Certifications That Help You Get Hired
Cruise ships operate like floating cities and behind the scenes are dozens of departments working together to keep everything running smoothly. Whether you’re dreaming of traveling the world while you work or starting a long‑term career at sea, understanding the departments is the first step.
Below is a complete breakdown of the main cruise ship departments, the entry‑level and advanced roles and the degrees or certifications that can help you land the job.
1. DECK DEPARTMENT (Navigation & Safety)
The team that drives the ship and ensures maritime safety.
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Ordinary Seaman (OS)
• Able Seaman (AB)
• Deck Cadet
• Quartermaster
MID‑LEVEL
• Third Officer
• Second Officer
• Safety Officer
• Bosun
SENIOR
• First Officer
• Staff Captain
• Captain (Master)
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Maritime Studies / Nautical Science degree
• STCW Basic Safety Training (mandatory)
• STCW Security Awareness
• GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (for officers)
• Bridge Resource Management
2. ENGINE DEPARTMENT (Technical, Mechanical & Utilities)
The ship’s power plant: Engines, electricity, water, HVAC and waste systems.
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Wiper
• Motorman
• Engine Cadet
• Plumber Assistant
• Electrician Assistant
MID‑LEVEL
• Junior Engineer
• Plumber
• Electrician
• HVAC Technician
• Refrigeration Technician
SENIOR
• First Engineer
• Staff Engineer
• Chief Engineer
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Marine Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• HVAC / Refrigeration Certifications
• STCW Engineering Certifications
3. HOTEL DEPARTMENT
This is the largest department onboard: Everything guests see, touch and experience.
A. GUEST SERVICES DIVISION
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Guest Services Associate
• Crew Office Assistant
• Purser Trainee
MID‑LEVEL
• Guest Services Supervisor
• Clearance/ Administration officer
• Crew Purser
• Events Supervisor
• Lead Navigator / Internet Officer
• Crew Purser
SENIOR
• Guest Services Manager
• Hotel Director
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Hospitality Management
• Tourism Management
• Business Administration
• Accounting (for night audit)
• STCW Basic Safety Training
B. HOUSEKEEPING DIVISION
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Cabin Steward
• Public Area Cleaner
• Laundry Attendant
MID‑LEVEL
• Assistant Housekeeper
• Laundry Supervisor
SENIOR
• Housekeeping Manager
• Executive Housekeeper
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Hospitality / Housekeeping Management
• Hotel experience
• STCW Basic Safety Training
C. FOOD & BEVERAGE (F&B) DIVISION
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Buffet Steward
• Assistant Waiter
• Bar Utility
• Room Service Attendant
MID‑LEVEL
• Bartender
• Restaurant Server
• Sommelier
• Bar Supervisor
• Dining Room Supervisor
SENIOR
• Restaurant Manager
• Bar Manager
• Food & Beverage Manager
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Hospitality & Restaurant Management
• Bartending Certifications
• Food Safety & Hygiene Certifications
• STCW Basic Safety Training
D. CULINARY / GALLEY DIVISION
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Galley Utility
• Commis Chef
• Cook Assistant
MID‑LEVEL
• Chef de Partie
• Pastry Chef
• Baker
• Butcher
SENIOR
• Sous Chef
• Executive Sous Chef
• Executive Chef
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Culinary Arts
• Baking & Pastry Arts
• HACCP / Food Safety
• STCW Basic Safety Training
E. SHORE EXCURSIONS (SHOREX)
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Shore Excursion Sales Associate
• Tour Escort Assistant
MID‑LEVEL
• Shore Excursion Supervisor
SENIOR
• Shore Excursion Manager
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Tourism Management
• Hospitality
• Travel & Leisure Studies
• Customer Service Training
• STCW Basic Safety Training
F. RETAIL, SPA, CASINO & PHOTOGRAPHY
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Retail Associate
• Spa Receptionist
• Photographer
• Casino Dealer Trainee
MID‑LEVEL
• Spa Therapist
• Fitness Instructor
• Photo Gallery Supervisor
• Casino Dealer
SENIOR
• Spa Manager
• Retail Manager
• Casino Manager
• Photo Manager
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Sales & Marketing
• Cosmetology / Massage Therapy License
• Fitness Certifications
• Photography Courses
• Casino Dealer School
• STCW Basic Safety Training
G. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Junior Accountant
• Payroll Assistant
• Finance Assistant
• Night Auditor
MID‑LEVEL
• Inventory Accountant
• Cost Controller
• Assistant Financial Controller
SENIOR
• Financial Controller
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Accounting
• Finance
• Business Administration
• Economics
• CPA / ACCA (advantage)
• STCW Basic Safety Training
H. PROCUREMENT, INVENTORY
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Storekeeper Assistant
• Provision Assistant
• Printer
MID‑LEVEL
• Storekeeper
• Inventory Controller
SENIOR
• Provision Master
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Supply Chain Management
• Logistics
• Business Administration
• Inventory Management Certifications
• STCW Basic Safety Training
4. ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Activities Host
• Youth Staff
• DJ
• Character Performer
MID‑LEVEL
• Stage Technician
• Entertainment Host
• Assistant Cruise Director
• Activity Manager
SENIOR
• Cruise Director
• Entertainment Director
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Performing Arts
• Music / Dance / Theater
• Education / Childcare (for youth staff)
• Event Management
• STCW Basic Safety Training
5. SECURITY DEPARTMENT
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Security Guard
• X‑Ray Scanner Operator
MID‑LEVEL
• Security Supervisor
• CCTV Operator
SENIOR
• Deputy Security Officer
• Chief Security Officer
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Criminology
• Security Management
• Military / Police Background
• STCW Crowd Management
• STCW Security Duties
6. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Medical Assistant
• Nurse
MID‑LEVEL
• Senior Nurse
• Paramedic
SENIOR
• Ship Doctor
• Chief Medical Officer
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Nursing Degree (RN)
• Medical Degree (MD)
• Emergency Medicine Certifications
• ACLS / BLS
• STCW Medical Care
7. SANITATION & ENVIRONMENTAL
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• Sanitation Utility
• Waste Management Assistant
MID‑LEVEL
• Sanitation Supervisor
• Environmental Technician
SENIOR
• Sanitation Officer
• Environmental Officer
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Sanitation & Hygiene Certifications
• STCW Environmental Compliance
8. HUMAN RESOURCES & CREW WELFARE
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• HR Assistant
• Training Assistant
MID‑LEVEL
• Crew Welfare Officer
• Training Officer
SENIOR
• HR Manager
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Human Resources
• Psychology
• Business Administration
• STCW Basic Safety Training
9. IT & COMMUNICATIONS
ENTRY‑LEVEL
• IT Technician
• AV Assistant
MID‑LEVEL
• Network Administrator
• AV Supervisor
SENIOR
• IT Manager
CERTIFICATIONS / SCHOOL
• Information Technology
• Computer Science
• Networking Certifications (Cisco, CompTIA)
• AV / Broadcast Certifications
• STCW Basic Safety Training
What matters most is experience, attitude, and the willingness to work hard.
