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Cruise Ship Jobs - United Kingdom

• 29 January 2013

Welcome to the Free Guide to Cruise Ship Jobs, one of the most popular web sites dedicated to helping you find cruise ship employment. We aim to offer comprehensive advice to help you, job seekers from the United Kingdom, secure your dream cruise ship job.

Is a Cruise Ship job for you?

Cruise Ships operate like floating 5* hotels, and require thousands of qualified, dedicated, hard working staff in every department. It is expected that in the next few years the number of cruise ships operating will continue to increase, thus creating a huge amount of job opportunities. This, together with the normal high turnover rate on board cruise ships means they are always recruiting new personnel. Qualified candidates from the United Kingdom are always on demand.

All cruise jobs are subject to contract, therefore it is vital to consider all the pros and cons before signing on the dotted line. It will not be a holiday, but shift work with long hours. You will definitely not enjoy the same perks as paying passengers during your time off, ie not able to use the leisure / dining facilities reserved for passengers.

However, you will get to travel the world, enjoy free accommodation, have meals provided and free medical care. All whilst being paid a salary.

The criteria for UK candidates varies according to the cruise line. However native English speakers are usually preferred for management positions, chefs, entertainers, retail staff, photographers, receptionists etc.

Find out who cruise lines hire in the UK – see our list of positions available on cruise ships.

Jobs currently available on Cruise Ships

There is an amazing variety of work available on cruise ships, and we list below some examples to give a good idea of what is currently available.

Register for free today on All Cruise Jobs . Once registered you will have access to the full job descriptions and be able start applying for jobs.

For invaluable information on how to secure that dream job in the UK, e.g. information on recruitment processes, CV advice, go to our Cruise Job Guide .

Cruise Ship Recruiters in the UK

We have the most comprehensive list of UK based cruise ship recruiters. These can be contacted directly with a view to gaining employment. Please see our full list of UK recruiters .

Get Professional Advice

If you don't know where to start, if you have a chance to get hired, which qualifications you need, or just want feedback on your CV and suitability for a position on-board a cruise ship, visit Cruise Job Help . Their cruise career consultants will review your details and write an assessment report for you.

Set sail on a sea of job opportunities with the Free Guide to Cruise Ship Jobs!

P&O Cruises is Britain’s favourite cruise line. We are part of Carnival Corporation & PLC and we have been for 20 years. With amazing career opportunities across the fleet, we’ll help you settle into an exciting life at sea as part of our P&O Cruises family.

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Working on a cruise ship

The cruise industry is more than a job, it's a lifestyle bursting with excitement, travel, and endless opportunities. Discover if you have what it takes to apply

With cruise line companies constantly trying to build bigger and better ships, there are always opportunities to work at sea for those who wish to do so. From accommodation, bar work, fitness, entertainment, childcare and retail, these roles can be found aboard every cruise liner.

Why work on a cruise ship?

Working on a cruise ship has many advantages, the most obvious being the opportunity to travel the world. As an onboard member of staff, you'll visit destinations such as the Caribbean, South America, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia.

When working on a cruise ship, your accommodation and food expenses are covered and as you're usually onboard for at least six months of the year, you can save a lot of money without having to worry about rent or other living expenses. Additionally, you keep whatever you earn as disposable income.

Another advantage of working on a cruise ship is the opportunity to make connections and build relationships with people from various backgrounds. You'll forge new friendships and make international contacts that will be valuable throughout your career.

Cruise line companies invest time and money into training their employees, which presents excellent opportunities for career progression. Once you're onboard, you'll be encouraged to seek promotion, and your hard work will be recognised.

Are there disadvantages to working on a cruise ship?

While working on a cruise ship seems like an attractive prospect, it's not for everyone. While accommodation and living expenses are taken care of, salaries are often low. You'll also have to work long hours, with little time off. Homesickness can also be a challenge, making it a difficult experience for some.

Living quarters on a cruise ship can be cramped, and you'll have to adapt to living in small spaces with other crew members. It's also hard to achieve a good work-life balance as you're confined to the ship for most of the time, with no option to clock off and go home like those working on land.

What jobs are on offer?

Whether you have experience in hospitality, entertainment, or IT, there's likely a role tailored to you:

• Accommodation - keep cabins clean and guest areas comfortable. This department suits those with a passion for hospitality . Positions include laundry staff, cleaners, and stewards.
• Food and beverage - bartenders, waiters, waitresses, and chefs are needed to provide meal services to passengers.
• Casino - experienced croupiers can find excellent opportunities dealing cards and managing table games.
• Deck and engine - these technical roles are ideal for individuals with engineering degrees or relevant experience. Strong language skills can be a bonus.
• Entertainment - singers, dancers, activity hosts, and qualified swimming instructors are needed alongside holiday representatives ,  tourism officers  or  tour managers .
• Fitness and beauty - qualified professionals in hairdressing, massage therapy, personal training , and other beauty services provide treatments to passengers.
• IT - keep the ship's IT systems running smoothly. If you have a degree or experience in information technology , this could be your ideal role.
• Management - lead the way and oversee various onboard operations. Cruise lines offer management positions for individuals with experience or qualifications in business, leisure, travel, or tourism management. Discover how to answer common  management interview questions
• Medical - ensure the wellbeing of passengers and crew. Doctors ,  nurses  and  paramedics are essential roles on every cruise ship.
• Children's services - keep young passengers entertained and safe. Qualified nannies and experienced children's entertainers are in high demand.
• Retail - on-board shops will employ graduates with experience working in a  retail  environment to sell duty-free goods or other onboard merchandise.

Cruise lines offer both seasonal and full-time work, and often promote from within, so starting in an entry-level position can open doors to advancement. Employers value strong administrative, management, customer service, and sales skills.

Which cruise companies can I work for?

Cruise ship jobs are available with a variety of cruise companies, including:

• Avalon Waterways
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Disney Cruises
• Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
• Holland America Line
• Marella Cruises
• MSC Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Saga Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• Titan River Cruises.

What qualifications do I need?

Working on a cruise ship can be highly competitive, so it is important to have relevant qualifications and work experience to make your CV stand out to potential employers. The qualifications required for a particular job in the cruise industry depend on the position and the cruise company you are applying to. Entry requirements can vary between different cruise operators, so it is essential to do your research before applying.

For IT, management, and medical roles, it is likely that you will need to have at least a degree-level education. A degree in an engineering subject can be useful for those interested in working in the engine room. On the other hand, professional qualifications are typically preferred if you want to work as a chef, beauty therapist, personal trainer, or nanny.

When it comes to accommodation, bar and restaurant staff, and entertainers, some previous experience in a similar role is usually required. However, it is possible to get a job on a cruise ship with no qualifications or experience, but you will need to be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up.

Basic safety training is essential for anyone working on a cruise ship, and it includes personal survival techniques, basic firefighting, and first aid. These training programmes are incorporated in the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for mariners. In addition, you must also pass and hold a seafarer's medical certificate. Many ports around the world also have various visa requirements that you need to fulfil.

If you are interested in pursuing further education, you can search postgraduate courses that can help you advance your career in the cruise industry.

How do I get a cruise ship job?

As a minimum, you will need to:

• be 21 years old
• possess the necessary qualifications for the desired position
• hold a valid passport
• maintain a clean criminal record
• demonstrate English language proficiency.

Before applying for jobs , thoroughly research the cruise line you're interested in. Understanding their offerings and target market is essential. Each company has a unique brand identity, so familiarise yourself with their mission statement.

Many large cruise lines utilise recruitment agencies for hiring. Ensure you understand both the agency's and the cruise line's application procedures.

Most applications involve submitting a CV and cover letter , or completing an online form. Be sure to tailor your application to the specific role, highlighting your relevant experience. This is crucial, as competition can be fierce with hundreds of applicants per position. For entertainment roles, it's important to include a professional photograph. Remember, you're applying to the cruise line, not a particular ship.

There will likely be several application stages and these may include a  video  or  telephone  interview before you receive an invitation to be  interviewed  face-to-face.

Personality is a key factor in selection - applicants should possess a positive and can-do attitude, as cruise lines seek confident, outgoing team players with a passion for exceptional customer service.

Find out more

• Gain an insight in to the leisure, sport and tourism sector .
• Learn more about travel and tourism courses .

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How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship (With no Experience)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

You’re not alone if you’ve ever looked around during a cruise vacation and thought it would be fun to work on a cruise ship.

Nearly half a million people work on cruise ships. ( Source )

And whenever we talk to a crew member, we can’t help but notice how much they love their job.

Cruise life isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested in traveling the world and making new friends, keep reading.

Here’s how to get a job on a cruise ship.

Table of Contents

Meet the Basic Requirements

Some cruise ship jobs like Bridge Crew members or Technical positions require post-secondary training at a certified Marine School. However, the vast majority of cruise line jobs don’t need any post-secondary education.

Cruise lines like to see at least 1-2 years of relevant experience in a related role. For example, if you apply for an onboard server role, cruise lines want to see 1-2 years of serving experience.

It also helps to have a degree in tourism and hospitality, though it’s not a requirement. There are additional online programs to teach relevant skills to cruise line workers.

For the most part, a cruise ship job isn’t much different than a similar job on land. And the basic requirements are very similar.

But, some requirements are unique to cruise ship jobs, including:

• Meet the Age Requirement : Most cruise lines require applicants to be 18 or older, but some may have a minimum age requirement of 21.
• Language Fluency : All passenger-facing crew members should be fluent in English. Major cruise lines cater to international passengers, but English is the primary language on board. Fluency in more than one language is a plus, especially if the additional language is French, Spanish, Mandarin, German, Japanese, Russian, or Arabic.
• Valid Passport, Visa, and Work Permit : Working on a cruise ship requires proper documentation. Other paperwork may be required depending on the cruise line and ship deployment.
• Medical Examination : Cruise ship crew must be in good physical health. Cruise ship contracts can last several months, which could be challenging for people with health conditions.
• Criminal Background Check : Crew members have access to sensitive parts of the ship and close contact with guests and other crew members. A criminal background check is essential for the safety of everyone on board.
• Tattoos, Piercings, Non-Traditional Hair : Each cruise line has different rules regarding tattoos, piercings, and non-traditional hair. Most positions in the cruise industry don’t permit visible tattoos, piercings, or non-traditional hair coloring. Facial hair is generally not allowed.

Cruise Ship Jobs

Cruise ships employ thousands of crew members from around the world. There are hundreds of jobs on cruise ships.

The most prominent job on a cruise is the captain. The captain serves at the top of the ship’s hierarchy and oversees all cruise ship operations.

Other high-paying jobs include medical staff, bridge crew, entertainment staff, engine room technicians , and cruise director.

These positions typically require specialized education and years of experience.

However, you can find a cruise ship job that doesn’t require any experience.

Here’s a list of ten cruise ship jobs that require no experience or minimal training:

• Galley cleaner
• General cleaner
• Cabin steward
• Laundry services
• Engine wiper

If you want a job on a cruise that requires no experience, you better like cleaning. Most of the entry-level positions are cleaning, maintenance, or serving roles.

They are also among the lowest-paying jobs on a cruise ship. But if working on a cruise ship is your goal, these positions provide an excellent opportunity to get your foot in the door.

How Much Money Does Cruise Ship Crew Make?

Cruise ship jobs pay an average annual salary of $16,000 to $20,000 . The lowest-level positions have annual wages as low as $6,000, while a cruise ship captain can make up to $180,000 annually .

Cruise ship crew members don’t make a lot of money. But while they’re working on a cruise, crew members receive accessible accommodations and food. Some cruise ships also provide free WiFi and an allowance for drinks and alcoholic beverages.

We spoke to one former cruise ship employee who said she was able to “pay off my student debt of $30,000 in two years, even on the low salary.”

According to Sara, she didn’t have any expenses when she was working on cruise ships. She added, “every dollar I made went straight to paying off debts or savings.”

Understand The Employment Contract

Cruise lines employ staff on contracts to work onboard cruise ships. A typical employment contract lasts between four to ten months though contracts can be longer or shorter depending on the cruise ship job.

Most positions require crew members to work 10 to 13 hours per day, seven days a week.

It sounds like a lot of work.

Due to the long hours and demanding responsibilities of working on a cruise ship, most employees take time off between contracts. Typically a few weeks or a couple of months break.

While between contracts, crew members can fly home and go back to regular living before the start of their next contract.

But not all positions are that demanding. While a cruise ship job such as bartending or serving may require long working hours, the entertainment staff might only work three or four hours a day.

And crew members working in the most demanding positions may get one day off each week. If a crew member gets a day off when the cruise ship is in port, they are free to explore the port or take a shore excursion just like guests.

And there are several perks to working onboard cruise ships, including:

• Free accommodations
• Discounted WiFi packages
• Discounted alcohol at the crew bar
• Free flights to and from the cruise ship at the start and end of a contract
• Crew discounts for personal vacations with the cruise line

New cruise ship employees often forget to consider transportation to and from the cruise ship at the start of a new contract. Cruise lines provide flights to get employees to their designated ships.

Cruise ship workers love their work despite the long hours and demanding responsibilities. When speaking to crew members, we often find that most have worked several contracts.

After speaking with more than two dozen staff members on our last cruise, we didn’t find anyone who wasn’t excited about their cruise ship job.

Beyond the perks written in the contract, crew members spoke highly of the camaraderie and friendships made with other staff members.

How to Apply for a Job on a Cruise Ship

Some cruise lines allow you to apply online through their website, while others accept applications through a recruitment agency. Each cruise line lists the employment requirements and application information.

If you find a job you like, you’ll need to submit a cover letter and resume. Depending on the cruise line and position, you may need to submit additional documentation.

Below are some links where you can apply for cruise ship jobs:

• All Cruise Jobs
• Cruise Job Finder
• AIDA Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International
• Seabourn Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• TUI Cruises
• Viking Cruises
• Virgin Voyages

What are the Best Paying Jobs on a Cruise Ship?

The best-paying jobs on a cruise ship include:

• Bridge crew
• Cruise director
• Doctors, nurses, and medical staff
• Shore excursions manager
• Entertainers

Do I Need Experience to Work on a Cruise Ship?

Many entry-level cruise jobs don’t require any experience . However, technical jobs and higher-paying careers may require several years of experience and specialized training.

Bottom Line

A cruise ship might provide your dream job if you love to travel, meet new people, and have a sense of adventure.

You’ll have a better chance of getting hired if you have relevant experience when you apply for the job. If you don’t have any experience or training, you’ll need to start with an entry-level position.

A cruise ship job doesn’t pay well, but you won’t have many expenses while working. If a fast-paced and exciting adventure of life on the high seas is calling your name, you might want to apply to work on a cruise ship.

Marcello De Lio

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Cruise Ship Jobs and No Experience

Many applicants get discouraged when looking for a cruise job because they feel that they don’t meet all the requirements of the cruise line’s job description. As a result they don’t even apply. The fact is it’s easier than you think to get a cruise job with no experience. Everyone has transferable skills that are applicable to many cruise ship jobs.

Preferred Experience for Cruise Ship Jobs

What job seekers need to know is that the experience, education and skills that a recruiter prefers to have is actually their “perfect” candidate as opposed to the candidate that they end up hiring. Think of the qualifications that the recruiter wants their ideal candidate to have as a wish list.

They may prefer that an applicant has more than one language, has shipboard experience, has a Bachelor’s Degree, and has X number of years of experience. Unfortunately for them, they may not find their ideal candidate because the requirements are unrealistic. Fortunately for you, this means that you may not need all the experience that they ask for.

In fact, this is a tactic that hiring managers use to limit the amount of unqualified and undetermined applicants that apply for a particular job. The more specific and strict they write the cruise ship job vacancy’s requirements, the fewer applications that they receive.

Transferable Skills for Cruise Jobs

Although you may not have the exact requirements and experience that recruiters ask for in a job description, you may have related skills. These related skills are called transferable skills. It’s only a matter of highlighting them in a way that’s applicable and relevant to the job you are applying for.

These transferable skills can be further broken down into hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are a person’s specific knowledge and learned abilities such as speaking a second language or proficiency in MS Office. On the other hand, soft skills relate more to a person’s personality, leadership qualities, personal habits, ability to communicate and problem solve.

First you need to identify the skills that a recruiter is looking for as detailed in their job advert. Next, you want to draw attention to how your skills are transferable to that desired cruise ship job. You want to be able to prove that you have both the skills and personality that are required to do the job that you are applying for.

Hard Skills Required for Cruise Ship Jobs

Presentation Skills – Just because you haven’t had a job that required you to use presentation skills, doesn’t mean you can’t put this on a resume. Consider all the school projects that you have had to give a presentation. You can also direct recruiters to a PowerPoint presentation that you have created that you have posted online.

Computer Skills – Computer skills are required for many cruise ship jobs, not just IT jobs. Proficiency in MS Office (Word and Excel) is a universal computer skill to have. Point-of-Sale (POS) systems are throughout the ship and this type of experience is preferred for the gift shop, spa, restaurants and bars.

Administrative Skills – This can be a broad spectrum of skills that includes organizing, planning, typing and filing at the very least. Listing specific task-orientated accomplishments is a great way to showcase these skills. For example, you can highlight your typing speed, experience using MS Word’s Mail Merge and using formulas in Excel.

Sales Skills – Many cruise ship jobs require sales skills. Applicants should highlight their sales accomplishments, experience exceeding sales targets and their ability to upsell.

Customer Service Skills – On a cruise ship, outstanding passenger service or guest service is extremely important. How have you made a difference for customers? How will you make a difference in the guests’ experience? Recruiters want to know.

Soft Skills Required for Cruise Jobs

Interpersonal Skills – Interpersonal skills includes oral communication and active listening skills. How effective are your interpersonal skills when it comes to delegating, motivating, disciplining, coaching, supervising, resolving conflict, problem solving and exchanging ideas?

Teamwork Skills – The ability to live and work in a multinational and multicultural environment must be emphasized. Even classroom group projects could be used as experience of highlighting how you have worked well as a team.

Independent Work Skills – Highlight that you can work with little supervision and can manage your time. Give examples how you have set and met deadlines.

Organizational Skills – Depending on the cruise job you are applying for, you should give examples of how you have demonstrated your organizational skills. List the activities that you have organized detailing how many people were involved and the age groups that attended. You could also highlight your organizational skills by explaining how you managed X number of projects at the same time.

Charismatic and Outgoing Personality – Many cruise ship jobs that are customer-facing such as Guest Services Associate, Cruise Staff, Youth Staff, and many sales-type positions require that the applicant have an outgoing personality and that they are easily approachable.

No Experience, No Problem

How you prove your experience goes beyond your past and current employment. Most job seekers have more skills than they think they have. They’ve acquired them through volunteering, travelling, extracurricular activities, hobbies, school projects, internships, workshops and seminars. Highlight all applicable skills in your resume and cover letter.

Having a past employer, teacher or coach write a letter of reference for you is another way to prove to your prospective recruiter that you are capable of certain skills and experience. They can say what your personality is like, the type of worker you are and the specific responsibilities you had.

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Jobs on Cruise Ships

Entry-level positions.

Entry-level positions aboard cruise ships, including specific requirements, salariess and benefits.

Galley Department

Galley cleaner.

Requirements

Entry-level position with no experience required.

General cleaning and maintenance of galley.

900 - 1,200 dollars/euros a month (approx.).

Entry-level position no with experience required.

General cleaning and tidying of dishes, pots, saucepans and other galley utensils and equipment.

Food and Beverages Department

Bar utility.

General cleaning and maintenance of bar areas and equipment.

900 - 1.200 dollars/euros a month (approx.).

Deck Department

Responsible for different tasks on deck areas, such as giving directions to parts of the ship, running errands for the passengers, keeping chairs and deckchairs in good condition and cleanness, and general cleaning on deck areas.

1,200 - 2,000 dollars/euros a month (approx.).

Ordinary Seaman

General cleaning, maintenance and tidying of deck areas.

1,300 - 2,200 dollars/euros a month (approx.).

Hotel Department

Cabin steward.

Daily cleaning and tidying of the passengers' cabins.

1,700 - 2,500 dollars/euros a month (approx.).

Assistant Cabin Steward

General assistance to cabins and laundry staff in their respective duties.

1,100 - 1,900 dollars/euros a month (approx.).

They are in charge of certain services to the passengers´ cabins, such as giving foods, breakfast, beverages, gifts and other articles ordered by the passengers.

General cleaning of the public areas aboard the ship.

900 - 1,500 dollars/euros a month (approx.).

Laundry Department

Cleaning, drying and ironing all the passenger and crewmember garments.

1,200 - 1,800 dollars/euros a month (approx.).

Engine Room

Basic knowledge of mechanics.

Lubricates moving components of the engines and their auxiliary equipment; monitors and controls indicators and gauges of temperature, pressure, condition of the systems and oil level; takes part in specific mechanical operations, such as transferring oil, fuel and other fluids; y and assists in general maintenance in engine room.

1,200 - 2,200 dollars/euros a month (approx.).

General cleaning of machinery, mechanical systems, equipment, tools and instruments.

Cruise Ship Jobs 2024

If you are interested in working on cruise ships and looking for the moment to access the sector, do not miss the opportunity to apply for a shipboard position in 2024.

Job Opportunties

The maritime cluster offers considerable job opportunities to workers and professionals unemployed or seeking for an occupational change.

Most In-Demand Jobs On Board Cruise Ships

There is a large diversity of positions and jobs to be filled aboard cruise ships.

We would like to offer you a listing of the most in-demand positions in this segment of the maritime sector.

Job and Career Advice

Working in the cruise sector is an option for an increasing number of people and professionals seeking for a well-remunerated job in a dynamic working environment with career prospects.

Please do not hesitate to contact us.

In any case, we would like to offer our contact section to anybody interested in obtaining information about any aspect related to available positions and their requirements to work aboard cruise ships.

Contact Wind Rose Network

Look no further.

Your job application submitted to as many currently available positions as you wish from this site today.

FinanceBuzz

15 Incredible Cruise Ship Jobs (Get Paid To Travel!)

Posted: October 16, 2023 | Last updated: October 16, 2023

Traveling the world while getting paid to do it might sound like a dream, but it can be a reality if you take a job on a cruise ship.

Of course, this type of work isn’t for everyone — the hours can be long, and it may mean a lot of time away from home. But there are plenty of benefits as well.

If working for a cruise line sounds ideal, there are plenty of career opportunities on board. Here are 15 jobs that can help  boost your bank account  as you travel the world.

Editor's note:  All salary figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Activities coordinator

Even short cruises are packed with activities for travelers to engage in. Among other things, you'll find games, happy hours and live music.

An activities coordinator is similar to an event planner. In this role, you oversee things like recreation on board and coordinating shore excursion activities. The BLS does not offer wage information for this position.

If you want to start traveling more — and get paid to do it — this can be a good role to consider.

Get expert advice on making more money - sent straight to your inbox.

It’s no secret that people on cruises like to drink. Many cruise lines offer a food and alcohol package as part of the booking process.

The amount of money you can make working as a bartender on a cruise ship varies greatly, depending on whether guests are expected to tip. But the average salary for bartenders is $29,380 annually.

Casino dealer

Working as a dealer at a cruise casino can be an exciting gig. These workers may oversee poker, blackjack, roulette, and more games.

Gambling service workers make $31,290 a year. However, as with tending bar, the actual wages for casino workers on a cruise can vary.

Many cruise ships have cafeterias and restaurants for when guests are in the mood for fine dining.

Cruise ship chefs may be involved in cooking and planning menus for guests and staff. Chefs or head cooks make $56,520 on average annually.

Deckhands help maintain the cruise ship. They may be involved in keeping these massive ships running, including cleaning and maintaining equipment, loading cargo, and getting passengers safely on board.

The experience required to work as a deckhand can vary greatly depending on the job description. The BLS does not offer salary information for this position.

Entertainer

Cruise lines hire all sorts of entertainers, from dancers to cover bands and magicians.

Working on a cruise ship can be a great way to hone and improve your craft or even take it in a different direction. The average wage for entertainers and performers is $29.67 an hour, which equates to about $61,713 annually.

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Entertainment director

Cruise ships also need people to manage their entertainers, particularly if the ship has a lot of shows and performances scheduled.

Entertainment directors may be involved in scheduling staff, planning performances, and doing administrative work. The average salary for entertainment/recreation managers is $67,220 annually.

Fitness instructor

Many cruise ships also offer various fitness classes, including yoga, Zumba, spin, and more.

For qualified instructors, this can be a great way to stay healthy, make money, and travel the world all at the same time. The average fitness instructor makes $45,380 annually.

Hair/makeup artist

On cruise ships, hair and makeup artists may work in spas, providing services to guests looking to get pampered while on board, and may be needed to work with the ship’s performers.

The BLS groups barbers, hairstyles, and cosmetologists together and states an average of $33,400 annual salary for these workers.

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Hotel director

Since a cruise ship is essentially a floating hotel, many employees with experience working in hospitality are needed.

Hotel directors ensure that guests are comfortable and enjoy their experience. They may also be involved in planning and coordinating cruise activities.

The average salary for lodging managers is $61,910 annually.

Some cruise ships also hire nurses to provide care to passengers and cruise staff.

The amount of money nurses make on average usually depends on the type of nurse. Registered nurses (RNs) make $81,220 annually. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) make $54,620 a year.

Massage therapist

Many cruise passengers opt to take advantage of spa services. Massage therapists may work in a spa or travel to guests’ rooms with their equipment to provide massages.

Licensed massage therapists make just under $49,860 annually on average.

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Cruise ships also frequently employ security staff to ensure the safety of guests and crew members. These workers may patrol the ship regularly and respond to any issues that come up.

The average salary for security guards is $33,030 annually.

Eating often and well is a big draw for many cruise passengers. Ships often have several restaurants on board and employ experienced servers to staff them.

Pay for these workers can vary, depending on the cruise line’s tipping policy. The average salary for a server in the U.S. is $29,120 annually.

Sales associate

Part of the beauty of the typical cruise ship is that it’s kind of like a floating mall, filled with gift shops and retail stores galore. Ships often need many sales associates to staff these stores.

Again, depending on the cruise line and the job, the pay for these gigs may vary. However, BLS data puts the average salary for a retail sales worker at $30,750 annually.

That’s not huge money, but perhaps it's enough for students to get ahead financially during breaks between school years.

Bottom line

Working as a cruise crew member is certainly not for everyone — lodging for staff can be cramped, days can be long, and you might be away from home for weeks at a time.

But for those looking to tap into a new source of income as they travel, it just may be a win-win situation.

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I worked on cruises for 3 years. Here are 6 things I'd never do on board.

• I used to work on cruises. After many days at sea, there are things I'd never do on a cruise .
• I never wear my room key around my neck and try to avoid misnaming the ship.
• I never buy the drink package or pay for meal upgrades in the main dining room.

I've sailed around the world as a cruise-ship employee , and now I enjoy cruising as a passenger.

I love the salty sea air, waking up in a new country, and lazy days by the pool, but a week at sea could get more complicated this year with cruises predicted to be in high demand .

While fighting a little harder to secure a prime seat on the pool deck, you may as well also avoid some rookie mistakes.

Here are six things I'd never do on a cruise after working on them for three years.

Pay for upgrades in the main dining room

Typically, main dining room meals are included in the cost of a cruise. But in recent years, it's become common for cruise lines to charge guests extra if they want to upgrade to "supplementary" items like lobster or certain steaks.

I know $12 may not seem like much for a steak or lobster tail at dinner, but the cost of the cruise is supposed to include your food.

So, even though I enjoy lobster, I stick with the items without the upcharges.

Buy the drink package

I enjoy a piña colada by the pool or a Manhattan while listening to a jazz set after dinner. Even so, it doesn't make sense for me to pay in advance for 12 to 15 cocktails a day.

I've done the math on typical unlimited drink packages , and the cost simply isn't worth it for me.

This is especially true with a port-heavy itinerary. If I've gone ashore to explore all day, that means I'm not sidled up to the bar slurping down alcoholic slushies.

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I prefer to buy as I go and take advantage of happy hour and other drink specials that are available on certain cruise lines. I also check the beverage policy in advance and bring on my own wine, if allowed.

Touch shared contact surfaces with my fingers

Fellow guests will never see me touching the elevator buttons with my fingertips. Knuckles and elbows do the trick.

Some cruise lines are better than others at wiping down commonly touched surfaces, but I don't take any chances. I avoid touching things others frequently touch, and I wash my hands frequently.

This strategy has worked for me, as I have never contracted norovirus, even when it was running rampant on a ship I was on. It's quite contagious and can linger on your fingertips even after using hand sanitizer . I'd definitely rather be safe than sorry.

Wear my room key around my neck

I never walk around the ship with my room key around my neck, and I especially never do this when on land.

There are two reasons for this. First, I see many passengers using the room keys dangling from their necks to flaunt their cruise loyalty status . It just looks pretentious.

The sophisticated cruisers with the highest status, with the most days at sea, never show off their fancy room keys.

That's because they know the more important reason — safety. In port, that room key bouncing off your chest looks like an invitation to be robbed. It screams, "I have money! Come and take it from me."

Misname the ship

English is a funny language that has its quirks. Naming conventions make that even more complicated.

Ships have proper names, and so do not require a definite article. For example, "Tomorrow I am embarking on Discovery Princess," or "I enjoyed scenic cruising on MS Westerdam."

If you want to look like a savvy sailor, learn to drop the "the!"

Plan my port-day itinerary so tight that I may not make it back to the ship on time

Oh, the recurring nightmares I've had about not making it back to the ship on time during a port day.

I've never missed a sail away, but I have cut it too close at times and have had to run down a pier or two. Just recently, as a passenger, my taxi driver got lost returning our group to the port at night.

When I realized how late we were going to be, I forked over $8 per minute to be connected with the ship. I pleaded with them to wait for us. It was a sprint through the port to get back on and we received quite a scolding from the first officer.

That time, we got lucky. In the future, I'll be giving myself more time than I think I need to make it back.

Watch: Why it costs $1 million a day to run one of the world's biggest cruise ships

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