Interviews with Cruise Line Staff

There’s no better way to learn about working on cruise ships than from those who have jobs in the industry. CruiseJobFinder regularly interviews cruise ship and land-based staff, hiring managers, and representatives from staffing agencies and concessionaires. Their insights are shared on the following pages. Check back often as new profiles are added regularly.

  • Massachusetts Bay Lines Interview The company’s general manager talks about working for his harbor cruise company in Boston.
  • Skyline Princess Cruises Interview The owner of this New York-area harbor cruise company discusses his hiring needs, staffing strategies, and more.
  • Variety Cruises Interview Based in Greece, Variety offers small-ship cruises primarily in Europe. A company manager describes the work experience and what he looks for from applicants.
  • Kristina Cruises Interview This Finnish company has one cruise ship and river ships. A company rep describes the work, how they hire, and what positions are needed most.
  • North Star Cruises Interview This company is based in Australia. A great company to work for if you’re Australian and crave adventure.
  • Celebration Cruise Lines Interview Celebration offers short cruises from Florida to the Bahamas. An HR rep describes how they do their hiring.
  • Great Lakes Cruise Company Interview Forget the ocean! How about cruising the amazing Great Lakes with a family-run company? Great seasonal opportunities.
  • Maple Leaf Adventures Interview This Canadian company operates cruises along the Canadian and Alaska coastlines.
  • Casinos Austria Maritime Interview A shipboard casino staffing concessionaire. Interview describes positions they recruit for, how to get hired, and more.
  • CSCS International Manning Interview This staffing agency recruits guest services and hospitality staff for many large cruise lines.
  • Medsource Interview This company recruits doctors and nurses for cruise ship work. The owner explains what he’s looking for.
  • Wild Alaska Cruises Interview The company operates on ship in Alaska. Their focus is on wildlife, and they offer fishing. Summer jobs with great perks!
  • Star of Honolulu Cruises Interview Want to work in Hawaii? This is a leading harbor dinner cruise company. Their HR Manager spills the beans on how to get hired.
  • Blount Small Ship Adventures Interview Offers river, bay, and harbor cruises in the US, Canada, and Caribbean. They only hire US citizens. Great, in-depth interview!
  • Brittany Ferries Interview Based in France, Brittany offers luxury ferry trips to England and Spain. A company rep explains what positions they recruit for, the hiring calendar, and more.
  • Uniworld River Cruises Interview Uniworld is a top-notch river cruise company – Europe, China, Russia, Egypt and beyond. Do you possess the qualities they want? Find out.
  • Antarctic Dream Interview You guessed it – this company takes passengers to the poles! Looking for true, rare adventure? If so, then check out this interesting interview.
  • Aqua Cat Cruises Interview A Florida-based company, Aqua Cat specializes in Bahamas dive trips. If you’re a diver, and want to work on a live-aboard, then this is a must-read.
  • Argosy Cruises Interview Argosy is Seattle’s largest harbor and bay cruise company. They recruit heavily for seasonal workers – summer and holidays. Check out the insights offered by an HR rep.
  • Dorset Cruises Interview Based in the UK, Dorset offers local cruises. Interview includes great CV advice.
  • Entertainment Cruises Interview The largest “local” cruise company in the US with operations in Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, and Boston – and beyond! A major employer! Read this interview for the employment scoop.
  • Fantasea Adventure Cruising Interview An Australia-based Eco-Certified cruise company. Get a job here and you’ll see plenty of the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Harbor Breeze Cruises Interview A small whale watching and harbor cruise company based in Long Beach, CA. Follow the advice in this interview when applying for jobs with Harbor Breeze or other employers.
  • Harbour Cruises and Events Interview Canadians – check out this interview. This company offers dinner and harbor cruises in Vancouver, BC. Many tips to help you get hired in this Q&A interview.
  • Hornblower Cruises and Events Interview A large US-based entertainment and dinner cruise company. Do you possess the “X Factor” they’re looking for? Superb interviewing advice.
  • Un-Cruise Adventures Interview This company’s ships take people on wilderness safaris – Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico…Very cool. A company representative highlights what the company offers and the employment experience.
  • Pacific Whale Foundation Interview A marine life lover’s dream employer. Must relocate to Hawaii (tough). Learn what types of people this company often recruits.
  • Paradise Cruises Interview Short, small-ship cruises in Vietnam.
  • Salen Ship Management Interview This company manages a small fleet of ships, and uses a variety of agencies to fill its open jobs. A company official explains his hiring strategies.
  • Pride of Vancouver Charters Interview If you’re Canadian, then read this interview for sure. This company offers dinner cruises, holiday cruises, and yacht charters. Based in Canada.
  • Waterfront Boat Company Interview Sightseeing and harbor cruises out of Cape Town, South Africa. Find out what a manager says about the importance of your CV.
  • Captain Cook Interview The focus: Sydney Harbor and Murray River cruises in Australia. Interview includes positions hired, when to apply, how to interview, and more.
  • Invermore Shipping Interview Invermore is an official hiring partner of many major cruise lines. They focus on hotel department staff primarily. One of the most in-depth job advice interviews in our library!
  • Naples Princess Cruises Interview The company offers localized cruises out of Naples, FL. They only hire people with certain qualifications. You could be a match! Read on…
  • Page Marine Crews Interview These guys are a big-time staffing partner for the world’s biggest cruise lines. From hotel staff to physicians and IT staff. They recruit all types of staff! This interview explains their role and how you might take advantage.
  • Tauck Interview Secluded bays, quiet islands, and rivers – that’s where you might go with Tauck. Full-time and seasonal positions with superb company benefits. Interview highlights what working for Tauck is really like.
  • VIP Caribbean Interview VIP is a registered hiring partner of many famous cruise brands. They’re based in the Dominican Republic. Find out how to get interviews and what qualities they want to see from applicants.
  • Ocean Images Interview All photographers and videographers who want to work on a cruise ship should read this Q&A. Discover the 4 traits they’re looking for.
  • Viking Recruitment Interview This is a must read for engine, deck, and technical crew. Viking is a hiring partner for big name cruise lines. Reading this interview could help you get hired.
  • Excite Recruitment Interview These guys help cruise job seekers find work with cruise lines. From visa assistance to CV advising, Excite helps in many ways. They are a recruitment solution provider for cruise lines and hotels. Great insights provided in this Q&A.
  • Employment POWER / U Spinjaca POSAO Interview A manning agent for major cruise lines. They recruit candidates in Eastern Europe primarily for hotel positions. This interview provides excellent advice that any cruise job seeker can use!
  • Crown Recruitment Interview Crown pre-screens candidates for a number of big cruise lines. You’ll get lots of advice here to incorporate into your job search strategy.
  • COSCO Manning Interview COSCO offers recruitment services, seaman training, and other services to prospective cruise line workers. What mistakes do they say people make on their CVs? Find out about that and more.
  • A to Z Manning Interview A to Z assists job seekers with interviewing, visa and medical documents, and more, all the way until they board a ship as an employee. Here’s a complete overview of their services, plus lots of tips that any candidate could use.
  • PEEL Entertainment Group Interview PEEL is a provider of entertainment productions on cruise ships. Do want to be a shipboard singer or dancer? If so, then this is a must read interview.
  • Cruise Alternatives CC Interview This company accepts applications and CVs from candidates on behalf of cruise lines with which it has relationships. They perform background checks on applicants; conduct the screening, initial and final interviews; help the successful applicants with getting visas and other documents. Use their advice to get your own foot in the door.
  • ISMIRA Recruitment and Crewing Agency Interview ISMIRA recruits staff for both cruise lines and cruise concessionaires. They recruit mainly from Eastern European countries but the advice offered here is good for ANYONE.
  • Shipboard Hairdresser Interview Steiner is a concessionaire, which runs spas on many cruise ships. Any hairdresser, cosmetologist, or massage therapist should read this Q&A.
  • Daily Employee Life Onboard DCL Ships (Part 2) Interview Part 2 of 2. Find out what it’s really like to work on a Disney cruise ship.
  • Entertainment Host Jobs with Disney Cruise Line (Part 1) Interview Part 1 of 2. Wonderful insights from a Disney Cruise Line employee.
  • Zest’s Interviewing and Placement Advice (Part 2) Interview Part 2 of 2. How to prep for interviews, how long it takes to get hired, and other great information.
  • Zest Recruitment Interview (Part 1) Interview Part 1 of 2. Zest is an official cruise line hiring partner. Read this in-depth, detailed interview carefully. Take what they say and put it to use!
  • Onboard Media Interview Onboard Media is a concessionaire, which hires its own Shopping Guides who work on cruise ships. It’s a cool job for high energy people. Learn the ropes from a company rep right now.
  • CTI Group Interview – Interviewing Tips (Part 2) Interview Part 2 of 2. A CTI company rep gives you awesome interview prep advice and much more.
  • CTI Group Interview (Part 1) Interview Part 1 of 2. This staffing agency, based in Florida (with 8 offices worldwide), is a leader when it comes to cruise line hiring. Among other things, in this interview you’ll learn how to make a great first impression.
  • International Cruise Management Agency ICMA offers full crew services, including sourcing, selection, employment, travel, payroll services, insurance, and other support duties for its cruise clients. In this interview learn what a perfect candidate is and how to make great first impressions at your interview.
  • Odyssey International Interview This company pre-screens candidates for major cruise lines. Could you pass their screening and get hired? Read on and find out.
  • Steiner Leisure Interview Steiner Leisure is arguably the king (queen?) of all cruise line concessionaires. Onboard spa staff … that’s their niche. There are many takeaways in this great interview.
  • Working as a Shipboard Show Dancer (Part 2) Interview Part 2 of 2. Learn about life as a show dancer on a luxury cruise ship. A pro spills the beans!
  • Dancing Jobs On Cruise Ships (Part 1) Interview Part 1 of 2. How a dancer turned a land-based career to sea with Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.
  • Hospitalio Cruise Recruitment Advice (Part 2) Interview Part 2 of 2. So you passed the interview, now what? This Q&A explains it all.
  • Hospitalio Staffing Agency Interview (Part 1) Interview Part 1 of 2. This company fills for many cruise lines. Although they work with candidates from Africa, the job search advice is universally useful.
  • Cruise Ship Guest Services Jobs (Part 2) Interview Part 2 of 2. The focus in Part 2 is on the interview, getting hired, and life on board.
  • Guest Services Coordinator Interview (Part 1) Interview Part 1 of 2. Carnival Cruise Line is a premier employer. See what one of their employees says about working for Carnival. Lots of Job Search advice!
  • Cruise Ship Chef Jobs (Part 2) Interview Part 2 of 2. A South African chef explains the interview process, gives advice for getting hired, and talks about life at sea.
  • Senior Sous Chef Interview (Part 1) Interview Part 1 of 2. From work schedules to contract terms, a cruise line chef lays it on the table. Insights you won’t get elsewhere. Plenty of job search tips, too.
  • PPI Group Shopping Presenter Jobs (Part 2) Interview Part 2 of 2. Want to be a Shopping Presenter?
  • PPI Group Interview (Part 1) Interview Part 1 of 2. PPI is a concessionaire. They hire tons of Shopping Presenters and put them to work on cruise ships the world over. What does the job entail? Are you potentially qualified? Get the answers right here.
  • Exercise and Fitness Manager Jobs (Part 2) Interview Part 2 of 2. An overview of life on board a Royal Caribbean ship (the good and the bad!).
  • Shipboard Gym Manager Interview (Part 1) Interview Part 1 of 2. Hey, fitness industry nuts! There are jobs waiting for you! A successful gym manager and personal trainer paints the picture in this two-part interview.
  • Photographer Interview Good with a camera? Can you sell? If so, and you want to work at sea, then read this interview. Photographers are in high demand!
  • Purser Interview Few know what pursers really do on cruise ships. It’s a job with many responsibilities, as you’ll learn in this extensive account.
  • Teen Program Director Interview Do you like working with young people? Cruise lines always need youth counselors. In this interview you’ll get a first-hand account from an experienced worker.
  • Cruise Line Public Relations Interview Not all cruise jobs are at sea. Learn how this person forged her career on land as a Public Relations specialist.
  • Concessionaire Interview A terrific, insightful interview with a cruise ship gift shop worker. She got her job through a concessionaire, and eventually met her husband-to-be onboard! Great story…

 

Massachusetts Bay Lines Interview

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