Employers
There are 85,000 water transportation workers, and 300,000 recreation workers, including cruise ship workers, employed in the United States. Many cruise lines are members of the Cruise Lines International Association, comprising the majority of global cruise capacity. Most employees are contracted to work four or more months at a time. Some major employers include Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Corporation (Cunard Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises, etc.), and Disney Cruise Line.
Starting Out
Applicants without college degrees and little shipboard experience are usually assigned to entry-level positions such as wait staff or housekeeping. If you have experience in retail sales, then you may be given a job at the duty-free shop; hospitality experience may land you a position in the purser's office.
The best way to learn about jobs is to visit the Web sites of major cruise lines. At many sites, you can apply for jobs. Visiting All Cruise Jobs (https://www.allcruisejobs.com), which provides job listings and general career advice, will also be useful.
- Adventure Travel Specialists
- Amusement Park Workers
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops
- Baristas
- Bartenders
- Bed and Breakfast Owners
- Bicycle Mechanics
- Campaign Workers
- Caterers
- Cooks and Chefs
- Event Planners
- Exhibit Designers
- Farmers' Market Managers/Promoters
- Fast Food Workers
- Flight Attendants
- Food Service Workers
- Fund-Raisers
- Gaming Occupations
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
- Hosts/Hostesses
- Hotel and Motel Managers
- Hotel Concierges
- Hotel Desk Clerks
- Hotel Executive Housekeepers
- Hotel Restaurant Managers
- Housekeepers and Maids
- Inbound Tour Guides
- Lifeguards and Swimming Instructors
- Museum Attendants
- Museum Directors and Curators
- Music Venue Owners and Managers
- National Park Service Employees
- Park Rangers
- Parking Attendants
- Personal Shoppers
- Pilots
- Recreation Workers
- Reservation and Ticket Agents
- Resort Workers
- Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- Ship's Captains
- Ski Resort Workers
- Spa Attendants
- Spa Managers
- Space Tourism Managers
- Sports Facility Managers
- Sports Instructors and Coaches
- Stadium Ushers and Vendors
- Strength and Conditioning Coaches
- Swimming Pool Designers
- Tour Guides
- Travel Agents
- Wedding and Party Consultants
- Yoga and Pilates Instructors
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors