You could do a college course like an introduction to cabin crew, or study a cabin crew module as part of a broader travel and tourism course.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
A cruise ship crew member is responsible for ensuring passengers have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience while at sea. Roles can vary widely, including hospitality (such as waiters, housekeeping, and bartenders), entertainment (such as performers and activity organisers), and technical positions (such as engineers and deck crew). Crew members live and work on the ship for the duration of their contract, often working long hours with scheduled time off. This career is ideal for those who enjoy travel, meeting new people, and working in a dynamic team environment. Training is usually provided on the job, and previous experience in hospitality or customer service is often beneficial.
Cruise ship crew members in the UK can expect to earn between £16,000 and £25,000 per year, depending on role and experience.
There are around 10,000 people from the UK working in cruise ship-related roles, with recruitment peaking in spring and autumn.
Contracts usually last between 4 and 9 months, with the opportunity for travel to many international destinations.
Hosts activities, games, and events for guests onboard cruise ships, ensuring everyone has a fun and memorable holiday experience.
Responsible for cleaning and maintaining guest cabins and suites, providing excellent customer service and ensuring a comfortable stay.
Organises and supervises activities and clubs for children and teenagers on cruise ships, keeping younger guests entertained and safe.
Find out about the different types of jobs available on cruise ships and what life at sea is really like.
Cruise ships have a wide range of roles, from hospitality and food service to entertainment, maintenance, and deck operations. Spend time reading official cruise line websites, watching documentaries or YouTube videos, and speaking to people who have worked at sea. Understanding the variety of roles will help you decide which area suits you best and what to expect in terms of work hours, living arrangements, and contracts.
Review basic requirements such as age, language skills, and health standards for cruise ship workers.
Most cruise lines require crew members to be at least 18 or 21 years old, depending on the role. You will generally need good spoken and written English, and sometimes knowledge of other languages is a plus. Crew must pass medical exams to ensure they can handle the physical demands of working at sea. Some roles may require specific qualifications or experience, such as hospitality or catering.
Work in jobs that emphasise customer service, such as restaurants, hotels, or leisure centres.
Having experience in hospitality or customer-facing roles is highly valued by cruise lines. Part-time or summer jobs in hotels, restaurants, bars, or entertainment venues can help build your skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These jobs also show employers that you can handle busy environments and provide excellent service.
Complete any mandatory courses, such as STCW safety training, first aid, or food hygiene certificates.
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) is required for most cruise ship positions. This includes safety, firefighting, and first aid training. Some cruise lines may offer this training after hiring, but having it beforehand can make your application more attractive. Food safety and hygiene certificates may also be necessary for catering roles.
Search for job vacancies on cruise line websites, recruitment agencies, and job boards.
Major cruise lines have dedicated careers pages where you can apply directly for vacancies. There are also specialist maritime recruitment agencies and job boards such as All Cruise Jobs or Cruise Ship Jobs. Prepare a CV highlighting relevant experience, skills, and certifications. Tailor your cover letter to show why you want to work at sea and what makes you a great team player.
Practice answering questions about your experience and motivation for working on a cruise ship.
Interviews may take place online or in person. Be ready to discuss your customer service experience, ability to work in a team, and how you cope with long hours or being away from home. You may be asked scenario-based questions to show how you handle difficult situations. Some roles require group assessments or language tests.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Cruise Ship Crew Member. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Cruise Ship Crew Member and Cabin Crew both require providing passenger services, ensuring safety, and maintaining passenger comfort on a vessel. The roles involve similar hospitality skills, customer service, and safety procedures relevant to working onboard a ship.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a college course like an introduction to cabin crew, or study a cabin crew module as part of a broader travel and tourism course.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do a Cabin Crew Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
This will take around 12 months to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
You'll usually need:
You could apply directly to airlines for a cabin crew job. Airlines set their own entry requirements, which can vary.
You'll be expected to have a good standard of spoken and written English. You'll also need to show that you have great customer service skills, so experience of working directly with the public is useful.
Some airlines and private training providers run short cabin crew preparation courses, which may help your chances of getting a job, though these are not essential.
Certain airlines have online career quizzes you can do to test whether working as air cabin crew is for you, before you apply.
Being able to speak a second language may give you an advantage for some jobs.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK
Phone
01603 273515
Email
[email protected]
Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.
Unlock expert-designed lessons, resources, and assessments tailored for educators. No credit card required.
Claim Your Free Trial →