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Cruise ships are often called “floating cities” and with good reason. The average cruise ship employs over 1,000 people on any given voyage, and there are typically about four passengers per crew member.
But is working on a cruise ship a fun job?
Many people see working aboard a cruise ship as a life of travel and adventure, not to mention opportunities to meet people from all over the world.
However, there is no “one size fits all” staff position aboard each ship, and getting the right job for your personality and interests is key to enjoying your time at sea.
Of course, knowing where to start can be a bit overwhelming, considering there are so many types of cruise ship jobs.
Furthermore, the amount of jobs available depends on several factors, including the type of ship, the specific cruise line, the destination(s) and length of the voyage, and even the intended passenger demographic (a family-focused cruise, for instance, will have different crew needs than an adults-only cruise).
If you think this could be an exciting new career choice, it’s a good idea to go over the 27 types of cruise ship jobs and where exactly they fit in the “floating city.”
1. Deck Personnel

Every cruise needs people to actually keep the ship running and afloat. Deck personnel encompasses a range of positions responsible for the ship’s navigation, safety, and security.
These include the ship captain, safety officer, and other officers on the bridge, as well as able seamen who may work on the bridge or other areas of the ship to keep things running smoothly.
Few entry-level positions are typically available among the deck personnel, as a high level of maritime and/or practical maintenance experience is required.
2. Engineers
Modern cruise ships no longer run on furnaces, but they do run on systems that consist of gas turbines, diesel-electric power, or in many cases, a combination of power sources.
These complex systems require a lot of knowledge and human surveillance to function properly, which is where the ship’s engineers come in.
Like the deck personnel, being among the cruise ship engineer team or “engine team” is typically not an entry-level position.
This type of work requires years of training, either aboard another vessel (often military or industrial transportation) or on land in an industrial capacity.
3. Deckhands

In addition to the more technical ship crew, there are also members of the deck crew who may perform support work in non-mechanical capacities.
These deckhands are considered to be the general handymen of the ship staff.
This portion of the crew can include janitorial work, carpentry, and stateroom maintenance. For example, if a passenger arrives onboard and finds that their bathroom door is not shutting, a member of the deck crew may be called to fix it for them.
Both the general deck crew and deck personnel may be grouped in the ship’s “deck department.”
4. Office Staff

All cruise lines have office staff who are responsible for arranging the cruise itineraries, passenger bookings, accounting, sales and marketing, clerical work, and general office tasks.
Most of these positions are performed on shore at the cruise line’s main office, but some of these team members may be expected to go aboard cruises to work.
For example, marketing staff may take part in an active cruise to take photos and otherwise capture the experience for advertising and PR purposes.
All cruise ships have their own office staff members who keep worker schedules and itineraries organized and help handle any issues while at sea.
5. Activity Staff

Passengers need activities to keep them occupied while they’re aboard the cruise ship! Activity staff members are vital parts of the cruise voyage, coordinating and running different activities throughout the day and evening.
From running shuffleboard tournaments by the pool to hosting trivia games in the theater at night, these crew members are considered vital to the cruise experience.
The ship’s cruise director is typically considered the head of the activity staff. They are typically the most visible and vocal members of the ship’s crew, often making daily announcements on the ship intercom and serving as hosts for the main activities on the itinerary.
6. Entertainers

Cruise entertainers often work closely with the activity staff, and in some cases, they may all fall under the department under the cruise director.
These crew members are responsible for putting on shows and providing visual and audible entertainment for the ship’s passengers.
They also may function as DJs or musicians, providing background music in various areas throughout the day.
In addition to working in the ship theater (or theaters, depending on the size of the ship), entertainers may work during lunch or dinner, in the ship bars or lounges, or otherwise work to provide entertainment during the day and evenings.
7. Fitness Team Members

The ship’s fitness team may be in their own category or considered part of the activities and entertainment crew members.
Typically led by the fitness director and a gym manager, these crew members are responsible for scheduling workouts and physical fitness activities for passengers to participate in.
They may run classes, act as personal trainers, host special yoga sessions, conduct dancing lessons, or even just be available to provide general advice and instruction in the ship’s gym.
In many cases, some level of experience and fitness knowledge is required to work on the ship’s fitness team.
Depending on the type of physical activity and equipment involved, some certification may be required.
8. Spa Staff

Most large cruise ships have a spa these days, and some may even offer spa services in passenger staterooms.
The spa staff encompasses a wide range of positions, from receptionists to massage therapists, cosmetologists, and beauticians.
Though there may be some exceptions, spa staff members of the crew typically only work during daytime hours aboard a cruise ship.
While some spa positions may have entry-level availability, many of these positions require at least basic certifications and training.
In some cases, cruise ships may hire specific spa or beautician companies to supply these staff members.
Depending on the special events (like weddings) booked on the ship, cosmetologists and beauticians may also be scheduled to work additional hours.
Some may also do the makeup and hair of performers in the cruise’s shows.
9. Food and Beverage (front of house)

In the world of food and beverage, there are two kinds of staff – front of house, and back of house.
The same goes for the food and beverage team on cruise ships.
The front-of-house staff members consist of the people who work directly with passengers at the ship’s restaurants, bars, and buffets.
These crew members are the ship’s bartenders, servers (waiters), back servers, barbacks, restaurant hosts, and food runners.
They may be assigned to just one location on the ship, or their shifts may rotate locations.
Depending on the special events scheduled for the voyage, the front-of-house staff may also perform catering duties.