The recruitment process starts with submitting your application to us. You can do that using our Registration Form
We as your Hiring Agents need to get your CV/Resume in English language – you can attach it to your initial application.
If you do not have an up-to-date Resume ready, or need help composing one, you may use any web based CV builder or use professional service of TrainYourBrain online platform.
If your application meets basic requirements* for the desired position, we will respond to you by email with the link to our calendar where you can choose date and time and register for the online meeting with one of our recruiters that we call “pre-screen interview”.
Note that we usually respond to all applicants within 3 workdays even if we have to deny them right away based on the position requirements such as age, language knowledge, citizenship, experience level etc. Thus if you did not get any answer within a week or if your personal data or experience changes with the time, you may re-apply again.
*you may read more on the criteria and general requirements HERE
We are appointed by several cruise line employers to pre-select only suitable candidates for their openings. Thus we have to check your experience, skills and language knowledge to make sure you fit the position applied.
Pre-screen interview is an online video conversation with one of our recruiters in order to determine which position / cruise company you might be suitable for, and answer any of your questions.
You can browse the positions and openings on our job portal HERE selecting from the drop lists based on department or cruise company, read job descriptions with the requirements, and also you may submit your application there if not done yet.
If your position knowledge or English is not up to the standard, do not get upset – read the next step on how you can get ready for the interview.
Pre-screen interview takes about 20 min. and at the end of it you will know your next step – either you need additional pre-interview preparation or you can start collecting documents for a job interview with the chosen cruise line employer right away.
Note that if a candidate fails pre-screen, we usually schedule another assessment only in 6 months except cases when you take online interview preparation training as recommended by our recruiters.
This step is important for those who want to improve their knowledge, feel more confident, and get ready to meet the employer.
Usually only 5% of applicants correspond to the employers’ requirements if they do not spend time and effort preparing for the job interview.
The other 95% have faults in one or even multiple components of the successful application such as documents set, confidence, attitude, experience, awareness, language knowledge etc.
How can you get prepared and maximize your chance to pass the job interview and to get a good position? First of all, take it seriously and invest time and efforts into preparation.
For example you may use professional training with the trusted online training such as TrainYourBrain platform, and afterwards come back to us for another Pre-screen interview.
We know from our experience that your success depends on choosing the right position and preparing well for the job interview.
Time frame between your initial application and the job interview with the employer may vary depending on circumstances – sometimes we have immediate interviews, but also there are planned monthly requisitions and even recruitment tours for new ships or seasons that we plan months ahead.
You can ask our recruiters what to expect with your desired position and chosen cruise company to make the right choice.
In any case it is always a good idea to apply with us in advance, especially if your desired position is rarely open.
Once you are approved by us, we will be able to add you to the interview list once you collect and submit all necessary documents.
Before the job interview with your chosen cruise company you will have to present to our agency certain documents, and these would usually be the following:
- Travel Passport copy (sometimes all pages scan may be needed)
- 1 passport-size photo (please smile! – it is indeed important how you look on the photo)
- Recommendations/references/evaluations/appraisals from the previous work places either in English or translated into English
- For certain positions – copies of Diplomas or/and certificates proving your qualification.
- Cruise companies often require also to fill their application, personal data, acknowledgement or other forms.
- Some cruise companies require to pass online assessments/tests prior to job interview (language knowledge test, professional test, psychological test, etc.)
- Service Agreement with Ismira Agency to be signed electronically.
Our recruiter will send the list of needed documents to your email and will lead you through the process.
All employers prefer to conduct personal tet-a-tet interviews, but nowadays online interviews are happening more frequently using different platforms chosen by the employer such as Teams, Zoom, Skype etc.
Once cruise companies schedule exact date of the interview, we send invitations by email to our applicants on the waiting list if they had submitted all needed documents.
Some employer may also conduct pre-interview presentations, and participation is mandatory. Note that any no-show without notice to either presentation or interview will dismiss you from the application process, so make sure to inform us on any emergencies or if you change your mind.
If you were successful at the interview with a cruise company’s representative, you will receive the approval confirmation letter by email that you need to accept. Note that for some positions there might be needed 2nd interview with operations department, so you may need to wait longer for the result of job interview.
Remember that number of openings and interview spots is always limited, thus the employer will choose the best ones from our pre-selected candidates.
If you were unsuccessful and got denied at the interview this time, please don’t give up! We will try our best to find out the reason, and so you can try again with another employer, and be better prepared next time.
If you successfully passed the job interview and got the approval confirmation letter with the job offer, first of all we congratulate you! It means you did a great job to achieve your first goal, and we are really proud of you!
Next step of the recruitment process is to wait for the ship assignment. Sometimes we have urgent openings, and need candidates ready to join immediately after the job interview, whereas usually cruise companies select candidates for their employment pool in order to gradually place them within the next 6-12 months. Usually positions from larger departments (culinary, housekeeping, restaurant) move quicker than small departments (guest relations, entertainment, sales, casino).
Note that waiting time may be longer only for first time joiners, whereas once you start working on board you will have your vacation and next joining dates planned in advance as per crew rotation schedule.
Meanwhile you can start processing document for joining, and we need to make sure your data is entered to the employer’s database with correct availability to start employment date and notice needed for you to resign from current job.
During waiting time you can live your normal live, continue working and do not resign until you receive ship assignment. We also recommend to keep your current job until you pass medical exam and obtain necessary visas.
It is very important to inform us on any changes in your documents or your employment intentions so that we can effectively manage your employment process.
We regularly request and monitor ship assignments with your cruise line, but only the employer’s scheduling team can actually plan your sign on date.
Once we receive your ship assignment from the employer, we need to confirm it keeping in mind the time needed to process all joining documents – visa, medical exam, certificates etc. This is when we urgently contact you by email / social medial/ messenger, and need your reply immediately. Thus make sure you keep in touch with us providing with valid contact information and update us with any change.
Usually cruise companies offer joining up to 3 times, and if you decline all offers or ask to postpone each time, the company may remove you from the pool of applicants, and you would need to pass job interview again.
And when you finally get your joining date, we will send to you the assignment notification email with the instructions and time line for joining documents.
Note that you can not choose vessel or itinerary, as only existing crew may place such requests while on board. Moreover that, your ship assignment when received and confirmed may still change any time to earlier or later date if you do not submit documents on time or due to company operational needs.
All joining crew members must be fit for duty after passing Medical Examination for Seafarers. In order to place you on the ship your cruise company must be sure that you are healthy, can handle the job, and perform rescue operations in case of any emergency at sea.
This requirement is based on International Maritime Law, but each cruise line may establish their own medical forms, procedures, and approved doctors list depending on the vessel flag.
It is possible but not guaranteed that you can pass medical examination in your home city/country, as the nearest approved doctor may be located even in neighboring country.
Medical examination usually has up to 2 years validity, so you will need to renew it after 1-2 contracts or revalidate certain lab tests.
Vaccination requirements are mandatory for ocean going ships and may also depend on the itinerary. Before you start medical examination it is important to find your vaccination record from childhood, as some of them are valid 10 years or even for the life time.
Remember that each cruise company has its own requirements for passing medical exam and the amount of tests you need to take. Therefore you should always follow the instructions received from us and and cooperate with our placement managers.
United States C1D (transit / crew member’s visa) is required for majority cruise companies with a few exceptions when they have ships sailing in Asia or Europe only. Thus you would have to obtain visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate in person before starting your contract. Note that this visa does not grant you a right to work, travel or study in USA, so you would break the law if you decide to use it for the purposes other than joining the ship.
Other visas might be needed to join the ship or serve on board depending on your nationality and ship itinerary, such as Schengen visas, UK transit visa, Australian eVisitor or MCV visa, Brazil crew visa etc.
River cruise ships if sailing in Europe usually require D type German visa from non-EU citizens, therefore such cruise companies prefer to recruit EU citizens to avoid issues with quotas and visas.
Your Hiring Agency shall provide you with the instructions on the required visas once your ship assignment received. You may also order visa support as additional service that includes filing application, getting appointment and personal visa specialist’s consultations on visa interview and other steps.
Note that joining visa consular fee is reimbursed not including your travel expenses to the Embassy, so do not forget to bring your payment receipt to the ship.
Depending on the cruise company and your position you may need to be trained on specific safety duties and receive safety certificates in accordance with the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) International Convention and Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
Usually hotel department crew needs to hold certificates for Basic Safety Training, Crowd & Crisis Management Training, and Security Awareness Training. Only a few cruise companies conduct these trainings on board and issue certificates to their crew, whereas majority of crew members need to obtain those before joining.
Note also that some positions need to hold specialized certificates such as Designated Security Duties for security personnel, Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boat for marine crew, Water Safety Certificate for Aquatic Attendants, CPR Certification for Youth Staff etc.
You may also need to hold Seaman’s Book (Seaman’s Identity Card or Seaman’s Discharge Book) in order to join ships of certain cruise lines or itineraries.
We as your Hiring Agent will provide you with information on the requirements and procedures of obtaining these documents when needed.
Joining the ship especially for the first time may look as very complex process, but in fact it may be structured and easy if you do everything step by step as instructed by the Hiring Agent, as we are here to help you prepare for joining.
Before you travel to the ship it is mandatory for us to timely collect, check and upload to the employer’s system all your documents such as visas, medical exam, safety certificates, residence proof, all your signed forms & documents (job offer, employment contract, company policies, acknowledgements etc, etc.)
First joining ticket is provided by majority of cruise lines (there might be exceptions depending on the cruise company and your position). Repatriation and returning to the next contract tickets are also covered by cruise companies. The airline tickets for seafarers are booked at marine fare either by cruise company or by your Hiring Agent, and entered to the employer’s system so that the entry and travel arrangements are timely processed by the respective Port Agent in advance.
Marine fare tickets may be not the cheapest option, but they allow last minute cancellations at no fee, and in most cases include additional luggage items. Your Hiring Agent is fully responsible for your first joining to be timely and orderly, therefore taking risks is not acceptable.
When all the required documents are ready, your joining date may still be altered any time as per company operational needs.
You need to keep in touch with your Hiring Agent to resolve any last minute unexpected situations.
Before joining the ship, you will get the joining instructions from us and we will be available for you even while you fly in case you need some help. Note that after you start your journey to the ship you will also be able to contact Travel Emergency Team or Port Agent for their assistance.
Make sure that your phone + charger will be working abroad, and take some cash and/or bank card with minimum 200$ to use this money if you need to buy food due to flight delays or take a taxi if you miss the shuttle bus.
Always carry all your documents and forms in your hand luggage – never pack them to check-in suitcase as it may get lost, and consequently you will be denied boarding the ship without medical exam or safety certificates.