some German, online application form is in German language. To apply click on blue rectangle to the right of the position you are interested in.
UK based cruise ship recruitment agency for Royal Caribbean, Azamara, and Celebrity Cruises. This recruitment agent accepts applications only from UK residents over 21 years of age. Interviews in London about 3 times per year. E-mail your CV and wait for next "interview round".
Most positions require 1-2 years previous experience from a similar job: Waiters / Waitresses, Bartenders, Butlers, Casino Staff, Housekeepers, Pursers, Sous Chefs, etc.
The largest ship management company in the world - handling over 900 ships and over 16.000 seafarers in 2008. Recruits also for Luxury Cruise ships, all departments. You must register first to get access to details.
Recruiter with employment for deck and engine officers to cruise ships: 2^nd to 4^th Deck Officers, Chief Engineers and Junior Engineers, Electronic Engineers, Electricians, 2^nd to 4^th Engineers ( OOW certificate holders ).

The vacancy list have also cruise ship culinary vacancy listings for Chef de Partie, Sous Chefs and Executive Chefs, Hotel and Bar Managers ( onboard ). Click first in the box to the right next to the job you are interested in, then scroll down to the bottom of the vacancy list and fill in the online form.
Are you a natural salesperson ( male / female )? US agency covering some 50 plus cruise ships supplying onboard / ashore shopping promoters as speakers to large and small cruise ship audiences. Each contract period for 6 months with 4-6 weeks off between contract. All applicants must have seamen's medical comparable physical fitness certificate, forms supplied by employer. Non-US and non-Canadian citizens must have C1/D Seaman's Visa for USA. Mail your application with video of your performance to address on employer's webpage.
Carnival Cruise Lines employs Physicians and Nurses ( male and female ) as well as Entertainers ( Musicians ). Use online form. If you send email, indicate position applied for in the Subject line.

South African manning agency for cruise ships hires hospitality staff and engineering officers. It's said certain jobs at some cruise lines can require a "administration fee" - there shouldn't however be any fee. Apply by e-mail..
Cruise ship crew / personnel recruiting agency in South Africa recruiting for different cruise line operators. This is not a CV / resume forwarding service. There's no vacancy list but have a list of positions available onboard. Please follow application instructions. Use Contact form for enquiries.
Carnival Cruises, with 89 cruise vessels in service and 17 to be delivered before 2013 ( Feb. 2009 ) under 11 brand names, are recruiting experienced cruise liner Casino Dealers ( Blackjack and Roulette ), Inspectors, Slot Technicians, Trainees, and Attendants, also Cashiers - must be over 21 years of age to work in a cruise ship casino. Use on-line application form.
Norwegian Cruise Line employment on non US flagged cruise ships is available for applicants of any nationality. Contact agent closest to your country of residence, see list of authorized agents in different countries; Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Romania, St. Lucia, Turkey. You can also send your resume for consideration ("open" application ), see instructions on company webpage.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines have a Brazilian recruiting agent handling all kinds of hospitality jobs. Use contact form for enquiries. Em Português do Brasil
Royal Caribbean / Celebrity Cruises, choose your department from:
- Shipboard Hotel Operations, click on "small ball" next to "Employment requirements" in upper right corner of webpage.
- Shipboard Technical & Nautical Marine
- Royal Caribbean Productions ( Entertainment )

Hotel Operations covers among others employment for Beverage Managers, Audio-Visual Sound Operators, Chief Housekeepers, Cook Tournant, Cruise Directors, etc. Click on position name for details and apply online. If you want a job follow employer's job application instructions exactly.
UK based cruise ship spa operator recruits worldwide for over 100 cruise ships. Continuously hiring Hairdressers, Fitness and Beauty professionals. Every successful applicant must complete the Pre-Shipboard Training module before being allocated his or her vessel.
P & O cruises ( UK ), a division of Carnival, employs ship's nurses ( UK - registered nurses ) on the Cruise Ships. The Cruise Line also employs Ship's Doctors. Both Doctors and Nurses should have sufficient emergency and trauma care experience, considering the biggest cruise ships can have up to 4.500 people onboard.
P & O cruises Australia does have a small number of former P & O cruise ships under Australian flag. A few more are expected later in 2009. These Australian flagged cruise ships are staffed with Australian nationals and persons with legal work permit in Australia. The company regularly hires: Child Care Staff, Entertainers / Activities Staff / Disc Jockeys, Assistant Pursers, Security Staff, Photographers and Videographers, and Staff for Retail Shops. Follow application instructions on company webpage.
Princess Cruises: catering and hospitality jobs ( male & female ), Deck, Engine, and Medical departments do recruit (except from USA) also from East Europe, Indonesia, Italy, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, and UK (entry levels only). Non-American applicants submit résumés by email to: careers"at"princesscruises.com (instead of "at" type @). The agent nearest to applicants residence will contact. American applicants send their application to: careersatsea"at"princesscruises.com (instead of "at" you type @).

Island Cruises, based in UK, also part of Royal Caribbean, cruising mainly in the Mediterranean and Caribbean employs Staff for Beauty Parlours, Gym, Salon, Spa & Retail Shops, Entertainers, Sound and Light Technicians, DJs, Children's Caretakers; Security & IT Staff; Casino Personnel; Hospitality & Culinary Personnel; Doctors & Nurses. To apply send your CV to the e-mail address given on the recruitment page.
Star Cruises, based in Singapore and Hong Kong, recruits only through its Crewing Manager Strada Maritime Corp. and Martley Shipping Inc. with authorized local crewing agents in P.R. China, India, Korea, Macedonia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Romania, Thailand, and Vietnam. Contact each agent for further details.
German recruiting agent, Deutsch - English, based in Cyprus, with Offices in Germany ( Hamburg ), Switzerland, and USA. Specialized in Chefs for cruise ships, no job listings available. You are asked to send an open job application, use online application. Application is in pdf-format, download and print out and either scan it in again and send by email or fax it back. Send your résumé by regular "snail" mail, you are promised answer within 14 days.
The largest duty-free shipboard retail concessionaire in the world employs personnel with accomplished retail experience. Onboard contracts are for 8 months at a time. Download application form, fill it in and return it by mailed post only ("snail mail"). Contact your nearest accredited hiring agent: Australia, Caribbean, Canada, Eastern Europe [ Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland ], India, Chile, Peru, South Africa, UK, or US. The retail employment opportunities cover: Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Discovery Cruise Lines, Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean.
Maritime Employment com, Offers also employment on Cruise Liners: bartenders, stewards, hostesses, security officers, etc. Use "Search Jobs". Jobs on passenger ships are on a separate website ( same agency ). Most jobs require US Green Card. Use search function to find the job you are searching for. English, Español.
British recruitment agency with vacancies for Senior catering personnel, Electro-Technical Engineers /Officers ( ETO ), and Senior & Junior Engineers on Cruise Liners. The vacancy list includes links to further information about each job and employer, and occasionally salary offered.

Are you a senior marine engineer ? Read Marine Engineers and Cancer.

"Life at Sea Survey" 2007/08, Report ) - reports have been published and can be previewed:

1^st report: onboard conditions today . "We want Internet connection with home."
2^nd report: salaries and employment benefits, "We are underpaid and undervalued."
3^rd report: seafarer qualifications and training. The majority opinion is the training is sufficient and that female officers are as well suited for the job as males.

Deck and engine crew should look also at Cargo Ship Jobs and Offshore Jobs. There is a great demand for Electrical and Electronic Engineers on super and mega yachts.

There are more career opportunities for professional catering personnel on luxury sailing ships and luxury superyachts.

Are you still searching for your "dream job" ? If you try my job search engine, type as specific job description as possible. Example: sous chef job cruise liner caribbean. Include the word "job" or "employment", otherwise the search engine doesn't "know" you are looking for a job. When you click on "Search" the search engine will check over 200 vacancy lists at all companies listed here.

If you don't find what you look for today, come back next week or the week after. There is a new vacancy every day somewhere in the world.

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