I know, I know, everyone says to avoid cruise ships and all that. However, it is something I would like to do.
Anyway, how would an American obtain a position of third mate with a cruise line? Any unions that employ for them? Contact them directly and ask “hey, looking for any third mates?”
Any insight is appreciated.
Also, sorry for the painfully stupid question.
Worry about getting your license first. But to help you out almost no companies hire Americans. the only two I can think of where I know people working there are Celebrity and Regents Seven Seas. You’re far more likely to get a job on some type of Ferry if you want to work on passenger vessels.
What about Norwegian Cruise Line in Hawaii? Their unlicensed are crewed by SIU, don’t know about the officers maybe AMO or MEBA?
Royal Caribbean also hires many Americans. They are the parent company of Celebrity who does as well. Also Disney will hire Americans. These are all nonunion. NCL America has to hire all Americans as they are US flagged but it is through a union. For NCL, contact that union. For the others, contact them directly.
Royal Caribbean International
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 31365
so please tell us why cruise ships are so appealing to you young man?
I think if you are asking the question you are then we get to ask this one in return.
MEBA has the contracts for the NCL ships. However they are some of the lowest paying contracts.
[QUOTE=c.captain;94267]so please tell us why cruise ships are so appealing to you young man?
I think if you are asking the question you are then we get to ask this one in return.[/QUOTE]
I don’t think it’s the cruise ships themselves that are appealing to a young man, it’s probably more in regards to the many female coworkers that you share living spaces with. Those ships are a smorgasbord (spelling?) of international hotties! Wish I would have went to work on a cruise ship right out of high school instead of playing G.I. Joe 
Yeah I know a few guys who went to NCL and they had a blast. Most of them only did a few trips then got better paying jobs, but they all had a lot of fun. If I were single, 21 and just starting out I would have done a trip or two. I had one buddy who told me he was getting laid every night and that was during sea trials.
[QUOTE=brjones;94303]Yeah I know a few guys who went to NCL and they had a blast. Most of them only did a few trips then got better paying jobs, but they all had a lot of fun. If I were single, 21 and just starting out I would have done a trip or two. I had one buddy who told me he was getting laid every night and that was during sea trials.[/QUOTE]
Thanks! Now I feel my whole life was a waste and I missed out. I feel severe depression setting in and must go binge eat! 
[QUOTE=ForkandBlade;94302]I don’t think it’s the cruise ships themselves that are appealing to a young man, it’s probably more in regards to the many female coworkers that you share living spaces with. Those ships are a smorgasbord (spelling?) of international hotties! [/QUOTE]
No shit Sherlock!
Always a “Negative Nelly” in the crowd!
I heard on the NCL boats that all the officers have their own cabin. I was told this a practical shoe in to meet the ladies from the hospitality staff. Pretty much all of the hospitality staff are three to five deep in a cabin, so the ladies would almost do anything just to have a head all to themselves. Sounds pretty advantageous for a young mate or engineer.
I did my wiper time working for American Hawaiian Cruises…I was 18…I almost didn’t make it back…
[QUOTE=Fraqrat;94332]I did my wiper time working for American Hawaiian Cruises…I was 18…I almost didn’t make it back…[/QUOTE]
What…from all the weed that was being shmoked aboard?
Pakalolo was the most benign thing going on around there…
[QUOTE=“c.captain;94267”]so please tell us why cruise ships are so appealing to you young man?
I think if you are asking the question you are then we get to ask this one in return.[/QUOTE]
It’s for the GILFs of course.
The ladies love those ice cream man uniforms with the gold trim. NCL also has some American officers on their foreign ships who started out on the US flag ship.