im in the uk (northern ireland), want a job on a cruise ship?

Question

how do i even start? ive tried many online searches but they ask for payment just to get the application form.

Please help as i want to work away from this godforsaken place.

Answer 1

www.hardingbros.co.uk
they are a concession that runs duty free shops on some 50 ships.
the whole thing is directly with them
add some retail experience to your CV

phone interviews
160pounds a week + comission to work for the duty free shops
easy work
usualy you get all the port times free...
since shops cant open while on port

Answer 2

http://catererglobal.com
You can feed in a job, then 'worldwide' then 'cruise ships'
Unfortunately cruise companies only seem to advertise their vacancies about twice a year.
Visit princess web and then recruitment.
bartenders seem to be the way in. Receptionist etc require you have three languages.
Once you get an interview prepare for a full day, they show videos of their ships/cruises. They like you to be very smartly dressed, so nice suit/shirt.
If you get through you then need a visa and they usually give a ten year one (America) Then you need a marine medical which seems only to be in Preston or London (Harley street) these cost around £60. The pay for bartenders on Princess is only $800 (about £400) a month but bear in mind you have no rent/food/laundry expenses etc and you get a lot of tips from the tourists. Flights to and from ship are arranged and paid for you. The cruises which are best for pay are the seven days ones as tourists board and 'yahoo' for the duration whereby ten/twelve day cruises, they tend to spread the same amount of money over those days.
You would need to go to Southampton for the interview. From being offered an interview to actually going on ship would be about 4 months. You have to be at least 21 years old.

Answer 3

Hi Daniel, Working on cruise ships isn't for everyone, and you need to be completely sure that it's for you before you apply. Many crew-level positions are taken by Indian, Filipino and Portuguese nationals, and generally you will find British and Irish nationals either as officers or with the concessions: shops and spa. Depending on your education level, you might be interested in becoming a deck or engineering officer. Deck officers work on the bridge, and engineering officers look after the machinery. To do this, you would need to go to the National Maritime College in Cork, and seek sponsorship. Carnival UK, who own P&O Cruises and Cunard sponsor Irish cadets, as do various ferry and cargo ship operators. See link below. You might also want to consider working as a hotel officer. These guys look after the passengers, and starting roles are typically Assistant Front of House Manager, Assistant Food and Beverage Manager or Assistant Crew Manager. See link below. If you want to work in the shops on board, Harding Brothers are perhaps the best known recruiters in the UK and Ireland. See link below. For the spa, Steiner Leisure recruit from the UK and Ireland. See link below. Best of luck, and I hope you find something suitable!

Answer 4

I knew a guy who was ships photographer - he loved it. There are tons of jobs just like on land e.g. in catering, bar work etc
I hope you find your job. If you have the time and inclination you could do a TEFL course and teach abroad like I do. Iv'e just come back from Uganda and am off to Tajikistan at the end of the month. There are many ways to get away - why not just bugger off now and pick grapes in France, or pack bulbs in Holland? There are some guide books on working your way around europe and stuff like that. Once you get started you get on the network and off you go. I did it for 6 years - had a fantastic time.
Good Luck my friend.

Answer 5

I used to work on the cross channel ferries and believe me that is a golden passport to cruise ships. Many of my friends went on to work the cruisers. Its easy to get a job on the ferrries coz the staff turnover is so high, instant experience for you, sea-going tickets (basic sea survival, first aid at sea and maybe a lifeboat course) which give you a better chance at employment on cruisers.

Answer 6

hey! I'm from Northern Ireland too, it's not that bad...the grass always seems greener on the other side. I don't have any info on cruise ships but thought I would make a wee comment none the less seeing as you are from the same part of the world :)

Answer 7

nobody should charge for application forms for any employment, that seems very suspect. Try checking out the head office of Cunard (Liverpool ?) or P and O. They should be able to supply info on careers on cruiseships.

Answer 8

when you get that job, can you get me a free ticket?