Working on a cruise ship – sounds like fun, doesn’t it? If the idea of interacting with passengers as a cruise ship diving instructor seems less than appealing, there’s another job you can do onboard a cruise ship – one that leaves you with plenty of time to dive and relax when you reach various ports of call. If you have a mechanical background or are willing to take classes in underwater welding and other ship maintenance techniques, a career in cruise ship maintenance and repair could be an ideal fit.
Support Diver Duties
Not only do support divers work to inspect ships’ hulls, propellers, and steering systems while in port and any time there is a problem while underway, they also conduct security sweeps – something that has only been added to the list of duties since the terrorist attacks on New York on 9/11 of 2001. As support divers are only required to spend a small portion of their time handling maintenance and ensuring safety standards are met, they tend to have a variety of collateral duties.
Sometimes, ship’s divers are part of the engineering staff, with duties as diverse as maintaining engines or working in communications or navigation. If qualified as diving instructors, they sometimes assist with passenger recreation, teaching both classroom and practical skills, leading snorkeling excursions, and maintaining equipment.
In addition, support divers are often tasked with such duties as maintaining fire extinguishers, helping with safety drills, and providing passenger briefings prior to embarking. Depending on which cruise line you work for, your duties could also include taking part in onboard entertainment, acting as a fill in bartender, or even helping with any number of other tasks. Cross-training personnel helps cruise lines ensure safety standards are met, plus it creates valuable employees.
Living on a Cruise Ship: Is it for You?
Living on board a cruise ship comes with its own rewards and challenges. Many people find the lifestyle to be attractive because they enjoy the opportunity to travel to fantastic ports of call, meet interesting people, and even make lifelong friends with people from different walks of life. The lifestyle is particularly appealing to single people since long weeks and months away from home can put a strain on family life and intimate relationships.
Normally, cruise ship staff members must share a cabin with another employee, and accommodations are modest. Work hours tend to be long, and days off can be rare, particularly while the ship is underway. Still, there is fun to be had – crews are often provided with their own lounges, separate bar facilities, and spa facilities, particularly on the biggest and most exclusive cruise ships.
Meals are usually included on top of pay, which tends to start at around $2,000.00 USD per month. In addition, medical care is provided, as is medical insurance which lasts for the duration of your employment period. Most cruise ship employees sign short contracts that last for a few months at a time; this not only allows new employees to find out whether they’re a good fit for the lifestyle, it also allows employees to sign up for different cruises in order to travel to different destinations.
If you want to try working on a cruise ship, visit cruise line employment websites to start with – they outline various requirements and provide specific tips for making it through the employment process successfully. If you enjoy the work, it is possible to move into a supervisory role, make more money, and enjoy a unique lifestyle.