There are generally three different departments on any cruise ship and all available positions are divided into these different areas; the hotel, the deck, and the engine department. As with any job position, each of these departments has a supervisor that you will report to. Most entry level positions are available in the hotel department and comprise the following: Pursers Office, Cruise Staff, Food Department, Bar Department, Dining Room, Housekeeping, Gift Shop, to name a few. Other departments are Salon, Photography, Casino, Shore Excursions, Engine Room and Medical Staff.

As with a lot of companies, a lot of people who work on ships in positions of authority have worked their way up through the ranks, proving they can do the job. Of course someone applying for a job in the Medical Office or the Salon or even the Engine Room would have to have the obvious pre training requirements beforehand.

If you are planning to work with the general public on a cruise ship such as with shore excursions or serving in a dining room or bar you will need to have an outgoing personality, and remember that the public is always right. A smile goes a long way to soothing a customer who may not be happy.

Generally cruise ships want a commitment from their workers of at least four months. There is usually a break of four to six weeks between contracts.