What are the Different Cruise Ship Jobs?

Getting a job on a cruise ship can be the start of an exciting journey for anyone who wants to make a living as a world traveler. On these floating resorts that float across nearly every ocean in the world, people from all walks of life can find a job that suits them. Working on a cruise ship can also be advantageous for those looking to save money, as many cruise ship jobs include room and board as part of the package.

Cruise ship jobs are exciting and plentiful for entertainers. Long-distance cruise ships require constantly changing entertainment to keep passengers engaged and happy. Many larger ships provide a variety of performance venues, such as jazz clubs, discos, stand-up comedy clubs, and even live theaters for plays and musicals. Salary varies cruise line, but novice extras and chorus members can expect to earn around $1,600 USD per month, while veteran entertainers can expect to earn upwards of $4,000 USD per month.

Many cruise ship jobs are available for anyone with hotel or maintenance experience. Cruise ships, like any hotel, require a full guest-service staff, as well as a self-contained maintenance department to handle any and all issues. Cruise ship jobs are a great way to combine skills and pleasure for people who don’t have a business but want to travel more.

Cruise ships, after all, are still ships, and they require a skilled and experienced crew at all times. People with experience in sailing, engineering, or even information technology can all help the ship get to its destination. It’s not every computer programmer’s dream to be able to take a breather while watching dolphins leap alongside the boat!

Large cruise ships typically provide guests with a variety of dining options in addition to luxury hotel-like accommodations. The aspiring chef or restaurateur will find plenty of opportunities for training in food-related cruise ship jobs, ranging from casual poolside snack bars to gourmet restaurants with celebrity chefs. The pay scale for wait staff and kitchen assistants is often comparable to that of shoreside restaurants, but it usually includes gratuities as well as extensive training.

Many workers can find entry-level cruise ship jobs even if they have no prior experience in the field. While it may seem more convenient to work at home in a gift shop, you can enjoy the benefits of constantly changing scenery and world travel working in a retail job. Entry-level positions as boutique attendants, receptionists, guest service agents, or basic food service work are common cruise ship jobs for the inexperienced.