Workforce Development
Crew members are the heart of every unforgettable cruise experience, and CLIA cruise line members take pride in providing rewarding career opportunities to a diverse global workforce. With high job satisfaction and strong retention rates, many crew members return year after year, often encouraging friends and family to join them in this dynamic industry.
Evolution of Cruise Careers
The cruise industry has undergone significant changes in workforce development over the years, evolving from a maritime labor system focused on basic seamanship in the 1800s with limited training to a sophisticated, multinational workforce with specialized training, career progression, and advanced technology integration.
150
Countries
Number of countries represented in the global workforce
300,000
Seafarers
Number of seafarers cruise lines employed in 2024
80%
Retention
Rate of retention in the cruise industry
To operate cruise ships across the globe, CLIA member cruise lines depend on a truly diverse and international workforce, representing over 150 countries. At the heart of the industry are the hundreds of thousands of dedicated men and women whose passion and professionalism bring the cruise experience to life.
“We believe in the power of diversity; it has made us better. On a ship, you see seafarers from many cultures and backgrounds, and it has a positive effect on how the ship performs. We are better and more successful companies when the diversity of race, age, gender, culture, beliefs, and background is celebrated.”
Bettina Deynes
Global Chief Human Resources for the nine-brand Carnival Corporation
Workforce Topics
Cruise Line Careers and Related Opportunities
Cruise industry careers include jobs onboard ships, onshore jobs, and jobs in the ecosystem but not strictly for the cruise lines.
Training & Career Growth
The cruise industry strives to provide a high-quality work environment for its seafarers by offering ongoing training and career advancement.
Life Onboard
Crew live and work with their fellow seafarers, in an environment that is often referred to as a “family.”
Skills for the Future
The cruise industry is evolving rapidly, driving the need for new skills in technology, engineering, and environmental sustainability to keep pace with innovation and progress.
Diversity
CLIA member cruise lines take pride in employing a diverse, multinational workforce and providing a safe, inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and be themselves.
Regulatory Framework
The cruise industry is committed to supporting the well-being of its global seafarer community by providing fair and equitable wages and good working conditions.
- The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labor Organization (ILO) set standards to ensure the safety and fair treatment of all seafarers operating on vessels subject to these standards.
- The Maritime Labor Convention, commonly known as the “Seafarer’s Bill of Rights,” covers requirements for seafarers related to work on board, conditions of employment, accommodation and recreational facilities, food and catering, health protection, medical care, and social security protection.
- The IMO sets professional standards for various shipboard positions (such as navigation/bridge, deck, and engine). The Standards, Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention covers all typical seafaring positions.
