programme about cruise

The 14 Best TV Shows About Cruise Ships and Yachts

Top cruise ship reality, scripted, documentary, and travel series.

One of my favorite family vacations to this day will always be the 3-day cruise we took from Singapore to Malaysia on the SuperStar Virgo. Even though it was some 20 years ago, I still remember the excitement I felt walking up the grand staircase that wrapped around the Christmas tree, the inordinate amount of time I spent in the arcade room (one the jet skiing game in particular), running down the carpeted hallways to find our room, and the awe I felt at just how huge the entire ship looked from the outside.

My tiny, eight-year-old brain had a hard time processing how something so big could stay afloat, but I had no worries that it wouldn’t. I also remember thinking how cool it was that there was a swimming pool on the top deck, asking myself “how can there be water on top of water?”

It was, without a doubt, a memorable experience and one that I’d like to have again as an adult. I definitely recommend going on a cruise at least once in your life! However, since our collective 2020-2021 reality has put our travel plans to a grinding halt, the only way to do that is vicariously through our TV screens.

So we’ve put together a comprehensive list of TV shows about cruise ships for all you sea-lovers to get the travel bug somewhat out of your system. Whether the format you’re looking for is reality, travel, scripted, or documentary – we’ve got it! So put on your best cruise outfit, grab that poolside cocktail, and settle down onto your couch to binge these TV shows about cruise ships!

CRUISE SHIP REALITY SHOWS

Below deck, brave (2013 – present).

As passengers, we only ever see the surface of what happens on a cruise. We’re the consumers in this entertainment and service industry, after all. Bravo’s reality series Below Deck literally brings us below the ship’s deck – to behind the scenes of the luxurious experience of a ship.

Each season of Below Deck follows the young crew of a superyacht during the ever-busy charter season, chronicling their lives both working and living aboard the vessel.

Some of the yachties, as the crew members are also called, have a prior yachting background while others are there to personify the “work hard, party harder” attitude and bring little to no experience to the table, which always makes for an interesting team dynamic.

One thing is for sure though: there’s nothing these guys wouldn’t do to make sure their clients have the best experience possible.

Below Deck also gives a great view into the perks of working on a yacht, one of which is traveling to places like Sint Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, the Mediterranean Sea, the Bahamas, Tahiti, and most recently, Phuket!

Below Deck Mediterranean, Bravo (2016 – present)

Below Deck was so popular and successful that in March 2015, Bravo announced the arrival of its first spin-off show: Below Deck Mediterranean .

The premise of this spin-off reality show is similar to the original in that it documents the personal and professional lives of the crew on board a superyacht, this time 150-feet in length!

While the regular yachties take a break, the cast of Below Deck takes over for roughly 6 weeks and sail through all sorts of beautiful locations.

Each season features a myriad of colorful guests and customers, ranging from executives on business trips and millionaires on vacation to groups of friends looking for a good time and a sea-bound party.

Here, Chef Ben Robinson from four seasons of the original Below Deck joins the Mediterranean crew as they visit Greece, Croatia, Italy, France, and Spain!

Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Bravo (2020 – present)

News of a second Below Deck Spin-off first came in March 2019 and it wasn’t until December that year that fans got confirmation of a premiere date: for February 2020.

Entitled Below Deck Sailing Yacht , it follows the same format as its predecessors but this time, for the crew on a 180-foot luxury sailing yacht called the Parsifal III as it sails through Greece during charter season.

In a crew mixed with vastly different members, there’s bound to be some tension when certain attitudes and job ethics come to clash – and that’s what reality shows are all about, especially when you’re in a country so beautiful, surrounded by equally beautiful people!

Old relationships are tested while new ones are formed (often to the chagrin of others), but there’s never a dull day on Parsifal III.

Chef Adam Glick, who was on two seasons of Below Deck Mediterranean , joins the Sailing Yacht crew this year. However, with the second season lined up to air in March 2021, it looks like Adam will be bowing out of this new crew.

The Cruise, ITV (2016 – 2018)

It’s not glaringly obvious what the difference is between a yacht and a cruise ship, especially when there are some yachts that are the same length as a cruise!

One difference is that yachts are privately owned and directly chartered while cruise ships are owned by corporations. However, the main difference really lies in the guest experience.

On a cruise ship, you have access to amenities like a gym, pool, spa, arcade room, restaurants, what have you. Renting a yacht, though, provides a more personal and luxurious experience.

ITV’s The Cruise takes us from the yacht setting of the previous shows to an actual cruise ship, though this series does primarily follow the ship’s crew as well.

The Regal Princess ship is over 1,080 feet long and has a whopping 19 decks, so it makes sense that there are more than 1400 crew members manning operations.

The Cruise shows us the hustle and bustle of maintaining their five-star service as they go from Copenhagen to St. Petersburg, the Mediterranean, and even Alaska throughout its five seasons.

DOCUMENTARY TV SHOWS ABOUT CRUISE SHIPS

Mighty ships, discovery channel canada (2008 – 2016).

After a successful one-off special entitled Inside Queen Mary 2 , the Discovery Channel commissioned an entire series exploring the workings of the world’s mightiest ships!

What’s great about Mighty Ships is that while we do get to learn about a few cruise ships along the way, the show actually covers all types of sea vessels – probably some that you never even knew existed!

Mighty Ships lets you in on all the secrets these vessels hold throughout their voyages; from preparations made for the journey to the voyage itself, and ending when their job has been successfully delivered.

While the previous shows primarily display the crew’s interactions with each other and the guests, Mighty Ships focuses heavily on the operational and technical side of running the ships.

It even goes so far as to computer-generated animations in order to better explain to its audience certain aspects of the ship that cannot be seen or visited in person. Interlaced with that are interviews with the crew as they provide more information about the ship as well as what life is like aboard it.

Mighty Cruise Ships, Discovery Channel Canada (2014 – 2022)

Mighty Ships evolved into two spin-offs; the first was Mighty Planes that aired for four seasons and employed the same format while following various types of aircrafts. The second premiered in 2014 and was a more direct spin-off of the parent series: Mighty Cruise Ships .

Everyone wants to know what happens on these huge, extravagant, cruise ships and Mighty Cruise Ships definitely lets us witness the lavish life without having to pay the thousands of dollars that come with a cruise ship ticket.

Each episode brings us aboard a brand new ship – each with its own features, amenities, and cutting-edge technology that only seems to get better as the episodes progress.

These ships are built for their destinations, whether intended to endure the harsh cold temperatures and narrow passageways of the Nordic fjords or to breeze through the coastlines of Scotland.

On board, the ships cater to every aesthetic too – interested in Viking history? The Viking Sea is the boat for you. Looking for an adrenaline rush at sea? Check out Carnival Vista and their suspended bike loop and waterpark! Mighty Cruise Ships truly lets us see the best cruises there are to offer.

Cruise Ship Killers, Justice Network (2020 – 2022)

This next show takes a much darker turn than those that came before – if you couldn’t tell right away from the title Cruise Ship Killers . If you’ve got an interest in true crime, you’re definitely going to want to add this show to your list.

However, if that’s not your thing and you’re the kind to get paranoid pretty quickly, maybe you should skip this one. I say that because one thing’s for sure: Cruise Ship Killers might make you second guess your desire to go on a cruise – ever.

This true-crime documentary series tells the stories of people who got on a cruise expecting to have the vacation of a lifetime – only to never return or be heard from again.

Each episode will keep you guessing right from the get-go: was the businessman’s death foul play? Was the young woman kidnapped? Did he fall overboard? Did the missing woman just get off at one port and decide to stay to start a new life? There’s just no telling where each episode of Cruise Ship Killers will take us.

* Side note: if you want to look into cruise ship crimes even more, check out the Cruise Ship Disappearances episode of the Wine and Crime podcast . It’s very informative, and the hosts are also really funny!

The Cruise, BBC One (1998)

Not to be confused with the ITV reality show of the same name previously mentioned, BBC One’s The Cruise is an observational documentary series that followed the crew of the luxury cruise ship named Galaxy as it set off on its maiden voyage through the Caribbean – including a pit stop in Jamaica on Christmas Day!

While we have a chance to witness the personal lives of the crew onboard Galaxy, we also get a glimpse into how the crew handles the pressures of everyday operations on the luxury cruise. From dealing with a confrontational passenger at the ship’s casino to facing a whole congregation of born-again Christians, you truly never know what challenges a new day will bring. Not to mention the preparations for their new entertainment show!

Most notably, The Cruise is what paved the way for singer Jane McDonald, who was then an entertainer for Galaxy. After the show, she went on to become a recording artist, actress, media personality, and TV presenter. The Cruise even released two additional specials with Jane in the spotlight!

CRUISE SHIP TRAVEL SHOWS

Cruising with jane mcdonald, channel 5 (2017 – 2020).

I have always thought that hosts of these lifestyle-type shows have the best job in the world – those that get to do food and restaurant reviews, explore different countries and cultures, and now, even experience cruise ships!

Remember Jane McDonald from the previous show, The Cruise ? Well, she’s back for more sea-worthy adventures on the Channel 5 travel series, Cruising with Jane McDonald , where she films a travelogue showcasing the very best aspects of the ship, both in terms of service and aesthetics.

Right off the bat, she starts off with a mega-cruise ship called the MSC Divina through the Caribbean, where over 4000 passengers make the most of their holidays on the ship and at the port.

Throughout its six seasons, Jane travels the world one cruise ship at a time, truly living the best life.

The Voyager With Josh Garcia, NBC (2016 – 2019)

NBC’s The Voyager with Josh Garcia also follows the travelogue format through the eyes of traveler and host, Josh Garcia. However, instead of focusing solely on the experience with cruise ships, The Voyager provides a wider perspective of the world as a whole.

Josh takes his viewers with him as he travels the globe by ocean, disembarking at every port with the intention of discovering the nooks and crannies of each culture he encounters.

Each episode is a learning experience not just for Josh, but for us as well. He speaks with the locals, learns about native and regional traditions from cultural experts, and fearlessly tries the local cuisine every chance he gets.

Through The Voyager with Josh Garcia , our global wanderlust is ignited, and our traveling bucket list just keeps getting longer and longer!

SCRIPTED CRUISE SHIP TV SHOWS

High seas, netflix (2019 – 2020).

High Seas , also known as Alta Mar in its original Spanish, is a Netflix original series that aired for three seasons beginning in 2019.

Unlike the modern cruise ship settings that we’ve seen so far, High Seas takes place on a luxury ocean liner in the 1940s!

Sisters Eva and Carolina Villanueva climb aboard the Barbara de Braganza liner as it voyages from Spain to Brazil. Unbeknownst to the other passengers and crew, they’ve smuggled a mysterious woman onboard after she pleaded for their help.

Things go terribly awry when the woman is thrown overboard and Eva, a curious and headstrong writer, launches an investigation into the mysterious goings-on on the ship.

Eventually, both she and her sister discover shocking secrets that tie into their family’s dark past. Who are they supposed to believe?

Sadly, the fourth season of High Seas was originally planned to continue the series but was subsequently canceled in mid-2020.

Wreck, BBC Three (2022 – present)

One of the newest shows on this list of top cruise ship shows is BBC Three’s horror-comedy series Wreck .

The series follows Jamie Walsh, a nineteen-year-old who takes a job on a board cruise ship called The Sacramentum to figure out what happened to his sister, who went missing from the same ship three months ago.

As Jamie learns the ins and outs of living and working on a ship, he befriends other crew members in order to help with his investigation into the disappearance of his sister and how a recent attack on a crew member could be connected to it.

The Love Boat, ABC (1977 – 1986)

The Love Boat is a scripted rom-com/drama series that aired on ABC more than 30 years ago! However, when watching this series you’ll find that a lot of the scenarios portrayed are still reflected, to some extent, in the reality shows on this list as well.

The show takes us on board the MS Pacific Princess, a luxury passenger cruise ship. Captain Merrill Stubing is at the helm, guiding not only the ship himself but his crew members as they attempt to deal with a new passenger’s antics in each episode.

These crew members included the cruise directors, photographer, purser, bartender, doctor, and eventually, even a troupe of dancers!

The Love Boat was based on the original made-for-TV movie of the same name, which in turn was based on the non-fiction book Love Boats.

The reason the scenarios in this show seem so true to life is because the book was written by Jeraldine Saunders, a real-life passenger cruise ship director !

Avenue 5, HBO (2020 – 2022)

Science fiction and dark comedy collide in this HBO original, bringing cruise ships to a place you never could have imagined: space. Yup, you read that right! Titled Avenue 5 , this is also the name of the interplanetary cruise ship owned by Herman Judd (played by Josh Gad) and captained by Ryan Clark (played by Hugh Laurie).

While setting off on an eight-week-long cruise, Avenue 5 experiences technical difficulties that set off a devastating chain of events: a temporary loss of gravity and the Chief Engineer’s accidental death, causing the ship to veer off-course.

When it’s estimated to take three years for them to return to Earth, Captain Clark and his crew need to figure out how to keep their passengers calm, collected, and safe – even as mishaps are happening left and right. Will they ever be able to make it back home?

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The 17 Best Documentaries About Cruise Ships

Aug 1, 2023 | Best Of , Business , Travel

From stories of daring rescues at sea to tales of luxury liners gone wrong, these thirteen documentaries offer an intimate look into the cruise industry – without ever leaving your sofa! So grab some popcorn and get ready for a cinematic voyage as we explore some of the best documentaries about cruise ships.

1. The Secret Life of the Cruise (2018)

2. The Cruise (2022)

3. All Hands On Deck (2019)

4. Superships (2007)

The Best Free Documentaries About Cruise Ships

1. cruise ship harmony of the seas – leisure fun on the high seas.

The Harmony Of The Seas is the epitome of luxury cruising experience. This 120,000 ton behemoth has space for more than 6,300 passengers to enjoy its longest slide at sea and two surf pools. Join us as we embark on a journey with this majestic cruise liner on its maiden voyage! Witness the leisure fun on the high seas that you can only find aboard one of the world’s largest ships.

2. Inside The Most EXPENSIVE Christmas Cruise

Discover the secrets of life on board one of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships, the Seven Seas Explorer, at Christmas . Get an inside look at how this floating six-star hotel celebrates the holidays and find out why it is considered to be so expensive! From decorations to activities, take a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life on board this amazing ship and learn what makes it so special during Christmas time.

3. Mega Food – The World’s Biggest Cruise Ship

Embark on a journey of discovery and learn about the world’s biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. With 250 chefs creating over 100 tonnes of delicious meals every week, it is an impressive culinary operation that rivals any military exercise. Take a behind-the-scenes look at this mega food endeavor and get ready for a tasty adventure!

4. The Most Expensive Cruise Ship in The World

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel on the most luxurious cruise ships in the world? In this video, we take a look at some of the most expensive and extravagant vessels out there. From onboard activities and amenities to what kind of prices you can expect to pay for a week’s stay, get ready to explore some truly remarkable vessels that redefine luxury cruising!

5. Why It Costs $1 Million Per Day To Run One Of The World’s Biggest Cruise Ships

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run one of the world’s biggest cruise ships? From a staff of 2,400 people working around the clock to create 30,000 meals a day and manage all waste onboard – this is no small feat. In this video we dive below deck on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas and explore how an engine room, captain’s bridge and tiny kitchens work together to power this floating city. See what it costs $1 million per day to keep these ships sailing!

6. Engineering And Building An 80,000-Ton Cruise Ship : The Meraviglia Cruise Ship

Cruise ships offer vacationers a unique way to explore the world and experience some of life’s greatest luxuries. In this documentary, we take an in-depth look at the engineering and building process of one of the most impressive cruise ships ever built: The Meraviglia Cruise Ship. From design to construction, learn how 80,000 tons of steel become a floating paradise that transports thousands every year. This is a must watch for anyone who wants to know more about what it takes to build these magnificent vessels!

7. Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 1

The tragic death of a bride on her honeymoon cruise shatters the joyous atmosphere of the ship. When investigators learn that there were no strong winds at the time, they launch a murder investigation to find out who is responsible for what happened. In this episode of “Cruise Ship Killers”, we get an in-depth look at the case and explore all possibilities to uncover the truth behind this tragedy.

8. Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 2

Cruise ships can be a romantic getaway, but in this episode of Cruise Ship Killers, we explore the dark side of vacationing at sea. Join us as we dive into the mysterious story of a husband and wife from Olympia, Washington whose surprise cruise ended with one of them going overboard. Was it an act of revenge? Jealousy? Or something far worse? Find out in this thrilling installment!

9. Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 3

Cruise ships are a popular way to travel, but they can also be dangerous. In this episode of Cruise Ship Killers, we follow the mysterious disappearance of a professor’s assistant on board one of the longest voyages. A diary found in her cabin provides clues as to what happened and who might have been involved. Join us as we investigate her mysterious disappearance and discover if anyone onboard knows what happened!

10. Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 4

Cruise ships are one of the most popular vacation spots, but not all cruises end with happy memories. This documentary series takes a look into the mysterious disappearances that have occurred on luxury cruises. Featuring interviews with family members, investigators and experts, Cruise Ship Killers delves deep to uncover what happened to those who never returned home after enjoying their holiday at sea. Join us as we explore these chilling cases in this thought-provoking true crime series.

11. Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 5

A retired teacher set out on a solo journey across the Great Lakes, only for her family to become concerned when she fails to check in. As they investigate further, they begin to suspect something sinister has happened. Join us as we explore this story of Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 5 and uncover what really happened!

12. Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 6

When a German college student goes missing while working on a cruise ship in Alaska , the questions arise: did she decide to skip out on her duties or was there something more sinister that happened? Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 6 takes an in-depth look at this mysterious disappearance and examines all possibilities. Join us as we dive into the deep waters of Alaskan ports to uncover what really happened that fateful day.

13. Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 7

In this heart-wrenching and gripping documentary, a family of four embarks on the cruise of a lifetime. But when only three return home, they launch an investigation into what happened to their missing daughter – all signs pointing towards her being kidnapped. Follow them as they search for answers in Cruise Ship Killers – Season 1 : Episode 7!

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Discover New Content

Miss cruising? Stream these 13 movies and shows to get your cruise ship fix

Are you a hardcore cruising fan? We wouldn't blame you for being a bit down. The complete shutdown of cruising since March due to the coronavirus pandemic is keeping you away from your favorite floating hideaways, and it doesn't look like you'll be back at sea anytime soon.

That said, you're not completely cut off from your favorite ships — you still can see them in movies and in television shows.

Since streaming movies and television programming is pretty much all we're doing these days (and we're guessing that's the case for you, too), we've put together this list of some our favorite onscreen entertainment that includes at least a glimpse of a cherished cruise vessel.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

In some cases, these movies and shows are available on streaming services such as Hulu (if you're not a subscriber, get a free trial ), Amazon Prime , fuboTV , Sling TV and FandangoNow . Others can be found on YouTube, iTunes, or at Redbox kiosks.

"Mighty Cruise Ships"

Available on: Hulu , YouTube , Amazon Prime , Smithsonian Channel

You'll get much more than a glimpse of your favorite cruise ship with this series. Each of the 18 episodes, which originally aired in 2014, 2017 and 2019 on Canada's Discovery Channel, focus on a single cruise vessel in fabulously minute detail, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how they run. Among the vessels featured in the series are Celebrity Solstice, Carnival Vista, Royal Caribbean 's Symphony of the Seas and MSC Divina. The series also includes ships operated by Viking, Star Clippers, Azamara and Ponant.

"Mighty Ships"

Available on: FandangoNow , Hulu , YouTube , Amazon Prime , iTunes, fuboTV , Smithsonian Channel

"Mighty Cruise Ships" was a spinoff of this series, which began airing in 2008 on Canada's Discovery Channel and has completed 10 seasons. While it generally focuses on commercial and military vessels, from the container ship Emma Maersk to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, it also offers several wonderful episodes on cruise ships. Among the vessels profiled: Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas , Norwegian Breakaway, Wind Surf and MSC Meraviglia.

"Ocean Treks with Jeff Corwin"

Available on: ABC, Hulu , Ocean.com

Every episode of this 4-year-old travel series starring television personality Jeff Corwin will get you at least a peek at one the vessels under the Carnival Corp. umbrella of brands. The giant cruise company, which owns Carnival Cruise Line , Princess Cruises , Holland America and six other major lines, sponsors the series, which has been airing on Saturday mornings on ABC. It follows Corwin as he heads off ships in various port towns for a perfect day of adventure.

"The Voyager with Josh Garcia"

Available on: Hulu , Sling TV , fuboTV , Ocean.com

Like "Ocean Treks," this is a series sponsored by Carnival Corp. that's generously filled with cameos of the line's vessels and is all about things to do during port calls, but with less of a focus on adventure. The host, video journalist Josh Garcia, sets off from vessels for a day of off-the-beaten-path exploring. His goal: Meeting locals who can share their history, life stories and exotic foods. It originally aired on NBC from 2016 to 2019.

"Building the World's Most Luxurious Cruise Ship"

Available on: YouTube

This is can't-miss television for Regent Seven Seas Cruises fans. The two-part documentary chronicles the creation of the luxury line's Seven Seas Explorer, which was the most expensive luxury ship ever built at the time it debuted in 2016. Even today, only one ship -- Seven Seas Explorer's just-unveiled sister, Seven Seas Splendor -- rivals it in opulence. What we love about this documentary is the amazing behind-the-scenes access that Regent gave the filmmakers during the ship's construction. You see every little twist and turn in the making of a new icon of the seas.

"Jack and Jill"

Available on: FandangoNow , YouTube , Amazon Prime , Hulu , Google Play, iTunes, Vudu

Yes, we know: This is widely considered one of the all-time worst movies ever made. It only scored 3% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer! But, if you're a Royal Caribbean fan jonesing for a glimpse of one of the line's giant Oasis Class-vessels, there's simply no better movie. We won't even bother going into the inane plot of this 2011 comedy, which stars Adam Sandler (playing both a male and female role). Just fast-forward to the shipboard scenes, which were shot on board Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.

"Speed 2: Cruise Control"

Available on: FandangoNow , YouTube , Amazon Prime , Google Play, iTunes, Vudu

This 1997 action flick starring Sandra Bullock got almost as bad reviews as Jack and Jill (which is a pity, as the original "Speed" is a classic). Still, we mention it because it was filmed on one of the great luxury ships of the past 30 years: The vessel now known as Star Legend. Star Legend sails for Windstar Cruises these days, but it originally debuted as the last new ship for legendary (and long-defunct) luxury operator Royal Viking Line. Back then, it was called Royal Viking Queen. By the time the film was made, it had moved to the Seabourn fleet, sailing as Seabourn Legend.

"Like Father"

Available on: Netflix

Another giant Royal Caribbean ship, Harmony of the Seas, is the star of this somewhat predictable "dramedy" from 2018, which stars Kelsey Grammer, Kristen Bell and Seth Rogen. The plot twist here is that Bell's character, left at the altar, ends up on her honeymoon cruise with her estranged father (Grammer), with resulting drama and hijinks. Royal Caribbean lovers can make it a game of spotting all the cool Harmony of the Seas features, from the ship's nine-deck-high zip line to the Rising Tide Bar. Scenes also were shot at Royal Caribbean's private beach retreat in Haiti.

"Cruising With Jane McDonald"

Former cruise ship entertainer Jane McDonald highlights a different river or ocean cruise every episode on this British television series, which ran from 2017 to this year (a new host will soon be taking over the show). Recent episodes have featured a wide range of vessels, including Oceania Cruises' Marina, Silversea's Silver Shadow and Princess' Sun Princess.

Related: Feeling wanderlust? Stream these 12 films set in spectacular destinations

"Monster Ships"

Available on: FandangoNow , Hulu , YouTube, Amazon Prime , iTunes

Just in case "Mighty Ships" doesn't provide you with enough of a giant ship fix, the television world also offers the similarly named "Monster Ships" and, as its name suggests, the eight-part series from 2019 brings an up-close look at massive vessels of all kinds -- one per 42-minute episode. In addition to a gargantuan car carrier and a crazy-looking heavy lift vessel, the series (which aired on the Science Channel) includes two ships designed for cruising: Crown Princess and Royal Clipper.

"Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked"

Available on: FandangoNow , YouTube , Amazon Prime , iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, HBO Now

If you're even the least bit an "Alvin and the Chipmunks" fan, this is your cruise movie. The third installment of the live-action chipmunks series, which dates to 2011, is set on cruise giant Carnival's 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream. Or, at least, it is — until the chipmunks get blown away while flying a kite and end up on a deserted island. External shots and some interiors were filmed on the vessel. Some ship scenes, alas, were shot in a soundstage.

"Out to Sea"

Available on: FandangoNow , YouTube , Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime , HBO Now, Hulu

You can't go wrong with this Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau matchup, which involves the legendary comedic duo delivering their schtick as dance hosts on a cruise ship. Dating to 1997, it takes place on what's now the Marella Dream, a 1,132-passenger vessel in the fleet of British line Marella Cruises. Holland America fans will know this ship better as the old Westerdam (which was its name from 1988 to 2002). Just don't confuse it with the new Westerdam (Holland America likes to recycle names). It also sailed eight years for Costa Cruises.

"The Love Boat: Next Wave"

To make our list, a movie or television show had to feature a vessel still in service.

But we really can't do a story on cruise-related entertainment without at least mentioning "The Love Boat," which featured a Princess Cruises ship that's no longer in operation. While it doesn't offer a glimpse into a vessel you can book, this is, quite simply, the most iconic cruise ship show of all time. Indeed, many in the cruise industry credit the series, which ran from 1977 to 1987, for kicking off the great growth in cruising we've seen over the past four decades.

"The Love Boat" was set on the original Pacific Princess, which sailed for Princess from 1977 to 2002. But it was filmed not just on that ship, but also several others. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, you can find the show on MeTV stations on Sundays and on YouTube -- or buy the DVD box set of the first four seasons at Amazon.

Also, in 1988, the series was revived with a short-lived remake, "The Love Boat: Next Wave" — and it was filmed on the Sun Princess, which still sails. Unfortunately, it's not available on any major streaming platform. But, if you can find it, please sound off in the comments below and let us know where we can watch it, too.

Looking for more of a cruise fix? Try these stories:

• How to plan a cruise with points and miles
• The most exciting new ocean ships of 2020
• The most exciting new river ships of 2020
• 6 new cruise itineraries you should book right now
• The best cruise lines for solo travelers
• The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler
• 5 cruise lines to try if you just can't stand being around kids on vacation

The Cruise: Fun Loving Brits at Sea Behind the Scenes

Channel 5’s new show, ‘ The Cruise: Fun Loving Brits at Sea ’ is a 20-episode series following groups of holidaymakers as they sail through the Mediterranean on Regal Princess.

We caught up with Anne from Northern Ireland, who features on the TV programme, to find out what it was like to be part of the show.

The Cruise: Fun Loving Brits at Sea

This fly-on-the-wall TV show looks at cruising from a range of perspectives and what it means for those setting sail on their dream holiday.

The first episode introduced viewers to cruising newbies and best friends from Leeds, expert travellers from The Isle of Wight and cruise lover Carla who brings her new-to-cruise friends along for the journey.

The cruisers enjoy delicious treats and tipples in Italy and Greece, combining travel and education in Turkey.

The new Channel 5 programme promises to showcase the exhilarating activities and cultural immersion that a dream holiday at sea can offer.

Whether you are new to the cruise world or a cruise veteran, we’re sure this show will inspire you to start planning for your next dream holiday at sea.” Eithne Williamson, Vice President, Princess Cruises UK and Europe

Anne’s Experience on TV

Anne Norwood is a fellow cruise lover, who is a regular at the weekly #CruiseHour Twitter chat I host every Tuesday at 8pm BST/GMT. Through our chats online, I’ve come to call her my friend, even though we’ve never met in person!

Anne from Northern Ireland is no stranger to cruising but has had numerous disappointing setbacks after the pandemic saw many of her recent cruises cancelled.

When I discovered that Anne was starring in this new cruise TV show, I wanted to know all about it and she kindly agreed to have a chat about her experience on The Cruise: Fun Loving Brits at Sea.

Q. How did you come to be on The Cruise: Fun-Loving Brits at Sea? 

Anne: Last year, I saw an advert on Facebook looking for cruise lovers to take part in a new Channel 5 series and I immediately fancied it.

I sent the link to my friends. Some said they’d not be able to get the time off work, one was a bit nervous about cruises and COVID; some just didn’t like the idea of cameras.

I left it a few days but it became like an itch that I had to scratch… so four days later, I decided I’d give it a go.

The advert invited people to email Title Role Productions telling them a bit about themselves and why they’d love to take part. I sat down at the computer and tried to write something that would make me sound interesting enough to stand out.

Once I’d finished, I discovered that the mailbox was full and applications were on hold.

I was a bit disappointed but then figured that I’d already invested the time to write it and had nothing to lose by trying. I sent it anyway and went outside to the garden.  About 10 mins later, I received an email thanking me and asking me to provide some more information!  

At first, I wasn’t sure if it was real or not, maybe it was an automated message that meant nothing? Or maybe it was an actual response as it did take a bit of time before I got it?

I decided to leave it…. but of course, I couldn’t let it sit, so the next evening I picked up the email again and followed the instructions. 

It asked: Why did I apply? If successful who would I take with me? And why?

I’m slightly embarrassed to say that I did refer to the beloved Jane McDonald at this point!

I proposed my husband would join me first of all or if he couldn’t go, then one of my friends, Wendy. She’s self-employed like myself, so potentially flexible with dates. I knew she wanted to try a cruise as we already had a wee four-night cruise booked in October.

She’d had a few tough challenges and her mother had passed away only a few months before so I knew that she needed a break.

I hit the send button and thought that would be it but the next morning my mobile phone rang. It was one of the representatives from Title Role who wanted a chat about my application !

To say I was in shock was an understatement but there I was, talking about myself and why I’d like to go, who I would take etc. The call lasted half an hour or more.

A short while later she called back to ask more about my friend and if it would be ok to speak over Zoom.

I have to admit, the Zoom call seemed to go pretty well, Hollie from Title Role was lovely and we had a bit of craic! We went back over what I had put on my application and the earlier phone calls so that she could record it and present it to the channel to see if they felt the same as her – that I would be ideal for the show!

She then arranged the same for Wendy. Her sister, Pamela, helped her with the Zoom call. This is how there became three of us on the TV show.

We were asked to send some photos and videos showing us having fun so I dug out photos of me:

• driving a Formula Ford racing car
• on a zip line
• horse riding
• dressed up for an annual charity ball
• line dancing
• in a microlight plane
• visiting places abroad, some with a cruise ship in the background
• with friends, enjoying drinks and a laugh

Q. How did you find out you were going to be on TV?

Anne: A couple of weeks after the Zoom call I got an email with a proposed cruise date in August. Unfortunately, I had to decline as I was scheduled to have lens replacement surgery on my eyes and would not be able to travel.

Cheekily I saw a cruise itinerary which I really liked, and proposed that I would be able to travel on this later date if that suited.   I didn’t want to miss out and hoped that the channel would wait for me and not choose someone else instead. 

Fortunately, they agreed!

Title Role got back to me after a couple of weeks and started to make travel arrangements for us – all the while Wendy and Pamela were chasing after passports as they hadn’t got any!

Q. What did the selection process involve?

Anne: During the selection process we had to provide character references and complete some questionnaires regarding our integrity. We had to tell them if we’d ever appeared on a show before. We also had an interview with a Psychologist to determine if we could cope with any negativity that might arise as a result of the programme.  

The next week we got our travel details, had to do an LFT Covid Test and before we knew it, a taxi was picking us up to take us to the airport!  

Q: How long did the whole process?

Anne: From start to finish it was all done and dusted, filming in the can, in 9 weeks.

Q: Which cruise did you do as part of the TV programme?

Anne: We took a 7-night cruise on Regal Princess. It was a Mediterranean cruise with Greek Isles and Turkey.

The ports we visited were:

We embarked in Civitavecchia with our first stop in Naples.

Day Two was a sea day with a formal night, which included the Captain’s Champagne Reception.

Next was Crete followed by Kusadasi and Istanbul. The film crew had problems with customs on their first visit so we enjoyed Kusadasi and Istanbul on our own.

Our last full day was spent in Mykonos and we disembarked the next day in Athens.

What were the highlights of this cruise?  

Anne: We had so many, and quite a few were off camera!

The formal night topped them all. We were invited to pour the champagne and were introduced to the Captain.

The onboard jewellery store lent us diamonds to wear for the occasion (but that bit wasn’t allowed to be shown as it wasn’t pre-approved!).

Wendy and Pamela were scheduled to get their hair done in the salon but there were only two spaces left. Wendy is a hairdresser, so she did my hair for me in the cabin before formal night.

While they were in the salon, I went to the Effy jewellery store and the manager, Jason, chose a diamond necklace, bracelet and earrings for me to wear with a diamond and sapphire bracelet. I was able to arrange earrings and a ring for Wendy. Jason and I then went down to the salon to surprise Wendy with them.

It was a real Cinderella moment: all dressed up with expensive gems and we had to have them back before the store closed!

We were introduced to Captain Aldo Traverso. Funnily enough, the Captain had been slightly concerned that conversation would be difficult, as previous people were nearly afraid to speak. We laughed that in our case, it would be more of an issue of getting us to stop talking!

I remember him asking what was our favourite part of the cruise was so far, and given we had really only had one stop (where I had got eaten alive by mosquitos) I couldn’t think and found myself saying “the bed!”

In truth, it was a highlight as it was just so very comfy. I remember comparing it to sleeping on a giant marshmallow – it was so soft and comfy. I don’t think he was quite expecting that answer!

How did the filming work? Did the crew follow you around or were you asked to do certain things?

Anne: There was a planner who arranged activities for us. Each night, we were sent a schedule of what they wanted us to do the next day. This included what time we had to meet and where and what we would be doing.

We just turned up, got wired up with mics and off we went.

On the very first day, when we arrived in the port of Civitavecchia, they asked us to take a selfie stick to record some footage, so Wendy took that.

I’m rubbish with technology, but I was fine with the crew following behind as I could switch off, pretend they weren’t there and just be myself.

The funniest part was when we were being filmed on deck about the experiences we had shared and there were people on their balconies watching and taking photos with their phones as if we were some sort of celebrities that they didn’t know about!

Q. What was it like to be on The Cruise: Fun Loving Brits at Sea?

Anne: It is quite surreal to think that we were chosen out of absolutely thousands of applicants.

It all happened so quickly, from the application to the interview and then being picked up to go to the airport.

I love to travel and our kids have always described our trips as ‘adventures’ so this was another adventure.

This time, I wasn’t involved in deciding what we would do so that was quite interesting. There were definitely things that I would NOT have chosen to do myself!

We had great craic (common Irish word for fun), saw new countries, had new experiences, met some really great people and had lots and lots of laughs along the way.

I would like to return to some of the places because we didn’t get to see any of the historical sites.

The programme was put together so quickly and they hadn’t arranged permission to film in any of those locations.

Q. Would you do it again?  

Anne: Absolutely! In a heartbeat! We had a great team and a good rapport with everyone, which really helped. We all clicked straight away which helped us to relax and just be ourselves. Even the Carnival guy was taking selfies with us after a few days!

‘Cruising with Anne and Friends’ – has a nice ring to it!

How to Watch The Cruise: Fun Loving Brits at Sea

Tune in to Channel 5 at 4pm every weekday from August 14 to watch The Cruise: Fun Loving Brits at Sea or catch up on  My 5 .

Anne and her friends will feature in week four, starting 4th September.

Laura is a UK cruise blogger based in Cornwall, UK. She founded Cruise Lifestyle in 2016 to share useful advice about cruising, destinations and food. Last port visited: Bridgetown, Barbados Next port of call: unknown, but she can’t wait for cruising to resume safely!

Find me on: Twitter

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From the sea to the UK airways in Channel 5’s, The Cruise.

Lights. Camera. Anchors up — because we’re making our TV debut on Channel 5 this Sunday, starring in The Cruise; a brand new 20-episode series narrated by the enigmatic Sheridan Smith. Produced by Title Role Productions, the first episode premieres in the UK at 9 p.m. this Sunday, June 19th. And you really can’t miss it.

Filmed across both our Scarlet Lady and Valiant throughout the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, The Cruise takes audiences behind the velvet rope for a glimpse into the lives of our incredible Crew and Sailors (like you) as they sail across the open ocean on our adults-only voyages.

Stopping at some of the world’s most dazzling coastal cities and islands like Bimini, Ibiza, Marseilles, and Cannes; the series gives you a peek into the inner workings of our ships and what it takes to create our amazing onboard experience. Tasked with “making ship happen,” our Crew navigates the world of quirky Sailor requests, last-minute weather challenges, and unexpected surprises for milestone celebrations.

From Captain Giovanni, a seasoned Italian seafarer with decades of experience, to Selma, one of the brand’s RockStar Agents whose role includes making Sailors feel like Richard Branson, The Cruise shines a light on the people who make our voyages so special. Because at the end of the day, it’s about creating unmatched experiences you can’t find anywhere else. And we want to show you how that happens.

So if you’re in the UK, head to Channel 5 at 9 pm this Sunday, June 19th, to watch The Cruise documentary series featuring us, Virgin Voyages. And if you’re not in the UK, or if you have plans (we get it), you can stream it anytime on My5.

We’re ready for our close up.

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New Channel 5 show goes behind the scenes on Virgin Voyages cruises - and it's not always plain sailing...

• The Cruise offers an 'unfiltered glimpse’ into the lives of crew and passengers 
• Episode one goes on board Scarlet Lady on a five-night Caribbean cruise 
• It shows a 'trashed' suite bathroom and a second officer battling seasickness

By Ailbhe Macmahon For Mailonline

Published: 07:20 EDT, 17 June 2022 | Updated: 10:02 EDT, 17 June 2022

View comments

A brand-new TV series is lifting the veil on what goes on behind the scenes on Virgin Voyages cruises, from unusual passenger demands to crew battling seasickness. 

Channel 5 's new reality show The Cruise offers an ‘unfiltered, energetic glimpse’ into the lives of Virgin Voyages’ crew and passengers, with the first episode diving inside the £500million Scarlet Lady as she sets sail from Miami on a five-night Caribbean cruise.

The ship, which launched last year, is 278m (912ft) long, can accommodate more than 2,770 passengers and a crew of 1,160 – and has engines, we learn from engineer David, that produce power that’s ‘the equivalent of about 600 family cars’.

Channel 5's new reality show The Cruise is lifting the veil on what goes on behind the scenes on Virgin Voyages cruises, with Scarlet Lady (above) starring in episode one 

The new series offers an ‘unfiltered, energetic glimpse’ into the lives of Virgin Voyages’ crew (pictured) and passengers

The voyage gets off to a shaky start when it’s revealed that a departing passenger has ‘managed to trash’ one of the 78 ‘Rockstar’ suites, cracking several marble tiles in the designer bathroom. It takes a team of 16 engineers and crewmembers to repair it before guests board.

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Then we learn that the captain’s second in command, Briton Georgia, suffers from seasickness – and there are high winds ahead.

Another wobble emerges when a pair of Rockstar suite guests miss their dinner reservation. It’s Montenegrin ‘Rockstar Agent’ Selma to the rescue.

It’s revealed that a departing passenger has cracked several marble tiles in the designer bathroom of one of the 78 ‘Rockstar’ suites 

We learn that the captain’s second in command, Briton Georgia (above), suffers from seasickness – and there are high winds ahead

Rockstar Agents are there to make the VIP passengers ‘feel like Richard Branson’.

By the time passengers board the ship, these Rockstar Agents already know their preferences - what they're drinking, where they like to eat, and how they like their service.

Selma reveals that she works seven days a week and can’t clock off until she’s checked on each and every one of her VIP guests.

When she learns of the guests missing their dinner reservation, cameras follow her as she races down the corridors to find them, before quickly securing them a table at one of the more than 20 eateries on board.

A wobble emerges when a pair of Rockstar suite guests (pictured right and centre) miss their dinner reservation

The trip goes more smoothly for first-time cruisers Damien and Paul, who admit they were under the impression that cruises were all about blue-rinses and buffet food before they boarded Scarlet Lady.

They are also Rockstar suite guests and discover that their tickets give them access to exclusive parts of the ship and special attention from the crew.

'We boarded as rock stars, we're going to disembark as divas,’ says Damien.

First-time cruisers Damien (left) and Paul (right) admit they were under the impression that cruises were all about blue-rinses and buffet food before they boarded Scarlet Lady

Damien shows off the fully stocked bar with a ‘full-on cocktail-making set’ in his Rockstar Suite

One couple insists they need a green drink ‘because it’s St Patrick's day’. Above is the tipple that the obliging crew prepared for them

They give the cameras a tour of their £4,000 suite, showing its turntable, bathrobes with the word ‘rockstar’ stitched across the back, and a fully stocked bar with a ‘full-on cocktail-making set’.

The TV show reveals how most meals on the ship are cooked on demand, and that there are occasionally unusual customer requests to be met – one couple insists they need a green drink ‘because it’s St Patrick's Day’.

Viewers also learn of the delights of the Razzle Dazzle bar. Here cameras show crewmember Ryan entertaining passengers on a pub crawl, which includes curated cocktails and drinking games in four different bars, finishing with a ‘pyjama party’ under the stars on the deck. ‘Sir Richard Branson outdid himself,’ says one of the happy revellers.

‘Sir Richard Branson outdid himself,’ says one reveller during their voyage on Scarlet Lady

Viewers learn of the delights of the Razzle Dazzle bar, pictured, where crewmember Ryan entertains passengers on a pub crawl

Above is one of the Rockstar Suites. Guests in these suites are assigned a 'Rockstar Agent', who are there to make the VIP passengers ‘feel like Richard Branson’

And the extravagant evening entertainment doesn't stop there. At a 'dance party' show, where the main prop is a pink PVC whale named Nugget, Scottish stage technician Callum is placed on ‘whale wobbling duty’, meaning he stands behind the enormous whale throughout the dance performance, wobbling it back and forth to keep the crowds entertained.

Commenting on the series, Shane Riley, Vice President of International Sales, said: ‘We’re so excited to give our UK fans a peek into life below deck. It’s rare to see the inner workings of a cruise ship or to follow the crew beyond sailors’ time on board. That’s what makes this series so unique and fun to watch.’

Watch The Cruise on Sunday, June 19, at 9pm on Channel 5 in the UK or stream it on My5. For more information, visit www.VirginVoyages.com .

• Caribbean & European Cruise Vacations | Virgin Voyages

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How You Can Get a Job on a Cruise Ship

Curious about how to get a job on a cruise ship? Explore the education, training, and skills you may need to start a hospitality job on the sea!

Take the Culinary Career Survey

We’ve compiled a checklist of all of the essential questions into one handy tool: career options, culinary interest surveys, educational opportunities, and more.

Clicking the "Get the Survey Now" button constitutes your express request, and your express written consent, to be contacted by and to receive automated or pre-recorded call, texts, messages and/or emails from via phone, text, and/or emails by Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts at the number(s)/email you provided, regarding furthering your education and enrolling. You understand that these calls , texts, messages and/or emails may be generated using an automated or pre-recorded technology. You are not required to agree to receive automated or pre-recorded calls, texts, messages or emails as a condition of enrolling at Escoffier. You can unsubscribe at any time or request removal of street address, phone number, email address via Escoffier website .

Listen to This Article:

If you have a natural talent for delivering excellent customer service, paired with a “nomadic” spirit, have you ever considered a tourism job? More specifically…on a cruise ship? Not only can you embark on thrilling travel adventures, but you could join a thriving industry.

According to a cruise industry study conducted by Cyrus Shipping News , the cruise ship industry currently supports over one million jobs and is expected to hit $25.1 billion in revenue by the end of 2023. Needless to say, if you’re at all curious about joining a “floating hotel on the sea,” now could be the opportune time to start. Keep reading to discover how to get a job on a cruise ship.

Determine Whether a Cruise Ship Environment Is Right for You

Before we dive into which types of cruise ship occupations may speak to you, it might be beneficial to see if it’s the type of lifestyle you want to lead.

Consider asking yourself the following self-reflection questions:

• Do you consider yourself a people person?
• Are you naturally independent?
• Do you genuinely enjoy helping others?
• Do you relish a teamwork environment?
• Are you okay with not working the typical 9-5 job?
• Are you okay with being away from family and friends for long periods of time?
• Are you comfortable being out at sea for extended time, without immediate access to land?

If you answered yes to all, then that’s a step in the right direction!

Eligibility Requirements for Cruise Ship Jobs

According to Indeed , cruise ship candidates must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a valid passport and/or appropriate visa
• Pass a criminal background check
• Undergo a medical exam or submit medical records

A Cruise Career Success Story: Victor Mancilla

For Escoffier graduate, Victor Mancilla, living near the bustling Panama Canal 15 years ago and watching majestic cruise ships float by sparked his dream to eventually work on one. “At the time, I went to architectural school, but my passion was always about food.”* Victor says.

He seized the first entry-level opportunity he could get with Celebrity Cruises but really had his sights set on an executive chef position—even though he was told it was a “highly competitive” position. But with his unwavering focus and willingness to take on new responsibilities, he managed to secure this high-ranking position in just four years. He became the official Executive Chef for a few ships in the Galapagos.

“Imagine 16 kitchens, more than 12 restaurants, a 24-hour operation, 22 bars, and 375 crew members,” Victor says. “I remember saying, I don’t know how I’m going to make it for the next two years, but it ended up being the best culinary team in the fleet. And that team was the best ship of the year for two consecutive years.”*

Meanwhile, Victor pursued an online Culinary Arts diploma at Escoffier, while working full-time as an executive chef, simply to refine his skill set and “get better” at the culinary fundamentals.

“[Attending Escoffier] was such a rich experience—so helpful for my ego. It brought me back to reality since I was living a dream…I was living in a paradise,” Victor says. “I don’t regret a single cent that I paid…Because it gave me a vision.”*

“I’ve visited more than 250 cities and that’s the beauty of the cruise ship industry. I lived in Turkey for more than five years. I spent years in New Zealand. I had the privilege to be in the Galapagos, which is one of the most luxurious destinations in the world, for months.”* Victor Mancilla, Escoffier Culinary Arts Graduate

From there, Victor continued to expand his career and jumped to managing 900 crew members in Asia, with his promotion to Food & Beverage Director , requiring him to know the ins and outs of every restaurant on the cruise ship. Even though it was a challenging position to take on, especially during the pandemic, he wouldn’t change it for the world.

Although he’s not out at sea anymore, Victor is still overseeing cruise ship operations as the Corporate Executive Chef at COLUMBIA signature, located in Germany. He lives there with his wife (who he serendipitously met on a cruise ship) and two children. He also runs a Chef Academy for Spanish-speaking children and has authored a collection of ten cookbooks for children.

Explore Various Cruise Ship Job Positions

Now that you know which “archetype” is best suited for cruise ship life, let’s take a peek at some of the most common hospitality and food & beverage positions on cruise ships.

Food and Beverage Managers

Wearing multiple hats, food and beverage managers usually oversee all aspects of the operations side. This may include monitoring food budgets, inventory, quality control, and even guest satisfaction.

Food and beverage managers are typically highly-analytical—spending most of their time evaluating numbers in spreadsheets.

Dining Room Managers

If you think of an orchestra, dining room managers can be viewed as the “conductors” of a cruise ship restaurant. They usually address the flow of traffic, wait times, and any guest concerns, while taking immediate care of any staff needs.

Executive Chef

Along with conceptualizing cruise ship menus, an executive chef usually manages all aspects of food service on a cruise ship. This may include hiring and overseeing all kitchen staff, as well as maintaining food quality control.

Bar Managers

What’s a cruise experience without the endless flow of cocktails ? Bar managers can expect to stay relatively busy on cruise ships, with the responsibility of crafting compelling cocktail menus. On top of educating staff on how to create specialty spirits, bar managers usually oversee alcohol costs and revenue.

Working closely with the dining room managers, the maître d’ interacts with guests and also closely monitors overall dining satisfaction—ensuring that it’s up to par with specified standards. On top of being the “face of the restaurant,” they typically work behind the scenes as well—accommodating any restaurant staff requests.

Hotel Managers

Dedicated to creating a seamless guest experience, hotel managers on cruise ships work to ensure that the entire staff is leading with class and professionalism. Along with directly interacting with passengers on a daily basis, a hotel manager may oversee all fiscal operations, communicating closely with the captain of the cruise ship. They’re also typically responsible for training and hiring skilled staff members who are committed to “wowing” guests.

Chief Cabin Stewards

Housekeeping is one of the largest departments on cruise ships and the chief cabin steward is responsible for managing this sector. With demands to maintain a level of cleanliness 24/7, the chief cabin steward usually must be meticulous and set high standards for the housekeeping staff.

Event Managers

In addition to lounging and enjoying indulging in various cuisines, cruise ship guests will often engage in daily events, such as movie nights, salsa dancing, speakeasy parties, corporate events, and even weddings! Event managers strive to plan these types of events that keep guests entertained, which may require great attention to detail and organization.

Consider a Hospitality or Culinary Education

As you can see, there’s a vast range of hospitality and foodservice jobs you can explore on cruise ships! Although there’s no set educational path for these occupations, obtaining a culinary arts or hospitality degree may help you: a) stand out on your resume b) garner the applicable skill set to prosper c) rise in the ranks and get promoted more quickly.

Escoffier’s Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management online degree program can help you prepare for several hospitality-focused positions on a cruise ship—with a curriculum focused on hospitality from a business perspective. Students also explore how to cultivate world-class guest experiences, train and manage hospitality employees, utilize technology to enhance business operations, craft menus, prepare for events, and more.

“Our program is meant to get a student prepared for an entry-level position in the hospitality industry, that could lead to a management position.”* Jason Goldman, Escoffier Lead Chef Instructor

Now, if a culinary-centric job on a cruise ship sounds more appealing, such as an executive chef position, you may want to consider a Culinary Arts program, such as the degree and diploma options that Escoffier offers. With more of an emphasis on contemporary culinary techniques, students can explore a variety of topics, such as cooking methods, bake shop staples, commercial food service operations, world cuisines, farm-to-table philosophy, and more.

At the end of the day, which program you choose will likely depend on the cruise ship occupation that interests you the most and if it’s more geared toward hospitality or culinary arts.

Refine Your Skill Set To Work On A Cruise Ship

As we mentioned before, if you exude great communication and customer service skills, stepping into a hospitality job on a cruise ship could be in your wheelhouse.

But if you don’t have any experience in hospitality, how can you begin to foster the necessary skills it might take to start? This is where education and work experience comes in! At Escoffier, students can begin to develop soft and hard skills from day one, just by immersing themselves in the curriculum. On top of this, students must complete one to two externships in order to graduate. These placements can help provide real-world experience and training you can list on your resume.

For example, you might secure an externship on a cruise ship or in a hotel to “get a taste” of what to expect. An externship is also an invaluable opportunity to forge industry connections, which can plant seeds for your future career.

“The externship class allows students–even those with no prior experience–to get their foot in the door. Once they gain that valuable experience, it is easier for them to determine which path they want to take with their careers.”* Maria Davenport, Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management Instructor

How to Apply for Cruise Ship Jobs

Unlike other jobs where you can apply directly, cruise ships usually partner with agencies that do the hiring for them. So finding a recruiting agency that works with cruise ships can be a great first step. In tandem with this, Escoffier students can also work with Career Services to prepare for the job search, by utilizing one-on-one career coaching and a slew of readiness tools to bolster confidence!

While you begin this stage in the process, you’ll also want to consider exactly how long you’ll want to work on a cruise ship, as placements will vary—meaning you could work on a cruise ship for a week (short-term contract) or several months (long-term contract). Depending on your preferences, look into cruise ships that offer your desired duration, then look into agencies that specifically represent those cruise lines.

Before accepting a job position, you’ll probably also want to consider the type of employment and pay structure that suits you the most. For example, permanent employees might be able to access “contract perks” like longer stints at home, time off preferences, and ongoing healthcare, versus non-permanent employees.

It’s also important to note that some cruise ship positions are salaried, while others are not paid, but you may receive complimentary room and board, plus the occasional gratuity. These are just a few aspects of the job to consider before signing a cruise ship contract.

“The power of working on a cruise ship is that it gives you that confidence. If you put me in a competition right now, I’m not afraid of that. I have to create 18,000 meals a day and design 6,000 recipes in six months.”* Victor Mancilla, Online Culinary Arts Graduate, Corporate Executive Chef

Start Your Cruise Ship Career

If you’re craving more of a non-conventional tourism career on the sea, then securing a cruise ship job could be the best move for you! But before you say bon voyage, you may want to consider starting with an education first, which could help you gain the necessary skills to flourish in this industry.

To take the next step, contact our admissions department to get more information on Escoffier’s Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management or Culinary Arts programs that could help you achieve your dream career.

Enjoyed this article on hospitality? Read these next:

• What is Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management?
• Is Hospitality Management a Good Career Choice for You?
• What Can You Lean in a Hospitality Degree Program?

*Information may not reflect every student’s experience. Results and outcomes may be based on several factors, such as geographical region or previous experience.

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P&O UK unveils summer 2026 cruises with early booking discount

P&O Cruises UK has unveiled its summer 2026 program, accompanied by an enticing early-bird booking promotion.

The itinerary collection encompasses 20+ seven-night Mediterranean voyages out of Southampton , featuring most of the fleet. Arvia and Iona will each undertake 4 new 7-night Mediterranean routes, with ports of call Bilbao , La Coruna , Vigo , and Cherbourg . Prices start at GBP 649 pp.

Moreover, Arvia will offer 14-night western Mediterranean itineraries, with 6 ports of call, including her inaugural voyage to Rome-Civitavecchia , starting at GBP 1,149 pp.

The 2026 program emphasizes more overnight stays and late part stays. Britannia will offer evening departures in 7 ports, while Azura and Arcadia will present overnight stops in Valletta , Quebec , Boston , and New York .

Aurora will introduce 21-night central Mediterranean and 24-night eastern Mediterranean cruises with refreshed itineraries, priced from GBP 2,549. Additionally, Aurora will revisit Istanbul for the first time since 2015, with prices starting at GBP 2,249 for the August 19, 2026 departure from Southampton.

Azura will continue her fly-cruise itineraries from Malta, featuring western, central, and eastern Mediterranean routes.

Britannia's 21-night Central Mediterranean itinerary will highlight Croatia, priced from GBP 1,999, with departures on June 5, 2026. Britannia will also offer a new 14-night Iceland itinerary, starting at GBP 1,499.

Iona will embark on 7-night Norwegian fjords itineraries throughout summer 2026, with a lead-in price of GBP 629.

The collection includes 4 special event cruises, 3 coinciding with total solar eclipses. Ventura will offer a 14-night Atlantic Coast cruise from GBP 1,499, while Arcadia will sail an Iceland and British Isles voyage from Southampton, starting at GBP 1,840, with an optional overnight stay in Greenock to witness the Edinburgh Tattoo.

Aurora will host a Northern Lights sailing departing on October 20, 2026, with prices from GBP 1,249.

Bookings made by June 4 for voyages between March 20 and October 31, 2026, qualify for a 10% discount on applicable Select Price sailings, along with a 10% deposit offer on Select Price and Early Saver bookings.

Port to plate in 48 hours? How Holland America Line brings fresh fish to guests

The semitruck carrying my dinner backed into its parking spot at the Port of San Diego on a late morning in early April.

Shortly before noon, the vehicle opened to reveal roughly 2,800 pounds of fish that had been caught just days earlier. Workers transferred boxes of mahi-mahi and other seafood from the chilly trailer to a warehouse-like space. The fish was inspected and moved onto an extension lift – think a utility vehicle modeled on Mr. Fantastic – parked near Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship.

Its mechanical arm reached across the edge of the pier into a square opening toward the vessel’s aft, where it disappeared from view. But by about 7 p.m., a piece of that mahi-mahi was on my plate in the ship’s main dining room.

Prepared with cilantro rice, guajillo chiles, chipotle and tomato, the fish was mild and sweet with a kick from the spicy sauce.

As part of its Global Fresh Fish Program, Holland America brings a wide range of seafood from port to plate within 48 hours across its fleet. Last week, the brand took that a step further, revealing it is the first global cruise line to receive Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certifications for more sustainable and responsible seafood sourcing.

USA TODAY got a behind-the-scenes look at how the program works during a recent cruise.

What is Holland America’s fresh fish program?

The cruise line sources fish locally from more than 60 ports around the world. During Koningsdam’s April 5 voyage, the crew picked up the mahi-mahi along with rockfish, swordfish, rainbow trout and sea bass in San Diego.

The 48-hour window applies on most voyages, but on repositioning sailings or crossings, fresh fish may be served over a longer window. In those circumstances, however, the fish is not served under the “port to plate” banner.

On our sailing, they initially loaded enough for five or six days and would later restock. “So out of the 22-day voyage, hopefully, we can do maybe 12 or 13 times fresh fish upstairs and in the dining room,” said executive chef Darran Yardley-Salisbury in a storeroom lined with metallic shelves on one of the vessel’s lower decks.

Michael Stendebach, the line’s vice president of Food & Beverage and Guest Services, told USA TODAY the program was born in response to increasing guest demand for seafood and a desire to make the procurement process more sustainable. He said at least 75% of Holland America passengers order fresh fish once – if not twice – per cruise.

“We were looking into the destinations where we are cruising, like Alaska or the Caribbean, and we wanted to get away from the delivery of (shipping) containers into ports,” Stendebach said. “We wanted to build relationships in the single destinations we are in with suppliers.”

The cruise line previously announced in 2022 that it was certified by Responsible Fisheries Management by serving only fresh, sustainable Alaska seafood on its ships sailing there before scaling up its efforts.

Unlike frozen fish, which is prepared in larger portions – though they vary based on the ship’s size – Stendebach said the fresh fish is cooked “á la minute.”

“The fresh fish is kept cold until the order is coming in and then they start to produce it, so there's no overproduction,” he said. “It's really on the spot, and I think that is the freshest way you can experience the fish.”

During the first few days of the April cruise, other fresh fish dishes included sea bass with lemon butter sauce and tapenade at brasserie Rudi’s Sel de Mer and trout with a bread crumb and cashew crust served in a curry sauce at Asian restaurant Tamarind.

Fresh fish is not available in all ports, though, Yardley-Salisbury said, and the line also still serves seafood that has been frozen (outside of Alaska). The percentage of fresh versus frozen fish varies by sailing.

What kinds of fish are part of the program?

The program features more than 80 kinds of fish, with different selections depending on where the ship is sailing. The Caribbean has options like summer flounder and yellowfin tuna, while Hawaii offers striped marlin and Hawaiian pink snapper, among others (a full list can be found on Holland America’s website ).

Getting fresh supplies is easier on some cruises than others. On sailings like ours with many sea days, the kitchen staff has fewer options than in Europe for instance, where vendors are plentiful. "In Europe, it's a little bit like heaven for a chef," said Yardley-Salisbury. "We can go from port to port and we can get the most amazing stuff."

The cruise line denotes which options are fresh on the menus, and will label items that are MSC and ASC certified as well. MSC certifications apply to wild-caught seafood, while ASC certifications are for farmed seafood.

“Overfishing, unregulated fishing, excessive bycatch, these are all things that have a huge impact on the oceans,” said Erika Feller, regional director, Americas at the MSC.

MSC issues certifications to fisheries that meet its sustainability requirements, as well as Chain of Custody certifications that affirm the fish customers are buying comes from a certified fishery. The process is voluntary and the certifications are based on third-party audits.

The fishery certification lasts five years, while the Chain of Custody certification is good for three. Both undergo annual audits to ensure they are maintaining those conditions.

The crew on Koningsdam did a quality check of its own kind.

Yardley-Salisbury and members of the kitchen staff tasted dishes, including fish, before service to make sure the dishes are prepared according to the recipe and the flavor profile is "as it should be." Gathered around a table in a galley, they each grabbed spoon or forkfuls of every dish.

They repeat that process every day before service. "Any alterations that we need to make should only be seasoning issues, temperature issues, volume issues, maybe a little bit of sauce," he said.

What happens to uneaten cruise food?: These lines are working to reduce waste

Does fresh fish cost more?

Fresh fish may be more expensive, but passengers shouldn’t worry about seeing higher fares or food costs as a result. Stendebach said the line is saving money on logistics costs by cutting back on containers “being shipped from A to B.”

“So for that reason, you can spend more money on the product,” he said.

The program and the new certifications help offer guests a user-friendly way to eat more sustainably . Feller said, “the whole idea here is to make it easy for people to find that good choice.”

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Holland America Line. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].