| With Winter here, and the cold setting in, maybe it's | | | | and alcoholic beverages are dirt cheap. There are not |
| time to think about climates sunnier? One very | | | | too many places in this world that you never have to |
| popular solution is to "Get a cruise ship job!" Think | | | | pay for food, board or travel.To work on a ship you |
| about it, sailing around the Caribbean for 6 to 8 | | | | have to be able to leave everything behind at home |
| months at time, visiting idyllic islands everyday like | | | | for at least six months. This job is perfect for people |
| Barbados, St. Thomas, Aruba, and the Bahamas. Oh | | | | without any ties like a spouse, a house, or even a |
| and having great fun in the sun! This is exactly what I | | | | pet. The job is a great fit for students that are |
| did for five years in a row, and you can do it | | | | taking a 'gap year', or have graduated and are looking |
| too!Now, before you run off and start blasting your | | | | for a break before they enter the "real" world. All |
| resume out to every cruise ship company in the | | | | you need is a valid passport, be drug free (they |
| world there are a couple of things you need to think | | | | randomly drug test their employees on a regular |
| about. Although cruise ship life does have its perks, I | | | | basis). You must also be prepared to leave when |
| must warn you that it also has some 'negatives'. First | | | | needed, and be a friendly, 'customer focused' |
| of all, you will probably be living in a room smaller than | | | | person.A lot of people come to me and tell me that |
| most walk-in closets, and sharing it with another | | | | they have applied to cruise ship companies before |
| person. Secondly, when you start to work for a | | | | and have never had a response. Well this is very |
| cruise ship company, you will not have the freedom | | | | understandable when you realize that major cruise |
| of "Land life". As a cruise ship employee you will be | | | | ship companies receive thousands of resumes every |
| under fairly strict rules and regulations (what you can | | | | week. They often sort through the resumes and |
| and can't do on the ship, crew curfews, what you | | | | throw them out for the smallest reason. I have a |
| can wear, and other rules).This is generally for the | | | | couple of friends that were human resource |
| safety of all ship passengers. You don't have the | | | | managers at major cruise lines, and they have told |
| freedom, to just jump in your car and go to the | | | | me some interesting stories. The first sort of a pile |
| movie theatre, or go for a long road trip to relieve | | | | of resumes is done on punctuation and spelling errors. |
| stress. When you sign a contract on a ship, it is | | | | If there is absolutely any punctuation error your |
| usually for a minimum of 6-months (although shorter | | | | resume will be "filed" (thrown away). They could then |
| or longer contracts are available for certain positions). | | | | sort on anything they feel like, for example, font, |
| Plus in many positions you can be expected to work | | | | paper color, or even length. The best advice I can |
| everyday. Not ALL day but at least a part of the | | | | give you is to keep it simple, and be meticulous for |
| day. Usually this is when the ship has left port and all | | | | details and consistency.They have jobs for most |
| the passengers are back onboard.With all this, I feel | | | | everyone on board a cruise ship. A lot of the newer |
| that a cruise ship job is the best place for young | | | | cruise ships set sail with over 2,000 guests and over |
| people to work, earn $300-$700 U.S. per week cash, | | | | 800 crew on board. Cruise ships are becoming small |
| and travel the world for free with all of your | | | | cities on the ocean. They have everything you could |
| expenses paid. Every cruise ship company that I | | | | want from a shopping area, theatres, dining rooms, |
| have worked for really does go out of their way to | | | | live shows, hotel services, passenger activities, health |
| take care of their crew. They pay for your flight and | | | | clubs, and spas. Whatever your trade or skill is on |
| travel expenses to meet the ship, and if you | | | | land; there is a 99% chance they have a job for you |
| complete your contract they pay for your way | | | | on a cruise ship. |
| home. Food is provided for free to crew of the ship | | | | |