cruise work in

How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship: Step by Step Tips from a Crew Member

Wondering how to get a job on a cruise ship but don’t know where to start?

Say no more.

After working on cruise ships for three years, I’m here to break it all down for you, step by step, so you don’t have to spend painstaking hours researching.

With so little information online about working as a crew member on cruise ships, I know how frustrating it can be to try to break into the industry with no guidance.

But I’m here now and I’ve got all the answers for you.

In this guide, you’ll learn not only how to get hired on a cruise ship, but which websites to apply to and which recruiting companies are available in your country.

All aboard– full steam ahead!

About Me and How I Can Help You

A quick intro about me: Hi, I’m Michelle, and I’ve worked all over the world since 2013.

With three years of onboard experience working on cruise ships , I know what it takes to land a job in this unique industry. 

My time at sea has given me insight into the hiring process, onboard life, and the skills needed to excel in various roles aboard.

Besides my experiences with ships, I’ve been fortunate to come across job opportunities that have taken me to every continent, even working in Antarctica . 

Needless to say, I’m quite familiar with securing travel jobs abroad .

10+ years ago when I began this journey around the world, there wasn’t much information online about how to get paid to travel .

Now, with nearly 70 countries and all seven continents under my belt, I’ve taken the guesswork out and am here to tell you exactly how, step by step, to turn your dream of working on a cruise ship, into a reality.

How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship

Step 1: Know What Working on a Cruise Ship is like

Working on cruise ships means you get paid to travel.

Who wouldn’t want a job like that?

In my time working on ships as a cruise ship crew member, I got to visit 35 countries.

But it’s important to know the reality of what life onboard entails.

I’ve seen new hires come onboard only to realize– after leaving their former jobs, saying goodbye to family, and packing up their lives– that life on ships just isn’t for them.

So what’s working on cruise ships really like?

I’ve put together all the pros and cons of working on cruise ships , which is a great place to start in your cruise ship job search.

To sum up ship life:

• You get paid to travel
• Accommodations, meals, and medical care are covered during your contract
• International work experience and connections
• Potential to save the majority of your salary with few expenses
• Work hours are long with no days off
• Contracts can be 4-9 months long
• You’ll probably have a roommate in a small cabin
• The crew food options may be different from what you typically eat
• You won’t always get to go into port every time the ship is anchored
• You might have to pay for ship Wi-Fi

💡 Want to hear more about what life on ships is like? Check out this interview I did with my friend Charmaine.

Step 2: Meet Basic Qualifications

Once you’ve researched life on ships and decided this is still the right path for you, you’ll need to meet the basic qualifications that most cruise lines will require.

Between Ages 21-50*

“*” because there are exceptions to this.

It is possible to get hired outside of this age bracket, but it can be more difficult.

The only crew members I’ve seen under 21 years old are usually entertainers.

But at the bare minimum, you need to be at least 18 for legal purposes.

For most other positions, there are educational and work experience requirements that typically aren’t found in adults any younger than 21 years old.

Now if you’re on the other end of the age spectrum, it’s just a matter of how healthy you are.

Another requirement for working on ships (which I’ll talk about later) is that you pass the medical exam.

The further away from 50 you are, the harder it usually is to not only pass the medical but also fulfill your role in onboard emergencies as a crew member.

I will say that I know many people over 50 years old working on cruise ships– so don’t lose hope.

You just need to make sure you are physically healthy enough, both in real life and on paper, to live and work on cruise ships.

Language Fluency

For most cruise lines, you’ll need to have a high fluency of English as this is the international language of the seas.

You should be able to not only communicate politely with guests in English, but also able to report emergencies clearly and quickly.

Some cruise lines also require a second or third language ability due to the itinerary or guest clientele.

Keep this in mind when you are applying for cruise ship jobs as you may be better suited for certain companies depending on your language skills.

For example, Italian cruise line Costa vs German cruise line AIDA.

Clean Criminal Background

The cruise line will do a background check either before or after your offer of employment.

You’ll need to pass this check before you’re given a contract.

Valid Passport

You need a passport to work on ships as you’ll probably need to leave your country to join the ship and you’ll also be docked in other countries during your contract.

It’s best to have a valid passport before you start applying for cruise ship jobs as some applications may have a filter question that asks if you have one.

If you don’t have one, your application might not pass the initial screening.

💡 Tip: Getting a passport can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. If you don’t already have a passport, you can apply to cruise jobs that don’t inquire about your passport status, take note of the ones that do, and apply to those after you have a passport.

Medically Healthy

As I mentioned before, you need to pass a medical exam before you are officially given an onboard contract.

The requirements vary by ship, but most will include a general physical exam, blood work, vision test, and chest x-ray at the bare minimum.

Being in good health is more important while working at sea compared to working on land for a few reasons:

• If you have a medical emergency, the closest hospital can be hours away
• Living quarters and passageways onboard are crammed and narrow
• Most jobs on cruise ships require you to be on your feet for most of the day
• Crew members are required to assist in the event of emergencies
• During emergencies, crew members need to be able to reach their muster stations within several minutes and without the use of elevators

Job-Specific Certifications

Some shipboard positions may require you to have specific certifications.

This is something to keep in mind when you’re deciding which jobs to apply for.

Examples include:

• Lifeguard: First Aid/CPR certification
• Youth Staff/Counselor: Degree in teaching or childcare
• Food and Beverage: Food handler’s certification

Ship Certifications

Not all cruise lines expect you to have the required certifications to work at sea.

In fact, some cruise lines– like Royal Caribbean– train and certify you once you’re onboard which saves you time and money before your contract.

However, if you want an advantage over other prospective crew members and want your application to stand out, getting the following certifications ahead of time so that you can put it on your resume is a great idea:

• STCW Basic Safety Training
• First Aid/CPR

Step 3: Assess Your Skills & Find the Right Onboard Position 

What cruise ship jobs can you do or have experience in?

Assess your skills and pin point which jobs are the best fit for you.

If you’re not sure what roles are available on cruise ships, think of these marine vehicles as floating resorts, hotels, or even a small village.

Any job that is needed to keep a remote town running will be found on a ship.

Jobs Available on Cruise Ships

So exactly what jobs are available on cruise ships?

Ship Jobs by Rank (Stripes)

Crew members are split into three categories/ranks: officer (highest), staff, and crew (lowest).

The jobs that come with these ranks reflect the amount of education and experience needed to fulfill these roles.

Here’s an example list of shipboard positions in each rank:

• Officer: Captain, chief officer, safety officer
• Staff: Entertainer, activity staff, youth staff, sports staff, shore excursion, future cruise sales, guest service officer
• Crew: Stateroom attendant, cleaner, restaurant host, bartender

Ship Jobs by Department

Positions on ships are also categorized into three general departments: hotel/entertainment, marine/technical, and crew services.

The hotel department can be seen as the ship’s front-of-the-house, or more guest-facing services.

The marine and technical departments are mostly behind the scenes and their purpose is to safety navigate the ship to each destination.

Crew services are just a few members onboard who provide assistance to crew members such as HR and admin positions.

• Entertainment
• Food and Beverage
• Guest Activities
• Guest Relations
• Hotel Management
• Housekeeping
• Information Technologies (IT)
• Onboard Marketing
• Sales/ Future Cruise
• Shore Excursions
• Security and Safety
• Administration
• Human Resources

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle | Work + Travel (@wandereatwrite)

Step 4: Get to Know the Different Cruise Lines

Doing as much research about the cruise industry will help prepare you when you finally get a contract offer.

The more you know and the earlier you know it, the easier it will be to adjust once onboard and the fewer surprises you’ll run into.

One of the most important things I found after working on ships that most people don’t think about is that each cruise line has its own reputation and serves a different demographic– and these things can affect your experience as a crew member.

For example, Virgin and Royal Caribbean are often considered the best cruise lines to work for among crew members.

Regarding guest demographics, Carnival offers many budget-friendly cruises that can attract a rowdier crowd, especially the shorter the itinerary is.

Similarly, any affordable family-friendly cruise line (Disney, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian) means you’ll have to deal with upwards of a thousand children onboard during high season.

Working for a luxury cruise line like Silversea or an adults-only line such as Virgin might relieve you of kids running amok, but these cruises also mean you may get an older/elderly demographic that’s more entitled or demanding.

Regarding itineraries, smaller ships typically have better options because smaller ports can accommodate their size.

As a crew member on these ships, you’ll be able to visit more unique ports of call.

However, smaller cruise lines mean fewer crew positions.

Mega cruise ships on the other hand offer a better chance at employment, but their itineraries may be limited to only larger ports.

While you don’t usually have much of a choice when it comes to which cruise line that hires you, these factors are something to keep in mind.

Step 5: Tailor Your Resume

While you may be tempted to send the same resume you have saved on your computer to every cruise ship job posting– don’t.

As a former hiring manager, I can tell you that many– if not all– of these application programs automatically filter out resumes and CVs that don’t match basic requirements or keywords.

This means that if your resume/CV doesn’t include certain words or phrases, a human hiring manager will never see your application.

So make sure you do the following before you send off your resume:

• Read the job description and take note of key phrases and requirements
• Incorporate these words into your resume
• Make sure you show that you meet the requirements in your resume

Some other general resume tips:

• Name the file something simple and professional that makes sense (ex: John Smith Resume)
• Don’t write in paragraphs; use bullet points
• Keep the resume as short as possible (2 pages max)
• Edit for grammar and spelling

Step 6: Apply (and Where to Apply)

There are generally four ways to apply for jobs on cruise ships: either directly on the company’s career page, through recruiters, via contracting companies for certain positions, or on cruise job boards.

Applying Directly to Cruise Lines

Here’s a list of the main cruise lines and their hiring pages for onboard positions:

• Holland America
• Regent Seven Seas
• Royal Caribbean
• Virgin Voyages

Applying Through Recruiters & Hiring Partners

Recruitment companies and authorized hiring partners are probably the best way to get a job working on cruise ships.

I never head back about my application when I applied directly on the cruise line’s hiring pages, but ended up with my first ship contract due to a recruiter.

Recruitment companies have the time and resources to place you, and often there are recruiters hired specifically to work with your nationality.

Be Aware of Scam Recruiters

However, be aware that scam recruiters are, unfortunately, rampant.

If you are contacted by a recruitment agency, do your best to ensure that they are legitimate.

A real hiring manager or recruiter will NEVER ask you to pay to apply for a position.

You can also find a list of each cruise line’s official and authorized hiring partners at the bottom of their career’s page.

List of Recruitment Companies for Cruise Ship Jobs

Here’s a list of hiring agencies across the globe:

Carnival UK

Caribbean Cruise Careers

Consortio Recruitment Group

Costa Crociere

Crew & Cruise

Carnival Support Services India (CSSI)

CTI Group Worldwide

Cruise Academy UK

Excite Recruitment

Faststream Recruitment

Get Onboard

Hermes Recruitment

ISMIRA Recruitment

Job Cruise Ship

Jobs on a Ship

Jonica Marine Service

Jose maria Candina, S.L.U.

Karen Maybury Creative Connections

KG International

Kings Recruit

Kouzon Corporation

Loreley Crew Agency

Magsaysay Careers

M Recruitment

Marina Crewing Agency

Maris Recruitment

Mexicrew Maritime Services

Navis Consulting

Nimbus Marine Services

Northern Marine Manning Services

Oceanic Services

Odyssey International

Onboard MCG

Onur Sezgen Recruitment

Oseanz Recruitment

People Conquest

Pro Sea Staff

Recruiters Overseas

The Seven Seas Group

Singa Ship Management

Unicrew Management

VIS Recruit

World of Seamen Group

List of Authorized Hiring Partners for Cruise Lines

Below is a list of the authorized hiring partners for the main cruise lines.

Click on the link, then look for the hiring partner for your country of citizenship.

Clicking the “+” will show you which nationalities the linking hiring partners cover.

India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philipines, UK, USA

Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Lucia, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom and Ireland, Vietnam

Africa, Caribbean, Central & South America, China, Colombia, Eastern Europe/ Western Europe/ United Kingdom/ Canada/ United States, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Middle East, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand

Argentina, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Gambia, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Latvia, Lithuania, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Maarten, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, UAE, UK, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Zimbabwe

Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Ukraine

Applying Through Contracting Companies

Some onboard positions are handled through companies hired by the cruise line. 

This is usually the case for the retail, spa, and entertainment employees.

Here’s a list of these contractors (also referred to as “concessions”) and their headquarters:

Park West Gallery

Carnival Corporation Casino Division

Wilhelmsen Group

• Blackburn International Entertainment Agency
• Royal Court Theatre Company
• Carnival Entertainment
• Landau Music
• PEEL Talent
• Lime Music Entertainment
• Live Business
• Mester Music
• Proship Entertainment
• Rising Stars Talent Agency
• Rossetti Entertainment Group
• Sonic Artistes
• Suman Entertainment Group
• The Agency Excellent Entertainment

The Apollo Group

Onboard Media

• Carnival Medical

The Ship’s Photographer

• Harding Brothers
• Starboard Cruise Services
• London Wellness Academy
• One Spa World

Applying Through Cruise Ship Job Boards

There are job boards similar to Indeed that are specifically for the cruise industry.

Here, companies and recruiters will post vacancies so that you can find openings in one central location.

This is how I eventually got in touch with a recruiter (I had no idea about her recruiting company; never head of it before I saw the job positing) and eventually ended up onboard with Royal Caribbean.

These are the top cruise ship job boards:

All Cruise Jobs

Cruise Ship Jobs

Step 7: Ace the Interview

Most interviews will be conducted virtually, either via video (Zoom or Skype) or phone.

Be prepared to show you’ve researched life as a crew member and your prospective position.

You’ll also be asked questions that demonstrate your personality and professionalism.

While challenging, the questions asked in the interview are pretty standard and shouldn’t be anything surprising.

Some additional interview tips:

• Test your tech (audio, video, internet connection) before your interview
• Triple-check your scheduled interview time and time zone
• Be in a quiet room with an appropriate background if on video
• Dress as if you’re going to an in-person interview if on video

Step 8: Check E-Mail Regularly for Offer of Employment

Don’t forget your spam folder!

After your interview, keep a close watch on your email so you don’t accidentally miss your offer of employment.

When you do receive one, be sure to respond as soon as possible.

If you wait too long, you could lose the offer.

Step 9: Onboarding

After you have your offer, your hiring manager will take you through the onboarding process.

This may include getting/submitting the following documents:

• C1/D visa if you’re not Canadian or American and have a port in the U.S.
• Valid passport
• Medical exam
• Background check

They should also send you a basic uniform list that will let you know what you need to come onboard with and what will be provided or purchased by you once you get on the ship.

If you need more insight about what to bring, you can also check out my post about what to pack for working on cruise ships .

The onboarding process can be quick for some and drag on for others– be prepared for anything!

If you haven’t heard back from your hiring manager after a couple of weeks of getting your contract offer, make sure to get in touch with them to guarantee you don’t fall through the cracks.

This happens on occasion, unfortunately, so be the proverbial (professional and friendly) squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

Step 10: Bon Voyage!

The last and final step to becoming a cruise ship crew member is receiving your official contract.

This will tell you your ship assignment, dates, and travel information to join the ship.

All that’s left is packing, saying your goodbyes, and getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

FAQ: How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship

Is it hard to get a job on a cruise ship.

Cruise ship jobs are pretty competitive, so it may take some time before you get an offer of employment from a cruise line.

In order to give yourself the best chance possible at getting your application seen, be sure to follow all the steps and tips listed in this article.

What qualifications do you need to work on cruise ships?

Some basic qualifications required to work on cruise ships include:

• Typically between ages 18-50
• Language fluency
• Pass a medical exam
• Pass a criminal background check
• Job specific qualifications

How much do cruise ship jobs pay?

Cruise ship job salaries depend on your position.

For those of us in highly developed countries such as the United States, UK, and Australia, cruise ship jobs pay significantly less than minimum wage in our home cities.

For example, the minimum wage in my home city of San Francisco, California in 2019 was $15.59 an hour.

When I worked for Royal Caribbean in 2019 as a Youth Staff/Counselor, I was paid $2150 per month (before taxes).

With no days off, this broke down to approximately $77 per day.

If I worked an atypical 14-hour day during high season, this meant I earned $5.50/hour.

If I worked a shorter 8-hour day, this meant I earned $9.60/hour.

My position on ships was mid-tier (staff), so my pay wasn’t the lowest, but it was also far from the highest (Captain, officer, cruise director, etc.)

Generally speaking, a salary earned on cruise ships will go further in developing and less developed countries.

Keep in mind though that while onboard, crew members rarely have any bills as the following are covered during their contract:

• Accommodation
• Meals on ship

Also, for most crew members, the mandatory vacation time between contracts (6-8 weeks) is unpaid.

Can I work on a ship with no experience?

Yes, it is possible to work on ships with no experience.

But just keep in mind that these positions are the most competitive because of the low barrier to entry.

These positions are also typically the lowest paid jobs on board yet the most physically demanding.

Some of these ship jobs include:

• Laundry assistant

Final Thoughts: How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship

The process of getting a job on a cruise ship isn’t so straightforward if you don’t know the process, but I hope these tips and tricks help!

Remember to be patient and diligent.

While it may take several months or even years for some– those who do put enough effort into getting a job working on ships eventually make it.

Wishing you fair winds and following seas ⚓️

Pin and Save for Later

Michelle is a freelance writer who has traveled to all seven continents and 60+ countries through various forms of employment. Over the last ten years, she’s worked as an ESL teacher in Japan, a youth counselor aboard cruise ships, and a hospitality manager in Antarctica.

Related posts

What to Pack When Working on a Cruise Ship

7 Continents & 7 Seas: How I Got Paid to Travel the World

What Working on Cruise Ships is Really Like: Pros & Cons

Privacy overview.

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Cruise Ship Jobs

Search cruise ship jobs:

• Executive Housekeeper  (11)
• Assistant Housekeeper  (24)
• Cabin Steward / Stewardess  (32)
• Hotel Utility / Cleaner  (5)
• Laundry Staff  (13)
• Deck Steward / Pool Attendant  (1)
• Bell Person  (0)
• Tailor  (3)
• Florist  (0)
• Main Galley:
• Executive Chef de Cuisine  (24)
• Executive Sous Chef  (9)
• Chef de Cuisine  (17)
• Sous Chef  (26)
• Junior Sous Chef  (6)
• Chef de Partie  (56)
• Demi Chef de Partie  (16)
• Cook / Commis de Cuisine  (35)
• Executive Pastry Chef  (3)
• Sous Chef Pastry  (2)
• Chef de Partie Pastry  (21)
• Demi Chef de Partie Pastry  (3)
• Commis de Cuisine Pastry  (6)
• Chief Baker  (6)
• Chef de Partie Baker  (5)
• Commis de Cuisine Baker  (18)
• Butcher  (14)
• Galley Utility  (20)
• F&B Manager  (8)
• Assistant F&B Manager  (5)
• Restaurant Manager  (15)
• Maître d’Hôtel  (35)
• Waiter / Waitress  (48)
• Restaurant Host/ess  (4)
• Bar Manager  (9)
• Bartender  (34)
• Sommelier / Wine Steward  (23)
• Bar Waiter / Bar Waitress  (15)
• Barista  (4)
• Hotel Controller  (1)
• Provision Master  (8)
• Assistant Storekeeper  (4)
• Deck Officers:
• Captain / Master  (16)
• Staff Captain  (0)
• Chief Officer  (5)
• 1st Officer / First Mate  (5)
• 2nd Officer  (8)
• 3rd Officer  (4)
• Chief Communication / Radio Officer  (0)
• Deck Cadet  (1)
• Safety / Security:
• Safety Officer  (3)
• Security Officer  (8)
• Security Guard  (10)
• Deck Rating:
• Bosun  (3)
• Able Seaman  (5)
• Ordinary Seaman  (6)
• Carpenter / Joiner  (13)
• Public Health Officer  (8)
• Sanitation Officer  (0)
• Environmental Officer  (4)
• Chief Engineer  (22)
• Staff Chief Engineer  (3)
• 1st Engineer  (24)
• 2nd Engineer  (29)
• 3rd Engineer  (17)
• Engine Cadet  (2)
• Electro-Technical:
• Chief Electrician  (5)
• 1st Electrician  (5)
• Electrician  (12)
• ETO  (9)
• Ventilation / Refrigeration Officer  (10)
• Hotel Maintenance Manager  (4)
• Waste Disposal Staff  (3)
• Engine Storekeeper  (2)
• Motorman  (2)
• Plumber  (6)
• Guest Services Manager  (20)
• Guest Services Officer  (36)
• Receptionist / Concierge  (29)
• Night Auditor  (5)
• International Host/ess  (5)
• Future Cruise Consultant  (9)
• Butler  (13)
• Desktop Publisher / Printer  (11)
• Shop Manager  (9)
• Assistant Shop Manager  (4)
• Retail Salesperson  (18)
• Art Auctioneer  (2)
• Jewelry Specialist  (3)
• Watch Specialist  (3)
• Spa Manager  (7)
• Spa Attendant / Receptionist  (13)
• Beautician  (11)
• Hair Stylist  (6)
• Massage Therapist  (11)
• Nail Technician  (1)
• Acupuncturist  (0)
• Youth Counsellor  (14)
• Cruise Director  (11)
• Assistant Cruise Director  (2)
• Stage Manager  (6)
• Stage Staff / Rigger / Automation Technician  (12)
• Lighting Technician  (14)
• Sound Technician  (12)
• Broadcast Technician  (13)
• Cruise Staff  (6)
• Host / Hostess  (23)
• Lecturer  (10)
• Singer  (6)
• Musician  (17)
• Dancer  (7)
• DJ  (2)
• Photo Manager  (1)
• Assistant Photo Manager  (0)
• Photographer  (11)
• Video Operator / Videographer  (1)
• Shore Excursion Manager  (12)
• Assistant Shore Excursion Manager  (2)
• Shore Excursion Staff  (16)
• Port & Shopping Guide  (1)
• Doctor  (7)
• Nurse  (6)
• Fitness Instructor / Personal Trainer  (7)
• Yoga / Pilates Teacher  (0)
• Sports Staff  (4)
• Lifeguard  (3)
• Casino Manager  (2)
• Assistant Casino Manager  (1)
• Pit Boss  (2)
• Casino Dealer  (9)
• Casino Cashier  (0)
• Slot Technician  (3)
• Systems Manager  (4)
• Computer Technician  (3)
• Hotel Manager / Hotel Director  (17)
• Assistant Hotel Manager  (3)
• Chief Purser  (4)
• HR Manager (shipboard)  (19)
• Learning & Development Manager  (13)
• 1st Purser  (3)
• Crew Purser  (18)
• Accountant  (6)
• Marketing & Revenue Manager  (2)
• Ship's Secretary  (1)
• Technical Superintendent  (0)
• Hotel Superintendent  (0)
• Corporate Chef  (0)
• Human Resources (land based)  (17)
• Reservations Agent  (0)
• Sales Representative  (0)
• Marketing  (2)
• Other Cruise Jobs (75)
• Managerial  (0)
• Housekeeping  (2)
• Catering  (3)
• Maintenance  (0)
• Administration (Private Estates)  (0)

Email address:

Remember me Forgotten password?

Password Reset

Enter your email address and we will email you a password reset link.

Share this page:

Sold and serviced by Agent GBP i

You are seeing this because you have clicked on a link that is being serviced by Agent GBP. If you don't know them or want to opt-out, click here .

join our crew

We’re searching the seven seas for crew — ship and shore. calling all blue ocean mavericks; come as you are and bring the best version of yourself to help us create an epic sea change for all., careers on land.

For the landlocked lover who still yearns to discover — we’re looking for mainland crew for our lighthouse (aka our office).

Careers at sea

For the seafaring spirit who says screw it, let’s do it — we've got hotel, marine and technical, and entertainment jobs aplenty.

Your Account

The #1 job board for cruise ship employment.

Daily jobs posted

Freelancers

Browse by category

Find the job that’s perfect for you. about 800+ new jobs everyday

Art Sales Jobs

20 Jobs Available

Casino Jobs

Child care jobs, cruise line jobs, culinary jobs, engine / technical j, entertainment jobs, food & beverage, galley jobs, guest services jobs, housekeeping jobs, medical jobs, photography jobs, provisions jobs, restaurant jobs, retail jobs, security jobs, shore excursions job, spa & beauty job, sport & fitness, jobs of the day.

Search and connect with the right candidates faster

Cruise Work for Windstar

Cruise work for viking, cruise work for tui, cruise work for silversea, cruise work for seabourn, cruise work for royal caribbean.

Find The One That’s Right For You

Search all the open positions on the web. Get your own personalized salary estimate. Read reviews on over 600,000 companies worldwide. The right job is out there.

Completed Cases

We always provide people a complete solution upon focused of any business

Skilled People

Happy clients, top cruise lines.

Discover your next career move, freelance gig, or internship

Windstar Cruises

Viking cruises, tui cruises, silversea cruises, seabourn cruises, royal caribbean, regent cruises, princess cruises, p&o cruises, oceania cruises, msc cruises, holland america, disney cruises, cunard cruises, jobs by location.

Find your favorite cruise line jobs and get on board today!

Ft.Lauderdale

Port canaveral, santa clarita, cruise news and blogs.

Get the latest cruise ship news, updates and tips

Cruise Lines Sailing in August

Working on a cruise ship is a unique and life-changing experience. If you like to travel then it could be...

Types of jobs on board cruise ships

There are thousands of employees on every cruise ship (made up of more than 50 nationalities) working in different sectors...

A Good Photograph

Cruise Line recruiters receive thousands of resumes and applications every month. If you want to be considered for a job...

STCW Courses & Training

STCW Training A valid STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) certificate is required from most employees and crew working on-board cruise...

Basic Requirements for Working on Cruise Ships

While specific position requirements and experience depend on the job you are interested in, there are some other essential requirements...

New Things Will Always Update Regularly

Search Jobs

What would you like to do?

• Administration
• Animation and Visual Effects
• Architecture and Design
• Asset Management
• Building, Construction and Facilities
• Business Strategy and Development
• Call Center
• Communications
• Data Science and Analytics
• Engineering
• Finance and Accounting
• Food and Beverage
• Gaming and Interactive
• Graphic Design
• Health Services
• Horticulture and Landscaping
• Hotel and Resorts
• Human Resources
• Legal and Business Affairs
• Maritime and Cruise Operations
• Marketing and Digital Media
• Merchandising
• Project Management
• Quality Assurance
• Research and Development
• Retail Operations
• Sciences and Animal Programs
• Social Responsibility
• Sports and Recreation
• Stage Productions
• Theme Park Operations

Brand Select ABC News ABC Owned TV Stations Adventures by Disney Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Disney Branded Television Disney Cruise Line Disney Direct to Consumer Disney Entertainment Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology Disney Entertainment Television Disney Experiences Disney Music Group Disney Platform Distribution Disney Store Disney Theatrical Group Disney Vacation Club Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort Disneyland Paris Disneyland Resort ESPN FX Networks Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Industrial Light & Magic Marvel Entertainment Marvel Studios National Geographic Partners Federal Credit Union Pixar Animation Studios The Walt Disney Company (APAC) The Walt Disney Company (Corporate) The Walt Disney Company (EMEA) The Walt Disney Company (India) The Walt Disney Company (LATAM) The Walt Disney Studios Walt Disney Animation Studios Walt Disney Imagineering Walt Disney World Resort

Job Level Select Business Support / Administrative Executive Internships / Programs Management Operations / Production Professional Talent

Where would you like to work?

Country/Region Select Argentina Australia Austria Bahamas Brazil Canada France Germany Hong Kong India Indonesia Ireland Italy Japan Mexico Netherlands Philippines Portugal Shipboard Singapore South Korea Spain Switzerland Taiwan Turkey United Kingdom United States Vietnam

State/Province Select Bavaria British Columbia Buenos Aires F.D. California Canton of Zurich Chiba Connecticut DC England Florida Georgia Hawaii Ho Chi Minh Île-de-France Region Illinois Indiana Islands District Istanbul Jakarta Special Capital Region Leinster Lisbon District Lombardy Lower Saxony Madrid Maharashtra Massachusetts Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Metro Manila Mexico City Missouri Nevada New Jersey New South Wales New York North Carolina North Holland Ohio Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania São Paulo Seoul South Carolina Taipei Taiwan Tennessee Texas Tokyo Victoria Vienna Washington

City Select Amsterdam Anaheim Atlanta Bay Lake Branson Bristol Buenos Aires Burbank Canutillo Celebration Charlotte Chessy Chiba Chicago City of Taguig Commerce Coral Gables Coupvray Cypress Destin Dublin Elizabeth Emeryville Fresno Glendale Greater Manchester Hilton Head Island Ho Chi Minh City Istanbul Jakarta Kapolei Kissimmee Lake Buena Vista Lancaster Lantau Island Las Vegas Lisbon Livermore London Los Angeles Madrid Makati City Marne-la-Vallée Melbourne Mexico City Milan Minato-ku Montévrain Moore Park Morrisville Mumbai Munich Myrtle Beach New Taipei City New York Orlando Papenburg Paris Philadelphia Raleigh Richmond San Antonio San Francisco San Marcos Santa Monica São Paulo Seattle Secaucus Seoul Serris Sevierville Singapore Southington Sydney Taipei City Tampa The Woodlands Tlalpan Toronto Town of Southington Tulalip Vancouver Vienna Washington Winter Garden Wismar Woodburn Zurich

The magic starts with you

At Disney Cruise Line, we create unforgettable memories for our guests at sea. Crew members and officers are at the heart of each experience - bringing magic to life aboard our ships, on the sandy beaches of Castaway Cay, and in our offices around the world. With a little bit of magic, and Captain Minnie Mouse at the helm, our collaborative and diverse team contributes to a long-standing tradition of growth and excellence. Simply put, a career with Disney Cruise Line is an experience as unique as you are.

Shipboard Opportunities

Island opportunities, shoreside opportunities, stay connected.

#TheMagicStartsWithYou

How To Get a Job on a Cruise Ship (With No Experience)

September 19, 2024

Modern cruise ships can accommodate several thousand passengers . To meet the needs of all these people a large crew works day and night to make each trip unforgettable.

Consider that the largest cruise ships are like small towns, so there is opportunity to work in a wide variety of fields .

Some positions require several years of experience, but there are also opportunities for those who have never worked on cruise ships .

In this article, we’ll see how you can get a job on cruise ships, what are the most common open positions, and what the requirements are.

Choose the Right Field

On every cruise ship, there are several fields in which you can work. You should choose the one that best suits your skills .

Hospitality and Service

The most sought-after jobs on cruise ships are definitely cabin attendants and those in the food and beverage sector .

Keep in mind that cabin attendants and cleaning staff are among the most popular positions and also some of the easiest to obtain on cruise ships . They often hire people without requiring prior experience.

You’ll be responsible for cleaning and maintaining guest cabins and public areas . Housekeepers ensure that all rooms are tidy, stocked with supplies, and ready for new guests.

Following that, the other most in-demand and easiest positions to obtain are in food and beverage .

In particular, chefs and cooks , bartenders and waitstaff . A minimum of experience may be required (especially for chefs) but if you don’t have it you may still get an assistant position.

Entertainment

Another sector for which I always see open job positions is entertainment .

In particular cruise lines look for performers which include: dancers, musicians, singers, magicians, and actors who entertain guests through shows, concerts, and themed events.

They often rehearse regularly and perform multiple times a week . Experience is required for these positions, and from what I know the selections are quite tough . The cruise lines really want to keep the level of their shows high .

Guest Services

In the guest services sector, there are two interesting positions: front desk staff and concierge .

The f ront desk staff assist guests with check-ins, check-outs, and any inquiries about their stay. While concierge provides personalized service by helping guests book excursions, make dining reservations, and plan special celebrations like anniversaries or birthdays.

Both positions can be performed without experience but after specific training . However, knowledge of several foreign languages is always required.

Safety and Security

Safety and security staff mainly include security personnel and medical staff .

Security personnel ensure the safety and security of all passengers and crew, while the medical staff provide healthcare services and assistance for passengers with medical needs.

As you can imagine, working in the medical team entails having the necessary qualifications. However, if you are a doctor, getting a position on a cruise ship is quite easy.

It could be a good temporary position to travel the world while workin g.

Retail and Wellness

Back to the jobs that are easier to get, you might consider a position in retail or wellness .

The retail sector is mainly composed of shop staff who manage onboard retail stores . If you’ve been on a cruise ship you’ve probably seen that there are different shops that sell a variety of products from souvenirs to luxury goods.

On the other hand, the wellness sector includes a wide variety of positions including massage therapists , hairdressers , beauticians , personal trainers , and fitness instructors .

The Essential Requirements for Working on a Ship

Now that we have seen the most common positions there is a fundamental question to ask ourselves: do I meet the essential requirements to work on a cruise ship?

What are these essential requirements? First, to work on a cruise ship you must speak English . Some passenger-facing positions onboard may also require additional foreign languages.

Second, You must be at least 21 years old . Some cruise lines may hire people from 18 years old but it depends on the laws of the state where they are registered.

Third, you must hold a valid passport and have the relevant visa or work perm it. The cruise line could help you get it if you manage to get a job offer.

Which Cruise Line Should You Choose?

I have to tell you the truth, from what I know all the larger cruise lines are very similar to each other .

There is a difference only if we compare them with the luxury cruise lines , but those are in a different industry and also require specific qualifications (especially having already worked in the luxury field, for example in 5-star hotels).

However, even among classic cruise lines there can be some differences, especially in terms of salary and bonuses .

If you are not familiar with the industry , I recommend that you look at this specific article on what are the best cruise lines to work for .

Contract Length and Salary

The type of contract, if you work on a cruise ship, is very different from what you get on land .

On cruise ships, you usually work for some months every day , and for other months you go home to rest.

Typically, contracts last between 6 to 9 months , and if you haven’t messed anything up, you can return to work after the break.

As for salaries, there are so many variables between cruise lines, the state in which you are hired, and the type of job. Usually, the base pay is about $1,500 per month , but check the article on how much cruise ship workers make for more detailed wages on specific positions .

Get my beloved cruise-specific packing list for free!

You will also receive special offers and cruise news!

Check your e-mail. If you can't find it look in the spam box!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Advertising
• Classifieds
• Top 100 For-Hire
• Top 100 Private
• Top 50 Global Freight
• Top 100 Logistics
• Photo Galleries
• TT Newsmakers
• TT Magazine Event Series
• Smart Speaker Briefings
• Perspective
• Fun & Games
• Crossword Puzzle
• Special Coverage
• Trucking's Frontline Heroes
• Special Reports
• Event Coverage
• Upcoming Events
• Submit Your Event
• Resource Center
• Whitepapers
• Government & Industry Resources
• U.S. Government Sites
• State Government Sites

Cruise Robotaxis Returning to California After Accident

More Content About:

Related articles.

GM Misses 2023 EV Goal by Half as Production Woes Persist

California Awards $27 Million to Container Ports

Cruise Lays Off 900, Multiple Executives as Fallout Worsens

• Daimler DTNA
• Western Star
• nuclear verdicts
• Daimler Trucks North America

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

• Pre-Cruise FAQ
• Onboard FAQ
• Post-Cruise FAQ
• Cruisetours FAQ
• Special Offers Sign Up
• Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

Onboard Employment FAQ

Are you interested in joining the thousands of worldwide employees who are proud to be part of the Princess Cruises family? We are committed to being an employer of choice and understand that our Consummate Hosts need to be supported, empowered, and recognized. Learn more about Princess Cruise careers and our cruise ship jobs in this overview.

We also understand that working at sea can be a challenging new opportunity. Here are answers to some essential questions you might have when considering cruise ship employment.

• What are the requirements to work onboard?

What is a C1/D visa?

How do i get a medical certificate, which ship will i be assigned to, how do i get to and from the ship i am assigned to, do i need travel insurance, how long will i be onboard, can i get off and go home during the contract, will i have my own room, what is the power voltage in my cabin, can i drink alcohol onboard, is there a drug policy, is there a curfew, can i bring a family member or friend onboard, will i have access to guest areas and amenities during my time off, once onboard, how do i stay in touch with my friends and family back home, can i have mail delivered to the ship, is there an atm onboard to use, will i have to pay taxes, can i send money home from onboard, how do i pay for items onboard, how do i do laundry, what if i miss the ship in port, what happens if i get sick while working onboard, can i visit the ports while working onboard, how do i apply to work onboard, what are the requirements for onboard employment.

While specific position requirements depend on the job you are interested in, there are some essential requirements that all crew must meet to work onboard:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Be able to pass a criminal background check
• Hold a valid passport
• Have a US C1/D visa (if you are not a Canadian or US citizen/resident)
• Have a Princess-specific pre-employment medical exam certificate
• Meet the English fluency requirements relevant to your position

Also known as a seaman's visa, some nationalities need this to work onboard a ship and travel to certain countries. This visa normally lasts between two and five years. You will be required to make an appointment at your nearest US Embassy to gain this visa; all paperwork for the appointment will be supplied by your manning agency.

This extensive examination is at the employee's expense and can be conducted through one of Princess's recommended medical facilities—you'll be advised which one is closest to you. Once this is completed and approved by our corporate Medical department, you are cleared to travel and work onboard.

Shipboard employees are scheduled to vessels based on operational need. This means you could be assigned to any one of our vessels in the fleet depending on where a position is open at the time you are travel-ready. After your first assignment, we will be able to provide details about the next assignment after your leave period.

At the beginning of each contract Princess Cruises will provide flights from your designated airport to your assigned ship. At the completion of your contract, Princess will arrange for your travel back home as well. It is your responsibility to get to the airport from your home, but from there we will provide any necessary accommodations and/or transportation to and from the ship.

While you are covered medically in Los Angeles and onboard the vessel, we suggest you purchase basic travel insurance to cover the cost of lost luggage or injuries that could result from shoreside activities.

Contract lengths vary by position but range between four and ten months. After each contract you will receive approximately 60 days of vacation before your next assignment. Your daily work schedule while onboard will depend on your particular position, but you can expect to work seven days a week and anywhere between 10-13 hours per day.

Time off during the contract is not permitted. In case of family emergencies, Princess Cruises does understand that additional time at home may be needed and does accommodate these requests on a case-by-case basis.

Accommodations vary depending on the ship and position. Those in non-management positions generally share a cabin with one to three other roommates whereas those in most management positions are entitled to a single cabin. Cabins include a storage space, TV, and DVD player.

All vessels have 120v US power and some vessels also have 220v European power.

Yes, alcohol is available for purchase during time off. However, Princess Cruises has a strict alcohol limit and at no time can a crew member be intoxicated.

Princess has a zero-tolerance drug policy. All crew are subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug testing. Violation of these policies will result in termination.

There is no set curfew. However, crew who are out late should be respectful of other crew members and guests nearby.

Crew members who meet specific length-of-service criteria have the option of requesting "relatives travel," a benefit that allows family members to sail onboard for a limited period of time. Some restrictions may apply.

While some officer-level positions do allow restricted access to guest areas, most facilities are for guests only. However, we have a variety of crew-only facilities, such as a crew pool, whirlpool, gym, bar, and  Crew Club, which is a communal room where you can gather to watch movies, play games, sing karaoke, and much more!

Postal mail services are available while onboard. You will also have access to computers in the crew training areas. Wi-fi Internet is also available in the crew areas if you choose to bring your own laptop or tablet. Princess offers discounted rates for phone and Internet cards so you can stay in touch with those at home. But remember that satellite capabilities are sometimes limited while the ship is at sea.

You will be provided with mailing addresses for ports where mail can best be delivered.

There is an ATM in the guest areas; an ATM charge will apply. You can also cash checks in the Crew Office onboard to get cash.

US citizens will have federal taxes automatically deducted and may be required to pay state taxes, if applicable. All other nationalities are responsible for filing their own tax forms upon returning to their home countries (as they are self-employed).

You can wire money via the Crew Purser's office. Details are available onboard and rates may vary.

You will be provided with a bar account number, which is your personal number for the duration of your contract onboard each ship. As the entire vessel is cashless, even for guests, you will provide your account number at the bars, salon, and shops in guest areas. In the Crew Bar you can purchase a CrewCard and add money onto it for purchases. At the end of every month you will be required to settle your account.

There are crew laundry facilities where the washers and dryers are free of charge—you just provide the soap. You can also use the dry cleaning onboard, but there is a nominal cost.

Crew members who miss the ship should contact the ship's Agent who will be at the port (the address and phone number are always in the Princess Patter, a daily newsletter for our guests). The Port Agent will arrange transportation to the ship's next port of call. However, it is the responsibility of crew to pay these transportation costs. Crew may be disciplined for the offense and could be terminated. Depending on the port all crew members are required to be back onboard half an hour to an hour prior to sailing time.

While onboard, all crew are medically covered and can visit the Medical Clinic for health concerns. If you need to be medically disembarked during your contract, Princess will provide transportation to a land-based medical facility and repatriate you back home.

If you are not scheduled to work during the time the ship is in port, you can disembark the ship with your supervisor’s approval. Occasionally, there are crew-specific activities or tours to participate in.

Safety requirements dictate that a certain number of crew members be present on each vessel at all times. As such, there may occasionally be times when, although not scheduled to work, you will be required to remain onboard while the ship is in port.

Princess Cruises recruits globally through authorized hiring partners.  Find a hiring partner located near you.

Once you contact the authorized hiring partner, you can get answers to questions regarding the application process and which positions are currently open in your region.

• Subscriptions

By clicking Sign In, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Sign In Up with your social account

We won't post to any of your accounts

Your password must include:

• Min 8 characters
• Min 1 lowercase character
• Min 1 uppercase character
• Min 1 number

Woman's World

• Mental Health
• Heart Health
• Pain Management
• Supplements
• Celebrities
• Alzheimer’s
• Joint Health
• Spirituality
• Relationships
• Food Safety
• Healthy Recipes
• Comfort Food
• Cooking Tips & Techniques
• Holiday & Seasonal Recipes
• Quick & Easy Recipes
• Viral & Trendy Recipes
• Online Learning
• Online Fitness
• Online Finance
• Online Cooking
• Give a Gift
• Accessibility Statement
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Cookie Preferences

Surprising ‘Grease 2’ Facts: Tom Cruise Audition, Missing Jackets, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Regret

Plus, find out what actress Michelle Pfeiffer really thinks about her work in the film

Share this:

Go, grease lighting, you’re burning up the sequel mile! Or is it? The 1982 sequel Grease 2 follows Rydell High Pink Lady Stephaine Zione (Michelle Pfeiffer ) after she breaks up with her T-Bird boyfriend and then decides to date a clean-cut English foreign exchange student named Michael Carrington (Maxwell Caulfield) — despite it being against the school’s social norm. 

Now, over 40 years later, it’s time to find out what really happened between musical numbers like “Score Tonight,” “Cool Rider” and “Love Will Turn Back the Hands of Time,” and which Oscar-nominated actor was almost in the film. Keep scrolling for more. 

Tom Cruise tried to be in the film 

Before he was jumping out of burning buildings and flying fighter jets, Tom Cruise tried to join the land of T-Birds and Pink Ladies. That’s right. Cruise did audition to be in Grease 2, but that clearly didn’t happen. 

The Oscar nominee originally auditioned for the role of Johnny Nogerelli, but the film’s director, Patricia Birch, thought that someone taller and older was better suited for the part, so Adrian Zmed was cast instead. 

Tom Cruise Has Been Candid About His Life and Career! See His Best Quotes and Messages

Only one cast member from the original ‘grease’ appeared in ‘grease 2’ .

Sadly, the film didn’t feature the singing and dancing talents of stars like Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta, Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway. Still, it did feature Didi Conn — everyone’s favorite beauty school dropout. 

Conn reprised her role as Frenchie in the film, but she disappeared halfway through because the actress thought the whole production process was “ rushed, frantic, and unorganized .” 

Both also had producer Allan Carr work on them, but obviously that;s not the same thing as the cast. 

The Pink Ladies didn’t get to keep their leather jacket

After filming wrapped, The Pink ladies sadly didn’t get to keep their iconic pink leather jackets. One Lady in particular — Lorna Luft, who played Paulette — was super upset about it. Years later, though, Luft was gifted a pink leather jacket by someone who bought it during a Paramount studio auction.  

We wonder if the T-Birds jacket was taken as well! 

Michelle Pfeiffer doesn’t believe she should have been cast in ‘Grease 2’ 

While she might have given a stellar performance in the film, Michelle Pfeiffer doesn’t necessarily think she should have taken on the lead role in Grease 2 . 

“ It was a total fluke that I got that part,” the actress said in 2019. “My agent told me just to go. I wasn’t a dancer, I wasn’t a singer, and I was in this little short purple skirt with gogo boots. We had these dancing auditions, and it was literally like A Chorus Line . This line goes, and then the next line goes, so I kept sneaking in the back. Finally, it was only me, and I did get the part, shockingly enough.”

‘Grease 2’ didn’t perform nearly as well as the original at the box office 

The first Grease film earned  $132 million at the box office, while its sequel only brought in $15 million, most likely because films like The Wrath of Khan, Rocky III , Star Trek II and Poltergeist also came out that same weekend. D espite that, the film has still remained a cult classic.

It was rumored that Michelle Pfeiffer hated ‘Grease 2’ 

Despite playing the film’s titular character — Stephanie — Pfeiffer reportedly hated the film. 

Deal of the Day

In 2007, the actress supposedly said, “ I hated that film [ Grease 2 ] with a vengeance and could not believe how bad it was. At the time, I was young and didn’t know better… I hear it’s a cult movie now.” 

But Pfeiffer refuted that rumor by saying, “This project is and has always been so special to me and my history. One should never trust a publication to get quotes right if they can’t even bother to spell the person’s name correctly.” 

Either way, we love Pfeiffer in this film. 

For more 1980's content, keep scrolling!

Hop in Your DeLorean and Get to Know the ‘Back to the Future’ Cast

‘Beetlejuice’: 10 Spooky and Silly Facts About The 1988 Hit Film

Get to Know The Stars of The 1988 Hit Movie ‘Rain Man’

• entertainment

Conversation

All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines . Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.

More Stories

Hallmark’s 2024 ‘Countdown to Christmas’ Movie Lineup—See All 32 New Films!

8 Fun(ny) Facts About Barbra Streisand’s 1968 Movie ‘Funny Girl’

The Lenox Spice Village Is Back: How To Get Your Nostalgic 24-Jar Collection Before It’s Gone Again

10 ‘Wizard of Oz’ Actresses Who Slipped on Ruby Slippers and Played Dorothy

What Haley Mills Remembers About The Original ‘Parent Trap’

The Seven Best Documentaries on Disney Plus

Tru Niagen Reviews Speak Volumes: Discover the Benefits of Healthy Aging Science!

All About the 1952 Marilyn Monroe Film ‘We’re Not Married’

20 Romance Movies by Decade, 1950s to the 2000s — Ranked

Top 5 Designer Purses for Fall: Borrow (Or Buy!) These Trending Handbags

What Original 'Beetlejuice' Cast Members Are Returning for the Sequel?

Advertisement

Supported by

Ukraine Wants Long-Range Weapons. Here’s a Look at What They Are.

Much of the public discourse about arming Ukraine has revolved around whether the United States will send “long range” weapons. But that can mean different things.

• Share full article

By John Ismay

Reporting from Washington

There are roughly 500 miles between Kyiv and Moscow.

The United States has weapons that can fly much farther than that, but it is unlikely to supply them to Ukraine for fear that an attack on the Russian capital with American weapons might spark a third world war.

So within that 500-mile range the Biden administration has been pushed repeatedly to give Kyiv weapons that can hit targets as far away as possible. Discussion among Ukraine’s supporters often centers on calls for “long range” weapons — a term with no real military definition, but that has an emotional pull Ukrainian leaders have used to pressure the White House for ever more capable munitions.

Over two and half years of war, “long range” has evolved in the public forum to describe a host of increasingly advanced U.S. weapons. The trend began soon after Russia’s 2022 invasion, when U.S. government officials first used the term to apply to …

The United States has sent Ukraine the longest-range artillery pieces in its arsenal: 155-millimeter howitzers , which can fire 100-pound shells at targets about 20 miles away. Each shell contains about 24 pounds of explosives.

Since the beginning of the war, the United States has shipped three million M795 artillery shells to Ukraine for the weapon to fire. That model can be fitted with a guidance kit that steers the projectile to its target, though there is no evidence to suggest the Pentagon has sent those devices to Kyiv.

Ukrainian soldiers tend to fire far more shells than U.S. troops do, wearing out the barrels of the weapons comparatively quickly . Replacing them requires specialized equipment and cannot easily be done in the field by the soldiers who use them.

Within months, the discussion about what to give Ukraine moved to the next longer-range, ground-based weapons, which are …

Artillery Rockets

These weapons fly more than twice as far as the shells fired by 155-millimeter howitzers. The American High Mobility Artillery Rocket System , or HIMARS, is a five-ton truck that typically carries six rockets on its back called GMLRS, for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System , that can launch a 200-pound explosive warhead about 52 miles .

On June 1, 2022, the Pentagon announced that it was sending four HIMARS trucks to Ukraine. Weeks later, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III referred to them as part of Ukraine’s “long-range fires.”

Since then, the U.S. military has sent more than 40 such trucks, and thousands of GMLRS (pronounced “Gimmlers”) to Ukraine. (The United States has also given the country money to buy even more of those rockets directly from the manufacturer.)

The HIMARS can also fire another type of munition.

That brings us to the world of …

Short-Range Ballistic Missiles

Since early in the war, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has pleaded for weapons that can hit even deeper into Russian-held territory, and eventually into Russia itself.

One American example of this kind is the ATACMS, pronounced “attack ’ems,” for Army Tactical Missile System . The State Department described them as “long range” when it announced in April that the missiles had been shipped to Ukraine.

They can hit targets roughly 190 miles away and contain about 375 pounds of explosives.

Ballistic missiles fly much higher into the atmosphere than artillery rockets and many times farther, coming back to the ground at incredibly high speed because of gravity’s pull.

Generally, this class of ballistic missiles can fly to targets 43 to 620 miles away.

The United States does not currently field any weapons in the next two categories, which are …

Medium- and Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles

The United States developed medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the Cold War, but it largely got rid of them decades ago.

That was partly because of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty , or I.N.F., that the United States and the Soviet Union signed in 1987. The treaty banned land-based ballistic missiles with ranges of about 310 to 3,400 miles.

But the treaty died in 2019 after the White House accused Russia of fielding weapons that violated its terms.

The I.N.F. tried to ban particularly worrisome and potentially nuclear-armed weapons that could threaten Moscow from NATO territory and were hard for the Soviets to shoot down.

Aside from medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, that included land-based weapons called …

Cruise Missiles

The best-known example is the Tomahawk, developed in the 1970s for the U.S. Navy. The Air Force adopted an air-launched version, and the Army had a ground-launched version until it was made illegal under the I.N.F. Treaty.

While there are different versions of the Tomahawk, they can generally reach targets about 1,000 miles away while carrying a conventional warhead with the explosive power of about 400 pounds of TNT, or a small thermonuclear device tens of thousands of times more powerful.

Unlike high-flying ballistic missiles, cruise missiles like the Tomahawk have small wings that allow them to fly horizontally low to the ground and use small jet engines to reach distances more than five times farther than ATACMS.

As of yet, there has been no public discussion of providing Tomahawks to Ukraine, but the Pentagon has a smaller and more stealthy air-launched cruise missile under consideration.

It is called JASSM, pronounced “jazz ’em,” for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. The most basic version carries the equivalent of 240 pounds of TNT to a range of about 230 miles. More advanced versions can fly more than 1,000 miles.

The only things that fly farther are …

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles

ICBMs carry nuclear warheads and can be launched from underground silos or from submarines underwater . They can fly about 8,000 miles to hit targets on the other side of the planet.

Their explosive power can be measured in the hundreds of thousands of tons of TNT.

They are not in the cards for Ukraine, since their use against Russia would almost certainly provoke a global nuclear war.

Hypersonic Weapons

Currently in development by the United States, Russia and China, these are weapons that fly faster than five times the speed of sound and can maneuver sharply to evade an enemy’s defenses.

Some short-range ballistic missiles might meet that definition in the final portion of their flight, but the current buzz over hypersonics is related to a new generation of weapons that quickly achieve those speeds and hold them while flying on the edge of space to cross oceans or continents.

The Pentagon is pursuing two types of hypersonic weapons meant to fly several hundred to a couple of thousand miles.

Unlike most other missiles that carry explosives, their warhead is a solid piece of tungsten — a metal roughly 70 percent denser than lead — that destroys its target through kinetic energy released as it slams into the target at more than 3,000 feet per second.

But the United States has none to give to Ukraine. Even after spending billions on their development, the Pentagon has yet to field a working prototype.

John Ismay is a reporter covering the Pentagon for The Times. He served as an explosive ordnance disposal officer in the U.S. Navy. More about John Ismay

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

Ukrainian-Russian Couples:  Relationships between Ukrainians and Russians have long been common. Russia’s invasion has brought stigma, separation, legal troubles and a reconsideration of identity .

Life in Kharkiv Endures :  In the war-ravaged city of Kharkiv, an unlikely sound filled a dimly lit underground garage on a recent morning : the soaring voices of soprano and baritone singers.

Biden Poised to Approve New Tactics:  President Biden appears on the verge of clearing the way  for Ukraine to launch long-range Western weapons deep  inside Russian territory, as long as it doesn’t use arms provided by the United States, European officials say.

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .