Ticket, visas, medical and other requirements
– I don’t have much money, what if they hire me and send me on the other end of the world, how will I pay for my ticket? A lot of the cruise lines will require you to pay your ticket en route to the ship the first time you are joining and many positions (waiters, room attendants, bar servers, etc) will always be paying their return tickets, but if you are having trouble paying initially, you can negotiate and it is possible for the company to agree purchase your ticket and thent collect the payment in installments from your salary once onboard.
– What visas will I need to work on a ship? For those ships that operated out of the United States, you will be asked for a Seaman’s C1/D visa. This can be acquired after you are a hired and the company issues you a Letter of Employment, which you can present in the American Consulate closest to you. You will need to make an appointment and show up for an interview, but if all your required paperwork is in order, you should be granted this visa, unless you have some prior dealings with the American authorities, who have denied your entry in the States. If your ship will be operating out of europe, you will be asked for a Shengen visa or a visa for the country you are joining the ship in. This is the case with Australia, some South American countries, etc. Again these visas can be obtained once you get a Letter of Employment and your first assignment.
– Medical. Usually you will be advised by the hiring agent which are the approved medical facilities you can obtain your medical from.
Leave a Reply