More job opportunities
By Virginia López Valiente
Managing Director of Cruises News Media Group and Editor of CruisesNews magazine
Editorial from CruisesNews magazine no. 63 – December 2022
After all the hardships we've endured, which I don't even want to mention again, CLIA suggests that passenger numbers will not only reach but surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, almost certainly sooner. With over 100 new ships queuing to debut, the increase in job opportunities in the cruise industry is substantial.
The cruise industry is expanding, and the resumption of tourism and travel has brought its workforce back, an obvious way to stimulate local economies. However, not everyone has returned. You'd never guess this sector is facing a labor shortage due to various factors, such as visa restrictions and a general reluctance among workers to travel far from home. However, I'm told this shortage, coupled with the increase in new ships, has led to greater demand for other types of jobs that might be a good fit for those who always wanted to work but never could.
There are many career paths available on a cruise ship, some of which are managerial positions such as food and beverage manager, executive chef, hotel manager, casino manager, and so on. A degree in hospitality or tourism provides an advantage in obtaining these positions. Jobs in the cruise industry require strong interpersonal and emotional intelligence, as well as excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, the ability to collaborate with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and the capacity to adapt to life at sea for extended periods. Fluency in languages and a strong focus on customer satisfaction are also essential.
All cruise lines have always relied on recruitment agencies and even their own training centers, and it has always seemed difficult to access Europeans, or at least those positions that don't seem to match the training received with the demands. It goes without saying, and this is crucial, that your country's labor laws are not the same as those you'll find in your contract with a cruise line, but as with everything in life, weigh the pros and cons. I keep seeing very interesting job offers on board on LinkedIn, and now all the companies have a careers section on their websites. There are certainly jobs for young people, something we lack in most of the countries around us.
Being away from home on board for extended periods isn't what it used to be. Neither is the Wi-Fi, nor the ships, the cabins, or the work itself. I mean, it's not a fishing boat. Anyway, what was your motivation when you studied hospitality and tourism? Was it a multicultural and international experience? It might not be for everyone, but I bet it was for many.
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