🌊 How I Got Hired on a Cruise Ship — My Journey After the Pandemic
I’ve shared before about some of my training days way back in 2022. So for those who’ve been following me, you probably know that yes — wearing a life jacket has become part of my life since I started working on a cruise ship.
One of the most common questions I get is:
“How did you get hired?”
Whenever people see my posts from different ports on social media, that’s what they want to know. So here’s my honest answer:
✨ You need to be mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially prepared.
And not just you — the people supporting you need to be prepared too. Why? Because when you’re financially drained (and trust me, it happens!), your supporters will be one of your best sources of strength.
💛 Shoutout to my sister Lani — thank you again for always being there!
🚢 Chasing My Dream After the Pandemic
In 2022, after the pandemic, I decided to go after my dream job again — working on a cruise ship.
It felt like starting over from zero. I had to renew all my documents. I did get hired by a company, but I was placed on the lineup because my documents had expired.
📌 Basic Requirements & Trainings (Philippines)
If you’re planning to work on a cruise ship too, here’s a simple checklist:
✅ Passport + Government IDs — NBI Clearance, SSS, PhilHealth, BIR/TIN, Pag-IBIG
✅ Seaman’s Book — your “other passport” as a seafarer
✅ Trainings — There are many training centers in the Philippines. Required trainings usually include:
Basic Training
Ship and Security Awareness
Safety Training
Crowd Management
✅ Vaccinations — During my application time, the COVID-19 vaccine was required. You’ll also need:
Yellow fever vaccine
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine from the Bureau of Quarantine
⏳ Tips
For all of this, you’ll need:
💸 Money — Yes, it’s an investment.
🧘♀️ Patience — Government processes will really test this.
💪 A positive mindset — Enjoy your trainings! Jump if they say jump!
After preparing all the necessary documents, it’s time to apply for a job.
For me, it’s better to complete all the requirements first before applying so you’ll be ready and look like a well-prepared, complete package.
As for companies, I’ll share three here in the Philippines where you can apply and upload all your documents.
🌊 Royal Caribbean International
One of the largest cruise companies in the world.
Their ships, like Spectrum of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas, often visit Manila, Boracay, and Cebu as part of Asian or Southeast Asian itineraries.
Known for innovative ships with attractions like skydiving simulators, surf simulators, and robotic bartenders.
🌊 Princess Cruises (part of Carnival Corporation)
Frequently calls at ports such as Manila, Puerto Princesa, and Davao.
Popular with North American, Australian, and European tourists visiting the Philippines as part of larger Asia-Pacific cruises.
Known for elegant ships and focus on premium service.
🌊 Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Includes Philippine destinations in Southeast Asia itineraries.
Some ships that visit: Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Spirit.
Known for freestyle cruising (no fixed dining times, flexible dress codes).
💡 Note:
➡ These are foreign cruise lines, but they often hire a large number of Filipino crew and officers.
➡ The Philippines also has smaller local cruise or expedition operators (like 2GO Travel for ferry-style cruising or Discovery Fleet for diving and adventure cruises), but they are not considered major international cruise ship companies.
Here’s a cleaned-up and polished version of your whole message:
📌 Medical, Visa, and Plane Ticket
You might be wondering why medical exams, visas, and plane tickets aren’t included in your list of requirements. Well, once you get hired, the company will take care of all of those. Yes, they do!
For the medical exam, the company has accredited hospitals here in the Philippines that handle all laboratory tests and other procedures. You just need to choose the branch closest to you, make an appointment, and show up healthy. That’s it. If any issues are found, you’ll need a second opinion from another hospital to get a “fit for duty” certification. Just a heads-up—you’ll have to pay for that yourself. That’s why I mentioned earlier that it’s important to show up healthy. By the way, medical exams are only required every two years, so take good care of yourself both onboard and during your vacation.
For the visa, your company will schedule it for you. You just need to submit the required documents, and they will email you your appointment schedule. All you have to do is show up dressed formally.
As for the plane ticket, you’re almost ready to go! The company will provide that as well. Just print your travel itinerary from your company account, bring it with you to check-in, and you’ll receive your ticket then. TIP: You can choose your seat when you check in online. Go for the window seat!
🌊My story
“How did you get hired?”
I am a college graduate with a course of Associate Hotel and Restaurant Management then after that I took vocational course from TESDA Housekeeping NC II and Food & Beverages NC II. I worked in a Korean Restaurant then after that move to milk tea shop then work as a seafarer here in Philippines, 2017 then international, 2022 after pandemic. Yep I'm seven years mermaid. Hahahahaha!
Renewing my documents was very tough. It took money, patience, and brought a lot of self-doubt. I kept wondering if I should continue or not. I was put on a line-up after passing one interview, but I had to renew my training. At that time, I was still in the middle of my training. That’s why I’m telling you — it’s better if you already have all your training and documents ready, so the employer or recruiter sees you as a complete package and ready to go. But things happened, so what could I do? I moved on and tried again with our company.
Then Royal Caribbean found me. That’s my dream company, and honestly, I didn’t expect anything at all — I just prayed. I was invited to a mass hiring event of Royal Caribbean, together with my close friend Jelli. When we arrived at the hotel where the hiring event was held, I felt like I didn’t have a chance because there were so many candidates.
I got interviewed for the job I was applying for — Public Area Attendant — and then they interviewed me for another job that suited my experience: Linen Attendant on a ferry vessel here in the Philippines. They offered me the position of Linen Keeper. They asked about my past job duties, and that was it. We were there the whole day, and I couldn’t imagine that I would actually get it.
When I got home, I received the job offer before I even fell asleep. That night, I was with my 1-year-old nephew — I was babysitting him while waiting for my chance to become a mermaid (hahaha!). I jumped for joy all by myself. I messaged my eldest sister and cried tears of happiness — smiling with my eyes, heart, and soul. And I thanked God.
After one week I think I got the letter of employment which is the confirmation that I am officially ROYAL! I will not forget that day. It was a sunny morning, I'm still on my bed and checking it. I cried first alone then jump on my bed then run to my eldest sister. And we both cried while jumping with happy heart. I GOT IT, THANKS FOR BELIEVING!
Then I started doing medical, visa then packing then go!
What a dream to chase and what a dream to be live.
You know everytime I'm going back to ship from my shoreleave I still can't even believe that I'm on that country then when i saw the our ship I always asked myself "I'm working there?" And my Dad once tell me until now he can't even believe also. I'm her child telling him before that I don't like to go college yet because I dunno what I want to be or what course I'll be taking but still I go. Well that child will be so proud of me right now!!!
Don't stop to trust all the things in the universe or what you call it. Just trust and thank later. It's difficult but worth it at the end!
My last contract was in Japan, YES DUDE JAAAAAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!