Data collected by trade industry publication Cruise Industry News has revealed that cruise lines are expected to hire 20,000 new crew members to run the new ships launching in 2025.
The ships launching in 2025 will add approximately 40,000 new guest berths to the cruise industry, meaning that with a guest-to-crew ratio that averages 2.5:1, that’s around 16,000 new jobs that will be needed to cover the workload.
However, when you then add another 20% to cover for vacation time/contract lengths, that means it’s estimated that around 20,000 people will join the workforce for the year.
There are over 60 cruise ships set to enter service in the next decade, many of which will have capacity for over 2,000 crew members.
It’s estimated that in total, around 75,000 new crew members are going to be hired by 2036, and that’s barring any further announcements from cruise lines about new ships in that timeframe.
Of course, there’s a high likelihood that several cruise ships may be sold or scrapped in that same time period, but many of these will be older ships, which are much smaller than many of the newest ones.
Even when a new ship replaces an old one, more new jobs will be created.
So, if you’ve any interest in working in the cruise industry, now’s a great time to get your application forms in with the various cruise lines!
Related posts
- How To Get a Job on a Cruise Ship (No Experience Needed!)
- The 5 Best Cruise Lines To Work For
- 11 Nightmare Stories from Cruise Ship Workers
- Dream Jobs at Sea: The Top Roles Cruisers Would Love To Do!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Passenger Brawl With Thrown Chairs Results In Cruise Bans
What began as a laid-back afternoon on the lido deck quickly descended into chaos aboard Carnival Sunrise over the weekend, when a physical altercation broke out between multiple guests. The…
Cruise Line Testing 45-Minute Dinner Options
Carnival Cruise Line is piloting a new express dining experience aboard Carnival Vista, designed to offer guests a quicker mealtime option after a full day exploring ashore. The trial is…
Hero Crew Member Saves Guests From Falling Glass On Cruise
Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas experienced a tense moment on 8th June 2025 when a large window at the Coastal Kitchen restaurant unexpectedly shattered as the ship…
Crew Member’s Lucky Escape After Overboard Incident
A crew member aboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa was successfully rescued after falling overboard in Souda-Chania, Crete, Greece, on 3rd June, 2025. The incident occurred in the afternoon while the…
