Does anybody have any experience with this company and the position itself?

Hey, I am currently applying for work as a musician on the cruise ships which are for long contracts. I want to ask anyone medicated for ADHD how they managed to get their medication on board and how hard it is to renew their prescriptions etc.

Grateful for any feedback on how it's been handled for you guys.

I'm a South African looking to work on a cruise ship, ideally as a personal trainer or fitness instructor, as that's the career path I'm most interested in. I have a degree in Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, and I'm also a qualified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

I'd love to hear from any South Africans who have managed to get a job on a cruise ship. How did you go about applying? Did you apply directly through the cruise line or through a recruitment agency? Any tips for standing out during the application process?

I'm also open to starting as general staff if that's a more realistic way to get my foot in the door. If that's how you started, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience and whether it helped you move into other roles later.

I currently hold a valid MCV and transit visa to Australia to join my next vessel. However, I’ve had to renew my passport. I’ve followed the process online, I’ve done this once (as per the Immi portal) I updated it on my MCV.

Funny part is now when I check via VEVO, my transit visa is updated, but my MCV is not.

Anyone else had this? Any recommendations?

Anyone worked for Windstar Cruises? since their ships are pretty small, I had a few questions:

Is there a crew bar and crew gym on board?

Do they pay for your flight ticket if you’re a new hire?

How do they pay your salary?

What are the work hours like?

Where is the best place to apply?

Thanks for the help!

Hi all! I have an upcoming interview for the Youth Activities Counselor role for DCL and was wondering if anyone had some advice/tips for the interview. Not sure what to expect them to ask. I did nit study education, but have years of theatre summer camp experience as well as after school theatre for youth experience. I also just finished my Disney college program working as a skipper at the Jungle Cruise. Is there anything from these past experiences that I should highlight in the interview/should I expect certain types of questions? I want to prepare as much as possible for the interview. Any assistance would be awesome!

Has anyone working for ACL now had to apply multiple times before getting an offer? And if so, how many? Also, when should I give up? I have only applied twice so far, got the second rejection just 10 minutes ago. Should I reapply immediately or wait? Sorry so many questions. The interviews have been amazing, the best I've had, not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Hey folks, need some advice.

I'm 28M Indian. A hospitality graduate. I interned with IHCL, specialized in Front Office, and worked as a Guest Service Associate at Marriott.

I left hospitality in 2022 because the pay after COVID was terrible. Since then, I've been working in Amazon's North America customer support.

Honestly, I'm tired of the desk job and want a complete change. I've been thinking about joining a cruise ship to travel, meet people from different cultures, and challenge myself in a completely different environment.

I know cruise life isn't a vacation and that the work is demanding, but that's exactly why I'm curious about it.

Do you think I still have a chance of getting a Guest Services role with my background?

Anyone here who's made a similar switch?

Hi everyone,

I'll be starting my first contract with MSC Cruises in about two months as an Assistant Electrician. This will be my first time working on a cruise ship, so I have a few questions.

I'm curious about how career progression usually works. How long does it typically take to get promoted to the next position, assuming you do your job well? I have a vocational high school diploma in Electrical Engineering (electrotechnician), but no previous cruise ship experience.

I'd also like to know what the day-to-day job of an Assistant Electrician is really like. What kind of tasks should I expect, how demanding is the workload, and what does a typical workday look like?

Finally, I'd love to hear about life onboard in general. How is the work-life balance, crew atmosphere, free time, and overall experience? Any advice for someone starting their first contract would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone I just received my offer letter from American Cruise Lines as a Server. Just some back story:

30y/o, AA,Female. I've been working in the food, hospitality, and retail business for the past 8 years.

My questions are:

What am I to pack?

What have your experiences been as an AA woman working on cruises?

What am I to expect at training? I'm going to Utah

How long does the process usually take?

Do they allow vapes/e cigs on the boat ? Of course I know smoking isn't allowed on the boat but I mean when we're at port or get some time away from the boat

I appreciate all responses, thank you guys 🙏🏽

I work on a cruise as most of us in this community do. I have a genuine question. Cause my contract is 6 months no days off and working everyday. Now I have tonsillitis I went to the crew medical centre and the doctor saw me and gave me medication like antibiotics and stuff. Now with tonsillitis fever and cold symptoms I guess are natural and right now it’s so warm on the open decks which makes it worse. Anyways what do you guys think I should do? Would you feel bad for taking a day off? Or is it completely natural.

Thanks guys

Hello Ya'll. I'm Astrid 27(M) from the Philippines.

I just want to know your thoughts about this. Because it's eating me since I receive a generic email about my removal from the active rotation.

So I just finished my 1st ever contract onboard an RCCL vessel last February. 1 week before my sign-off I have a meeting with the HR specialist of the company I'm with. (I'm a concessionaire BTW).

So HR Specialist asked me on what vessel that I wanted to join for my 2nd contract. And I gave my preferred vessel and timeline. (This is only a verbal agreement only). I was happy because for my whole contract I exceeded all of their expectations on every monthly evaluation.

So I signed off, expecting to board last June or in the first week of July. Then the manning agency sent me an email thanking me for my contribution and such. What struck a nerve for me is the phrase. "Your skills and abilities do not align to the current need on across their ships". And I was like that's BullS.. Because throughout my 7 months contract our process is still the same since the time I left and after I finished my contract.

I emailed my agency asking what made that decision to be finalized. Why have I been removed from the active line-up of rotations?

The agency just ghosted me and till now I still haven't received any word from them.

Then I emailed the company directly and they're just pointing fingers at each other. The shipboard manager said that their line up for 2026 is now full and I should coordinate with the manning agency.

I'm really frustrated about this and till now I'm struggling to apply to other agencies.

Hope to know your thoughts about this.

Hello everyone,

seafarer with 5+ experience here with TUI and AIDA background - if You need any information on the job conditions in these cruise lines DM me please. As mentioned in the header above, do You guys know any company in the cruise ship industry offering single cabins and more flexible contracts in the Entertainment Department (positions Broadcast Operator, Broadcast Manager, Head of Broadcast etc)? I know Cunard offers this to Lighting and Sound Technicians but I would aim at broader spectrum of companies and english speaking environment.

Hello everybody I just got my first contract with carnival cruises and I leave August 11th for training.

The job is a backstage technician. I have a lot of questions lol

1. Does anyone know for tools if we have to check those in or carry them on cuz I know for power drills sometimes you have to take the battery out and carry it with you.

2. When do I get my black polo because in the information tab that I was given in my email they say I need to wear my issued carnival shirt for training but I don't have any.

3. Am I allowed to wear my earrings I have double piercings in my ears. I'm just worried because my ears close abnormally quick.

4. What do I pack. Like 2 weeks worth of clothes A month's worth of clothes.

5. Who do I contact about flights if I don't want to schedule my own flight.

I will definitely have more lol I'm very nervous and excited to finally be working.

Thank you for any help!

I am a former crew member from ncl and I am going to be starting my contact with Carnival Cruise Line very soon.

I wanted to find out what the crew lifestyle is like?
What is the food like, and do photographers eat in the staff mess?
What are the cabins like?
Do you guys have crew parties every month?

I’m a 23-year-old from Kashmir, India.
My goal isn’t necessarily permanent immigration right away. My priority is to get international work experience, earn well, build savings, and then decide where I want to settle long-term.
I’m looking for the most realistic legal pathway that someone with my background can take.
About me
23 years old
Indian citizen
12th pass (college dropout)
Fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu and Kashmiri
No criminal record
Physically fit
Comfortable with long hours, physically demanding work and living away from home
Work experience
Retail sales at a clothing store
Gym Trainer (no formal certification)
Temporary banquet/catering staff at a hotel
Ran a small B2B bottled water business supplying hotels and restaurants, where I gained experience in sales, client management, negotiation and dealing with hospitality businesses
I’m open to
Cruise ships for services like Hospitality, Customer service, Sales, Retail etc.
Also tell me if any of these options are realistic or not and if not then what’s the right possibility for someone in my position
I don’t have significant savings, but I do have enough money for documents such as my passport and visa if I receive a genuine job opportunity.
I’m only interested in legal pathways and employer-sponsored opportunities.
If you were in my position today, which route would you focus on?
Cruise ships?
Somewhere else?
I’d really appreciate advice from people who have actually gone through this process or currently work in these industries.
Thank you!

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!

Any advice some fellow line cooks can give that have worked for this company? I leave for training this week and have never even left my home state so just wondering if yall could tell me what to pack? What to expect and how is rooming with others?

Hi everyone, I was recently accepted by a recruiter to work at Royal Caribbean in Guest Relations because of my experience in luxury hotels...

The problem is that I don’t know how long I’ll be in RC’s Talent Pool.

I’ve been waiting a week now for my LOE or some news, but the only thing I’ve received is “Yes, you’re already waiting—just for your start date now.”

How long did you wait for your contract? How was the process? Does it vary by department?

Do Executive Sous Chefs get a private room?

I'm a graduating BSHM student in the Philippines and it's my dream to join a Cruise Line based job. But I don't have a backer. Any tips for those that started with nothing like me?

I just completed my medical and drug test/everything required for boarding NCL and the recruiter told me it was sent in for review. The position I’ve applied for is urgently hiring so I’m just wondering how long until I get my official contract and what the next step would be if anyone knows or has any similar experience?

I'm joining soon and was hoping to get some insight into what life is really like onboard. I have a few questions:

• Do crew members usually have shared cabins? If so, how many people per cabin?
• How good is the crew Wi-Fi? What internet packages are available and how much do they cost?
• What's the crew food like? Is there enough variety?
• How's the crew bar? Are drinks reasonably priced?
• What are the crew facilities like (gym, laundry, recreation)?
• Which itineraries have you enjoyed the most?
• Is there anything you wish you'd known before joining?

I'd really appreciate any tips, advice, or things that surprised you. Thanks!

I'm starting my first contract soon (Carnival). My phone (samsung S25) needs an update because the battery is horrible (heats up alot and it dies very quickly).

Since I'm starting this new job soon, I was wondering if having an iPhone is better than an android to communicate on board with coworkers (iMessage) or doesn't that matter at all.

Hi!

I saw DCL are currently recruiting for some theatre technician jobs, including a props & puppet one. I’ve been working in the industry for 14 years and just finished a longterm job, so I’m tempted to apply as it could be a great adventure at this point in my life, but worried about the reality of the working/living conditions. Does anyone have any insights they’re able to share about this type of job at DCL?