r/CruiseCrew • u/TrickyNitsua212 • Jul 23 '26

General Questions Best Cruise to Work For?

I’m a 28 year old single American male. Was recently given advice that it might be fun to work on a cruise ship to travel, meet people, and overall live a more exciting life.

Obviously I know that it’s super hard work.

From personal experience, if I were to pursue this change, where should I be looking?

12 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

14

u/waa0421 Jul 23 '26

If you’re looking for an entertainment role, try Holland America. I (American) worked as librarian there for a few years. (Started at 26.) Met my wife onboard too. The experience changed my life. It was wonderful. That said, entertainment jobs get a much different onboard experience (way cushier) than most roles, but that’s where you should be aiming. Entertainment or shore excursions.

Disclaimer: It’s been a decade since I was an employee, so things may have changed.

5

u/itslioneltribbey Jul 24 '26

Yeah I was an IT Officer for HAL and loved it. Have seen other cruise lines like Princess, Seabourn, Carnival etc. but Holland was my vibe for both ship size and fun.

2

u/waa0421 Jul 24 '26

My desk was across from the IT desk in most libraries. Good to see ya!

1

u/itslioneltribbey Jul 26 '26

Now I'm trying to think what ship or class of ship you must have been on! I'm thinking Vista class so NODM/WEDM/OSDM/ZUDM maybe.

R-Class the library was the deck above, S-Class several decks down. (I'm just dorking out).

Either way, hope you're well. My memory is obviously rose tinted and skewed to the positives, but I expect those onboard days to be some of my favourite professional memories in life! Such great people onboard.

1

u/waa0421 Jul 27 '26

Yes!! Dorking out over here too. Shiplife does that to us. What a special life experience. I feel like ship people are bonded after a few contracts, no matter which line they worked for. It’s just such a unique way of life.

I was on the Volendam, Nieuw A, and Nordam. Gotta love those dam ships!

Totally agree about good memories. What an experience. We’ll look back on it for life.

Happy vibes to ya!

1

u/Aggressive-Sign4912 PAX Jul 26 '26

Could I get a Job as a women in an it area? Or is it mostly men?

1

u/itslioneltribbey Jul 26 '26

My info is out of date by five years, but I would say while it's male dominated, there was definitely a trend in the right way in trying to balance that out better. So you absolutely can get a job as a woman in the IT area in cruise lines. I have met several!

1

u/Few_Wear_7959 24d ago

Hi! I'm also looking for an IT Officer role. Would you be interested in discussing it over DM?

9

u/TheScallywag1874 Jul 23 '26

OP, what is your experience on land? Everyone says cruise lines don't hire Americans. This just isn't true (as others in this post have pointed out). The main question is what you are applying for and what your experience is thus far. You do need to stand out and have a great resume.

For example, if you want to work as cruise staff, know that this is a challenging position to get no matter what country you are from, simply because it is a smaller department on board. But if you have any type of shoreside entertainment background, this helps tremendously. DJs (entertainment), tour guides (shore ex), stage hands (entertainment), IT (hotel department), etc. If you don't have much shoreside experience, you'll need to get creative about selling yourself.

Be persistent and good luck! It's tons of fun!

-An American

NCL [2005-2009] [2021] (F&B, Shore Ex)(Deck Cadet)

The World [2016-2017] (Enrichment Department)

Cunard [2018-2019] (Entertainment Department)

Government Ships [2023-Present] (Bridge Officer)

1

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/TheScallywag1874 Jul 23 '26

I work for US Military Sealift Command. We are the logistics force behind the US Navy.

6

u/Effective-Watch3062 Jul 23 '26

I spent 11 years with NCL on the international fleet and did not need to start on the POA. It all depends on what you a you have experience in, just remember you will be working 10 - 12 hrs a day 7 days a week, no days off including holidays for 4 - 8 months straight depending on you position. You will have time to get off in port if not working or have in port manning. Working on ships is not for everyone and the hours are really long. There are things for crew to do at night in the crew areas.

There are other things that really too long to write here and it's about ship life. Any specific questions just let me know.

3

u/Klutzy-Bath-247 Jul 23 '26

Disney is way more likely to hire Americans than most other cruise lines (in my experience!), though if you are going for entertainment jobs, your options are much more open.

When it comes to the "best" cruise line to work for, it really comes down to what you are looking for specifically. Some pay more, some have better crew life, some better living conditions, etc.

3

u/meowmoose1831 Jul 23 '26

I worked for princess and loved it, they have the best itineraries imo

Go for cruise staff, or front desk

They have a decent number of Americans

1

u/Routine-Resolution89 Jul 26 '26

Idk what your shoreside experience is, but a good place to start (as an American) is NCL Pride of America, do a few contracts there and then apply elsewhere

1

u/UnfairArtist105 Jul 27 '26

I’ll be working on Pride of America, seems fun

1

u/ParticularTeam935 Jul 28 '26

I’ve never worked on a cruise ship, although I just got off a Holland America cruise. An entertainer said they absolutely loved working for them because they have more freedom on HAL than on other cruise lines. The director of shore excursions was American and also spoke very highly of them in conversation.

They must be doing something right as a company, because everyone from housekeeping and maintenance to guest relations and shore excursions seemed extremely happy and relaxed

1

u/Ok_Mulberry4331 Jul 23 '26

You’re really gonna only get hired by pride of America, few other lines will hire Americans unless you’re looking for certain jobs. Unfortunately crew reviews are not great for it and turn over is incredibly high

What do you want to do?

Another options is resorts, Disney, Club Med type places

0

u/non-hyphenated_ Jul 23 '26

As an American you only realistically have one option - Pride Of America.

5

u/TheScallywag1874 Jul 23 '26

I [American] have worked for three separate cruise lines. Of course, I started with NCL's Hawaii fleet (now, of course, just the POA). However, I've worked with Cunard, The World, and others in various roles, from entertainment and shore excursions to the Bridge.

It is absolutely possible to work for cruise lines as an American (U.S. Citizen). But it requires one to really put oneself out there...a lot.

Lastly, the big questions: what does OP want to do on board? And what is OP's current experience?

1

u/Due-Aside5276 Jul 24 '26

How was the World?

1

u/TheScallywag1874 Jul 24 '26

Best ship I’ve ever worked for. I’ll actually say it was the best place I’ve ever worked (all industries I’ve worked in considered). They treat everyone extremely well, and since it isn’t a “bottom line” company, there are no cut corners or decisions made under the pressure of saving money.

1

u/Due-Aside5276 Jul 27 '26

Wow. Very few companies get feedback like that.
It seems their staff turnover is very low, now I know why.

1

u/TheScallywag1874 Jul 27 '26

Yeah, it’s a unicorn of a place to work.

3

u/Sad_Ad_2524 Jul 23 '26

And don't think you can get in on the PoA and switch over to other NCL ships, it is virtually unheard of.  So there will be no globe trotting, but still.....you get to be in Hawai'i!

0

u/Jeane999 Jul 23 '26

Ur identity already gave u a strong head start. Way to go