If you haven't read it already, I recommend you read the section called 'Agents'. I have lots of hints in there and I don't want to be too repetitive in different sections. To visit agents, click here.
From my experience, getting a job at sea is different from the formal system you may be used to on land:
It's funny, cruise lines and their concessions have as much problem filling all their positions as the people applying for them have getting them. It's one thing to get people to apply, that's easy! For most, working at sea seems like a dream situation completely removed from their reality. In general, people either apply in desperation to get away from something, or don't think through what they will have to give up to take the opportunity. The result being, when they finally get contacted by the cruise line or agent, they have cold feet over the situation, no longer have the need to get away, or lack commitment as they are torn between their dream and what they know. This is no good to a cruise line. If a cruise line is contacting you, then you can be sure it's because they need someone and soon. The most important quality you can have is adaptability. You must be prepared to go when they want you to go.
In a way, being reliable and personable is far more important than what you know about the job. A string of qualifications from Harvard, Oxford, or years of experience doing the job on land will not guarantee you success working at sea in your new job. There are the challenges of working in a closed environment, in completely unusual surroundings, with a moving floor. Your job may be expanded to the expectancy of doing things you are not used to doing. You will often feel out of your comfort zone. Some people cannot adapt to different situations that easily. Some people start to make errors working 7 days a week. All these things are part of ship life and need to be considered.
In short then, make sure your application shows you have the right personality to handle anything, and that you can drop everything and be ready to go. If you are qualified for the position you can then do enough to show you are at least competent but are willing to learn new things that you don't know. Everyone has to do safety training and various courses so no cruise line wants someone who isn't at least willing to learn. Try and demonstrate that you get on with people. It could be the thing that gets you the position.
If you are interested in learning more from a dedicated cruise recruitment site then I strongly recommend looking at:
This is not your usual agent trying to get his fingers in a pie that he has no idea how to cook. Neil Maxwell keys worked on cruise ships and learned from experience all about cruise ship recruitment. He was so frustrated by the cowboys out there that he decided to use his expertise to help others who want to get a job at sea. He also has a club purely aimed at getting that job. Have a look at:
If you are applying for your first cruise ship job. I wish you every success and if you use the resources above I feel confident that you can be successful, just don't give up at the first hurdle, if one occurs. Don't forget to read all sections of this gold member site. This will give you the tools required to go for it with confidence. It also serves as a reality check so that you hopefully won't get any nasty shocks should you decide to go for it.
If you are looking for a job as an entertainer then go straight to Agents for a short cut to direct contacts and production groups
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