What kind of jobs will be there on ship?
All jobs that you see in a 5star hotel/resort& most on the marine side (navigation, technical, deck & engineering)
Is my job permanent?
Most jobs are contractual, but if you have a good report, the same company will hire you again under a new contract. The contract’s duration is normally 8 to 10 months.
Will I be entitled for any Emergency leave?
Yes; according to the rules & regulation of the principals.
What is the salary that we will earn?
Your salary will depend on your position and the company. Your starting salary across the board for a standardized cruise company should not be less than 800 USD per month.
What are my future Career prospects & growth?
Massive! The hospitality industry is growing each year and is now a career of choice. Very good career to choose.
Can you tell me about my Safety & security?
Safety & security of the crew is of paramount importance to our companies and many measures are there example physical security, reporting systems, CCTV’S etc. To name a few.
What are the required documents for cruise liner?
If it’s a passenger vessel, calling at ports outside your home country, you would first & foremost require a passport, you will also need your S.T.C.W. courses (commonly called safety courses) and CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) commonly called seamen’s book.
What are the basic qualifications required?
In India, it would be 10th pass (SSC certificate) from a recognized government institution. You would also need additional qualifications for the position you need to apply for. Example: Hotel Management courses/degree or technical course pertaining to the job you’re applying for. Most jobs require a certain level of relevant experience. You would also need to be competent in reading, writing, understanding, and speaking the English language.
How do I chose between a land-based job abroad and a cruise line job?
Nowadays, many Indians are getting jobs offers to work in hotels and restaurants abroad, sometimes at fairly high salaries compared to the offer from cruise companies. The main things you have to consider are: What are the actual working conditions compared to what they have told you? After paying taxes and living expenses, how much are you actually going to save? After how long can you come back home to meet your family? And so on. You can then compare the total package with what a cruise line job means for you both financially and for your growth potential.
If I am already a chef now, why do I have to join at the level of a cook?
This is a very typical question since designations are very important to all. As per collective agreement chef de partie is a French word which means kitchen in charge and cook is a designation designed to work under the chef de partie. The first thing to keep in mind is that the same designation can mean different things in different companies who have their own individual hierarchies and designations. Then remember the international standing of the cruise company and the huge scale of operations. So, if you are a chef or cook in a medium size star hotel in a small city in India, you cannot compare it to the huge luxury liners where your Indian experience may not be enough to work at a management level on board. But don’t worry, you will be able to rise up quickly in the hierarchy if you are talented and hard-working, a quick learner and good at teamwork and show a positive attitude overall.
How do I apply for a job with your company?
Visit or call our office and ask for an appointment, to have a free Career Counseling session preferably in person.
Do I have to pay any money at the time of applying for a cruise line job?
No, JIH being a training institute , we do not promise any jobs, but you automatically get registered with Joncia Marine Services and Joncia Hospitality Services for our international Cruise and Land Operations.
If I have been successful in my job interview, when should I resign from my present employer?
We advise you NOT to resign from your present unless the company advices you to do so.
How long does the entire process take from getting selected to my departure?
It will depend on your department, your level of seniority, the cruising season, crew turnover rate, the company’s policy and upon your documentation status.
What happens if I fall ill while on board? Will I get medical treatment out at sea?
Yes, medical treatment is available onboard. If necessary, arrangements will be made for transfer to the nearest hospital.
What are CDC and STCW certificate? Do I need to get them before I leave and if so then how do I get them?
CDC stands for Continuous Discharge Certificate and is commonly known as the Seaman’s Book, which keeps an account of the contracts that you have completed at sea. STCW certificates are safety training certificates that you get after doing a course. Joncia Marine Services will assist you to obtain the above if you so require.
What are the tax laws regarding income earned on a cruise ship?
According to present Indian tax laws, if you work overseas for more than 180 days in a year, then you are eligible for an NRI status, which allows you to get full income tax exemption on any income generated overseas. You are advised to kindly check current tax laws. You do not pay any tax on your income in your employer’s country either, so potentially your salary is 100% tax free. You normally do not pay any tax.
Do I get paid when I am on leave?
As you will be working on renewable contracts, technically you are not ‘on leave’ between contracts, so you will not be paid for the time you are not on board. However, in some companies, some senior ranks do enjoy a continuous pay policy.
What will be the cost?
Cost incurred on your documentation, passport, S.T.C.W., CDC, medical, visas, tickets in general but many companies pay for the cost of your visa, medical and /or tickets depending on the company’s policy. Besides this there are no other official costs.
What kind of CDC is required?
Best is your national CDC and if required in addition the CDC of the flagstate of the vessel.
Will I be able to get off the ship when the ship is in port and visit different countries?
Yes, depending on your duty roster (some crew have to be on duty even when in port) you are free to visit the ports of call during your off-duty hours, subject to local immigration laws. However, don’t expect to visit many places in a single visit as the hours allowed ashore are not very long for either the passengers or the crew.
Are there any recreational areas on a cruise ship for crew members?
Yes, cruise ships are normally equipped with a crew gym, a crew bar, and a crew deck with swimming pool, Jacuzzis, and sometimes even mini cricket and football pitches.
What are the policies of cruise lines towards use of drugs and narcotics?
The cruise lines follow a “zero tolerance” policy on drugs/narcotics. If any is found in possession, you automatically will lose your job and are disembarked immediately. You may even be tried in a court of law as per the laws of the country that you may be in and imprisoned. We should also caution you that cruise lines also have zero tolerance policy towards anti-social behavior like sexual harassment and racism, and such offenses can also be punishable by law, with penalty that could including imprisonment.
Why is it compulsory for me to be fluent in English?
You will be working on board with many nationalities among the crew and also passengers. You need to be able to communicate reasonably well with everybody, and since the common language is English, you need to understand, speak, read and write well in English. It is also mandatory that for some cruise lines the candidates have to pass an online English language test with the required minimum grade relevant to his or her position on board.
How long will it take to get the job?
Your age, your level of preparedness vis – a – vis your job requirements. (example: documents required).
How do I join ship?
- Firstly, find out about the department and position you want to apply for.
- Secondly, qualify yourself for the position. For example, to become a captain you can start as a deck cadet. Upon completion of the required sea time, you can then give your exams and so on. Or you can join as a seaman (pre-qualified). And upon completion of the required sea time, you can answer your exams and so on.
- If in hospitality, you would need to do the relevant hospitality course and gain some experience.
How do I know if the company is genuine?
- Firstly, you can visit the employer company’s website and check if the agency’s registered with them as recruitment and hiring partner.
- Secondly, check if the recruitment agency has the requisite recruitment license (RPSL).
- A genuine agency would not ask for any money or fees that are not officially sanctioned.
