Page Marine Crews Places Canadians & Others On Ships

Obviously, you want to work on a cruise ship or else you wouldn't be reading this now? But how do you get a foot in the door? A rep from Page Marine Crews explains how to get a job with a leading cruise line.

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What types of jobs do you recruit for? Is there a particular department or role?

We recruit for almost all areas of the cruise ships from hotel and beverage staff to nurses and other medical personnel. The most common positions we are always looking to fill are as follows:

• Boutique Staff and Managers
• Chefs
• Computer Officers
• Corporate Trainers
• Cruise Staff
• Cruise Staff DJ's
• Customer Relations Manager
• Entertainers
• Entertainment Production Managers
• Finance Manager
• Food and Beverage Managers
• Hotel Controller
• Hotel Front Desk (Pursers)
• Jewelry Staff
• Lighting and Audio Techs
• Nurses
• Personnel & Training Manager
• Photographer
• Physicians
• Pursers
• Shore Excursion Desk Staff
• Sommeliers
• Videographers
• Youth Security
• Youth Staff

Do you only work with candidates who are of a certain nationality or living in certain geographic areas?

We work closely with job seekers from Canada, and tend to interview those based in Vancouver first before looking elsewhere. We do hold regular interview sessions in other areas, though, so if we happen to be in Toronto, for instance, we will contact all those who sent in applications from that area, and ask them to meet with us.

What services do you offer the people who apply through your company? Do you give them training, do you secure new contracts after they have completed their first cruise?

We work with candidates right from the time they send in their application until they board the vessel if they are selected. We do not offer training as such, but do prepare candidates for work on board a cruise ship, by giving them information and offering advice. All the training is provided by the cruise lines on board the vessel.

Describe your perfect candidate. How can someone best make a great first impression with you and your agency?

We receive lots of resumes that we have to sort through, so to us, what makes a perfect candidate is someone who has the right qualifications to work on a cruise ship in their field. When we meet you, the best way you can impress us is to be professional, come dressed neatly, present yourself with confidence, and show us that you have the right mindset to get the job.

What are the best pieces of advice you would give someone who's starting to look for their first job on a cruise ship?

Try to read up about the cruise industry as much as you can and make sure this is something you really want to do. Understand where you will live, how you will get paid, how much you will get, what you need to do, and how it all works. This way there are no surprises and you can really decide if you will be able to handle this line of work.

What are the typical terms of employment offered?

Each job is different. The seasonal crew members like youth staff and youth supervisors have 1 week to 3 month contracts, when there are more children on board during school holiday periods. Otherwise, most contracts are 6 months, with a 1 to 2 month break, with management crew only receiving 4 month contracts with a 2 month break. The officers and engineer crew usually have 3 to 4 month contracts. Similarly doctors and nurses also work 4 month contracts with 2 months off.

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