Working as a crew member on a cruise ship offers a unique opportunity to travel the world while earning a living. Cruise ships offer a wide range of jobs, from technical and maintenance roles to positions in entertainment and service industries. With so many options available, there’s likely a position onboard that fits your skills and interests. In this article, we’ll explore 17 different cruise ship occupations, including job responsibilities, average pay rates, and more.
1. **keeper**
– **Average annual salary:** $56,510
– **Principal responsibilities:** Stewards onboard cruise ships are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the ship’s rooms. They play a crucial role in the housekeeping crew, ensuring the ship is clean and providing services like serving food and drinks to passengers.
2. **Dispatcher**
– **Salary average:** $32,845 per year
– **Principal responsibilities:** Servers onboard cruise ships are responsible for delivering meals to guests. They may work in the ship’s eateries or provide room service, taking orders, and ensuring guests have an enjoyable dining experience.
3. **Retail salesperson**
– **Salary average:** $43,169 annually
– **Principal responsibilities:** Employees in cruise ship gift shops, diving shops, and other retail outlets assist passengers in finding and purchasing items they need. They play a vital role in providing exceptional customer service to guests.
4. **Casino dealer**
– **Annual salary:** $56,124 on average
– **Principal responsibilities:** Dealers in cruise ship casinos oversee various games like poker, blackjack, and roulette. They manage the tables, handle money, and ensure fair play while also reporting any disputes to supervisors.
5. **Bartender**
– **Typical annual income:** $39,458
– **Principal responsibilities:** Bartenders onboard cruise ships create a variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, for passengers. They focus on meeting sales targets, providing excellent customer service, and maintaining a well-stocked bar.
6. **Events organizer**
– **Average annual wage:** $44,455
– **Principal responsibilities:** Activities coordinators onboard cruise ships are in charge of planning and executing shipboard events and recreational activities. They help passengers create itineraries for shore excursions and may specialize in specific areas like entertainment shows.
7. **Beautician**
– **Average wage:** $45,317
– **Principal responsibilities:** Onboard beauticians provide guests with a range of hair and beauty services, including makeup application, hair styling, and more. They may also offer their services to entertainers onboard the ship.
8. **Chef**
– **Average salary:** $65,502 per year
– **Principal responsibilities:** Chefs onboard cruise ships are responsible for preparing meals for passengers and crew members. They create menus, cook meals, and oversee kitchen operations to ensure food safety and quality standards are met.
9. **Nail technician**
– **Annual salary:** $45,103
– **Principal responsibilities:** Manicurists and nail technicians onboard cruise ships provide passengers with manicures, pedicures, and nail services. Along with nail services, they may also offer massages and nail art to passengers.
10. **Massage therapist**
– **Salary average:** $46,232 per year
– **Principal responsibilities:** Massage therapists onboard cruise ships provide passengers with therapeutic massages using various techniques. They may work in onboard spas or in guest cabins, providing relaxation and wellness services to guests.
11. **Teacher**
– **Average annual wage:** $56,568
– **Principal responsibilities:** Onboard teachers deliver informative and entertaining presentations to cruise passengers. They may provide information on ship protocols, itineraries, or other educational topics to engage and entertain guests.
12. **Fitness instructor**
– **Salary average:** $48,516 per year
– **Principal responsibilities:** Fitness instructors onboard cruise ships lead passengers and crew members through various physical exercises and fitness classes. They may offer yoga, aerobics, weight training, and personal training sessions to guests of all ages.
13. **Tailor**
– **Salary average:** $38,203 annually
– **Principal responsibilities:** Tailors onboard cruise ships work on creating, altering, and maintaining costumes for entertainers and crew members. They may also provide alterations or repairs to guests’ clothing as needed.
14. **Security guard**
– **Salary average:** $48,607 per year
– **Principal responsibilities:** Security guards onboard cruise ships ensure the safety and security of passengers and crew members. They conduct regular patrols, monitor security cameras, and respond to any incidents or emergencies that may arise on board.
15. **Hotel manager**
– **Average annual wage:** $57,967
– **Principal responsibilities:** Hotel managers onboard cruise ships oversee all aspects of the ship’s hotel operations, including guest rooms, restaurants, bars, and housekeeping. They ensure guests’ needs are met and maintain a high standard of service throughout the ship.
16. **Bellperson**
– **Salary average:** $36,652 per year
– **Principal responsibilities:** Bellpersons onboard cruise ships escort guests to their cabins, handle luggage, and provide information and assistance to guests. They may also assist with room cleaning, room service, and other guest services.
17. **Entertainment manager**
– **Average annual wage:** $56,472
– **Principal responsibilities:** Entertainment managers, also known as cruise directors, oversee all entertainment activities onboard the ship. They handle administrative tasks, schedule entertainment programs, and manage entertainment staff to provide a memorable onboard experience for passengers.
In conclusion, working on a cruise ship offers a diverse range of job opportunities in various industries, from hospitality and entertainment to maintenance and service. With competitive pay rates and the chance to travel the world, a career onboard a cruise ship can be a rewarding and exciting experience. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or looking to start a new career, there’s a job onboard a cruise ship that could be the perfect fit for you.
