What are the main requirements?

You have good chances to get a job on cruise ships if you are between 18 and 35 years old, healthy, speaking English, prove to be motivated, hard working, and friendly, preferably with relevant work experience. However, these are general requirements as there may be specific criteria set by each cruise company. See more on requirements here

What nationality applicants may apply?

Cruise companies employ multinational crew on board and everybody is treated equally as there are strict harassment policies on board. Cruise companies usually assign approved Hiring Agents in several countries Worldwide – you can find them on the approved Agents lists published on the respective Cruise Company web page. If there is no Agent in your country, you should apply to the nearest one. Not every nationality though can get a job on board cruise ships due to visa or legal issues that are being regulated by local or international maritime laws.

ISMIRA Agency is authorized by several cruise companies to recruit residents of the specific countries only. We recruit applicants from Europe – Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and several countries in central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. The list of the countries is growing every year as we expand our recruitment area.

How much money I need to spend in order to join the ship?

First of all, there is no Employment or Placement fee! We do not charge you for getting a job! But there are joining expenses, and you should be ready to invest approximately $1200-2000 depending on your residence and company requirements. This money will be spend on preparation and travel to job interview place, visas, medical examination, safety certificates and joining airline ticket (that may be your major expense in most cases). There are cruise companies though that cover first joining ticket and reimburse expenses for visa and medical exam when you arrive on board. See more information on expenses here

When will I have to pay for all joining expenses?

You may have certain expenses getting ready for the job interview – pay for internet to browse looking for information, attend English teacher to improve your knowledge, collect needed documents such as travel passport and police clearance, do translations etc. If you will be found suitable during pre-screening process with ISMIRA for any position you may apply to, then we shall be able to present you to the respective Cruise Line employer. Once you are approved by the employer and accept the position, you will be placed to the applicants pool (waiting list to receive ship assignment).  Once you get your ship assignment, you will have to cover joining expenses as your investment into your future success – medical exam, visas, certificates, tickets etc. as per company requirements.

What is the due date for me to sign an agreement with Ismira?

You can sign it whenever you wish. However we will not proceed with your employment until we receive the service agreement and pre-screen questionnaire filled and signed by you.

Why job interviews with cruise line employers can not be always conducted by Skype as I am invited to a personal interview?

Cruise companies usually prefer to conduct interviews face-to-face, but sometimes when they urgently need crew, they my conduct interviews by Skype. We do not know very well in advance when and how they will hold the next job interview, therefore we inform all suitable candidates about time and form of interview once it becomes known to us.

How long will I have to wait after successful job interview before I actually join the ship?

It all depends on a cruise company’s operational needs, but usually waiting period is  between 2 and 8 months. Sometimes it may take even longer, but should not exceed 12 months. Note that the waiting period starts not from the date you had passed job interview successfully, but when you have submitted all mandatory interview documentation as per cruise company requirements such as references, valid passport copy, measurement form, police clearance etc. as we can not enter you to the applicants pool in the company database until your application is complete.

What is LOE?

LOE stands for Letter of Employment, and this document is issued by the employer and handed to you by the Agent once you receive your ship assignment. You need LOE to apply for all necessary visas, and must be presented to all authorities during your travel to the ship as a proof of your employment. LOE will usually have your name, surname, ID number, nationality, position, sign on date, joining port and name of the vessel indicated on it. Nowadays LOEs are mostly issued and delivered to you in electronic version.

Is it possible that my joining date will change after LOE received?

Cruise company may change your joining date (sing-on date) forward or backward date at any time and this may happen not once, and also very last minute. It may seem very unprofessional, but you have to remember that you are entering the job industry where emergencies may happen quite often and you must be flexible and ready to adapt to this new environment.

When and where will I have to pass medical exam?

Pre-employment Medical Exam (PEME) must be conducted before applying for US visa but after ship assignment received. Only approved medical centers by can be used, and each cruise company has a list of approved medical centers and approved PEME forms that you will be receiving from us as a part of medical instructions. Vaccination is also very important for ocean liners, thus  you have to retrieve and examine your vaccination history from your family doctor in advance to avoid last minute assignment cancellations since often vaccines are not available in many countries and need to be ordered.

Note that for river ships you do not need to pass extensive medical examination or get vaccinations. You may need though to pass only certain tests such as drug and alcohol test before joining or even on board.

What is BMI and how it may influence my medical examination results?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index and it has to be normal to be considered fit for duty. you can check your BMI online for example here:
https://bmicalculator.mes.fm
In some cases cruise company medical department may allow joining with higher BMI (but in any case never more than 30) if all other tests are normal. This is being decided individually when medical exam is submitted to the company.

What is Marine Ticket and why do I need it?

Marine fare was created by airlines to serve the needs of traveling crew members. It may not be cheaper than some budget airlines, however it offers flexibility that is vital for crew members such as possibility to cancel flight with almost no penalties and carry additional luggage. Agency is fully responsible for your initial joining and needs to control your travel submitting flight details to company system, port authorities, consulates to organize your smooth joining process. In case of emergencies Agency is able to control your ticket and re-route you if needed to reach the destination on time. Remember that all your consequent trips to and from the vessel will be covered by the cruise line employer, and it is only first ticket that you need to cover yourself.

What should I do if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

It happens very rarely, but you may get into situation when flights get delayed or cancelled. If this happens at the airport of your home airport, then you have to inform us immediately and we will inform the company and make new arrangements for the next flight and sometimes this will mean several days delay in your departure. If this happens when you miss your connecting flight, and airlines offer you alternative flight, you should contact crew assistance emergency phone or email and inform them about your new flight details. You should also always inform us about your situation.

What should I do if airplane lost my luggage?

When your luggage is lost, you have to fill in Luggage Claim Form at the airport. Indicate your vessel name and your employer in that form, and do not lose the slip that will be given to you as well as the luggage receipt that is usually attached to your passport or boarding pass upon your check in. This receipt contains reference number that will help you to track your luggage either by contacting baggage services at the airport, the airline’s central department or by logging into an online baggage-tracing page.

When I arrive to the joining port will someone meet me there?

Different cruise companies have different travel arrangements for joining crew. There can be port agent meeting you at the airport or there may be hotel shuttle buses taking you to the assigned hotel from the airport. In some cases, you would need to find your way to the hotel or vessel yourself.  In any case, you should strictly follow joining instructions that you will be receiving from us before travel.

What if I get lost on the way to the ship?

If you follow our joining instructions you should be OK, but of course, there may be emergency situations. In such case you have to contact company crew emergency phone number or email that will be indicated in the joining instructions. You can also contact us at the same time so we could possibly give you a good advise.

May I arrive to the joining port several days earlier or later than my sign-on date?

Crew must arrive either same or one day prior to joining date strictly as per cruise company instructions. It is impossible to travel earlier or later as all arrangements are being made in advance by cruise line according to the joining country regulations with port authorities.

Is it possible to join and work together with my friend or couple?

Cruise companies hire individuals, not friends and family. Therefore new hires will be allowed to participate in job interviews only if they do not expect to join same vessel at once. You have to understand that crew movement is a very complex process, and anything that would  add difficulties to that, would be not acceptable unless you already work on board and your couple is declared to the employer. Thus if you already work on board you may place such request to work together, but there is no guarantee though that your request will be approved immediately. Note that cruise companies may request a document proving your couple status in order to place you to the same ship.

Will I feel seasick on board and what should I do then?

Modern cruise vessels are more like a huge floating hotels and they are equipped with stabilizers that prevent ship from rocking when the sea is rough. It is very unlikely that you will feel waves even during the storm, but if you do feel sick then ship’s doctor would give you pills that will help you to overcome that.

Is it true that I my passport will be taken from me for the whole period of my contract? What if I don’t want to give my passport away?

Yes, that’s true. Crew purser will keep your passport as well as your medical exam and other documents needed to serve on board. You will be given Crew ID card to serve as your personal document for the duration of whole period of your contract. The reason for keeping your passport is mandatory frequent vessel inspections such as customs, border protection, public health or port authorities control. Every day cruise liner may enter a new country and both the vessel and every person on board must be cleared. That’s why all passports are kept in one place so you do not need to leave your work place every time. This is the official rule for all types of vessels, and so you can not refuse to submit your passport to crew purser.

Note that crew working on board river ships in Europe may carry their passport after initial check.

Will I be able to go ashore and see places in all the countries my ship will visit?

Yes, all crew when off duty can go outside in the ports if there are no visa restrictions for any specific country. You can take organized tours or wonder around if you wish, but make sure you are back to the ship on time as missing the ship may cause a lot of expenses and even losing your job.

Do I need to get US visa to work on board cruise ships?

C1 (Transit visa) and D (Crew Member’s visa) or a combination of these two visas C1D are usually needed in order to join or work on board the vessel that is calling U.S. ports. Cruise lines may have vessels that do not sail in U.S. waters, but even in such case it might be required for crew members to obtain C1D visa if company plans to transfer crew from one ship to another or send them home through US.

Note that river ships or ocean liners that always sail in Europe or Asia waters, will not require US visa from crew.

Why some companies require Seaman’s books and safety certificates and some not?

Crew members of all ocean liners unlike river ships are governed by International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, and so respective procedures are set and observed by cruise companies. Some of them arrange safety training on board whereas other require safety certificates to be obtained in the approved training centers ashore before joining. Seaman’s Book is mandatory for all deck and engine crew, whereas service personnel usually can serve on board without the Seaman’s Book. However some companies may still require to obtain Seaman’s book – national or by the vessel’s flag.

What are safety drills on board and do I have to participate?

Everybody on board – passengers and crew members must participate in regular boat drills in order to demonstrate safety procedures in case of any emergencies on board.

How can I find out where will my ship be sailing?

You can usually check vessel itinerary online – there are many web resources, for example: https://www.cruisetimetables.com

What happens if I get really sick or injured on board?

Cruise companies provide medical insurance to all crew members, therefore if you get sick or injured on board, you will receive all necessary assistance at no cost and if needed you will be sent home at company expense for further treatment and rehabilitation until you are fully recovered or reach maximum medical improvement.

How can I contact my family and how they can contact me?

There are many means of communication such as phone and internet. You must inform your family about your arrival to the ship and about your well-being while on board. If you do not do that and your family starts calling us, we will have to contact employer’s office that will ask the ship about you, and you will be invited by your supervisor for a conversation about not observing this simple rule. Of course, if there is emergency in your family, then we will pass this message to the company and the vessel will make all necessary arrangements if you need to urgently travel home.

 What is the length of the contract and vacation? How will I get another contract?

Depending on cruise company and your position on board, job contract on ocean liners can be between 6 to 8 months for entry for crew and 4 months for officers. Vacation is usually from 6 to 8 weeks and it is usually not paid. If your job performance is up to company standards, your contract will be automatically re-newed on board, and you will travel home knowing your next sign on date and port. In case you do not re-join as scheduled and do not give proper notice and valid reason to your employer you may have to wait months until you get back to crew rotation, and in many cases cruise company may accept no-show as a resignation.

You place a request on board to extend or shorten your contract if you have valid reason, however you must do that well in advance. However there is no guarantee that your request will be approved.

Note that river ships have a different pattern of work schedule, and they offer seasonal work instead with vacation pay and sometimes crew even has days off.

Can I ask cruise company to fly me home to any airport after my contract is finished?

You must indicate your home airport once you fill in your application form, and you can change it only if you change your permanent residence place. You can indicate only international airport in your residence country and in some cases cruise companies have a list of approved gateway cities where they fly their crew, and this means that you can only pick an airport from that list. When certain country crew remembers are very few on board, cruise companies may not have these countries / airports listed, thus such crew would have to fly to the nearest country / airport that is currently on the approved airports list.

Is it real to save money working on board?

It solely depends on you. Remember that company provides free food and accommodation, and you will be spending only for personal needs. Also company gives everybody a chance to prove themselves and get a better position on board. So, maybe not the first contract, but starting from second one you should be saving money and it’s up to you to decide how much you spend or save to bring home.

Can I change my position on board?  Is there any promotion perspective?

Every cruise company is interested in crew that has potential and there are always opportunities for crew members to get promoted on board. There may be certain rules in each company such as for example promotion not available during first contract, but actually everything depends on situation and most of all it depends on you. If you perform well and prove to be active, responsible, attentive to detail and interested in personal and professional growth, all the doors will be finally open for you.  Note that promotion is when you grow within the same department on board, whereas if you want to change the department (for example being a restaurant waiter become a photographer), then this would be called departmental transfer and it may be more difficult and require certain procedures to be followed such as to resign or get released by your current department head and re-hired by another department or concession.

Would that be possible to change cruise company to another one?

You may choose to work for one cruise company during your whole cruise career or you may decide to change it one day. In such case remember that you have to always keep good relationships with your current employer meaning you need to complete full contract and get good recommendations (appraisals/evaluations). Otherwise if you have negative status with your previous employers no other cruise line will be interested in hiring you.

Will cruise company deduct any taxes from my salary?

You will be working on board the ship, so your taxation will be governed not by U.S. laws, but by the laws of the country of the vessel registry (flag of the ship). Ocean ships sail under flags such as Panamanian, Bahamian, Marshall Islands, Malta etc.  Thus usually there is no tax is deducted from your salary, therefore you are fully responsible to declare and pay yourself the income, social security or other taxes as per your home country legislation. There will be cases though when as per ship registry taxes will be paid by the employer (this is usually relevant to inner waters – river ships). In this case you need to check with the employer and get a proof of taxes paid to present it to your home country tax authorities to avoid double taxation.

Passport requirements

Make sure that your travel passport is valid for at least one year from joining day and that it contains enough empty pages (at least 4) for the immigration stamps.