Cruise Ship Jobs in US, UK, Australia - What's The Employment Outlook?

What background do you need to get a job on a luxury cruise ship?

The luxury cruise industry is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry. Last year some 7.1 million passengers embarked on a cruise vacation from U.S. ports which was a 9.4% increase from the year before. With 25 new cruise ships under construction or on order for deliveries in 2007 through 2010, it's boom time for the cruise ship industry.

This is good for cruise ship jobs because each of these cruise ships employ between 500-1,500 crew members and support staff. This means a direct demand for an additional 10,000+ new crewmembers over the next 3 years.

There is a huge variety of jobs that can be done on a cruise ship and with it brings many benefits, not least getting paid to travel around the world. Fact is, any previous work experience you adds up to the skills required to get one of a number of the jobs on a cruise ship.

The types of land based jobs that will look great on your resume and really help you get a job on a cruise ship include -- jobs at hotels, restaurants, bars, night clubs, libraries, gift shops, boutiques, grocery stores, convenience stores, health clubs, beauty salons, museums, coffee shops, and just about any hospitality related job.

previous work on other ships or on land for the position you are looking for helps. but as long as your willing to learn its not necessary. you have to be willing to get in to a contract for at least 8 months i believe. i know someone who works on a cruise ship and says if i'm willing to sign up for 8 months i got a job.

i did it for 2 years, you earn lots of cash but are on duty 24 hrs a day. anything with customer service background with good people skills. it depends in what field you want to work in. they need all backgrounds as they employ for a wide variety of positions.

edit: also you are in shared sleeping quarters, unless your classed as a manager so managerial skills a must if you want privacy from other staff.