There was a time when the US armed forces had an ad campaign telling us that you can see the world by joining the armed forces. But now there is a much safer alternative, see the world by getting a job on a cruise ship.

On a cruise ship there are hundreds of possible jobs, but remember a cruise job will require more dedication from you than a regular 9 to 5 job. On the other hand, the benefits are wonderful too, with most cruise jobs you will get free accommodation and you can get free medical care from the ship's medical department. The best part of it of course is the chance to travel the world and to see new places and faces - and getting paid for it!

Cruise ships each have three administrative divisions, namely the hotel, the deck and the engine room, and they are supervised by the hotel manager, the staff captain and the chief engineer respectively. The hotel manager and the chief engineer report to the staff captain, because he is the one running the deck. To get a higher level job will probably require a degree from a navel academy, but there are many entry level jobs available in either the deck, the engine room or hotel. You can get more information and help from the Seaman's Union.

Depending on your background and experience you might be able to get a mid-level job, or else get on the job training and experience and climb the cruise ship career ladder that way. Since there are so many positions available on a cruise ship, there is always the chance of advancement. But always remember the most important personality feature you absolutely must display, and that is to be outgoing and loving to interact with people. During a journey going through different surrounding on a ship filled with people, you need to be outgoing and flexible.

The attraction of a cruise job is the irresistible combination of traveling the world, sightseeing, enjoying many different people and low living expenses and you will build close relationships with your co-workers.

The usual length of a cruising job contract will be 4 months that you will need to be aboard the ship. Between these periods on the ship, you will get breaks of four to six weeks. And since you have very low living expenses during your cruising period, you will have a handy amount of expendable cash during your breaks.

Evert Du Toit
http://www.cruisevacationinfo.com