Sea: working on a cruise liner

I've always wanted to run away to sea. Any chance of that?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

Yes, plenty. The cruise industry is booming at the moment and as they're basically floating hotels, you're well positioned to sail the seven seas. You can also crew on a private yacht or scuba diving boat if you wish. However, if you want a recognised company on your CV, stick to the cruise lines. Another thing to keep in mind is that most cruise companies are looking for staff of 21 years or older.

Do I have lots of choice?

There are 23 cruise companies with more than two ships sailing to international destinations, according to George Robertson of CTI, which recruits people for the cruise operators. And there are plenty of smaller companies that stick to just a few destinations.

How much of the world can I see?

The major cruise destinations are the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Australasia, with some in North and South America - the Panama Canal and up the Canadian coastline to Alaska, for example. And, of course, there are companies that offer world cruises, so you could always pick a port to start in and work a few months before disembarking on the other side of the world.

When do I pack my bags?

The world cruises operate all year round. The ships follow the sun, so they leave the Mediterranean in September or October and head for the Caribbean or South America for the British winter. Remember, however, that you'll be down below working while the guests are sipping cocktails on sun loungers.

What's the money like?

General entry level is about £1,200 a month and you won't pay taxes. If you're a waiter or bar server you may get paid as little as £200 a month, but will have guaranteed tipping and are likely to get extra tips, too.

What are the benefits?

Other than the obvious accommodation and food, companies will fly you out and back from the contract, so you can easily book a week or two's holiday in the final port destination before you come back to Blighty.

The good news is there are usually major discounts for family holidays. Work for the Disney Cruise lines and you can get into their theme parks at a substantial discount.

This sounds better and better - what else?

It is a fantastic way to save some money and also to get some solid experience in the industry. Clearly there's the benefit of travelling the world, but you may not see all that much of the port destinations as you may be working hard while the guests are out shopping in the markets.

OK, there's got to be a catch somewhere

There is. It's jolly hard work: seven days a week for the entire length of your contract. And the days are long - 10-14 hours in split shift is the average. The rooms could best be described as bijoux, and if you're going in a non-management capacity, you'll have to share your room with at least one other person. However, there are creature comforts - fridge, television, video - so it's not all bad.

Anything else I should know?

Cruise ships are also very multicultural so expect to be working with a very diverse group of people. Oh, yes, if you get seasick it may not be the job for you. However, most of the new ships are so stable it's sometimes hard to tell you're on the water at all - just don't watch Titanic or The Perfect Storm before setting out.

Job descriptions

Working on a cruise ship isn't that dissimilar to working in a hotel, but some of the job titles sound rather different. Remember also that things are more complicated on board because you can't just pop out if you run out of sugar or eggs. So planning skills are a must have for those who want to advance up the ranks.

Most of the modern ships are big places with a guest:staff ratio of two or three to one. This includes the engine room crew and the maintenance team, but you should still expect to be in charge of several other staff once you've started to climb the ranks.

Expect to start at the bottom, depending on your training at college and your work experience, and work your way up if you find you take to the waves.

Assistant purser:These are receptionists who work much as hotel receptionists. They do currency conversions, hotel information, billing for customers and staff.

Purser: They work in different areas. The Crew Purser pays the crew and does all the paperwork for those leaving and joining the crew. The Crew Purser also takes care of passports and health certification. The Purser Accommodation is the hotel equivalent of head housekeeper and is responsible for the passengers' and crew's sleeping quarters as well as the general cleanliness of the entire ship and the laundry facilities. The Purser Food and Beverage is the equivalent of the F&B manager in a hotel.

Deputy pursers (food and beverage):Because there are so many food outlets on board most of the new modern ships, the F&B purser has several deputies. They are the restaurant and bar managers for each operation on board.

Waiters:As normal, serving the customers.

Assistant waiters:Busboys (or girls).

Executive chef:Effectively the main co-ordinator who plans the food for the cruise. Also in charge of ensuring there are enough staff for future cruises. The ordering is done two cruises ahead of time, and the location of a ship will play a role. For example, the ship may be working the Mediterranean, but in two weeks will be heading for the Caribbean where different flavours will be expected.

Working chef:In charge of what is actually happening in all the galleys (kitchen). This is a hands-on chef role.

Sous chef:They are in charge of individual kitchens and report directly to the working chef. Each sous chef could have up to eight cook tournants reporting to him (or her).

Cook tournant, or chef de partie:They will be responsible for at least 20-30 more junior chefs known as Cook Ones or Cook Rounds (commis chefs) working under them.

Cook Ones:

Bar manager:Similar responsibilities as the executive chef.

Bartender:Responsible for writing the work rotas and ensuring there is enough crew and stock for future cruises. Can have up teams of up to 20 under him (or her).

Assistant bar tenders:These are the people who make the cocktails and drinks guests ask for. To get work in this role you'll need to be able to make 60-80 cocktails off the top of your head without referring to a recipe book.

Bar waiter:Their role is actively to sell drinks and a high knowledge of cocktails is required. At least 20 classic cocktails should be known by heart, and so if a customer asks for a vodka- or gin-based cocktail, the bar waiter can recommend one.

Bar boy or girl:In charge of the ice, fruit, keeping the bar stocked from the stores and doing the washing up.

Main players

There are lots of cruise companies out there so this list isn't comprehensive, but it provides an idea of who sails where. For more info on any of these companies look at www.cti-usa.com, which gives a breakdown of the cruise companies and more in-depth information.

• P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Cunard and Seabourn, Carnival Cruise Line and Saga Cruises all operate worldwide.
• Celebrity Cruises and Silver Sea operate in North and South America.
• Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line operate in the Caribbean and North and South America.
• Disney Cruise Line operates in the Caribbean.
• Festival Cruise Line operates in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean
• Radisson Seven Seas operates in the Mediterranean, the Baltics and the Caribbean.
• Fred Olsen Cruises operates in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Africa.
• Hebridean UK and Mediterranean Island Cruises operate in the Mediterranean and North America.
• Costa Cruise Line, Sun Cruises, Thomson Holidays and Louis Cruise Line operate in the Mediterranean.
• Star Cruise Line operates in the Far East.
• Imperium Cruises operates in the Middle East.

With thanks to George Robertson at recruitment consultants CTI for his assistance and information.