Cruise Line Cadetships

A handful of cruise lines and maritime companies work with maritime colleges to offer cadet training programs otherwise known as cadetships. A cadet training program combines a maritime education with sea time in three different programs, Deck Cadet, Engine Cadet, and Electro-Technical Cadet. A limited number of applicants are awarded a cadetship after passing an assessment.

Here are some of the cruise lines and maritime companies that sponsor cadets:

Carnival UK Cadetships

Comprised of two distinct cruise brands, P&O Cruises and Cunard, Carnival UK is a major recruiter of seafaring Cadets and Officers. They offer a number if exciting Cadetship training programmes that will rival any other industry experience. When you join as a cadet, you’ll also have the opportunity to travel, gain top qualifications, and get paid for it too. They also pay your tuition fees while you train with them.

The colleges that Carnival UK works with include:

  • Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, Glasgow
  • South Tyneside College, Newcastle
  • Warsash Maritime Academy, Southampton
  • Fleetwood Nautical College, Fleetwood
  • National Maritime College of Ireland

Carnival UK posts their application for Cadetships in January and September. If you want to start school in January, then you need to apply in September. If you want to start school in September then apply in January. Candidates must be UK or EEA citizens and be a resident in the UK for at least one year immediately prior to application and have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions.

Carnival UK Job Search: Cadetship Application
Cunard Careers:  Cunard Deck Department
P&O Careers:  P&O Cruises Deck Department

Princess Cruises Cadetships

Princess Cruises is continually recruiting cadets from the UK and Europe. They offer three-year cadetships for approved applicants. They work with a number of colleges throughout the UK and Italy. UK and Irish applicants interested in the Deck, Engineer and Electro-Technical Cadetship Program, should submit their CV to: [email protected]

Address:
Carnival House
100 Harbour Parade
Southampton
SO15 1ST

Alternatively, applicants from Italy, Eastern Europe and Western Europe should submit their CV to Princess Cruises’ hiring partner in Napoli, Italy.

Address:
Navitrans BV
Via Alcide De Gasperi 45
80133 Napoli
Italy

Telephone: +39 081 1980 7100
Website:  www.navitransnapoli.com
Email:  [email protected] 

Chiltern Maritime Cadetships

Chiltern Maritime is a marine cadetship provider, working with cruise lines such as Holland America and MSC Cruises. Chiltern was purchased by Viking Recruitment (Viking Crew) in 2007, allowing Chiltern Cadets more sea training experience on cruise ships managed by Viking Crew. Viking Crew is the authorized recruiter for Holland America, Seabourn Cruises, and Windstar Cruises.

Chiltern was established in 1986 as a marine cadet management company to support officers and cadets on behalf of a large oil company. Their services expanded to include the management of the Trinity House Scholarship Cadet Scheme, quickly followed by the Maritime London Officer Cadet Scholarship (MLOS) in 1992.

Chiltern Maritime works with the following maritime colleges:

  • Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, Glasgow
  • South Tyneside College, Newcastle
  • Warsash Maritime Academy, Southampton
  • Fleetwood Nautical College, Fleetwood
  • Plymouth University, Plymouth
  • Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool
Website: Viking Crew
Website:  Chiltern Maritime
Phone:  +44 (0)300 303 3696

Clyde Marine Training Cadetships

Clyde Marine Training is a maritime training provider that manages approximately 1,000 cadets on behalf of numerous shipping companies (including cruise lines) across the globe. Clyde Marine Training works with cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises to offer trainee cadets sponsorship to attend college.

Applicants must pass an online test administered by Clyde Marine to assess the suitability of potential trainees and be lucky enough to secure sponsorship. Clyde Marine works with the following colleges:

  • Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, Glasgow
  • Shetland School of Nautical Studies (NAFC Marine Centre)
  • South Tyneside College, Newcastle
  • Scottish Maritime Academy
  • Warsash Maritime Academy, Southampton
  • Fleetwood Nautical College, Fleetwood
  • Humber Maritime College

Clyde Marine Training (Southampton)
2 Meridians Cross
Ocean Way
Ocean Village
Southampton SO14 3TJ
Tel: 02380 223424

Clyde Marine Training (Glasgow)
Scotia House
6 Murdoch Drive
Clydebank
Glasgow G81 2QQ
Tel: 0141 427 6655

Website: Clyde Marine Training 
Website:  Cadetship Application 

Maritime London Officer Cadet Scholarship

The Maritime London Officer Cadet Scholarship (MLOCS) is a charity which provides the funds to enable young people to undertake the three to four years’ training required to become a Merchant Navy deck, engine, or electro-technical officer. Chiltern Maritime manages the Maritime London Officer Cadet Scholarship.

The charity currently has 20 cadets aged between 16 and 23 at various stages of training. MLOCS training is undertaken by Chiltern Maritime both at sea and at colleges in Glasgow, South Shields (Newcastle) or Warsash (Southampton). Training courses begin in either January or September of each year. Each cadet is funded throughout their training by a named corporate sponsor. Sponsors are involved in the cadet selection process and each cadet liases with their sponsor throughout their training.

Website: Maritime London Cadet Scholarship 
Website: Chiltern Maritime

Trinity House Merchant Navy Scholarship

The Trinity House Merchant Navy Scholarship Scheme (MNSS) is a cadet scholarship scheme available for UK residents providing financial support for young people seeking careers as officers in the Merchant Navy. The Trinity House Maritime Charity is the UK’s largest-endowed maritime charity, with a mandate to provide education, training and welfare for mariners of all ages.

Trinity House currently takes on 30 cadets each year for their three-year training in a variety of disciplines. Chiltern Maritime manages the Maritime London Officer Cadet Scholarship.

Website: Trinity House 
Website: MNSS Application
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 020 7481 6900

Updated:  September 12, 2020