Many Departments
Opportunities across the ship
Explore Cruise Careers
Find the Cruise
Ship Role That
Fits You.
Cruise ships employ people from hundreds of professional backgrounds. Explore departments, discover potential roles and learn how your existing experience could help you start a career at sea.
First-time applicantsCareer changersExperienced crew
Different Experience Levels
Explore roles matching your background
Career Growth
Build experience and progress
International Careers
Work with people from around the world
More than hospitality
A Cruise Ship Is Like a Small City at Sea.
It takes professionals from dozens of different backgrounds to keep a modern cruise ship operating. From restaurants and guest services to engineering, security, entertainment and retail, there are many different career paths to explore.
You may already have experience that can transfer into a cruise ship position — even if you've never worked at sea before.
Explore opportunities
Cruise Ship Departments
Explore common departments and examples of the positions you may find onboard.
Hospitality
Create memorable experiences for guests throughout their journey.
Example Roles
Guest Services AgentReceptionistConciergeHotel AdministratorShore Excursions Staff
Useful experience
Customer service, communication, hospitality & problem solving
Housekeeping
Help maintain the exceptional standards guests expect at sea.
Example Roles
Cabin StewardRoom AttendantPublic Area AttendantLaundry AttendantHousekeeping Supervisor
Useful experience
Housekeeping, attention to detail, hygiene & time management
Food & Beverage
Join the restaurants, bars, kitchens and dining operations onboard.
Example Roles
Waiter / WaitressAssistant WaiterBartenderBar ServerRestaurant HostFood & Beverage Attendant
Useful experience
Food service, hospitality, sales, teamwork & guest relations
Culinary
Bring your kitchen experience to large international culinary teams.
Example Roles
Commis ChefChef de PartiePastry ChefBakerKitchen AssistantGalley Utility
Useful experience
Food preparation, kitchen operations, hygiene & teamwork
Deck & Marine
Support the safe navigation and day-to-day operation of the vessel.
Example Roles
DeckhandAble SeamanBosunDeck OfficerSafety OfficerNavigation Officer
Useful experience
Marine operations, safety, navigation & technical knowledge
Engine & Technical
Keep the ship's engineering, electrical and technical systems running.
Example Roles
Engine CadetMotormanElectricianEngineer OfficerHVAC TechnicianMaintenance Technician
Useful experience
Engineering, electrical, mechanical & technical maintenance
Entertainment
Help create unforgettable entertainment and activities for guests.
Example Roles
Cruise StaffActivity HostDJMusicianDancerYouth Staff
Useful experience
Entertainment, public speaking, performance & guest engagement
Retail
Work with international guests in onboard shops and luxury retail.
Example Roles
Retail Sales AssociateShop AssistantBeauty AdvisorJewelry SpecialistRetail Supervisor
Useful experience
Sales, customer service, product knowledge & communication
Spa & Wellness
Bring your beauty, fitness or wellness expertise to guests at sea.
Example Roles
Massage TherapistBeauty TherapistHair StylistNail TechnicianFitness InstructorSpa Receptionist
Useful experience
Wellness, beauty services, client care & sales
Security
Help protect guests, crew members and ship operations.
Example Roles
Security GuardSecurity OfficerSecurity SupervisorSurveillance OperatorSafety Personnel
Useful experience
Security operations, observation, safety & communication
Guest Services
Be at the center of the onboard guest experience.
Example Roles
Guest Services AssociateFront Desk AgentInternational HostCruise ConciergeShore Excursion Staff
Useful experience
Communication, customer care, languages & problem solving
Other Careers
Cruise ships also recruit professionals across specialist departments.
Example Roles
IT SupportPhotographerHuman ResourcesMedical StaffCasino StaffAdministration
Useful experience
Role-specific qualifications, experience & professional skills
New to Cruise Ships?
You May Already Have the Experience You Need.
You don't necessarily need previous cruise ship experience to explore a career at sea. Experience from land-based industries can often provide valuable transferable skills.
The important part is understanding which roles fit your background and presenting that experience professionally.
Help Me Find My FitHotels & Resorts
Hospitality, reception, housekeeping and guest services.
Restaurants & Bars
Waiters, bartenders, chefs and food service professionals.
Retail & Sales
Sales, merchandising, cash handling and customer service.
Security
Security operations, surveillance and safety experience.
Beauty & Wellness
Spa, beauty, hairdressing, massage and fitness experience.
Customer Service
Communication, problem solving and working with customers.
Not sure where you fit?
Start with What You Already Know.
Your previous experience can help point you toward departments worth exploring.
I have hotel experience
Explore Guest Services, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage and Hospitality.
I work in restaurants or bars
Explore Food & Beverage, Restaurant Operations and Culinary roles.
I have technical experience
Explore Engine, Electrical, Maintenance and Technical departments.
I'm good with customers and sales
Explore Retail, Guest Services, Shore Excursions and Spa roles.
I have security experience
Explore onboard Security, Safety and Surveillance positions.
I'm in beauty, wellness or fitness
Explore Spa, Salon, Beauty and Fitness opportunities.
Career changers
Looking for a Fresh Start?
A cruise career can be an opportunity to take your existing experience in a new direction. We help identify the strengths from your previous work that could be relevant to the roles you're targeting.
Identify your transferable skills
Position previous experience for a new industry
Build a professional cruise-focused CV
Get guidance on roles worth exploring
Don't Know Which Role to Choose?
Our career consultation is designed for people who need guidance before they start applying.
Review your current experience
Discuss your career interests
Explore potential departments
Identify skills to highlight
Plan your next steps
Explore current opportunities
Official Cruise Career Links
Visit official employer websites to review role requirements, availability and application instructions.
Carnival shipboard roles (36)+
Security OfficerOrdinary SeamanAble Body Seaman1st Officer Junior2nd EngineerEngine Cadet2nd ETOAssistant MotormanAssistant Electrician3rd ETOAssistant JoinerShipboard Hotel DirectorPublic Health OfficerHousekeeping AttendantHousekeeping HandypersonManagement Trainee — HousekeepingGuest Service AssociateGuest Service CoordinatorAssistant CookCommisCommis — Team DiningChef de PartieGalley Junior Sous ChefAssistant Garde MangerAssistant Buffet Garde MangerSteakhouse ChefIndian Cuisine Commis / Demi ChefCulinary Arts RehireFleet Specialty Chef — Bonsai TeppanyakiManagement Trainee — Food & BeverageAssistant Food & Beverage ManagerFood & Beverage DirectorSenior Food & Beverage DirectorSpecialty Restaurant ManagerShipboard HR Services CoordinatorGuest Technology Project Lead
Cruise Line Career Websites
These external links are provided for convenience. Roles and requirements are controlled by the respective cruise lines and may change without notice. Cruise CVs is not affiliated with or acting as a recruiter for these employers.
Found a role that interests you?
Now Make Sure Your Experience Is Presented Professionally.
We help turn your work history, skills and qualifications into a clear professional application focused on the type of cruise ship role you want to pursue.
Cruise-Focused CV
Present your experience around the position and department you're targeting.
Professional Presentation
Clean, readable formatting that makes your experience easy to understand.
Relevant Skills
Highlight the transferable and role-specific skills employers need to see.
Your next opportunity could be at sea
Found the Role You Want?
Let's Build the CV for It.
Get a professional CV that clearly presents your skills, experience and potential for the cruise career you're targeting.
The roles listed on this page are examples of positions commonly found within the cruise industry. Availability, qualifications and hiring requirements vary by cruise line and employer. Cruise CVs is a CV writing and career guidance service and is not a cruise line or recruitment agency.