Are you considering a career in cruise-ships? Wait! Before you respond with an enthusiastic 'YES', consider whether you are what your potential employers are looking for. Put your dreams into perspective and find out whether you are ready for life and career on board. If you are then read on to lend yourself the sheen and finesse ideally suited to a cruise boat employee.

Let us proceed through a checklist to see what you need to make it to that sailing beauty:

· First up EXPERIENCE. Don't fret former experience in this particular line is not a must, however it helps to have had a shave with the hospitality industry back on the land. Another advantage is the range of experiences the cruise line inductry is willing to accomodate, for instance if you are looking toward a particular job where you need to deal with people on a regular basis then any prior experience in fields where good communication skill is crucial can fetch you a thumbs up.

· STANDARD OF SERVICE, when you are working on a cruise ship you can rest assured that the service rendered by you, no matter what it is, is expected to be A 1. These passengers pay good money to sail in the cruise boat, and the owners know it, therefore what they need is top class service worthy of the good pay. So in case you are considering a job in their Bar or Catering or House keeping department your service is expected to be nothing short of five star standards.

· PROFFESIANALISM, scores a top score in the priority list of most cruise owners. While its not easy to maintain it through long hours of work on board, the management will expect you not only to take pride in your work but also to excel in your service every day.

· RELIABILITY is of the greatest concern to cruise owners who have to usually deal with dozens of employees who get attracted to cruise based jobs mostly as a fad quotient. Your credibilty needs to convince them that you will not desert the ship in some exotic locale once the initial novelty is lost, and will last at least the tenure of your contract (usually six months) with them. Most cruise owners get cold feet at the thought of replacing staff at some unknown port and hence are cynical about recruiting individuals who give the impression of giving the job at a cruise ship a go just for the heck of it. Make sure you duly convince them that the employment would matter to you as a long term career goal and is not infact a momentary decision.

· Like the rest of the hospitality industry PRESENTATION is of utmost significance to your employers. You will be expected as an employee of the ship to be well turned out every single day of the tenure of your contract. Especially if you are keeping an office that requires you to be in constant contact with the passengers. Remember how you look will be a matter of scrutiny by everyone, so no unwaxed brows or undone nails, no seams on the shirts no untied laces or loose buttons.

· HARD WORK and ENTHUSIASM, these old school qualities fetches you points everywhere, and especially here. You really want to prove your enthusiasm for the job and your willingness to put in all you got into it, DO NOT even by chance give the impression of a person who is used to 9 to 5 sort of jobs and prefers to sleep in on weekends.

· SMILE and be CHEERFUL cause your potential job will require you to do so. Long hours and back breaking jobs not withstanding you will be required to provide service with a smile. Your duty as a staff member on board includes making the passengers feel at home and a cheerful face and pleasant attitude are its basic ingredients.

Once you polish yourself fine, keeping those pointers in mind you will be ready to vroom into a cruise line job. Happy sailing!

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