Dream Jobs at Sea: The Top Roles Cruisers Would Love To Do!

If you’ve ever cruised before, you’ll have had plenty of interactions with the crew. Whether it’s your cabin attendant making sure your room is spotless, or the bartender serving up your favourite drink, they all try to do it with a smile.

But what jobs would cruise passengers love to do if they were the ones working on a ship? They’ve seen it from the guests’ perspective, so what jobs look like the best?

I asked cruisers on Facebook for their dream cruise jobs and these are the top answers!

1. Captain

A Cunard cruise captain, dressed in a formal navy uniform with gold stripes on the sleeves, stands on the ship's deck holding a white captain's hat. The background features the ship's deck with potted plants and part of the ship's structure, under a clear blue sky, creating a professional and maritime ambiance.

The role of the captain is a dream for many, often seen as the pinnacle of authority and responsibility aboard the ship.

Captains command respect and have a significant influence over the entire cruise operation, making it an appealing position for those who love leadership and adventure.

You get to see the world, and it’s a nice title to be able to feel like you’ve earned. Captain Cruise Mummy has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

Also, of all the roles available on a ship, it pays pretty darn well! So I’m sure that’s part of the appeal too.

2. Cruise Director

A Carnival cruise director is engaging with a lively audience in a large theater on the ship. The director, holding a microphone, stands on stage as numerous audience members raise their hands enthusiastically. The theater is filled with passengers seated in comfortable chairs, enjoying the interactive entertainment under warm, vibrant lighting.

Cruise directors are the life and soul of the ship, responsible for entertainment and activities.

This job is popular due to its dynamic nature, social interactions, and the opportunity to be at the centre of guest experiences.

You get to organise all the fun things onboard with your entertainment team, and spend your day interacting with guests to make sure they’re having the best time possible.

Many cruise directors get quite the fanbase – that’s why so many Carnival fans love to keep up to date with the Carnival Cruise Director Schedule, so they can even plan a cruise around who they’re sailing with.

3. Shore Excursion Manager

A shore excursion manager is discussing shore excursions with a couple at a travel desk, with brochures and promotional materials displayed. The setting appears to be an upscale, elegant lobby, emphasizing personalized service and luxury travel planning.

Managing shore excursions allows for interaction with guests while organising exciting trips at various ports.

I’ll be honest, I was a little surprised at how highly this placed on the list, but then when you think about it, it does make sense.

The role is a mix of planning, travel, and guest engagement, providing a taste of the destinations visited. You often have to try the excursions yourself too, to make sure they’re suitable – and that’s a pretty nice responsibility to have.

4. Bartender

Two bartenders are working behind a well-stocked bar on a cruise ship. They are dressed in matching uniforms, with one bartender preparing a drink while the other smiles and looks on. The bar area is illuminated with ambient blue lighting, and various bottles and mixers are neatly arranged on the counter, creating a vibrant and inviting atmosphere for the guests.

Bartending on a cruise ship is a favourite for those who enjoy a lively atmosphere and socialising with guests.

The job offers a fun environment, the chance to be creative with cocktails, and often comes with good tips too, which is always a nice bonus.

Of course, some of the suggestions were from people who said they might struggle to not enjoy too many of their own creations, and that’d certainly get you fired quickly.

But it would be fun while it lasted at least!

5. Chef

Two P&O Cruises' chefs, wearing traditional white uniforms and tall chef hats, are smiling and conversing in the ship's kitchen. They are surrounded by the gleaming stainless steel of the kitchen equipment and the warm lighting of the galley. The chefs' friendly interaction reflects a positive and professional working environment.

Working as a chef is attractive for culinary professionals eager to showcase their skills and work with diverse cuisines.

Working on a cruise offers a unique setting to experiment and serve a large, appreciative audience.

And while those reasons would definitely appeal to an actual chef, I do wonder how many of the people who said it would be their dream job just love cruise food and want to be involved with it.

Especially when it needs to be tasted before it’s served.

6. Entertainer (Singer, Musician, Comedian)

A vibrant scene from a Broadway-style show on Harmony of the Seas features a group of performers in colorful costumes energetically dancing on stage. The backdrop includes palm trees and a large decorative moon, with bright, multicolored stage lighting enhancing the lively atmosphere. The performers strike dynamic poses, engaging the audience with their enthusiastic performance.

Entertainers such as singers, musicians, and comedians are highly sought after for their ability to really bring the cruise experience to another level.

The appeal of this job lies in performing regularly for enthusiastic crowds and the opportunity to travel while doing what they love.

It’s also one of the best jobs on a ship in terms of the hours worked, and the freedom provided. While a cabin attendant might be working 12-14 hour days, an entertainer may work much less.

Comedians especially – you don’t need to rehearse much, and your set might only be an hour or so each night.

So that means you get more time to explore ports of call and just relax.

7. Photographer

A photographer on a cruise ship captures a woman in a striking red dress posing on the deck. The woman stands gracefully by a railing, while other passengers relax on lounge chairs in the foreground. The ship's upper decks and architecture form the backdrop, and a few crew members are visible above, adding to the dynamic, lively scene.

Cruise ship photographers capture memories for guests, making it a rewarding job for those passionate about photography.

The role could be a popular one because it combines creativity with travel and the joy of helping guests preserve their experiences.

Cruise ship photographers are also sometimes employed on more thrilling projects, to capture the destination, and you could basically be paid to shoot wildlife or dramatic scenery. I know I’d love this.

8. Casino Staff (Dealer, Host)

A cruise ship casino staff member is assisting a couple seated at a row of slot machines. The staff member, dressed in a formal blazer, is attentively explaining something to the guests, who are focused on the machines. The casino is brightly lit with colorful lights and displays from the various slot machines, creating an exciting and engaging atmosphere.

Working in the casino, either as a dealer or host, is an appealing option for anyone who likes the vibrant and exciting atmosphere of a casino floor.

Not everyone goes to a casino on a cruise, but if you like to gamble, you might prefer to sit on the other side for once. If you’re a dealer then you’ll at least enjoy the variety of the job, seeing how games pan out and which guests win big.

9. Nurse

A nurse on a cruise ship, wearing a blue medical uniform and a mask, is using a stethoscope to check the heartbeat of a young woman in a light blue uniform. Both are wearing masks, ensuring adherence to health and safety protocols. The setting appears to be a medical room on the ship, equipped for onboard healthcare.

Nurses on cruise ships provide essential medical care, making it a critical and respected role.

The job is popular among healthcare professionals who seek adventure, the chance to travel, and the unique challenges of providing care at sea.

It’s also relatively well paid – not as well paid as a doctor onboard, but you’d make a decent salary, especially since your accommodation and food are free.

Hours could be an issue though, as you might need to be on call for long periods. If you work on a very small ship where you’re the only healthcare professional onboard, then you’ll be on call 24/7.

10. Youth Entertainer

A Camp Ocean staff member on a cruise ship is sitting on the floor and engaging with a group of children who are building a structure with colorful blocks. The staff member is smiling and wearing a dark uniform with light blue trim, while the children, dressed in casual summer clothing, focus on their creative play. The background shows a bright and cheerful play area designed for kids' activities.

A couple of people mentioned wanting to work as a youth entertainer or in the kids’ clubs.

If you’re someone who enjoys working with kids, then a cruise is an ideal place – sure there is some educational element to the activities, but it’s mostly all about having as much fun as possible.

It’s a lot of responsibility too, so it’s not for everyone, but if childcare is your passion then a cruise ship would be the perfect place.

Final Word

There were, of course, plenty of ‘fun’ suggestions on the Facebook post, such as wine taster, deck chair tester or towel animal expert.

While I’m sure these would be a ‘dream’ job, I wanted to keep the list to the realistic ones. Would your dream role be one of the 10 above, or something different?

Check out my guide on how to get a job on a cruise ship if you’re seriously interested – but I’ll also caveat that with these nightmare stories from cruise ship workers too.

If you found this interesting, please share!

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.