1. What types of jobs are there? Cruise ships are floating resorts, a complete city at sea. Whether you've just returned from a cruise or you've seen Love Boat or Titanic, you know what a cruise vacation is about: fun, entertainment, service and worldwide travel. Working with a cruise company gives you the best of both worlds - Travel, Adventure, Romance and a Steady Paycheck.

Did you know there are more than 300 types of jobs aboard ship plus dozens of opportunities at cruise company headquarters around the world? Imagine yourself traveling to places you've always dreamed of - and getting paid for it. Which of these jobs would be best for you?

2. Who are cruise lines hiring? Students, Career-changers, Retirees- "people-people' who enjoy working with others. Cruise lines are always hiring people with experience in: hospitality, tourism, entertainment, restaurants and bars, teaching, childcare, sales, customer relations, gaming, marketing, fitness, health and beauty, medicine and healthcare, administration, banking, accounting and financial management. Did we mention entertainment? That's the name of the game aboard cruise ships -and your #1 priority as a cruise line employee is to provide a safe, fun and memorable vacation experience. Cruise lines hire dependable, competent people with outgoing, positive attitudes.

3. How do I get hired? The A-B-C's of getting hired:
A. Get to know the players and you'll find the cruise lines most likely to hire you. Who are the most successful cruise lines? Who is adding new ships? Apply there first. Familiarize yourself with your prospective employer's "product. Where do their ships travel? For what programs and facilities are they best known? Most importantly - what kind of people will you find aboard their ships? The passengers are your ultimate employer, the customers you'll serve, protect and entertain.

Know the Players: Royal Caribbean International, Princess and Carnival are known as the 'Big Three', with the largest fleets in the industry, these employers should be at the top of your list. There are also unique job opportunities with smaller, specialty cruise lines like Delta Queen Steamboat Co., and Special Expeditions.

The type of programs and facilities offered by each cruise line offers define who gets hired. Companies with state-of-the-art spas, salons and fitness centers hire more stylists, aromatherapists, massage therapists and fitness instructors. Entertainment jobs vary from line to line. Crystal Cruises and Seabourn may hire lecturers, pianists, classical quartets and duos; while NCL's popular sports and theme cruises create openings for theme entertainers, lecturers and celebrities. Comedians, production dancers and Rock N Roll or Jazz bands are most likely to be hired by lines such as Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, and Holland America Line.

A cruise line's 'primary market' or type of guest also determines job opportunities: Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Lines boast of the biggest year-round youth counselor staffs in the industry. Gentlemen Hosts will find openings with lines that cater more to the mature traveler.

B. Choose several jobs which interest you and compare your qualifications to the required duties and responsibilities. You many find your previous work or education can easily translate into a job that offers worldwide travel. You'll also learn what skills or certifications you need to add to your resume to get aboard. Hot Tip: Practice public speaking whenever possible, study a foreign language or get your CPR or Lifesaving Certification.

C. Sell yourself!. Make it easy for the personnel director to see how you're qualified for a specific job. Get to know yourself - what you have to offer - Target your resume and cover letter towards one specific job - and show how your work experience, talents, skills and education directly relate to the new opportunity. Don't just list what you've accomplished - show how you can contribute to the passenger's cruise experience. Include on your resume: previous work experience, duties, responsibilities, awards, promotions and salary history. Include educational achievements, degrees and certifications, hobbies, awards and membership in organizations. Hot Tip: Apply early and often - but don't pester personnel by phone - send follow up letters and resume updates.

4. Are there short-term, holiday and summer jobs? Yes, the cruise industry hires year-round and seasonally. Most employees work for a period of six to nine months with one to two months off. Many departments add staff for holiday cruises, and peak sailings through winter and spring. Doctors and Nurses can find year round employment or assignments as brief as two to three months. Peak hiring times for youth counselors? Holidays and summer - perfect for students or teachers who love to travel. Hot Tip: (from a leading executive of Carnival Cruise Lines) List your specific dates of availability (ex. from May 15 to Sept. 1 ) so personnel knows how to schedule you.

Tami teaches Kindergarten in Indianapolis during the school year. She travels as a youth counselor over her Christmas, spring & summer break. Karina saves her tips and salary from eight months work as a massage therapist - then backpacks across Europe for two months. David, a retired widower, now dances his way around the world as a gentleman host.

5. How's the Pay? Cruise ship pay compares to good jobs shore - Plus you save a lot of money because most expenses are left behind. On board ship your room and meals are included. No more rent, grocery, electric, or gas bills! You can bank your salary and tips, or blow it all in ports of call. You'll want to negotiate your pay based on your own salary history and demand for the job. Sample current pay ranges: Casino Manager: $2,000-3,000 per month revenue sharing. Gift Shop Retail Sales: $1,000-1,500 per month (commission included.) Hairstylist/Beautician: $1,000-1,300 per month (tips included) Shore Excursion Manager: $1,800 - $3,000 per month plus commission.

Cruising paid off for Linda, a shipboard gift shop manager. She met her husband-to-be, a handsome Finnish officer, on her first assignment. Now they own homes in Finland and Florida.

Andy, a casino manager, banked his salary and opened his own business back home.