Preparing for an interview and considering your answers will also give you an opportunity to seriously think about whether or not you are suited to cruise line employment. Of course, the questions are designed to tell the recruitment staff exactly this too!



Many websites make cruise ship employment seem like a fantastic opportunity and indeed it is. However, you may also be led to believe it is suitable for everyone but the truth is somewhat different. Working aboard a cruise liner is definitely not an employment opportunity suited to just anyone.

In the past, many applicants have had great resumes and were fantastic at their current land based job. However, the answers given to questions asked during the interview stage made it obvious they would have difficulty living and working on cruise ships. For this reason, they weren't hired, regardless of good they would have been at the job itself.

The typical questions you'll be asked are to find out whether you can do the job and also whether or not you would make a good crew member. Some of the questions you may be asked include:

* How do you feel about living in a tiny cabin, which must be shared with another member of crew? (Explain your answer.)

* Are you adaptable? (Give examples.)

* How do you feel about living away from home for six months? (Give reasons.)

* Do you suffer from seasickness?

* Are you suitable for living on board in a high pressure and often difficult environment? (Explain your reasons.)

* How do you feel about always being considered on duty whilst in public areas onboard? (Give reasons.)

* Are you able to work and live as part of a team, made up from people of many different nationalities? (Explain why.)

Being able to answer these questions positively and most importantly, honestly, means you are well on your way to proving your suitability. This provides you with a huge advantage in securing a cruise job.

Another way of giving yourself an advantage over other applicants and improving your chances is to learn a second language. You don't need to be an expert speaker, even just reasonably proficient is beneficial. Cruise liners have passengers of many nationalities and disembark at lots of countries worldwide so there is always a great demand for crew members with second language skills.

Even if you have the skills to offer directions, take a drinks or food order, or anything else that will assist a foreign passenger in some small way, you will be an asset to any cruise ship employer.

The main language on a cruise ship is English but it's also beneficial for staff to at least have a basic understanding of a second language, particularly Italian, Spanish, French or German.

Learning a new language needn't be difficult. In fact, by using speed-learning techniques it's possible for anyone to become relatively competent in no time!

A system known as 'Pattern Technique' is a simple way of acquiring an instant vocabulary in another language. For example any words ending in IC can be turned into their Spanish equivalent just by adding an 'o' at the end, giving you an immediate 253 words in your new language!

* Plastic - Plastico

* Traffic - Trafico

* Tropic - Tropico

* Allergic - Alergico

Just by learning some simple rules or patterns such as this, you will be able to translate thousands of English phrases into Spanish. The same can be done for other languages too and looks great on your resume.

Even just basic conversational skills can give you a winning edge over other job seekers and will ultimately improve your chances of getting a position on a cruise line.