Cruise ship placements

Duration

You will need to commit to 6 months of work.

Season

All year

Applicant

requirements

You will require a special visa that we will assist you with . Please note: Cruise ships will NOT hire anyone with less than two years in their respective departments.  You will need to be able to speak English well.  For any guest service positions you will need at least one European language

Application process

You will need to go through an interview process.  If you are a approved you will need a medical, police clearance and visa application.  There is often a wait of up to 90 days from the time you are approved before you are assigned a ship.  

Cost of programme

If you are approved for a position, you will need to pay for the visa cost, medical, police clearance, ground transport fee, ticket to join the ship (you will be provided with a return ticket if you complete your contract) optional flight/travel insurance

Expected earnings

Depends on department – starting at around 800 US tax free per month up to 8000 US per month for Hotel Directors – it is worth mentioning that we know of several South Africans who joined the cruise lines as an entry level person and are now at the top of the company.  Celebrity cruise line’s Executive Chef in charge of launching new ships and their Corporate Director of Food and Beverage are both South African’s that started at the bottom.

Cost of living

You will be given a cabin, most likely shared unless you are officer level, and three meals a day, uniforms, and all medical care while on board.  Therefore the only expenses are your personal spending money.  Given that it is a 7 day week, there is very little time to spend.  This is great way to save money

Flight subsidy

None  for most positions, however as you become more senior, they will become included.  All return flights are paid for by the company provided you complete your contract.  If you cut your contract short, you pay your own ticket back

Friends travelling together

If this is the first time you are working on a cruise ship, you cannot request to be placed on the same ship as someone else, nor can you apply as a couple.  This is true for anyone regardless of if you are married.  All cruise positions are single status meaning you are treated as if you are single even if you are not.

Travel after work

The company provides a return ticket to one of the main cities in the place you live.  You would be responsible for tickets back to your hometown. 

Will I be met on arrival

No – ground transport will be arranged for you, along with accommodation for the night before you start and meal vouchers.  This is what the ground transport fee is for.  Transport will take you to the ship

Visa

Seaman’s visas – C1D (US) and Schengen (Europe)