Crew Info
Find shipboard terms in our Ships ABC. Please notice our information reguarding the Vessel Sanitation Program VSP commonly known as United States Public Health USPH, STCW95 Certificate and C1/d Visa. Klick here.What to do before joining the ship
Very important is that you have a valid Passport which is minimum one year valid from date of signing the contract with the Cruise Line! The second step is, to do a complete pre-employment physical (medical test) prior to joining the cruise ship. followed by the instructions given you by the Cruise line. You will receive the medical/physical sheet together with your Contract. Depending in what country your Cruise ship is Cruising you will need to obtain a C1/D Visa for entering the USA ports. To get this particular Visa you have to make an appointment with the US Embassy in your Country (Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich for Germany). You have to show up personally at the Embassy. Of course you have to have your passport and your signed contract with you.Criminal background check
If the Cruise Line requests a criminal background check from you, please make sure that you are able to show a police record wich is not older than one month. Please note, receifing the police record document takes a minimum of 2-3 weeks!Your personal check list before signing on a cruise ship
See the "Before I go" List on our Download Center menue.Crew Safety Training
Crew and Staff are required to attend a safety course either on land (stcw95) or after embarkation aboard. Instruction for Lifeboat/Raft Safety, fire drills, crowd management and understanding of fire safe- and watertight doors will be taught. You will encounter routine emergency drills throughout your employment on the ship.Cabins
The Crew cabins or your "new home for the time being" during your contract are quite small and you will be sharing it with one other collegue of yours. Having a single cabin is an absolute privilege which is only for Officers and Department Heads. Please do not expect very much from your accommodation. Some Cruise Lines provide Crew Cabins with TV, DVD Player and Fridge - some don't! Actually you don't spend very much time inside your cabin. Most of the time you are in charge and if there is some free time be sure that you will take the opportunity to go ashore.Crew Facilities
Most of the Cruise Lines have facilities especially for Crew and Staff, like Crew Bar, Gym, Crew Sundeck and Pool, Internet Places where you are able to check and write e-mails etc...All of these places are perfect to communicate between the entire Crew and learn more about different departments on your Ship.
Money
Some Cruise Lines transfer your Salary to your personal Bank account you have mentioned in your home country. Some pay your salary directly cash to you on board mainly two times a month (pay out). Responsible for the payroll is the Crew Purser.Credit Card
We recommend to take your Credit Card with you ( If you have one of course) Especially if you see Ports in South East Asia, US, Caribbean or OZ. Normally your Purser on board can provide some cash in the currency you need. But it is always better to use your Credit Card if you shop something bigger.Behavior aboard
DO's and DONT's like in every Hotel operation. Guest comes first in every case!There are a lot of rules and regulations on board a Cruise Liner. Most of the new rules and regulations for you are about Safety on board. These paragraphs are strictly to follow. All miss action will be the cause for a written warning from the Staff Captain or a dismissal from Captain. If you just follow all rules (believe us - it is really not a big deal) you never have any problems.
Personal belongings
Please don't bring your complete personal wardrobe from home to the ship. First of all your space in your cabin is very limited, second of all you are wearing uniform during working.Some information what is absolutely necessary you may find on our "Before I go" (see Download Center on our website).
Doctor
In case you are getting sick or there will be an health emergency - there is a Doctor aboard which is responsible for Crew Health too.Departments
Aboard a Cruise Ship every department has their own responsibilities.- Bridge and Deck Department ( Captain, Staff Captain, Bridge officers, Deck and Engine Department
- F&B Department (F&B Manager is Department Head)
- Housekeeping (Chief Housekeeper)
- Pursers office (Chief Purser and Crew Purser)
- Cruise Management (Cruise Director and Shore Excursion Manager)
- Hotel Manager - is responsible for all Departments except Bridge