Welcoming aboard new passengers, Pam Jaye exudes confidence. Her excellent posture and warm smile project the professionalism cruise lines desire. Pam chose to change jobs when she tired of her career in the business world. "I'm a people person; I love to work with people. Office jobs just are not for me. I tried that for ten years and it didn't work. I wasn't happy. I was not fulfilled. It's important that when you wake up that you are excited about what you're going to be doing that day. I don't ever want to wake up and say, "Oh gosh! Not another day, I hate this!
"My most recent position in the business world was executive director for a health aids corporation. Then I rediscovered my love for dancing. I was offered an opportunity to intern and teach at a dance school. It was at a time in my life when I could do it, so I trained and became a dance staff specialist at Arthur Murray in Orlando.
"I decided I wanted to get involved with the travel industry, so I looked for alternatives that would allow me to dance and travel. Cruising was one of the options. I sent Royal Caribbean Cruise Line my resume and within three days, they contacted me. They were interested in my entertainment and my dance background.
Pam drove from Orlando to Miami, made an appointment and presented herself at the personnel office.
"I am a little more aggressive than the average person. I just showed up and said, "Here I am, I want the job!" It happened very quickly. The whole secret is being in the right place at the right time when they need you. There's really no way to know when you're applying if there is a position available. The best thing to do is every month is to send them a resume; and follow up every month. Be professional! Cruise lines only look at the cream of the crop; the top of the line. Understand that your resume is your main contact with them; you're often hired without ever meeting your employer.
"This is my first experience aboard ship. The dancing is really only a very small part of it. The other responsibilities far outweigh the entertainment, although you are hired based on your entertainment value. So if you're writing your resume, highlight your entertainment talents. Your talent is what they're looking for. Education is also important. They look for people that have an education, because that's a sign of dedication and commitment. And they want you to be able to speak intelligently to passengers.
"Cruise lines are also looking for confidence. Find one thing that you're good at and use this to build your self-confidence. If you can find what your little niche is and perfect that, it will make you more self-confident."
MICHAEL JAMES JONES, ASSISTANT CRUISE DIRECTOR
"It's good experience; you'll learn excellent management skills.
In a cool corner of the Britani's Fantasy Lounge, Michael James Jones burns with energy and excitement. Lean and wiry, wearing a royal blue blazer and sharp red tie, Michael takes advantage of a short break in his nonstop day. The Britani's five band warms up for their embarkation show. Above the shrieks of clarinets, Michael's speaks with passion of his life as an assistant cruise director.
"As assistant cruise director, I do everything! I help the cruise director coordinate most of the ship's activities. The assistant cruise director is the front man for the cruise staff. I oversee every activity aboard ship; makes sure all staff is on time, that everyone wears proper name tags and attire and follows all ship's rules. The assistant is also in charge of the cruise staff supplies inventory. It's a big job! You must be super flexible to work with a lot of different egos; officers, entertainers and room stewards alike. You must be friendly and have a nice on-stage persona.
"I've worked in the travel business with Chandris, Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL and TWA. I was in charge of public relations and singles' programs aboard the NCL fleet. I've been an in-flight senior manager for TWA and I've even earned a living as a stand-up comedian. My career goal is to become a cruise director.
"My mother is in sales and marketing with NCL. Getting into the cruise industry often depends on who you know. And it never hurts to have a relative in the business. Just as with any success story there's a lot of chance, a lot of luck involved. I've been very lucky with the cruise lines I've worked with. The best part of my job is the travel. I like to travel and I like the stage work.
"The most difficult part of the job can be the long hours. As an assistant cruise director I probably put in the most hours of anybody on this ship. A sixteen to seventeen hour day is not uncommon. Expect it I've worked some ships where it is understood you will work for three months at a time, seventeen to eighteen hours a day. If you don't like it the common saying is "Sign Off and Get Off.'
"Once on board, be aware that eyes are everywhere, there's always somebody watching. You might be partying one night and had a few too many cocktails. Watch what you say, keep your nose clean and try to save what money you can. You also have to pace your partying. You can come out real fast, especially if you have nice ports of call."
DECK/ENGINEERING/STEWARD
To apply for deck, engine or steward positions, prepare by gaining some time on the water and hospitality experience. Previous cruise ship experience is preferred. Begin locally working with your seaman's union, port authority or a highly rated hotel or resort. To gain time at sea, begin in cargo/freight or one-day passenger cruises. Several one-day cruise lines are featured in Chapter 6: Cruise Line Profiles. You may get your start with a local one-day or sightseeing line.
Most cruise lines require that you have a round trip airline ticket to and from your home country valid for a year and a valid passport. Your ability to comprehend and speak conversational English is important Cruise lines hire deck/engineering and steward or hotel staff either direct through their marine operations department, a concessionaire or seaman's union. Licensing requirements vary. Examples: Able Body (AB) seaman licensing, Seaman's International Union, Norwegian Seaman's Union membership. See International Directory of Cruise Lines.
ENTERTAINER
Now you can take your show on the road - and maybe around the world! The cruise experience on board revolves around entertainment. If you are a comedian, dancer, duo, soloist, vocalist, sound and light technician, magician, juggler, classical, pop or country musician or psychics you'll often share the duties of the cruise staff. Expect to perform daily and participate in a variety of passenger activities such as bingo, contests and parties. (See above: Cruise Director and Staff)
Qualifications: Extensive professional experience in your art. Previous cruise ship experience is preferred. There is always a need for seasonal and theme entertainers; Themes include Country Music, 50's Nostalgia, Big Band and Swing, Jazz, Health and Fitness, Mardi Gras, October-fest. Christmas, spring and summer are peak hiring seasons. Themes for each cruise line may be found in Chapter 6 Cruise Line Profiles.
Auditions may be held, but your first contact is usually via your resume and a brief two to three minute demonstration tape, either audio or VHS video. In your demonstration tape state your name, talent, height, weight etc. (slate). Use this demonstration to emphasize your people skills as well as your art. Show highlights of you as a performer. Your demonstration tape need not be expensively produced. Make it professional and easy to view/listen to. Submit your resume with a headshot and or full body photograph showing you as an entertainer to the Entertainment Director/Coordinator or entertainment concessionaire. See Cruise Line Profiles, International Directory of Concessionaires.
