FAQs
Questions, answered.
The things people ask most often about working on cruise ships — and about the course. Can't find what you're after? Email lucy@cruisingascrew.com.
Working on cruise ships
Who can work on a cruise ship?
Cruise ships are small floating cities, so the range of jobs is huge — guest services, retail, spa and beauty, food and beverage, bars, entertainment, housekeeping, youth staff, photography, shore excursions and more. Whatever your background, there's usually a department where your skills fit.
Do I need previous experience or qualifications?
It depends on the role. Plenty of entry-level positions care more about your attitude, your customer-service skills and a well-presented CV than a long résumé. Some roles — medical, technical and certain spa positions — do need specific qualifications. A big part of the course is helping you choose roles you're realistically suited to.
How old do I need to be?
Cruise lines generally require crew to be at least 18, and some lines or roles set a higher minimum age. Always check the specific requirements with the cruise line or recruiter for the role you're applying for.
How much can you earn working on a cruise ship?
Earnings vary widely depending on the cruise line, the department, the role, your contract, and whether the position earns tips or commission. Because so much of this sits outside anyone's control, we don't promise specific figures — what we do is help you understand the options so you can make an informed choice.
How long are cruise ship contracts?
Contracts are typically a few months long — often somewhere between four and nine months depending on the role and cruise line — followed by a period of leave at home before your next contract. Your recruiter or cruise line will confirm the exact length for your role.
What paperwork and documents will I need?
This varies by role and cruise line, but it commonly includes a valid passport and, depending on the position, a medical or fitness-to-work certificate, basic safety training (STCW), sometimes a seaman's book, and the relevant visa. Requirements change, so always confirm what you need directly with the cruise line or recruiter — and don't pay for anything before you know you need it.
Are there scams in cruise ship recruitment?
Unfortunately, yes. A genuine cruise recruiter or agency does not charge you a fee to get you a job. Be very cautious of anyone asking for payment up front. Knowing which routes are legitimate — and which to avoid — is one of the most important things the course teaches.
What is life onboard actually like?
It's a real job — long days, hard work and a shared cabin — but it also comes with travel, a built-in community of crew from all over the world, and the chance to see places most people only holiday in. Our blog is full of honest, day-to-day stories about what life at sea is really like.
The course & getting started
What is Cruising As Crew?
Cruising As Crew was founded by Lucy Southerton, who spent ten years working on cruise ships. It's a no-fee, no-fluff resource — free guides, a blog, a masterclass and a step-by-step course — built to help people get hired and thrive at sea. You can read more on Lucy's Story.
What does the course cover?
It's a complete, step-by-step course that walks you through the whole hiring journey: choosing the right role for you, building a cruise-industry CV, finding legitimate recruiters and agencies, preparing for interviews, understanding the paperwork, and getting ready for life onboard. See the full breakdown on the Course page.
What's the difference between the tiers?
There are three ways to join: Starter covers the essentials to understand the process and take your first steps; Self-Guided is the full step-by-step course to work through at your own pace; and Mentorship includes everything in Self-Guided plus direct personal guidance and support from Lucy. Starter and Self-Guided are launching soon — Mentorship is open now.
Will the course guarantee me a job?
No. The course is built to educate, guide and support you through the application process, but hiring decisions are always made by cruise lines and recruiters. Your results depend on your own circumstances, effort and eligibility. You can read the full detail in our Disclaimer.
I have no experience — is the course still for me?
Yes. It's designed for people starting from scratch. Most applicants have more to offer than they realise — the course helps you recognise the experience you already have and present it the way recruiters want to see it.
How do I access the course once I join?
The course and its community are hosted on Heartbeat.chat. Once you join, you'll get access to the lessons, resources and the member community there.
Do you offer refunds?
Refund terms are set out at checkout and in our Terms & Conditions. Please read the Refund Policy before you purchase so you know exactly what applies.
How do I get started?
The best place to begin is the free 1-hour masterclass — it walks you through how the hiring process really works. Just drop your name and email and you'll be taken straight to it.
Still curious?
The best answer is the free masterclass.
One hour that walks you through exactly how to land a job on a cruise ship.