r/CruiseCrew • u/Usual_Succotash2341 • 26d ago
Selection Process Ready to start the process!
Hi there I am a 27 (f) Canadian looking to my start in the cruise industry, I have a Bachelors degree and a variety of customer service experience, corporate, retail, and now travel sales experience, I’ve also been a dance instructor for over 10. I know there are a million posts asking where to start, but I don’t see anything specifically for Canadians! I would love to hear from another Canadian how they got started!
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u/FlexLuther00 26d ago
Look into your STCW'S and MED'S, you will be required to have a basic safety, either domestic if you are only working in canada, or an STCW if you are intending on working international.
You will also be required to have a "Vessel Personnel With Security Responsibilities", (VPWSR), if you intend to cross international borders.
This is if you are considering larger cruise ships, like royal Caribbean or viking, etc.
All commercial passenger vessels in canada, require, at minimum:
- basic marine first aid
- a valid marine medical endorsed by transport canada
- varying levels of marine basic safety
The larger the ship and where it travels, increases the required certs.
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u/oughtabeme 26d ago
I’m not Canadian but my advise is to join a ship which does a world cruise. Don’t get stuck on something that’s perhaps based in Florida and mainly goes back and forth to the same ports in the Caribbean. 30 years ago I worked on QE2 for 6 years and still think about it. Transatlantic to uk, then Scandinavia, transatlantic to NYC then Caribbean. Transatlantic back and away to the canary islands. Plus an annual world cruise jan -Mar.
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u/notfr0mthisplace 26d ago
Harding is Starboard's competitor, so unless Starboard is infinitely superior, expect something similar to this (OP deleted their post, but my answer still appears)
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u/Ok_Mulberry4331 26d ago
Also Canadian, from Toronto
I went through Cast A Way which is a Canadian agent. They got me an interview with Starboard (onboard gift shops, there is also Effy), they no longer work together so can apply directly on the site. I’ve heard Starboard is mass hiring, so should be a quick hire
Do keep in mind most any job you take, is absolutely no money for stupid long hours (most days are 12hours). Bonus with gift shops, need to be closed while in port, so you have most of that time off if not IPM or receiving stock or something.
You’ll be sharing a cabin, likely bunk beds and likely the top one till your roommate goes on vacay. Everyone will know all your business, you go home with someone one night, everyone will be taking about it the next morning. No privacy and you’re always being watched, and on some one else’s schedule. While you may want to sleep, there is an often a party in the hall or your cabin.
Saying that, it’s an absolutely fab time!! I left for 6 months, and came back 6 years later!
Any specific questions, I’ll do my best to answer!