The Housekeeping Department on a cruise ship is part of the Hotel Operations and is one of the largest departments onboard. This department looks after the daily cleaning and upkeep of passenger cabins, officer cabins, indoor and outdoor public spaces, and also the main laundry of the cruise ship.
The Executive Housekeeper is the head of this department with various levels of supervisors looking after teams of stateroom stewards, utility cleaners and laundry attendants (job titles vary with cruise line).
Typically, each stateroom steward is assigned 10 to 15 cabins/suites to clean and maintain twice a day while providing excellent passenger service. Duties may also include assisting with luggage distribution on embarkation and disembarkation day. Each deck of the cruise ship’s passenger accommodation areas has its own accommodation supervisor to manage the stewards. Additionally, there are supervisors in charge of all public areas such as pool decks, lounges, stairways, etc.
Utility cleaners and assistant stateroom stewards are entry level positions for applicants with minimal work experience, but are not afraid to work hard. They assist the stateroom stewards with cleaning cabins and do a slew of miscellaneous cleaning jobs throughout the ship.
While some cruise lines allow applicants to apply online through their employment web pages, most major cruise lines use a worldwide network of recruiting partners to assist with their hiring needs. Here is a list of the major cruise lines and details on how to apply for cruise ship jobs in Housekeeping.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines recruits their Housekeeping staff through their approved network of recruitment partners. Their authorized employment agencies help screen and interview potential crew members on Carnival’s behalf. Their Housekeeping Department includes the Housekeeping Manager, Assistant Housekeeping Managers, Stateroom Stewards, Assistant Stateroom Stewards and Hotel Stewards.
Carnival’s Laundry Department works in concert with their Housekeeping Department, and is responsible for providing an efficient laundry service for their guests and crew. This 24-hour operation fulfills all on-board laundry needs including all bed linen, towels, restaurants’ linen and staff uniforms. The Laundry Department seeks candidates who are hardworking team players with a positive attitude. Experience in a similar environment would be advantageous. The laundry department includes Laundry Manager, Assistant Laundry Manager and Laundry Attendants.
Celebrity Cruises
Onboard Celebrity Cruises, the staterooms and public areas are meticulously maintained by their highly trained housekeeping staff. With attention to detail, and a warm smile to greet their guests and each other, the team focuses on exceeding expectations in every respect. It is one of the largest departments onboard and those selected to join the team take great pride in ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness and guest service.
Celebrity Cruises lists their current Job Openings on their employment website and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online. Their Housekeeping Department includes Chief Housekeeper, Assistant Chief Housekeeper, Housekeeping Supervisor, Deck Supervisor, Stateroom Attendant, Assistant Stateroom Attendant, Cleaner, and Laundry Master
Additionally, Celebrity Cruises has a network of hiring partners to assist in meeting recruitment goals around the world. If you don’t see a job posting for a position that matches your qualifications, check with a Celebrity Cruises’ hiring partner.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises works with the hiring partners to assist in recruiting for their housekeeping department. Employment applications will be processed exclusively via the International Cruise Management Agency (ICMA). Please note that the recruitment of Indian and Filipino crew are handled by separate agents.
Philippines: NYK-FIL Ship Management
India: Indus Shipping and Cruising
Cunard Line
Visit the Carnival UK Careers website for more information about applying for a cruise ship job in the Accommodation Department with Cunard Line. Applicants may view current vacancies and apply online as well as register their personal details with the Carnival UK database for job alerts.
Disney Cruise Line
With Disney Cruise Line, the Housekeeping Department falls under Hotel Operations. This team ensures the United States Public Health (USPH) and Disney standards of cleanliness are maintained, while helping to facilitate a safe and efficient voyage for guests and crew members.
These are some common positions within the Hotel Department that Disney Cruise Line recruits for externally: Pool Deck Service Host/Hostess, Custodial Host/Hostess, Second Housekeeper, First Housekeeper, Second Housekeeper Wardrobe, Pool Deck Service Supervisor.
Applicants can apply online through Disney’s job website or contact a Disney “procurement ally” in your region.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line uses only select recruitment agencies to hire their officers and crew. Candidates desiring employment as Housekeeping staff with Holland America should only apply through Holland America’s authorized hiring partners. Positions within the Housekeeping Department include Chief Housekeeper, Assistant Housekeeper, Junior Housekeeper, and Stateroom Steward.
Norwegian Cruise Line
To apply to Norwegian Cruise Line in the Housekeeping Department, visit Norwegian’s employment pages. Norwegian’s website features current shipboard positions available. Positions may include Stateroom Steward, Utility, and Laundry.
Applicants may attach their resume in an email along with a cover letter to be considered for a personal or webcam interview. Additionally, Norwegian Cruise Line has recruiting agents throughout the world. If you are from one of the countries that they list on their website, submit your resume to the hiring partner in your region.
Oceania Cruises
The Apollo Group is the company that Oceania Cruises uses to recruit for positions in Housekeeping as well as the Food & Beverage departments. The Apollo Group works with an authorized list of hiring agents worldwide.
To apply for a cruise ship job in Housekeeping, apply through Apollo’s employment website. Cruise ship Housekeeping positions include Chief Housekeeper, Assistant Housekeeper, Cabin Steward, Assistant Cabin Steward, and Tailor.
P&O Cruises
Visit the Carnival UK Careers website for more information about applying for a cruise ship job in the Accommodation Department with P&O Cruises. Applicants may view current vacancies and apply online as well as register their personal details with the Carnival UK database for job alerts.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises works with a world-wide network of Recruitment Partners to hire officers and crew for their fleet of cruise ships. To apply for a cruise ship job in Accommodations, contact an authorized recruitment partner in your country of residence. Housekeeping positions include Executive Housekeeper, Deck Supervisor, Accommodation Supervisor, Stateroom Steward, Assistant Stateroom Steward, and Utility Cleaner.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The Apollo Group is the company that Regent Seven Seas Cruises uses to recruit for positions in Housekeeping as well as the Food & Beverage departments. The Apollo Group works with an authorized list of hiring agents worldwide.
To apply for a cruise ship job in Housekeeping, apply through Apollo’s employment website. Cruise ship Housekeeping positions include Chief Housekeeper, Assistant Housekeeper, Cabin Steward, Assistant Cabin Steward, and Tailor.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International recruits qualified applicants through their employment website, RoyalCareersatSea.com. The Housekeeping Department focuses on guest satisfaction and comfort, while upholding the high quality standards of service Royal Caribbean requires. This department is full of seasoned professionals who focus on even the smallest details in order to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and guest service.
Cruise ship jobs within the Housekeeping Department include Executive Housekeeper, Assistant Executive Housekeeper, Deck Supervisor, Stateroom Attendant, Assistant Stateroom Attendant, Cleaner, Facilities Cleaning Specialist, and Facilities Horticulturist.
Royal Caribbean lists their current “Job Openings” on their employment website and encourages candidates to apply online. Royal Caribbean has a network of hiring partners to assist in meeting recruitment goals around the world. If you don’t see a job posting for a position that matches your qualifications, check with one of Royal Caribbean’s hiring partners in your region.
Seabourn
Although Seabourn recruits at every level, they have a strict policy of promoting from within, whenever and wherever possible. They are looking for serious and highly motivated professionals who are keen to make a hospitality career at sea with them, providing the standards of service that ensure their discerning clients come back time and time again.
Seabourn works with exclusively with Viking Recruitment as a global hiring partner. All positions onboard Seabourn Cruise line are recruited in partnership with Viking Recruitment based in Dover, Kent, United Kingdom. All candidates should register their details at www.vikingrecruitment.com and join their online database. Open positions on their sister website, www.jobs-at-sea.com.
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