Do You Get Drug Tested to Work on a Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

One of the most common questions people have when considering working on a cruise ship is whether or not they will have to take a drug test. The answer is yes, cruise ship employers do require drug testing as part of their hiring process.

What Does the Drug Test Entail? Cruise ship employers typically require applicants to submit to a urine test as part of their pre-employment requirements. The test is conducted by a third-party lab and examines the sample for traces of drugs including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). Most cruise lines will also check for alcohol use.

When Do I Take the Test? The drug test is usually conducted at the time of your interview or shortly thereafter. Depending on the cruise line, you may be asked to take the test before your interview or after it has been completed. It’s important to note that some cruise lines may require you to pass the drug test in order to be considered for employment.

What Happens if I Fail? If you fail your drug test, you will likely be denied employment with that particular cruise line. Depending on the company’s policy, you may also be reported to other potential employers if you fail the drug test at any point during your application process.

Do I Need to Inform My Employer if I’m Taking Medication? Yes. If you are taking any medication that could potentially show up on a drug test, it’s important that you inform your employer ahead of time so they can take this into account when reviewing your results.

Conclusion: Cruise ship employers do conduct pre-employment drug tests as part of their hiring process and applicants should expect to take a urine sample when applying for a job onboard a vessel. It’s important that applicants provide any necessary information regarding medications they are taking before submitting their sample so that it can be taken into consideration when reviewing the results.