So, you want to work on a cruise ship, but you have no experience? Don’t worry. Many people start this way. With the right steps and attitude, you can land your first job at sea.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Know What Jobs You Can Apply For
Start with entry-level jobs that don’t need experience:
- Housekeeping
- Galley (kitchen) assistant
- Bar utility
- Cleaner
- Laundry attendant
- Dishwasher
- Deck utility (basic maintenance help)
These roles are often open to beginners and help you start a shipboard career.
Step 2: Meet the Basic Requirements
Before applying, make sure you meet these basics:
- 18–21 years old (depending on role/company)
- Valid passport
- Good English communication
- Fit and healthy (medical exam required)
- STCW basic safety training certificate (optional but very helpful)
Step 3: Build Transferable Skills
Even without cruise experience, many jobs on land help:
- Hotels, restaurants, cleaning services
- Customer service roles
- Team-based or high-pressure jobs
Also, practice English speaking and comprehension. It’s the main working language onboard.
Step 4: Prepare a Strong, Simple Resume
Keep your resume short and focused. Include:
- Contact details
- Relevant experience (even on land)
- Transferable skills: hard-working, fast learner, team player
- Languages spoken
- Education and courses
- A brief, polite cover letter
Step 5: Apply to the Right Cruise Lines (without cruise ship experience)
Here are the best places to start, especially for first-time applicants:
🚢 Cruise Lines More Likely to Hire Beginners
These companies often hire people without prior ship experience:
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
https://www.fredolsencruises.com/careers - Windstar Cruises
https://www.windstarcruises.com/careers - Mystic Cruises / Atlas Ocean Voyages
https://mysticcruises.com/careers/ - Celestyal Cruises
https://celestyal.com/eu/careers/ - Marella Cruises (TUI)
https://www.tuigroup.com/en-en/careers (search “Marella”) - Hurtigruten
https://www.hurtigruten.com/about-us/careers/
⚓ Major Cruise Lines (Good once you have some experience)
These are the large cruise companies. They also hire beginners, but competition is higher.
- Royal Caribbean International
https://rclctrac.com/ - Carnival Cruise Line
https://carnival.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
https://www.ncl.com/about/careers/shipboard - MSC Cruises
https://www.careers.msccruises.com/ - Princess Cruises
https://www.princess.com/careers/ - Costa Cruises
https://career.costacrociere.it/ - Viking Ocean Cruises
https://www.vikingcareers.com/oceancareers - Disney Cruise Line
https://jobs.disneycareers.com/disney-cruise-line
🔍 Authorized Cruise Hiring Partners
Some cruise lines recruit through agencies. Always verify these are official partners:
- https://vships.com (V.Ships)
- https://oceanjobs.org
- https://www.cti-usa.com/
- https://www.internationalservicesinc.com/
🧭 Reputable Cruise Job Boards
Step 6: Be Ready for Interview
You may get a phone or video interview. Be polite, smile, and show you’re willing to work hard.
Common questions:
- Why do you want to work at sea?
- Can you work in teams and under pressure?
- How do you handle long hours or tight spaces?
Step 7: Be Patient and Persistent
Apply to many roles. Follow up. Stay professional. You may get a response in days—or weeks. Don’t give up.
Final Thoughts
Working on a cruise ship is exciting and challenging. You travel, earn, and grow quickly. Even without experience, you can begin with the right mindset and preparation.
Just take the first step.
