Work and see the world: What to know about getting a job on a cruise ship

Working on cruise ships combined two of Alley Kerr’s passions: dance and travel.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and a downturn in land-based dance opportunities, she came across an audition notice from Royal Caribbean International. Kerr, who is from Los Angeles, saw it as a chance to “do a job that I really enjoy, plus being able to see the world in a capacity that most people aren't able to do.”

She was no stranger to working abroad, having booked her first professional gig in Japan as a teenager. Kerr, now 27, secured a role as a dancer on the line’s Rhapsody of the Seas ship in 2022. She spent seven months working on board as the ship sailed primarily around Europe. She went on to work on a second ship and now makes videos about her travels on her YouTube channel, Wanderlust Alley.

Kerr’s path is only one of many potential routes to break into the cruise industry, where jobs range from entertainers to room stewards to captains. Workers can earn money – sometimes on a seasonal basis – while saving on overhead costs, and travel far and wide at the same time.

"In 2024 cruise lines will employ a multinational workforce of nearly 300,000 seafarers, and tens of thousands of employees on land," a spokesperson for Cruise Lines International Association, the industry's leading trade organization, said in an email.

Here’s how to get started.

How do I get a job on a cruise ship?

That depends on the type of job you want.

The most entry-level positions tend to be roles like cabin attendants, dishwashers and laundry workers, according to Walt Nadolny, professor emeritus of marine transportation and global business at the State University of New York Maritime College, and a former environmental officer for Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line.

But companies that sail internationally are unlikely to recruit U.S. workers for those roles. The ships are generally flagged – or registered – in foreign countries and are not subject to U.S. labor laws. “The lower-pay jobs are not being compensated at an American salary,” Nadolny said.

In those cases, operators hire primarily from parts of Asia, Eastern Europe and other regions with lower median incomes than the U.S. and relatively weak currencies. However, U.S.-flagged ships must hire U.S. workers, including for those kinds of roles.

Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America ship, for instance, sails inter-island cruises in Hawaii. "U.S. federal regulations require U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status for employment onboard the Pride of America," the cruise line said on its website.

Major cruise lines do, however, source from the U.S. – along with countries like Canada and the U.K. – for entertainment roles, Nadolny said, from dancers to guitar players to lighting technicians.

Jobs in the pursers' department, also called guest services, require certifications depending on the ship’s flag state and cruise lines tend to look for candidates who speak a minimum of two languages. “I've met pursers who are fluent in six languages,” he said.

Jobs on the technical side, like engine officers, require “some serious credentials,” according to Nadolny. Those include a four-year degree from an accredited maritime school and relevant flag-state licenses. Cruise ship captains have many years of experience and generally work with the company for “at least a decade” before moving into that position, he added.

Other notable maritime schools in the U.S. include Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Texas A&M Maritime Academy, California State University Maritime Academy and Maine Maritime Academy. Nadolny said the schools typically have two license tracks leading to a federal license as a third assistant engineer or third mate.

"The usual course of study is four years and in addition to the license a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering degree is awarded," he said.

Applicable job experience on land can be useful when applying for roles at sea, too.

For example, staffers in leadership positions in the hotel department – which includes housekeeping, food and beverage and more – often have worked at shoreside hotels, Nadolny said. The onboard chiefs of security he’s met have also largely been former land-based law enforcement officers.

Other onboard roles include doctors, information technology staff and bartenders. "The industry offers excellent opportunities for advancement and we are proud of the strong and diverse workforce we have, retention levels that are at 80% or higher, and the career paths that have cultivated a strong team of employees that are the heart and soul of the cruise experience," the CLIA spokesperson added.

Like many other industries, the easiest way to find those jobs is online. He said cruise lines post openings on their websites. Maritime schools may also host recruitment events.

How long are cruise ship contracts?

The length of time employees spend on board depends on the job and cruise line. Contracts for Princess Cruises crew members, for example, can last between four and 10 months according to its website.

“After each contract you will receive approximately 60 days of vacation before your next assignment,” the cruise line said in an online FAQ section. “Your daily work schedule while onboard will depend on your particular position, but you can expect to work seven days a week and anywhere between 10-13 hours per day.”

Some crew members may have responsibilities outside of their time on the ship. Senior officers in particular do continuing education as propulsion methods and other technology evolve, Nadolny said.

Kerr also had two months of rehearsals on land before getting on the ship.

How much do cruise crew members get paid?

Crew member pay varies widely.

Kerr made around $2,900 per month as a dancer on her first contract, and around $3,800 on her second after switching to a singing and dancing role (she also served as dance captain and company manager).

Nadolny said in his experience, newly hired officers make around $7,500 per month or $60,000 annually, while those who are more senior can make as much as $250,000 to $300,000 in a year (including stock options and performance bonuses).

But others make less. Among 35 current and former crew members interviewed by Business Insider in late 2019, around 40% said they made $2,000 per month or less.

However, living costs are often minimal, with cruise lines covering expenses like room and board, meals and medical care. Kerr said she could also take shore excursions – which can be pricey – at no charge, allowing her to explore the ports the ships visited for free when her schedule allowed.

Where do cruise ship crew members live?

Crew members are generally housed in cabins on the lower decks of the ship, Kerr said. Standard cabins are small and can accommodate two people with a private bathroom, though some ships have single cabins with shared bathrooms.

More senior staff typically have larger rooms, which may have additional perks like porthole windows or kitchenettes.

“I would say in general, it's not for everyone but people who love it really love it,” Kerr said of working on cruise ships. She’s grateful for her time on board and has visited an estimated 26 countries, many of them as part of those sailings.

“And the fact that I was able to do that while working was a really awesome experience.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Want to work on a cruise ship? Here's what to know