Through her work aboard cruise ships, Alley Kerr was able to combine two of her greatest passions: dancing and traveling.
An audition letter from Royal Caribbean International was one of the things that she came across after the COVID-19 outbreak and a decrease in possibilities for land-based dance. Kerr, who is originally from Los Angeles, viewed it as an opportunity 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 had already secured her first professional assignment in Japan when she was only a teenager, so she was no stranger to working in other countries. Kerr, who is now 27 years old, was able to gain a position as a dancer on the Rhapsody of the Seas ship in the year 2022. Seven months were spent by her working on board the ship, which largely traveled across Europe at that time. Following her time spent working on a second ship, she now maintains a YouTube channel called Wanderlust Alley, where she posts films documenting her adventures.
The way that Kerr chose to join the cruise business is only one of many possible ways to enter the industry, which offers a wide variety of employment, ranging from entertainers to room stewards to captains. At the same time as they are able to travel far and wide, workers have the opportunity to make money, often on a seasonal basis, while also saving money on overhead expenditures.
“In 2024, cruise lines will employ a multinational workforce of nearly 300,000 seafarers, and tens of thousands of employees on land,” said a spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association, the major trade group in the sector. The statement was made in an email.
The following is a guide for getting started.
How do I go about taking a job aboard a cruise ship?
Everything depends on the kind of work you are looking for.
According to Walt Nadolny, a 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, the most entry-level positions tend to be roles such as cabin attendants, dishwashers, and laundry workers. Nadolny was also a former environmental officer for Norwegian Cruise Line.
Companies that operate on a global scale, on the other hand, are not likely to hire people from the United States for such positions. Generally speaking, the ships are registered or flagged in other countries, and as a result, they are not subject to the labor regulations of the United States. Nadolny said that the higher-paying positions are not being rewarded at a wage comparable to that of an American.
In these situations, operators employ predominantly from nations that have lower median earnings than the United States and currencies that are relatively weak. These locations include sections of Asia, Eastern Europe, and other regions. But ships flying the flag of the United States are required to recruit American labor, even for those types of positions.
For example, the Pride of America ship, which is operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, is capable of sailing between the islands of 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. “This requirement is in place at the federal level.”
Nadolny said that major cruise lines do, in fact, source entertainment positions from the United States of America, in addition to nations like as Canada and the United Kingdom. These roles include performers such as dancers, guitar players, and lighting specialists.
credentials may be required for jobs in the pursers department, which is also known as guest services. These credentials vary based on the state in which the ship is registered, and cruise companies often search for people who are able to speak at least two languages. His statement was, “I’ve met pursers who are fluent in six different languages.”
Nadolny asserts that candidates must possess “some serious credentials” in order to be considered for technical positions, such as engine officers. Among them are a three-year degree from a marine institution that has been granted accreditation and the appropriate licenses from the flag state. In addition, he said that captains of cruise ships often have a significant amount of experience and have been employed by the corporation for “at least a decade” prior to being promoted to that position.
The Massachusetts Maritime Academy, the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, the California State University Maritime Academy, and the Maine Maritime Academy are some of the other marine institutions in the United States that are particularly noteworthy. In general, according to Nadolny, the institutions provide two different licensing courses that ultimately lead to a federal license as a third assistant engineer or third mate designation.
“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 to reporters.
The ability to demonstrate relevant work experience on land might be beneficial while applying for positions at sea as well.
According to Nadolny, for instance, employees who hold senior roles in the hotel department, which encompasses a variety of departments such as housekeeping, food and beverage, and others, often have prior experience working at shoreside hotels. Additionally, the majority of the aboard heads of security that he has interacted with had been once employed as law enforcement personnel on land.
Bartenders, medics, and members of the information technology crew are some of the other aboard occupations. “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,” according to the spokesperson for CLIA.
There are a lot of different sectors, and the quickest method to get work in those areas is online. It was said by him that cruise companies publish opportunities on their platforms. It is also possible for maritime schools to hold recruiting activities.
What is the average length of a cruise ship contract?
The amount of time that workers stay on board is decided by the cruise company as well as the job that they have. According to the website of Princess Cruises, for instance, the length of time that crew members are signed to contracts may range anywhere from four to ten months.
In the frequently asked questions section of their website, the cruise line was quoted as saying, “After each contract, you will receive approximately sixty days of vacation before your next assignment.” While you are aboard, your daily work schedule will be determined by the specific role you have; nonetheless, you should anticipate working seven days a week for anything between ten and thirteen hours every day.
It’s possible that some members of the crew have obligations that extend beyond their time spent aboard the ship. Nadolny said that senior commanders, in particular, participate in continuous education in order to keep up with the advancements in technology and propulsion systems.
In addition, Kerr had rehearsals on land for a period of two months before to embarking on the ship.
What is the average salary for working on a cruise ship?
Crew members get a broad range of remuneration.
The first contract that Kerr had was as a dancer, and she earned around $2,900 per month. After converting to a singing and dancing position, she made approximately $3,800 per month on her second contract. In addition, she acted as the dance captain and the company manager.
According to Nadolny, police who have just been recruited make around $7,500 per month or $60,000 yearly. On the other hand, officers who have been in their positions for a longer period of time might earn as much as $250,000 to $300,000 an annual salary (including stock options and performance incentives).
However, there are some who earn less. Around forty percent of the thirty-five present and former crew members who were questioned by Business Insider in late 2019 said that they earned less than two thousand dollars per month.
On the other hand, the costs of living are often rather low since cruise companies typically cover expenditures such as accommodation and board, meals, and medical health care. Kerr said that she was able to take shore excursions, which can be rather expensive, at no cost. This would enable her to explore the places that the ships visited without incurring any costs, provided that her schedule permitted it.
Where do the people who work on cruise ships call home?
Kerr said that the majority of the time, rooms located on the lower decks of the ship are utilized to accommodate crew members. Although some ships provide single cabins with shared toilets, standard cabins are often very small and may accommodate two people. Additionally, they are equipped with a private bathroom.
Rooms that are often bigger and include extra amenities, such as porthole windows or kitchenettes, are typically reserved for more senior staff members.
“In general, I would say that it’s not for everyone, but people who love it really love it,” Kerr remarked of working on cruise ships. “I would say that in general ” She is thankful for the time she spent aboard and acknowledges that she has been to around 26 countries, many of which were visited as part of those sailings.
Not to mention the fact that I was able to do it while I was working, which was a very remarkable experience.
