People often think of cruise ships based on what they’ve seen on reruns of "The Love Boat." But there’s so much more to working on a cruise ship that the series never showed you. In fact, a cruise ship is almost like a floating resort area with the variety of jobs available. These lists show a representation of the more than 300 types of jobs on cruise ships.

Of course, if you’ve seen "The Love Boat," you know that a cruise ship has a captain, a purser, a doctor, a chief bartender, and of course a cruise director. But there are so many more cruise ship jobs than just these. A cruise ship could not run if these were the only people on board.

Almost all jobs on cruise ships are service positions. From the kitchen staff to the maid service, these people are often the unsung heroes that make a guest’s vacation a success. However, did you realize that a cruise ship also has administrative positions? Not to mention the variety of cruise ship crew who actually make sure that the ship run smoothly like engineers, carpenters and motormen.  

Kitchen staff – These would include the bakers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), the cooks (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), assistant baker supervisor, busboy, butcher, butcher staff, chef, cook helper, pastry cook, and souse chef.

Restaurant staff – These positions would include bartender, buffet man, food and beverage manager, food and beverage staff, head waiter/waitress, host/hostess, ice carver, maitre d, restaurant and bar staff, restaurant manager, reservations manager/staff, waiter/waitress, and wine steward/stewardess.

Entertainment staff – These types of cruise ship careers would include activities coordinator, assistant casino manager, assistant cruise director, assistant program manager, assistant stage manager, carpenter, casino manager, casino staff, comedian, cruise director, dance instructor, dancers, disc jockey, entertainer, expedition leader, fitness instructor, gentleman host, hospitality manager, lecturer, lounge performer, magician, musician, photographer, port lecturer, psychic, scuba instructor, shore excursion leader, singer, social host/hostess, sound and light technician, sports director, television technician, videographer, vocalist, water sports instructor, and youth counselor

Ship’s staff – If it weren’t for the ship’s staff, the ship wouldn’t leave its port of origin. These positions include mate (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), officer (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), able bodied seaman, chief electrician, chief engineer, chief officer, chief mate, chief radio operator, cruise staff, cruise staff captain, cruise terminal staff, deck and engine staff, ordinary seaman, plumber, security manager, security officer, staff captain, and upholsterer.

Administrative staff – No business could function without an administrative staff. Those include: accountant, administrative assistant, air/sea agent, cashier, chaplain, chief purser, purser (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), computer specialist, district sales manager, group sales manager/staff, guest services coordinator, marketing, printer, provision manager, purchasing agent, purser, purser staff, public relations, receptionist, and sales agent.

Hotel staff – These would include anyone who has access to or deals with the various rooms on the cruise ship: assistant hotel manager, cabin steward/stewardess, cruise staff steward, hotel manager, hotel staff, and janitorial staff.

Service staff – These are positions that would deal directly with serving guests in one area or another:  beautician, cosmetologist, dentist, gift shop manager/staff, masseuse/massage therapist, medical doctor, nurse, physician, or salon manager/staff.

It is helpful to have experience when applying to work on a cruise ship, however it isn’t always necessary. Of course, the type of position you’re seeking, as well as the amount of time you’re willing to work, will make a difference in being hired. While there are positions for as little as 5-10 hours per week, most cruise ships want to hire people that are available for a minimum contract.

As you can tell, there are many types of cruise line employment. The task for anyone seeking a cruise ship job is to decide what skills and experience they have that will match one of the positions, determine which position they are interested in, and then apply. And doing a bit of research would be beneficial as well.  The market is competitive for these types of jobs, but with perseverance and good luck, you may find the job of your dreams.

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