carnival cruise jobs for couples

Cruise Ship Jobs for Couples

Working on a cruise ship with your significant other may seem like a dream come true. Getting paid to travel and spending lots of time together is what may first come to mind, but is that the reality? How difficult is it for a couple to get hired and work on a cruise ship together? Here are some facts on how to apply and get hired for cruise jobs as a couple.

Working on a Cruise Ship as a Couple

There are plenty of challenges when it comes to working and living as a couple on a cruise ship. There are some cruise jobs where you may not be able to share a cabin together. You and your spouse may have different contract lengths and completely opposite shifts. Will you even accept a contract if you aren’t on the same ship?

Cruise recruiters also want to make sure that if they are hiring a couple that there won’t be relationship problems that will interfere with your work. Furthermore, will you be able to handle this unique life onboard?

Cruise Jobs for Couples

Although couples can choose to apply for two different cruise jobs based on what their varied experience is, there is another option. A handful of cruise jobs may be held by couple if the couple is willing to work as a team. Even though this means only one salary, some of the commission based cruise jobs offer a chance to make a healthy salary.

There are many examples on different cruise ships where a husband-wife team or common-law partners work onboard together covering the same cruise job. Some of the most popular options are the Art Auctioneer, Port Shopping Guide, Guest Lecturer or Cruise Sales Manager. One big benefit is that each of these jobs is entitled to their own cabin meaning the couple doesn’t have to be split up, sharing a cabin with someone else.

Typically, cruise lines and their concessions don’t mind hiring couples to cover these particular cruise jobs. It’s like they are getting two people for the price of one. This is one feature a couple should promote during the application process. They should highlight the fact that they can sell more as a couple.

Cruise Line Couples Policy

Onboard Media, the concession that hires Port and Shopping Guides, states their Couples Policy on their website:

“At the time of submitting your application, you MUST include in your cover letter ?your intention of completing a contract as a couple. All applications for couples must include resumes of both candidates along with a video audition featuring the primary candidate and introducing the partner.”

Comparatively, Carnival Cruise Lines website employment pages answer the question, ‘Does Carnival hire couples?’ as follows:

“Carnival Cruise Lines is a very ‘couple friendly’ cruise line, and endeavors to allow couples to work on the same ship whenever possible. For prospective couples seeking employment with Carnival, for the first contract it may prove difficult to keep them together on the same ship as contracts are completed at different times. Further, Carnival prefers to assess employees as individuals before committing to hiring them as couples. Once couples have completed their first contract, Carnival will try its best to place them together for future contracts. However, there are many factors involved and this is not guaranteed.”

Applying For Cruise Jobs as a Couple

If you do want to pursue a cruise job that you would perform jointly then you would apply jointly as well. For the cruise jobs mentioned above, some cruise lines allow a couple to work together. You must specify this to the recruiter at the application and interview process.

A couple with two different types of expertise may also apply separately. Unfortunately this means that one of you could get hired before the other one. You may be hired to work on different ships. And, one half of the couple may not get hired at all. In the case where both partners must work on different ships for the first contract, they may ask to be put on the same ship for their second contract. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees.

There is a way to increase your chances of working on the same ship when applying for two different cruise jobs. After both partners have had their respective interviews with the recruiter is a good time to explain your situation. If you try to explain before hand, the recruiter may feel that your situation is too complicated.

Once both of you have proven that you are right for your respective jobs during an interview then the cruise line recruiter may be willing to make it work for you. On the other hand, you could choose to be upfront with the recruitment agency from the start. In that case you need to apply with a cover letter that represents you as a couple.

Cover Letter for Couples Applying for Cruise Jobs

Depending on the cruise jobs that the couple is applying for will determine the type of cover letter that should be sent. For couples that are applying as a couple, such as for the Port and Shopping Guide, follow the instructions given by Onboard Media above.

In cases where the couple is applying for two separate jobs, it is up to the couple if they want to disclose the fact sooner than later. When working with a recruitment agency, the couple may choose to enclose a joint cover letter with two separate resumes. The cover letter would specify that you are looking to get hired together.

Cruise Ship Careers as a Couple

Once you have completed at least one contract on a cruise ship, you may think that it should get easier to work together onboard. It seems reasonable to think that once an agency or the cruise line sees that you are committed to the job that it would be easy to get placed on the ship together. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Although this may work in your favour if you work together as a team, the same doesn’t hold true for employees working in different departments. Consider that one person may be advancing with their career while the other may not be able to be promoted if they intend to stay on the same ship. There are plenty of pros and cons of working onboard as a couple.

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Getting Hired as a Couple to Work on Cruise Ships

• Renee Ruggero
• 7 April 2014

Many relationships start onboard and weather the challenges through the years, unfortunately getting hired as a couple to work on cruise ships is more difficult, but it's not impossible. What are the cruise lines' views about hiring couples and are there some cruise ship jobs that are easier for couples to get hired for?

Challenges for Couples Working on Cruise Ships

Some of the challenges that couples need to consider before deciding to apply to work on cruise ships are time spent together, cabin assignment, contract length, and the possibility of not working on the same ship together.

There isn't a lot of free time when working on board and therefore you may not have the same hours off as your partner throughout the day. You must also consider that you may not get to live in the same cabin. The length of your contract may also be different than your partner's, making the period of your vacation different, too. Finally, would you accept a contract on a different ship than your partner?

Cruise Lines that Hire Couples

Some cruise lines hire couples. On a couple of cruise line websites, they are very forthcoming about their views on hiring couples.

Carnival Cruise Lines ' entertainment employment website states in their FAQ, "Carnival Cruises Lines is a very couple friendly cruise line, and endeavours to allow couples to work on the same ship whenever possible... for the first contract it may prove difficult to keep them together on the ship...Carnival prefers to assess employees as individuals before committing to hiring them as couples."

Comparatively, Royal Caribbean International states on their employment website that, "each applicant is assessed individually based on his/her qualifications, and although every effort is made to accommodate couples to be assigned to the same ship, we cannot guarantee that they will be assigned to the same ship within a certain period of time."

When trying to get hired as a couple for two separate cruise ship jobs, both applicants must prove that they are the best candidate for the job they are applying for. Even if and when you are both hired, you may not be placed on the same ship.

Best Cruise Ship Jobs for Couples

There are some cruise ship jobs that are more conducive for couples applying together such as jobs that can be done as a team. Musicians in a duo or band are one example, but Shopping Guides, Art Auctioneers, and Guest Lecturers are some of the other jobs that can be hired as a team. The downside is that you are paid only one salary since generally it is one job that is shared.

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State says plans impact space operations negatively.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The state has warned Port Canaveral leaders that they are putting at risk current and future infrastructure money if they don’t reverse dock plans that appear to favor cruise ships over the space industry.

In a letter Friday, Department of Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly and Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue expressed dismay about Port Canaveral --- one of the world’s busiest cruise ports --- changing cruise terminal plans in a way that would affect expansion of liquified natural-gas facilities that serve the space industry.

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“Florida’s cruise tourism and commercial space launch sectors are both vitally important,” Kelly and Perdue wrote. “Port Canaveral bears the responsibility of housing and supporting both. We will help you do both. But in this case, the port has announced its intention to support one sector to the direct detriment of the other. That decision must, therefore, be reversed.”

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The letter said the Department of Commerce will “stringently” review whether the port complied with terms of an $8.245 million grant received in 2018 through the state’s Job Growth Grant Fund. That grant made up the bulk of funding for a $12 million road project and was provided, in part, to support the aerospace industry, the letter said.

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Port spokesman Steven Linden said in a statement that the port’s board understands the concerns and will work with the state on resolving the issues.

“The port has been an integral part of the commercial space industry’s growth and operations in our state, and our commitment to the enterprise remains strong,” Linden said in the statement. “We look forward to working in partnership with Secretary Perdue and Secretary Kelly towards a positive resolution.”

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 21.

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Kelly and Perdue contended the change “reneges” on plans to expand access to liquified natural gas by reallocating some of the berth’s displaced cargo operations.

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The estimated cost ranges from $42.2 million for the first phase to $2.1 billion for what is outlined as a seven-phase project. In part, the additional space would help with retrieval of boosters and capsules.

Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station have had 55 launches in 2024. Florida had a record 72 orbital rocket launches in 2023, up from 57 in 2022 and 31 in 2021.

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Moscow mule on the maasdam?

By rachelfran , July 30, 2017 in Holland America Line

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On the August 5 departure out of Montreal and wondering if I'll be able to get this on board?

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Gail & Marty sailing away

Maybe???? 😀

If the ingredients are at the bar, and the bartender knows how to make the drink, you will be able to get it.

If the bartender doesn't know how to make the drink, but you can provide directions, then you can have it made, too. Again, so long as the ingredients are there, the bartender will make anything you want.

Thanks- appreciate the reply but wondering if someone has specific info as to whether they do have the ingredients ...

... wondering if someone has specific info as to whether they do have the ingredients ...

In that case, it might be helpful if you itemized the ingredients. People might not recognize that particular drink, but know about the things that are in it.

Vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. It is likely that the ship would substitute ginger ale for the ginger beer.

freestyling

They also will not have the copper cup which is a must for a Moscow Mule IMHO.

DeeniEncinitas

Hi Taxmantoo!

Your absolutely right! Unfortunately on our cruise to the Med on The Nieuw Amsterdam last September they tried in the Ocean Bar with subsitute ginger ale, no

Copper cup! 😞 Did not taste at all like one!

Hope they have ginger beer for you! My DH said I should bring a copper cup next time LOL!

bluesplayer

You can bring your own ginger beer and copper cup.. tada . Moscow Mules

bluesplayer I am so down with that!!

Doing that this February for sure on our month cruise on The Maasdam.

Actually Ginger Beer has alcohol so per HAL policy it cannot be brought on board. There would be no problem with the copper cup

Your right called HAL. I also figured that.

I got copper mule cups from Wm. Sonoma

A few years go, we do our own mules when we have a party. I'll pass on HAL.

VennDiagram

I've purchased loads of ginger "beer" over the years, and it has not been alcoholic.

Murray's Pop

Agree. Goslings is my favorite. Dark and Stormy with Goslings dark rum.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

I purchased several bottles of ginger beer in Bermuda in May. Was not alcoholic and had zero problem bringing it back on Veendam.

Today's brewed ginger beers are categorized as non-alcoholic drinks because their alcohol content is less than 0.5 percent , which meets FDA requirements. Since ginger beers are naturally fermented, they have less carbonation and often develop a beer-like head when poured into a glass. Bring the FDA classification as non alcoholic

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A Scavenger Hunt on the High Seas, With Rubber Ducks as the Reward

Scavenger hunts for rubber ducks hidden by cruise passengers have spawned a duck-loving community of “quackers.”

By Sara Ruberg

Dressed in sailor uniforms or cowboy hats or painted in bright pinks, blues and reds, rubber duckies — the kind usually found floating in a toddler’s tub — are now bobbing to faraway places as part of a global scavenger hunt taking over cruise ships.

If you’re cruising this summer, you might find a duck in any number of places on your ship — behind potted plants, balancing on door knobs or poised on top of signs. They’re part of a whimsical trend among people who frequently vacation on the seas.

The cruising duck enthusiasts, who at times refer to themselves as “quackers,” have been packing rubber ducks onto ships by the dozens, sometimes hundreds, to hide and leave for other passengers to find. The fad is believed to have begun in 2018, when a 10-year-old girl hid toy ducks for fellow cruisers to find during a family vacation. Her parents created what is considered the original “Cruising Ducks” Facebook page , which has ballooned into a large online community.

The Facebook page has attracted nearly 275,000 quackers and has close to 100 posts a day about hiding, finding, decorating and just loving the ducks. Spinoff pages for specific cruise lines have tens of thousands of members as well.

There are only a couple of simple rules to the game: hide a duck and find a duck. Once a duck is found, a player can choose to hide it again or keep it as a souvenir. Many of the lucky quackers post their finds on Facebook pages for the original owners to see.

“It’s not just for kids to find,” said Kelly May, 60, of Huntington Beach, Calif., who jumped on the duck-finding trend in 2022. “When I found my first one, it was a yippee moment.”

The hidden ducks come in all shapes, sizes and materials. Some are bought pre-decorated, in teeny sailor hats or other snazzy costumes; others are bedazzled by hand by their parent quackers. A few people even crochet the ducks in different colors. Many people add tags with their names and a message, while others use the tags to promote their businesses on land, selling baked goods, books and more.

A “quacker” usually brings anywhere from 10 to 100 ducks to hide throughout a single trip.

Ms. May, for instance, said that she had hidden about 2,000 ducks on cruise ships over the past two years, but had only found about 40. The first duck she spotted was sitting in plain sight on a casino table, wearing a sailor uniform and a tag that looked like a passport for “The Republic of Fun.”

Ms. May, who goes on about eight cruises a year, became so fond of the trend that she made herself duck-themed T-shirts to wear on her trips. After fellow cruisers started asking her where to buy the shirts, she started a duck-themed business in 2023. She sells about 4,000 rubber ducks every month, as well as a few dozen T-shirts covered in ducks and duck-inspired sayings such as “Cruising Quackers Duck Detective Agency” and “Get Lucky, Find a Ducky!”

But not everyone is a fan. Disney Cruise Line discouraged customers from participating in duck hunts, and crew members were removing the ducks as they found them, according to a December post on Plan Disney, an official planning advice website. Some cruisers have complained on social media about finding the ducks near food buffets, and some shared worries that the hundreds of ducks could end up overboard and litter the ocean.

But other cruise lines lean into the craze. Several people on Facebook posted about a claw machine filled with sparkly ducks on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. And Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, recently posed with a rubber duck made to look like him, hairline and all, in a post on Instagram.

Ms. May said that in March she would join about 60 others on Carnival as part of a “Quacktastic Duckers Cruise” group: They will host events, and one prominent duck decorator will teach a class on how to beautify your duck.

What began with a handful of rubber ducks has evolved into more crafty little presents being hidden around ships. Some people make friendship bracelets with duck charms or purchase “duc-key” chains ahead of their cruise vacations.

Bill Brodie, 59, an avid cruise duck scavenger from Navarre, Fla., doesn’t hide your typical rubber duck, as he used to a year ago. Worried about the amount of plastic being passed around, he began crafting wooden ornaments by hand and engraving credit-card-size bottle openers. All of the items feature duck cutouts and are etched with the cruise’s location and dates.

“It’s become a full-blown keepsake,” Mr. Brodie said. He makes and hides about 60 items per trip.

Mr. Brodie said he had sold a few duck-themed items through Facebook pages for duck enthusiasts, but those sales only covered about half his costs. He mostly does what he does for fun, he said, and to see the priceless reactions when people find his items.

“It’s really nice to see someone pick it up, look at it for a second, realize what they have and do a happy dance,” Mr. Brodie said, adding that it’s like watching “a kid who found a treasure chest.”

Sara Ruberg covers breaking news and is a member of the 2024-25 class of Times Fellows , a program for journalists early in their careers. More about Sara Ruberg

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