PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten Management will be pursuing the promotion of employment opportunities onboard cruise ships for Sint Maarteners. Many Caribbean nationals throughout the Region including Sint Maarten, work onboard cruise ships.
Those working on cruise ships around the world are very much instrumental in delivering memorable vacation experiences to over 20 million cruise passengers annually.
Working on a cruise ship provides experience in various areas. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) fully supports the cruise industry’s extensive efforts to provide those who work onboard cruise ships with safe, enjoyable and rewarding careers.
Port St. Maarten Management pointed out that a program for employment opportunities onboard cruise ships has been a topic of discussion, but was never formally pursued. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has made use of an employment program on cruise ships and it has been very successful, and with the practical information received, Port St. Maarten is ready to pursue such a program for Sint Maarten.
“Small nations do contribute a considerable number of employees to the cruise industry, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a clear example. Don’t under estimate the opportunities. We will approach the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) and Sundial for example, to start the recruitment drive. This has become a priority for Port St. Maarten in collaboration with the Government,” Port St. Maarten Management said on Tuesday.
Port St. Maarten Management added that working experience gained on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Carnival Corporation, can only further enhance the employment opportunities for an individual.
A cruise ship employee works approximately six days a week and up to at times 10 hours per day. Contracts are between four to six months with an option to renew. Wages are between US$2000-$6000 or more per month. This is dependent on the cruise line that hires the person, the position that you apply for and previous work experience.
Some of the positions that are available but not limited to are: Able Seaman Entry Level; Activity Coordinator; Administrative Assistant; Aerobic/Fitness Instructor; Casino Dealer; Slot Technician; Cabin Steward/Stewardess; Sous Chef; Housekeeping; Food and Beverage; Laundry; Pastry; Salon; Shore Excursion; Waiter/Waitress; Bell Boy; Busboy; Cashier; Cleaner; Computer Technician; Cruise Staff; Dishwasher; Electrician; Cook; Florist; Guest Entertainer; Hostess; Nail Technician; Massage Therapist; Plumber; Photographer; Prep Cook; Receptionist; Security Officer; Pool Attendant; Restaurant Manager; Sales Person; Singers/Band; along with various management and middle management positions throughout the various areas.
Accommodations and food are paid for onboard the vessel for the crew member. The cruise line makes the travel arrangements for travel to and from the ship. Cruise line employment is considered the most sought after employment in the tourism industry.
As a cruise ship employee, you get to visit various countries and experience life in other cultures. Cruise lines frequent the following destinations: Alaska, Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Bermuda, Mexico, Panama Canal, Canada, Mediterranean, Europe, South America, China, Australia, Indonesia and much more.
CLIA and its member cruise lines strongly support the International Labour Organization’s 2006 Maritime Labour Convention which provides comprehensive protections for the rights of crew members on cruise ships. Under the Convention, crew members enjoy specific rights related to all facets of employment, including wages, hours, medical care, annual and shore leave, and room and board. The Convention ensures compliance through strict enforcement mechanisms that apply to both ship owners and governments.
CLIA member lines have also implemented a Shipboard Workplace Code of Conduct Policy that addresses the aforementioned.
CLIA was established in 1975, and is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community.
The world’s largest cruise sector association represents the interests of 60+ member cruise lines that represent more than 90 per cent of the global cruise capacity and serve more than 22 million passengers; 275 executive partners; and 13,500 global travel agency members that include the largest agencies, hosts, franchises and consortia and represent more than 50,000 individual travel agents.
PHOTO CUTLINE: L to R: Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Chief Operations Officer Adam Goldstein and an apprentice at the 22nd Annual Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference & Trade Show last week in Cozumel, Mexico. The event was a fundraiser for the FCCA Foundation.
