Cruise Hostess

The ports of call and sheer number of destinations reached by cruise lines today offer cruise employees an unparalleled opportunity for travel. For instance, last year a Princess Cruises cruise ship traveled from Acapulco, through the Panama Canal, around the Caribbean, across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Then headed down to North Africa, around the British Isles, through the Baltic Sea, and back across the Atlantic to New York.

Today, cruise ships are sailing all over the world, so you have the opportunity to visit a number of exciting destinations.

Crew members will be required to attend a safety course following embarkment on ship. Instruction on lifeboat/raft safety, fire drills and understanding of fire safe and watertight doors will be taught. You will encounter routine emergency drills throughout your employment on the ship.

While it is true that accommodations are sometimes cramped, especially on smaller vessels, and you'll be sharing your cabin with little or no privacy, most find the experience similar to their fist year in college dorm, but without the homework. Usually staff have their own dining room, away from the passengers and on days off, employees can hang out by the pool, sunbathe, or use the spa. Some ships provide extra amenities for employees, such as televisions for each room, a special crew bar and lounge and special recreation lounges near the crew quarters.

For many positions, cruise lines do not expect you to have previous experience working on a cruise ship. However, you should call out any experience you have had that might relate to jobs on cruise ships. This can include working at a restaurant, gift shop, health club, retail store, to name a few. Basically many jobs on cruise ships are not too much different than jobs in other industries. Cruise lines are more concerned that you will be a good hard worker and help to make the cruise customers have a wonderful experience on their cruise line.

My greatest weakness is not always asking for help when I need it because I like to be independent with my responsibilities and work which makes me not want to cause anybody else's job to become more difficult.

I think my greatest strength would be my experience, I've worked as a waitress for three years and I'm used to working independently and part as a team.

First of all, we don't guarantee jobs. What we do is provide you with the best resources and tools available to help you research and apply for the jobs that are best suited to your needs.

For those hired, the time it takes varies from several days to several months. The process for getting a job will vary greatly by company, time of year, and type of job.

Waitressing gives me the opportunity to learn on my feet and I get to serve different customers. As there are new people in the restaurant every day, it means every day is different.

I would love to work for this company for a long time, because I am very interested in growing in this industry, learning many new things, and using my skills in the future.

It is extremely important to smile at every guest, because hostesses are the first people diners come in contact with, which adds to their positive dining experience.

I have good communication skills, I know when things are right and when they are wrong and I know how the customer feels within the environment and therefore I either fix a problem or satisfy the customers.

Most cruise ships are large and seasickness is usually not a problem. There is some generic over the counter medicine that can help you with seasickness. Most people find that getting some fresh air on a deck that is in the middle of the ship and lower will be a little less rocky. Additionally, many find that their seasickness goes away after their body has had some time to adapt.

My strengths are being organized and outgoing. I feel like I can be very approbalbe and easy to work with. Communication is another strength of mine.

I take criticism very well. I know that being a hostess is a sensitive job and there's always room to grow.

You can make sure everything is ready for customers that would be coming in, so that they can be seated quickly and efficiently.

The best course of action is to apply to the various cruise companies of your choice. After you have made a strong impression on the company and they indicate they would like for you to work for them, politely request a ship you would like to work on.