Work experience/jobs on cruise ships!!

[Athena.delta]

I'm Athena, an 18 year old girl as of May 2014. After I finish high school, I really want to spend a month or two doing work experience or taking a job on a cruise ship. I've been on many cruises and have observed staff who work there.

I thought work experience because they are more likely to take me if there's no salary?

I know it's not as glamourous as it seems, but I can handle working 12-16 hours a day. I'm physically and mentally fit, fav hobby is mixed martial arts, kickboxing and yoga.

I can fluently speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin and intermediate in Spanish.

 

I'm not sure what position to apply for though. I have experience with kids from babysitting and work experience at childcare centre, tutoring them piano, etc.

I want a waitress position but not sure they would accept a 18 yr old with limited experience.

I could play cocktail piano in the lounge, but it offers limited interaction with other staff.. and perhaps my repertoire isn't wide enough.

 

Thanks!! :) What can I do??

[Aus Traveller]

Check on line for positions that might be available and how to apply. You could stand a reasonable chance, but I think you would be better applying for a 'job' rather than going for a volunteering position. I don't know if they have those. Best of luck. :)

[Kiwi Kruzer]

If you are seriously looking for work ....this is one of the worlds largest ship managers...

 

http://www.vhospitality.net/

 

You may have to sign on for more than a month if you are after "proper" work.Another opportunity exists for staff on the Mega Luxury Yachts that ply the Caribbean and the Med. Australians and Kiwis are in high demand as they have a "can do" attitude and approach to their work.

 

On local cruise ships you could get child minding work, but any catering jobs are usually selected from an International pool.

 

I have also met many Australians and Kiwis working in Reception and Hotel Management on many overseas cruise lines.

 

Good Luck.

 

If you are going to do it....do it now , while you are young , ....then settle down and use your work experience to get a good job back home , or set up your own catering business ....:D:D

 

Another tip, if you are really interested is to take whatever job is going , then once on board you will find a whole new world of opportunities opening up. Staff on board usually get first pick at the plum jobs that come up.....some of which are in very high demand as they can earn very big money .

 

[Fredette]

I'm Athena, an 18 year old girl as of May 2014. After I finish high school, I really want to spend a month or two doing work experience or taking a job on a cruise ship. I've been on many cruises and have observed staff who work there.

I thought work experience because they are more likely to take me if there's no salary?

I know it's not as glamourous as it seems, but I can handle working 12-16 hours a day. I'm physically and mentally fit, fav hobby is mixed martial arts, kickboxing and yoga.

I can fluently speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin and intermediate in Spanish.

 

I'm not sure what position to apply for though. I have experience with kids from babysitting and work experience at childcare centre, tutoring them piano, etc.

I want a waitress position but not sure they would accept a 18 yr old with limited experience.

I could play cocktail piano in the lounge, but it offers limited interaction with other staff.. and perhaps my repertoire isn't wide enough.

 

Thanks!! :) What can I do??

 

 

Hi Athena, one thing to keep in mind is that P&O don't employ Australians (something to do with the tax). The only Aussies who can work with P&O are those who hold dual citizenship. This is what we were told anyway, so check it out to be certain. I don't know about the other cruiselines.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Hi Athena, one thing to keep in mind is that P&O don't employ Australians (something to do with the tax). The only Aussies who can work with P&O are those who hold dual citizenship. This is what we were told anyway, so check it out to be certain. I don't know about the other cruiselines.

 

I think any Australian can work for them...they just end up paying double tax, so its not worth it.

 

Dont forget that you will not be employed by P&O Australia.

 

If you want to work in the Casino where the big tips are, you will be working for the company that owns the licence to run the Casinos on that ship. If you are in the gift shop , that will be owned by some one else. Similarly the catering and bar side of things is not run by P&O Australia but by a company that contracts to them .