Boston Harbor Cruise Jobs

Boston is one of the United State's top cities - an amazing tourist hotspot. Break into the travel and tourism industry as part of the Massachusetts Bay Lines cruise staff! Seasonal and year-round jobs sailing Boston Harbor. CruiseJobFinder interviewed a top executive with the company, who explains how to get a job and more. Use this invaluable information during your cruise industry job search.

Interview Excerpt

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How many vessels does your company operate?

We have 5 vessels that we operate, namely the M/V Freedom, the M/V Massachusetts, M/V New Boston, the M/V Samuel Clemens, and the M/V Seaport Belle.

Describe a typical 'cruise' if there is such a thing. What would the shipboard experience be like for a typical employee?

We offer entertainment and fun on our cruises which our employees have to emulate in their attitude and personality, so they can be assured of a fun working environment. They can expect to work long hours, sometimes over weekends including Sundays and until late at night sometimes.

What are some of the common job titles you advertise for?

We frequently hire bartenders, deckhands, and concessionaires.

What are some of the selling points you use to get people onboard to work with your company?

We offer this as an interesting, fun job for people who want flexibility and good pay, but where they get to develop skills for the future, especially in hospitality.

What percentage of your staff are returning from the previous year vs. new hires?

We have a few returns, but lots of new applicants all the time. I would say about 10% - 20% return.

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

Making a great first impression is all about confidence, so if we see that you are confident and outgoing, we already have a good idea about how you will interact with the guests. If we get a good feel from you, then we are happy.

Are there any common traits people should have in order to get hired, and then to succeed in the cruise industry?

Being friendly and confident with a great personality is the main thing that people need to have. Succeeding is a different story in the long run, and while you do need those things, you also have to be a hard worker, very dedicated, always show up on time, always be neat, know how to handle problems and complaints effectively, and basically just have excellent interpersonal skills, as well as organizational skills. B

Are there any benefits or perks that your employees enjoy?

We train you, so you don't need to have any previous experience for the concessionaire, deckhand and bar tender jobs. You get paid meals while on shift. B

What is the interview and selection process like for your positions?

We first go through your application form and/or resume to see if you would be a good candidate, then we ask you to come in for an interview with us. After this, we discuss pay and working hours, and then put you to work right away.

What are some common misperceptions people have about working on cruise ships?

People think it is all fun and games. While there are fun times and you do have fun, this is not about enjoying a cruise. You are working for the people enjoying the cruise. There is a difference! Another, is that people think the work will be easy. It is actually very demanding, physically and mentally, as you always have to be on your toes, always have a happy persona and always be willing to do anything to help out on board.

What type of person gravitates towards these jobs?

Students are usually drawn to our company, but yes, we also get those who work on boats all year and come to us for a while either as a stepping stone to a bigger cruise company, or on their travels elsewhere.

 

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