For Alley Kerr, working on cruise ships merged two of her favorite activities: dancing and traveling the world.

After the COVID-19 pandemic dampened opportunities for dancers on land, she stumbled upon an audition notice from Royal Caribbean International. Originally from Los Angeles, Kerr saw this as an exciting opportunity to do a job she loved while traveling in ways that many people don’t get to experience.

Kerr was already familiar with international work, landing her first professional gig in Japan as a teenager. Now 27, she joined as a dancer on the Rhapsody of the Seas in 2022, spending seven months performing as the ship traveled mostly around Europe. She later worked on another ship and has since started sharing her travel adventures on her YouTube channel, Wanderlust Alley.

Her journey is just one of many paths into the cruise industry, which offers a variety of roles ranging from entertainers and room stewards to captains. Employees not only earn money—often seasonally—but also enjoy significant travel opportunities without the usual living expenses.

“In 2024, cruise lines will employ a diverse global workforce of almost 300,000 seafarers, alongside tens of thousands of land-based employees,” a representative from Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s top trade organization, stated via email.

Here’s how you can begin your journey.

How Do I Secure a Job on a Cruise Ship?

This largely depends on the specific job you seek.

Entry-level positions include roles like cabin attendants, dishwashers, and laundry staff, according to Walt Nadolny, a professor emeritus of marine transportation and global business at the State University of New York Maritime College, as well as a former environmental officer for Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

However, companies that operate internationally usually do not hire U.S. workers for these lower-tier roles. Instead, these ships are typically registered in foreign countries, which means they are not bound by U.S. labor laws. “These lower-paid jobs often do not offer American-level compensation,” Nadolny remarked.

For these positions, crews are usually recruited from regions like Asia, Eastern Europe, and other areas where incomes are lower compared to the U.S. However, ships flagged under U.S. laws must employ U.S. workers for those roles.

For example, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America operates inter-island cruises in Hawaii and mandates U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status for its crew, according to its website.

In contrast, major cruise lines often hire from the U.S. and other countries like Canada and the U.K. for entertainment positions, such as dancers, musicians, and lighting technicians, Nadolny noted.

Jobs within the purser department, also known as guest services, typically require certifications depending on the ship’s registration, and cruise lines often seek multilingual candidates, with many pursers fluent in multiple languages.

Technical roles, like engine officers, demand substantial qualifications, including a four-year degree from an accredited maritime college along with applicable licenses. Cruise ship captains often have extensive experience, normally working with their companies for at least a decade before advancing to that role, he added.

Notable maritime training institutions in the U.S. include Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Texas A&M Maritime Academy, California State University Maritime Academy, and Maine Maritime Academy, where students usually follow a two-license track leading to a federal license as a third assistant engineer or third mate.

“The standard curriculum lasts four years and typically includes obtaining a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering degree along with the license,” he explained.

Experience in relevant positions ashore can also be beneficial for maritime job applications.

For instance, individuals in leadership roles within hotel departments—covering housekeeping, dining, and more—often have backgrounds in terrestrial hotels, while many onboard security chiefs come from previous law enforcement careers.

Other roles on board include medical staff, IT professionals, and bartenders. “The cruise industry provides excellent advancement opportunities, boasts high employee retention rates of 80% or more, and has developed meaningful career paths for its diverse workforce, which is vital to the cruise experience,” the CLIA representative emphasized.

As with many fields, finding these positions is commonly done online. Cruise lines list job openings on their websites, and maritime academies often host recruitment fairs.

What Is the Duration of Cruise Ship Contracts?

The duration of contracts for crew members varies based on their role and cruise line. For instance, employees with Princess Cruises can expect contracts lasting between four and ten months, as stated on their website.

“After each contract, crew members generally receive around 60 days of vacation before embarking on their next assignment,” the cruise line mentioned.

According to an online FAQ section, “The daily schedule for your work onboard will vary depending on your assigned position. However, you can generally expect to work every day of the week for approximately 10 to 13 hours daily.”

Some crew members may have duties beyond their time spent on the ship. Senior officers, in particular, need to engage in ongoing education as advancements in propulsion technologies and other systems emerge, Nadolny shared.

Kerr mentioned that she spent two months rehearsing on land before boarding the ship.

What is the salary of cruise crew members?

The salaries of crew members can vary significantly.

Initially, Kerr earned about $2,900 each month in her role as a dancer during her first contract and increased to approximately $3,800 in her second contract after transitioning to a singing and dancing position (she also took on roles as dance captain and company manager).

Nadolny noted that, based on his experience, new officers earn around $7,500 monthly or $60,000 per year, while more experienced individuals can earn between $250,000 and $300,000 annually, including stock options and performance bonuses.

However, not all crew members receive similar pay. In interviews with 35 current and former crew members conducted by Business Insider in late 2019, about 40% reported earning $2,000 or less per month.

Nonetheless, living expenses are often low, as cruise lines typically cover costs such as accommodations, meals, and medical care. Kerr mentioned that she was also able to enjoy shore excursions – which can be quite expensive – at no cost, giving her the chance to explore the ports the ships visited when her schedule permitted.

What are the living arrangements for cruise ship crew members?

Crew members are typically accommodated in cabins on the lower decks of the ship, Kerr explained. Standard cabins are compact and can house two people, complete with a private bathroom. Some vessels, however, offer single cabins that share bathroom facilities.

More experienced personnel generally enjoy larger accommodations that may feature added amenities like porthole windows or kitchenettes.

Kerr remarked, “Overall, it may not suit everyone, but for those who enjoy it, it can be incredibly rewarding.” She appreciates her experiences onboard as she has been lucky enough to visit approximately 26 countries, many of which she explored during her work.

“Being able to travel while working was an amazing opportunity,” she added.