Working on a cruise ship is a great way to travel the world and make money. Most people think they have to be 21 years old in order to work on a cruise ship, but this is not always the case.
In reality, the age requirement to work on a cruise ship varies by company and job type.
Cruise Line Age Requirements
Most major cruise lines require employees to be 18 years or older at the time of hire. Some companies may require employees to be 21 years or older for certain jobs, such as bartending and serving alcohol. Other jobs may not have an age limit, such as retail sales or housekeeping.
Age Requirements for Cruise Ship Entertainers
Dancers & Singers: Most cruise lines require dancers and singers to be at least 18 years of age in order to audition and potentially perform onboard their ships. However, some companies may allow younger performers (16-17) if they are accompanied by an adult guardian.
Magicians & Variety Acts: The majority of cruise lines allow magicians and variety acts that are 16 years old or older, but some companies may require performers to be 18 years or older depending on the act’s content and whether it involves alcohol service/consumption.
Children’s Entertainers: Many major cruise lines do not have a minimum age requirement for children’s entertainers as long as applicants are able to provide proof of eligibility documents such as work permits, social security cards, etc.
Age Requirements for Cruise Ship Crew Members
Most major cruise lines will hire crew members who are 18 years or older for entry-level positions such as deckhands, kitchen staff, cabin stewards/stewardesses, and housekeepers. However, some positions may require applicants to be 21 years old or older due to safety regulations.
The age requirement to work on a cruise ship depends on the company and job type. While most major cruise lines require employees to be at least 18 years old at the time of hire, there are some exceptions depending on the job duties and responsibilities.