18 Best Cruise Ship Jobs To Travel the World and Make Money

Do you want to work on a cruise ship? Wondering how to find cruise ship jobs?

Cruise ship jobs give you a unique way to work and travel at the same time. You get to see amazing places while earning money. These jobs can be found in many different areas, from entertainment to hospitality to technical roles.

Working on a cruise ship can be an exciting career choice if you enjoy meeting new people and don’t mind being away from home for long periods. You’ll have the chance to visit multiple countries, learn about different cultures, and learn skills that can help you in future jobs. Plus, many cruise lines provide free room and board, which can help you save money while working.

During my family’s around-the-world cruise when I lived on a cruise ship for 4 months, I had the chance to see what life is like for the crew members on board. They work hard (very, very hard!), but the opportunities they have to explore the world are incredible. I spoke to many of them, and they shared how rewarding it is to visit so many countries while being able to make money.

Recommended reading: How I Went On An Around-The-World Cruise (25+ Countries In 4 Months!)

Best Cruise Ship Jobs

Below are the best cruise ship jobs.

Recommended reading: How To Get Paid To Travel The World (18 Realistic Ideas!)

1. Cruise director

A cruise director is an important job on a cruise ship. They lead the entertainment team and make sure guests have fun.

They plan activities and events for passengers, such as shows, games, and parties. They also host these events and interact with guests.

Cruise directors need great people skills, so they must be outgoing and love talking to people.

Public speaking is a big part of the job. They make announcements and introduce performers. You might even perform yourself sometimes.

The job can pay well. Some cruise directors earn over $100,000 a year. But the work is demanding, as they typically have long hours and need to be available all the time.

They live on the ship for months at a time, so this means you get to travel the world. But it also means being away from home for long periods.

To become a cruise director, you usually start in a lower position. You might work as an activities host or entertainment staff first. Then you can work your way up to this top job.

2. Cook

Cruise ship cooks can work in many different kitchen roles, from line cook to executive chef.

As a cruise ship cook, you’ll prepare meals for passengers and crew members. You might specialize in certain cuisines or work in different areas of the kitchen.

To become a cruise ship cook, you’ll need some kitchen experience. Culinary school training can be helpful too. Being able to work well in a team is also important, as there are a lot of team members working in cruise ship restaurants and buffets – it is also very fast-paced!

3. Casino dealer

Being a casino dealer lets you work in the ship’s casino, running games like blackjack, roulette, and poker.

As a casino dealer, you’ll get to meet lots of people and help them have fun. Casinos are a popular part of a cruise!

Working hours can be long, usually 10-hour shifts. But you’ll get to enjoy the perks of living on a cruise ship. This includes free meals and the chance to visit amazing places around the world.

4. Youth room worker

During our world cruise, my daughter spent a lot of time in the kids room (so did we), and it made the trip so much easier for us. The kids room had fun activities like games, crafts, and a playground for her to have fun in.

Youth room workers plan activities for kids and teens, such as by leading games, arts and crafts, or sports.

There are different age groups they work with. Some ships have clubs for toddlers, kids, and teens. You’d be in charge of keeping kids safe and happy.

This job lets you be creative. You’ll come up with new ideas to keep kids entertained. It’s perfect if you love working with children and enjoy being active.

5. Guest services associate

Guest services associates play an important role on cruise ships. They’re the friendly faces you see at the front desk. These workers help passengers with all sorts of needs during their trip.

Their job would be to answer questions and solve problems. For example, you might help guests with their room or explain onboard activities. You’d also handle complaints and try to make things right.

Good people skills are a must for this job. You need to stay calm and friendly, even when dealing with upset guests. Being able to speak more than one language is a big plus, as people from all over the world take trips on cruise ships.

6. Entertainment host

Entertainment hosts on cruise ships make vacations fun for guests. They get to plan and run activities like trivia games, deck parties, and comedy shows.

As a host, you’ll be the face of the ship’s entertainment. You’ll lead games, host bingo, and get people excited about events.

You need to be outgoing and good with people. Speaking clearly and being comfortable on stage are important skills.

To become a host, you usually need some experience in entertainment or hospitality. Being able to sing, dance, or perform can help you stand out.

7. Housekeeping

During our world cruise, I was so impressed by the housekeeping team. Every day, they made sure our cabin was spotless and comfortable, going above and beyond to make us feel at home. It’s a tough job, but their friendly smiles and attention to detail made such a difference in our experience. They worked so hard behind the scenes, and we really appreciated the care they put into every little detail.

Housekeeping jobs on cruise ships are a great way to start your career at sea. These jobs keep the ship clean and tidy for passengers.

You might work as a stateroom steward, cleaning cabins and making beds. This job lets you meet lots of guests and make their stay comfy.

Other jobs include utility cleaner and laundry staff. These roles are important for keeping the whole ship spotless.

To get a housekeeping job, you usually need some experience. Working in a hotel can help you get ready for ship life.

8. Shore excursion desk

Working at the shore excursion desk on a cruise ship can be an exciting job. You’ll help passengers plan fun activities at different ports of call.

Your main task is to sell tours and excursions to guests. You’ll explain the options and help them choose the best ones for their interests and abilities.

You might start work early in the morning to prepare for the day’s activities. Your schedule can change based on when the ship arrives at each port.

Good people skills are a must for this job. You’ll talk to lots of different guests every day.

This job can be fast-paced, especially on busy port days. You might work long hours, but you’ll get to visit amazing places around the world.

9. Bartender

One of the highlights of our cruise was getting to know the bartenders on board. They always made our evenings special, whether we were enjoying a quiet drink or celebrating a fun night out. The bartenders were friendly, quick to remember our favorite drinks, and they shared great stories about life at sea. Their service added a personal touch to our experience, making us feel like regulars even though we were far from home.

And, many of the bartenders had been doing the job for over a decade, and they often told us the pay was great and allowed their families to live a comfortable life at home. It seemed to be a good job that people really wanted on a cruise ship!

Bartenders make tasty cocktails for passengers. They also serve beer, wine, and other drinks. It’s your job to keep the bar stocked and clean too.

10. Spa worker

Cruise ships have fancy spas where guests go to unwind and feel pampered.

As a spa worker, you could give massages, do facials, or style hair. You might paint nails or help people relax in the sauna. There are lots of ways to make guests feel good.

The best part? You get to travel the world while you work. Cruise ships go to amazing places like Alaska and the Caribbean. You can explore new ports on your days off.

Cruise ship spas need managers, massage therapists, hair stylists, and more. You’ll work hard, but the views are great.

11. Photographer

During our cruise, the onboard photographers helped us capture so many special memories. Whether it was a formal dinner or a fun day at port, they were always around to take great photos that we’ll keep forever. The photographers were professional and knew how to make us feel comfortable in front of the camera, even in the more candid moments. Thanks to them, we now have beautiful photos that remind us of all the incredible places we visited and the fun we had together as a family.

As a cruise photographer, they work in various settings around the ship. You might snap photos of guests boarding, at formal dinners, or during fun activities. Some cruise lines also have studio sessions for more professional portraits.

Recommended reading: 18 Ways To Get Paid To Take Pictures

12. Waiter

The waiters on our cruise really made our dining experience unforgettable. They were always so friendly and attentive, remembering our favorite dishes and making sure every meal was perfect. Their hard work and kindness added a personal touch, and we looked forward to seeing them at each meal. They worked long hours but always had a smile on their faces, and it truly made a difference in our overall cruise experience.

Working as a waiter on a cruise ship can be an exciting job. You get to serve food and drinks to guests from all over the world.

As a cruise ship waiter, you’ll work in different restaurants on the ship. You might serve in fancy dining rooms or casual buffets.

Their main tasks will include taking orders, bringing food to tables, and making sure guests are happy. You’ll need to be friendly and have good people skills.

The hours can be long, usually 10-12 hours a day. And, you work pretty much every single day.

13. Crew

Crew jobs are a great way to start your career on a cruise ship. These roles are important for keeping the ship running smoothly and safely.

Some examples include:

• The captain is in charge of the whole ship. They make important decisions and lead the crew. It’s a big responsibility, but also very rewarding.
• First officers work closely with the captain. They help navigate the ship and manage the deck crew.
• Bosuns oversee the daily tasks of deckhands. They make sure everything on deck is clean and in good shape.
• Deckhands do a lot of hands-on work. You might paint, clean, or help with docking the ship.

And, there are many more jobs in this area on a cruise ship too, as it’s very important!

14. Performers

Cruise ships can be exciting job opportunities for performers, as they can showcase their talents to audiences from around the world while traveling to amazing places.

Many different types of performers are needed on cruise ships. This includes bands, dancers, musicians, actors, magicians, solo artists, acrobats, and comedians. There are roles for orchestra members, guitarists, and other musical artists too. On one cruise that I went on, I met a couple who were the balloon artists on the ship. They made balloon animals for several hours each day on the cruise and got free room and board in exchange.

Getting a job as a cruise ship performer can be competitive, as they are very sought after.

15. Medical staff

Cruise ships need doctors and nurses to keep everyone healthy at sea. These jobs can be exciting if you like to travel and help people.

As a cruise ship doctor, you’d treat sick passengers and crew members. You might handle anything from seasickness to heart attacks. You’d work in the ship’s medical center, which has equipment like x-ray machines.

Medical staff usually work long hours. But you get to visit amazing places on your time off. You might stop at beaches in the Caribbean or see glaciers in Alaska.

16. Security

Security jobs on cruise ships are important for keeping passengers and crew safe. You might work as a security officer or supervisor on a ship.

For example, as a security officer, you’d handle daily safety tasks. This could include watching security cameras and patrolling the ship. Or, you might be a part of the team that scans everyone in and out as they board and exit the cruise ship at each port.

17. Retail shop associate

Cruise ship retail associates work in onboard stores selling jewelry, clothes, souvenirs, or duty-free items. Their tasks include helping customers, running the cash register, and keeping the shop tidy.

The pay for these jobs can vary. Some pay a base salary plus a commission on sales.

18. Engineer

Engineers play an important role on cruise ships, as they keep the vessel running smoothly and safely. This can be a very hard and stressful job, as things break on boats all the time!

As a cruise ship engineer, you’ll work with complex systems. These include engines, electrical equipment, and water treatment plants. You’ll need to fix problems quickly and efficiently so that the cruise ship stays on schedule.

How To Start Your Career on a Cruise Ship

Now that we’ve gone over some of the best cruise ship jobs that you may be interested in, I am going to talk a little more about what living on a cruise ship is like.

Starting a career on a cruise ship can be exciting and fun. You’ll get to travel the world while working. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Required qualifications and skills

To work on a cruise ship, you usually need some basic qualifications such as:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Speak English well (or whatever the language is that the ship usually home ports from)
• Have a valid passport
• Pass a medical exam
• Be able to work long hours

Some jobs need special skills or training. For example:

• Chefs need cooking experience
• Performers need dance or music skills
• Engineers need technical know-how

It helps to be friendly, hardworking, and good with people. You’ll be dealing with guests from all over the world.

Application process

To apply for cruise ship jobs:

1. Look at cruise line websites for job listings. Pretty much all cruise lines have a hiring page where they list all of the jobs they are looking to fill.
2. Choose a job that fits your skills.
3. Fill out the online application form.
4. Upload your resume and photo.
5. Wait for a response (this can take weeks or months).

If they like your application, you might get a phone or video interview.

Some cruise lines have job fairs where you can apply in person. This can be a good way to meet recruiters face-to-face.

Daily routine of life onboard a cruise ship

Working on a cruise ship means living in a unique floating world. Your days are packed with duties, but you also get to enjoy some perks of ship life. Let’s look at what you can expect for your daily schedule and where you’ll sleep.

Your workday on a cruise ship starts early. You might wake up at 6 a.m. to start your shift. Depending on your job, you could work in the kitchen, clean rooms, or run activities for guests.

Breaks are short, often just 30 minutes for meals. You eat in the crew dining room, which has food made just for staff. After your shift, you might have a few hours to relax.

Some fun options for free time:

• Watch a movie in the crew lounge
• Work out in the staff gym
• Hang out with coworkers at the crew bar

Remember, you’re always “on call,” even when off duty. You have to be ready for emergencies at any time. Plus, shifts are usually 8-12 hours a day and every single day with no breaks – so it is hard work!

Living accommodations

Your room on the ship will be small but comfy. You’ll likely share it with one or more coworkers. Most crew cabins have:

• Bunk beds
• A small bathroom
• Some storage space
• A TV

The size of your room depends on your job level. Higher-ranking staff get bigger, nicer cabins. Some even get private rooms.

Recommended reading: How To Live Rent Free

Benefits and Challenges of Cruise Ship Jobs

Working on a cruise ship can be exciting and rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. Here are some pros and cons of working on a cruise ship.

Getting paid to travel

Cruise ship jobs can give you the amazing chance to see the world. You get paid to visit different countries and explore new places. Many workers visit dozens of countries during their time at sea. You might dock in beautiful Caribbean islands or sail through the Mediterranean.

But remember, you’re there to work. Your job comes first, and you won’t always have time to explore every port. Sometimes, you may only have 1-3 hours at a port too.

Work-life balance

Life on a cruise ship is different from a regular 9-to-5 job. You work long hours, typically 7 days a week for months at a time. Your cabin is small, and you share it with other workers. There’s not much privacy.

On the plus side, you save money on rent and food. The ship provides meals and a place to sleep. You can make friends from all over the world. There are crew areas where you can relax and hang out with coworkers.

But being away from home for long periods can be hard. You might miss important events with family and friends. Internet can be slow and expensive, making it tough to stay in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about working on a cruise ship and cruise ship jobs.

How much does working on a cruise ship pay?

Cruise ship pay varies by job and experience. Entry-level positions may earn $1,000 to $1,500 per month. Higher-level jobs like cruise director can make $5,000 to $10,000 monthly. Many jobs earn tips, which can increase your pay.

Can I work on a ship with no experience?

Yes, many cruise lines hire people with no experience for entry-level jobs. These include positions like housekeeping, food service, and youth activities. Having customer service skills can help you land a job too.

Do cruise workers get a day off?

Cruise workers typically work 7 days a week for several months. You might get a few hours off when the ship is in port. Full days off are rare during your contract. Time off comes between contracts.

Do cruise ship workers get free housing?

Yes, cruise lines usually provide free housing for workers. You’ll share a cabin with one or more coworkers. Cabins are small but include basic amenities like a bed, storage, and bathroom.

What disqualifies you from working on a cruise ship?

Criminal records, failed drug tests, or poor health can disqualify you from working on a cruise ship.

Do cruise workers get free food?

Yes, cruise ship workers get free meals. You’ll eat in crew dining areas, not passenger restaurants (for some positions, this is allowed, though). The food is usually good and includes options for different diets.

What are common cruise ship jobs for females?

Women work in all areas on cruise ships. Popular jobs include guest services associate, youth room worker, spa worker, and entertainer. Many women also work as bartenders, waitstaff, and housekeeping staff.

What are the benefits and downsides of working aboard a cruise ship?

Benefits include free travel, housing, and food. You can save money and meet people from around the world. Downsides are long work hours, small living spaces, and being away from home for months.

Is working on a cruise ship worth it?

For many people, working on a cruise ship is worth it. You get to travel while saving money. But it’s not for everyone due to the long hours and time away from home and family.

What are the best cruise lines to work for?

There are many popular cruise lines that you can work for, such as Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Viking, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Celebrity, Holland America, Cunard, MSC, Virgin Voyages, Disney, and more.

How To Work on a Cruise Ship – Summary

I hope you enjoyed my article on the best cruise ship jobs and how to work on a cruise ship.

Working on a cruise ship is a great way to travel and make money at the same time. You get to visit different countries, meet new people, and see amazing places. Many cruise ship jobs include a free room and food, so you can save more money.

If you enjoy being away from home for long periods and want to explore the world, a job on a cruise ship could be a fun way to do both.

What do you think is the best cruise ship job? Do you want to work on a cruise ship?

Recommended reading: