a community of practitioners

Cruise Ship Employment

The cruise ship spa industry is dominated by one major player, Steiner Leisure and a few smaller competitors like: Harding Bros, Mandara Spa, and Canyon Ranch.

There may be a few other sources of employment out there that I do not know about, perhaps serving niche markets like luxury yachts and smaller cruise vessels. That said, my attempts at researching the latter information has not sourced any good leads. Anyone else?

I know that private yachts will occasionally hire Massage Therapists and a search for 'yacht crew jobs' might find leads although the best way is a direct contact with an owner. That would be the key. Know any jet setters or celebs?

FYI Crew listings are usually free. I enlisted with some of those agencies years ago but never got any jobs as an MT. It may still be worth a try.

I would beware of "cruise job' sites that charge for membership or 'agencies' that charge a placement fee. These are scams. The way to go is to contact the employers I have listed here directly.

Here are a couple more links to concessionaries and cruise liners: Spaindex and Cruise Ship Portal.

May you find your sea legs.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie Wuebbels on December 9, 2009 at 6:12pm

Thank you for answering all of my questions I hope to hear from Stiener soon the OnBoard Spa I gave up on they keep saying that they did not get my e-mails and then I never would get one but they said they sent one then they told me that my app. was filed in the archives and I would have to start all over when I just sent it to them in Mid November so I gave up on them to unorganized for me Steiner so far has been very responsive and quick to respond. If someone else tries the other one good luck nothing serious just not the right fit for me. I will try to keep you up dated on my interview status. I have not tried any of the other ones yet. Again thank you for everything. Julie

Alex Frigino MT said:

Hi Julie,
sorry for the delayed reply but I had not logged in until now. Great questions. I will type in the answers in between your text below:

Julie Wuebbels said:
Hi Alex
well here it goes with the questions any answer you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Is it normal for them to ask for your certificates before the interview?
yes

How do you do taxes I have been told different things by different people like you don't pay taxes, or it is 20% of what you make?

if you are a US citizen you do your taxes like with any other job.

What kind of clothes should I bring,

Few but good ones: one or two gala/evening outfits, your beach duds, jeans, regular stuff for casual off duty wear. At work you'll be in a uniform.

personal hygiene products?

yes

Do they provide insurance?

liability for work stuff yes but not health insurance

Do they give vacations?

No. The end of a contract is when you go on 'vacation'.

I know I am basically on a vacation on a ship

Red ALERT! Do not even remotely begin to think this job will be a 'vacation'

but I expect to be working a lot from what I have read on this and other web sites.

Expect to be working hard enough that it will test the very limits of your physical endurance.

Do you work straight through the contract or do they break the months up?

straight

If they break the months up do they pay for the way to get home and back,

no breaks

do they pay for your way to the cruise ship period?

no they used to pay for you to be repatriated to where you boarded. I don't know how it is now.

Can you claim the schooling that I think they have you do as continuing education?

If they offer CEU's for it yes.

Do they pay you while you are learning?

nooo you pay for your travel and housing and various fees

Is there breaks in between cruises and if so where do you stay?

You stay on ship unless there's an overnight somewhere and you feel like you need to pay for a hotel for the distinction of land under your feet and a shower to yourself. There are usually no breaks between cruises. Sunday 1000 people disembark, 1000 new people embark, off you go again. Exceptions are when there is a big reposition of operations from one ocean to another. Then there may be a few days where the ship is in wet dock for provisioning and maintenance.

Do they bounce you from cruise ship to cruise ship or are you on the same cruise ship for the whole time of the contract?

same ship, they may bounce you around cabins, or bounce roommates thru your cabin. All additional bouncing courtesy of mother ocean.

Do they have a plan set up for emergencies that may arise at home, like funerals and accidents and health issues at home?

No plan. They will let you break contract only under these serious conditions and at your own cost.

Sorry for so many questions I will also be asking them to the person I get the interview with (when I get the interview it is frustrating when they ask for things that you have no way of sending them) but again thank you for any help I just would like a second set of eyes and answers from someone who has been there. Also of you think of any other Questions I should ask during the interview I would appreciate that.

You're welcome. Good luck! Alex

Best Regards,
Julie

Permalink Reply by Julie Wuebbels on January 18, 2010 at 12:07pm

I got a job interview on February 22 in Orlando Florida. With Steiner. I have my plane ticket hotel and rental car all booked. That was chore in a half. The plane ride will be an adventure in itself. I have only flown once and that was before 9/11. So wish me luck and if you can think of anything I can do to guarantee the job or any other questions I should ask Please let me know I value your input. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope I get the job I need the money and would love the experience. I will keep you all posted as often as I can. Thank You to all that has helped me on this journey. Jewels

Permalink Reply by Alex Frigino on January 20, 2010 at 10:56am

Hi Julie,
that is exciting news! Please keep us posted. I hope it will be a lot of fun. As you fact-find further, stay tuned to the bottom line. Don't let them pressure you into foregoing sound math in your decisions. If this path is meant for you (and if it fits in your personal adventure's grand design) it will happen.
Good luck,
Alex

Julie Wuebbels said:

I got a job interview on February 22 in Orlando Florida. With Steiner...

Permalink Reply by Joseph Williams on February 7, 2010 at 9:45pm

Cruise ships was my origanl goal and dream as massage therapist...i have not cruised yet but i still have that desire. I planned to move to austin this summer but if i could get a position on a cruise ship i would take it in a heart beat.

Permalink Reply by Alex Frigino on February 12, 2010 at 12:17pm

Hi Joseph,
welcome to the group! Fond memories of Waco (ex-bear) but Austin remains one of my favorite US cities. Lots of spas and private practice opportunities for MT's. The lake provides the fun aspects of the cruising life with none of the hassles: waterskiing, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, swimming. I trust you will find your groove there.
Keep in touch,
Alex

Joseph Williams said:

Cruise ships was my origanl goal and dream as massage therapist...i have not cruised yet but i still have that desire. I planned to move to austin this summer but if i could get a position on a cruise ship i would take it in a heart beat.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Williams on February 13, 2010 at 3:01am

Hi Alex,
Well that makes me feel better, because I thought my excitement about Austin was simply due to the fact I have never lived any where else out side of Waco. I look forward to growing as both as an individual and a professional in Austin. Thanks so very much for boosting my confidence in my relocation.
Highly appreciated,
Joseph

Permalink Reply by Joseph Matties on February 16, 2010 at 8:57am

Hey Alex,

You make it sound like being on a cruise ship isn't the best life. Is there any upside to being on one? Is the money good? About how much would you say you could take home a week? You also said no breaks. Does that mean that you work 7 days a week? I was thinking of working on one of these ships when I first started school. Not really into the idea of it anymore but I thought it might be a good way to save up money? Is there a chance for any fun out there at all? I realize it's not a vacation because your out there to work. Do they let you determine weather or not you can handle 12hr shifts of non stop massages. How long did you work on the ships? I guess I'm trying to see a plus side to it all. If it is really all that bad then why do people work out there?

Thank you,

Joe

Permalink Reply by Alex Frigino on March 9, 2010 at 4:50pm

Thanks Joseph. Yes I think you're gonna love it there. Please keep in touch. Best regards, Alex

Joseph Williams said:

Hi Alex,
Well that makes me feel better, because I thought my excitement about Austin was simply due to the fact I have never lived any where else out side of Waco. I look forward to growing as both as an individual and a professional in Austin. Thanks so very much for boosting my confidence in my relocation.
Highly appreciated,
Joseph

Permalink Reply by Alex Frigino on March 9, 2010 at 5:15pm

Hi Joseph,

thanks for joining the group. Yes plenty of fun and, for the me I was back then, plenty of upsides: the views, the travel, the people, the energy was over the top (music, theater, watersports, white sands, blue waters:) the buffets were yummi (how about pizza, chinese, seafood, beef, chicken, and lobster_ in the same meal!...lol!)

You make money but you work HARD for it. In choosing this, consider the opportunity costs. If you were to work just as hard on land for the same six months, set-up your practice right, market it right, be studious, and adhere to the hippocratic oath, you would have enough disposable income to soon go cruising as a passenger and RECEIVE the massages. If you are going to do it for the money, be warned.

Until I hear differently from someone recently disembarked or from a rep of one of the concessionaries that things have changed I will have to hold the main downside points on record as being:
1)low pay
2)long hours

For your more quantitative questions please read through my other posts and replies to the group.

Best regards,
Alex

Joseph Matties said:

Hey Alex,

You make it sound like being on a cruise ship isn't the best life. Is there any upside to being on one? Is the money good? About how much would you say you could take home a week? You also said no breaks. Does that mean that you at bad then why do people work out there?

Thank you,

Joe

Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on April 12, 2010 at 5:56pm

Natalee Law and Ethics in the State of Florida for the First time is 10 hours of Law and I think 4 of Ethics. Wherever did 100 hours come from? Even the review every 2 years is only 8 hours for Law, Ethics, HIV, and Medical Errors.

Natalee Tate said:

Dear Alex,
I've been skimming your posts over the past few weeks, and I find all of your information useful. I'm still tossing around the idea of working on a cruise line, but I think I'm going to go ahead and apply. One question I have for you that I don't think I've seen answered: Will I need to be nationally certified as opposed to state certified in order to work? Also, I know that even if you are nationally certified, Florida still requires a MT to complete another (100 hour?) course in law and ethics in order to work in that state. Being from New Jersey, I would assume I would have to complete this course? Thanks for taking time to reply :)

Natalee

Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on July 3, 2011 at 1:48am

Steiner's faq listed hundreds of dollars the applicant must pay out of pocket, and the faq does not provide you with even a round about figure of earnings potential.