Cruise ship jobs require certain capabilities, and not just those pertaining to the technical aspects of the position. To be successful, you will need to work on a number of soft skills. Here are a few qualities that are important when working on a cruise ship.
Team work
Hundreds of people work on board a cruise ship at any given time. And more than 99 per cent will work as part of a team. To be successful at your job and provide efficient service you should be proficient in working well with others. This means learning how to control your anger, being diplomatic when necessary, covering for others if needed, accepting and taking into consideration constructive criticism.
One of the best examples of teamwork is cruise ship chefs jobs. Without the help and skill of everyone from the provisions assistant and line cook to the utility help and waiter, no chef will be able to place a high quality meal before a guest. Everyone works in tandem for the best result.
Perseverance
Persistence can help a great deal in learning skills on board. There may be times when you are placed in a new team or expected to learn a new cuisine on the job. You may make mistakes as you go along, but the key is to keep at it.
This quality will prove to management that you are a go-getter and that you will not rest until you are perfect at your job. It is a quality they are looking for when promotions open up.
Attention to detail
Cruise vessels follow a certain standard set by the owning company. For example, executive chefs set the menu down to the last detail – how a dish should be made and plated and what the final product should look like. The housekeeping department will have a certain way bed spreads are laid out, where the toiletries are kept and what shapes the towel origami will take.
Making sure everything is perfect is important as it shows consistency of quality to guests. This capability is evident after the first couple of months into your contract when you are used to the process and start doing things mechanically. This is when staff are likely to slip up if they are not careful. So pay attention every time.
Adaptability & flexibility
Working on a cruise ship places a lot of demands on crew. Issues crop up all the time and you should be able to think on your feet. If peaches are getting overripe, cruise ship chefs should be able to whip up a quick dessert to add to the buffet to avoid waste.
It also means you should be able to work with different types of people with varied personalities and nationalities. Someone is always at the end or beginning of their contract which means that teams get switched up all the time. You should be able to adapt to a new person on your team and perhaps even in your cabin.
Patience
Working with varied personalities from around the world and in big teams can test your patience. You will need to give new team members extra time to grasp the intricacies of cruise ship jobs and learn the ropes of working on a sailing hotel.
If you are in guest relations positions, you will need to have a lot of patience with guests. You may be asked the same question multiple times a day or have to deal with a rude guest. Keeping your patience will help diffuse the situation and lower the risk of negative feedback for you and your team.
Time management
Cruise ship jobs also demand excellent time management capabilities. Crew join with prior knowledge of the long hours involved in their position. This proves that time management is vital to completing tasks and perhaps even gaining some extra time to yourself.
Time management involves being proactive and attempting to get the job done perfectly the first time, every time. It means thinking ahead and being prepared for the steps to come, correctly following hygiene and safety rules – particularly in the galley, and reporting to superiors before a situation gets out of hand.
FAQs
How do I ace a cruise ship interview? ›
- Be ready for a virtual interview. ...
- Read through your CV. ...
- Brush up on your knowledge. ...
- Do some self-reflection. ...
- Research the cruise line. ...
- Dress appropriately. ...
- Demonstrate your enthusiasm and energy. ...
- Prepare for common questions.
- Carnival Corporation & Plc.
- Royal Caribbean Group.
- MSC Cruises S.A.
- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
- Disney Cruise Line.
- Genting Hong Kong Limited.
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
You'll Gain Transferable Experience and Skills
Working on a cruise ship is a great way to gain experience and skills that you can use in any career. Whether you're looking to move up within the cruise industry or start a new career altogether, you'll be able to add your time at sea to your CV.
Cruise employers want job applicants to have a personality and soft skills that would be suitable for a cruise ship environment. Being able to work, live and get along with a multinational and multicultural crew is important. Also important is a personality that works well with the passengers.
What qualities make you a great fit for cruise line job? ›- Team work. Hundreds of people work on board a cruise ship at any given time. ...
- Perseverance. Persistence can help a great deal in learning skills on board. ...
- Attention to detail. ...
- Adaptability & flexibility. ...
- Patience. ...
- Time management.
Your skills and qualifications. If you can prove that you've got all the skills that the company is looking for in a candidate, you'll have effectively answered the question. Your passion and motivation. You can highlight how good of a company fit you'd be and how much you love working in your field or industry.
What are the 5 A's of cruise tourism? ›Accommodation, Accessibility, Activities, Amenities, and Attractions.
What is the best position on a cruise ship? ›You want to be as close to the pivot point as possible to feel the least movement. Avoid cabins near the front (bow) or back (stern) and on decks higher than the middle deck of the ship. So, on a ship with fourteen passenger decks, your best options are below deck seven.
What is the hardest job on a cruise ship? ›What is the hardest job on the ship? While the difficulty of the utility galley job exceeds all others on a cruise ship, waiters and room stewards, who clean passenger cabins, also have some of the most difficult jobs, Guilford said.
Why do you think you are qualified for this job? ›When answering this interview question, focus on the skills and qualities you possess that most closely align with the needs and requirements of the role. For example: Hard or soft skills, like software expertise, or excellent customer service skills. Qualities like dedication, determination and perseverance.
How can I introduce myself during interview? ›
- Greet Your Interviewers. ...
- Let Your Interviewers Know About Your Educational Background. ...
- An Alternate Approach for Seasoned Professionals. ...
- A Line or Two on Your Passions and Hobbies. ...
- The Vital Closing Statement.
- Homesickness is a major problem for those working on a cruise ship, especially if they are new to the job. ...
- Sea sickness can be a problem, especially if you're on a smaller cruise ship. ...
- There's not much privacy if you're a member of the crew.
- Positive Personality. ...
- Energetic. ...
- Able to Problem Solve. ...
- Must be a Team Player. ...
- Have Proven Sales Experience. ...
- Must be Customer Service Driven. ...
- Work Ethic. ...
- Have Excellent Communication Skills.
Cruise ship crew life can be intense: long hours, no days off for months, lots of rules, demanding guests, small living quarters and little to no privacy. But working on ships also allows you to travel to places some only dream of while making some amazing connections with fellow seafarers from all over the world.
What to expect in an interview for a cruise ship? ›- Why do you want to work on a cruise ship?
- How many hours do you currently work per week (per day)?
- Why do you think you are qualified for the job you are applying for?
- How does your past experience relate to the job you are applying for?
💡 Example answer
My skill set matches all the requirements laid out in the job description. In particular, my ability to work to tight deadlines and manage my time effectively make me a good fit for the role.
- Leadership oriented. ...
- Competitive. ...
- Friendly. ...
- Ability to adapt. ...
- Creative. ...
- Trustworthy. ...
- Team oriented. ...
- Goal oriented.
Every good answer to “tell me about yourself” should consist of: Work - This should make up about 80% of your answer. Focus on your previous experience and accomplishments here. Academic - 10-15% of your answer should then be about your academic background (university, academic achievements, etc.).
How do you answer what motivates you? ›- meeting deadlines, targets or goals.
- mentoring and coaching others.
- learning new things.
- coming up with creative ideas to improve something, or make something new.
- analysing complex data in order to draw clear and simple conclusions.
- working well as part of a team.
Product, Price, Place, and Promotion are the four key points in any tourism business' marketing strategy.
What are the four S of tourism? ›
The "4 S's"–sun, sea, sand, and sex–is a familiar catch-phrase from the colorful world of tourism studies that captures one of the most common understandings of the kinds of enjoyment that we are looking for (whether we want to admit it or not) when we travel on vacation.
What are the three types of ship staterooms? ›Cruise ships typically offer three types of staterooms. These include oceanview rooms, inside rooms and suites. Although you can expect to find the basics such as a bed, bathroom, closet, phone and TV, each type of cabin brings a different experience worth considering.
Which is best front or back of cruise ship? ›The forward is subject to the most movement out of anywhere on a ship. And the higher the deck, the more pronounced that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. Movement at the aft is a bit less drastic than the forward, but still isn't the most stable place for those who are prone to seasickness.
Is it better to be in the middle or back of cruise ship? ›Generally, mid-ship is most favorable on lower decks, especially if you are prone to motion sickness. There is more noticeable movement in the more forward areas of the vessel, or on higher decks.
What is the highest paid position on a cruise ship? ›It comes as no surprise that the ship's captain has the biggest salary from working on a cruise ship. The master of the vessel has a huge responsibility for ship safety for crew and passengers along with navigation. The captain can earn almost $100,000 manually depending on the cruise line and experience.
How many hours a day do cruise ship employees work? ›Your daily work schedule while onboard will depend on your particular position, but you can expect to work seven days a week and anywhere between 10-13 hours per day.
What is the lowest job on a ship? ›Ordinary seaman
The lowest ranking personnel in the deck department. An ordinary seaman (OS) generally helps out with work that able seamen do. Other tasks include standing lookout, and generally cleaning duties.
On cruise lines, the answer is: A LOT! The pay on cruise ships is actually one of its best benefits. You might think you could be earning around the same amount in a similar job on land, but as all of your needs for your life at sea are catered to by the cruise line, there are next to no expenses for you.
What are your top 3 values at work? ›- Strong work ethic. Work ethic is a trait that most employers look for right away in an employee. ...
- Responsibility. ...
- Integrity. ...
- Honesty. ...
- Reliability. ...
- Adaptability. ...
- Accountability. ...
- Self motivation.
- Be passionate. Have a positive attitude and be enthusiastic when talking about yourself and your career. ...
- Sell yourself. ...
- Tell stories. ...
- Ask questions. ...
- Ask for the job.
What are your strengths and why? ›
I am very honest. When I feel that my workload is too large to accept another task, or if I don't understand something, I always let my supervisor know. My people skills are my greatest strength. I find it easy to connect with almost anyone, and I often know how to empathize with others in an appropriate way.
How do I introduce myself in 2 minutes in an interview? ›General and Short – within a two minute self-introduction speech, you need not tell them your whole life story. Keep it general and short. State your name, your age if you are comfortable, and your course if you are a student and your future goals. The same goes for professionals at work.
How can I introduce myself in 1 minute in interview? ›- 1) Who are you? First, you simply tell people who you are. ...
- 2) Give some background or context. The second part of your 60-second introduction is to give one or more details about yourself – some background for context. ...
- 3) Why are you here?
They know that the more skills they learn and apply, the better they will do their job. That is why most cruise lines employ permanent trainers and human resource managers on their ships and spend money to continually develop training programs for all employees on board.
Is it hard working on a cruise ship? ›You'll get to see the world -- but it's not a vacation. It's a common misconception that life as a cruise ship worker is just one big holiday. Regardless of the role employees take, they can expect to work hard. Crew members work every day of their contract, taking time off in hours rather than in full days.
What challenges do you think you will face onboard? ›- Welcoming your new hire. ...
- Discovering the new workplace. ...
- Meeting the family. ...
- Understanding your culture. ...
- High expectations. ...
- Challenges with interdepartmental co-operation. ...
- Acting lawfully.
- Travel the World. One of the main reasons people choose to work on cruise ships is the chance to travel to many places they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. ...
- Save Money. ...
- International Friendships. ...
- Great Food. ...
- Good Weather.
Common interview questions might include 'Can you tell us a bit about yourself? ' or 'Why do you want this job? ' Meanwhile, job-specific questions could include: 'What skills can you bring to this cruise line?
What are some of the pros and cons of working on a cruise ship? ›- Pro: New People, Cultures. The hotel staff, of which you'll be a member, doesn't associate with the ship's passengers. ...
- Pro: Cheap Adventure. ...
- Con: Homesickness, Compensation. ...
- Con: Quarters, Food.
Express your personal passion for the employer's product/service/mission. Employers want to know you're passionate about what they do, whether it takes the shape of a product, a service, a mission, or a brand. You can also connect your passion to the company's core values, which can often be found on their website.
What is the best answer for what is my weakness? ›
Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers? ›- 10 common interview questions and answers. ...
- Tell me about yourself. ...
- What attracted you to our company? ...
- Tell me about your strengths. ...
- What are your weaknesses? ...
- Where do you see yourself in five years? ...
- Can you tell me about a time where you encountered a business challenge?
For example, you might explain that you are particularly motivated, or that you are known for going above and beyond for your employers. A second way to answer is to emphasize your unique skills. If you have skills that make you a strong candidate (especially if not many people have those skills), mention these.
Are cruise interviews hard? ›When asked in an Indeed survey about the difficulty of their interview at Carnival Cruise Line, most respondents said it was medium. Indeed's survey asked over 184 respondents whether they felt that their interview at Carnival Cruise Line was a fair assessment of their skills. 92% said yes.
What are the questions asked in shipping interview? ›- How would your previous employer describe you?
- Can you tell me a little about yourself?
- What motivated you to apply for this position?
- What are your greatest areas for improvement, and how do you resolve them?
- What do you expect from this job?
- There are no days off. On ships, weekends and holidays don't exist. ...
- You work long hours. ...
- Contracts are 4-9 months long. ...
- You're on call 24/7. ...
- Small living quarters. ...
- No privacy. ...
- It's like college all over again. ...
- The food is not the same for crew and guests.
In general, your strengths should be skills that can be supported through experience. For example, if you list communication as a strength, you may want to recall a situation in which you used communication to reach a goal or resolve a problem.
What are 3 commonly asked interview questions? ›- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you interested in working for this company?
- Tell me about your education.
- Why have you chosen this particular field?
- Describe your best/worst boss.
- In a job, what interests you most/least?
- What is your major weakness?
My strength is, I am a quick learner, a hard-working and active person. My weakness is I am not felling good until I completed my work on time. My strengths are I'm self-motivated, Hard-working, a quick learner and I am a good team player. My weakness is I'm an overthinker and kind-hearted person.
What can you bring to the company? ›How to (and how not to) answer the interview question 'What can you bring to the company? ' The simple answer to this question is you : you bring all of your skills, qualities, values, interests, academic knowledge, internships and life experience to the company.
How do you handle stress and pressure? ›
- Decide what you can do. Pinpoint which parts of the situation you have the power to change or influence for the better. ...
- Get support. Find someone to talk to about your situation. ...
- Care for yourself. Take especially good care of yourself when stress in your life is high.
Prepare What to Say
Greet the interviewers, state your name, and introduce yourself without fear. Be audible and bold to showcase your respect for the opportunity. Introduction can include education qualifications and experience depending on your level of expertise.