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Finding
Massage Therapy Jobs on Cruise Ships
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There is a wealth of massage therapy jobs available. Some therapists choose to work in the medical field, others prefer working with athletes, and still more open private practices or join a group that works with the community at large. Some therapists, however, dream of working in a glamorous setting—such as on a cruise ship. But how does one land such a plum assignment?
One way to look for a massage therapy job on a cruise ship is to sign up with a placement agency such as Cruise Job Line or Cruise Ship Jobs. Such agencies work to match potential employees with the cruise ship that is the best fit for them. They do the research on cruise lines and itineraries, assist with job applications, and keep you up to date on who is hiring and what they want. The one-time fee for these services usually runs around $50.
Frankly, however, these companies don’t do anything for you that you can’t do for yourself with a little persistence and research. Almost every cruise line has an employment section on its website. You can find out for yourself which cruise lines have open massage therapy jobs, and by exploring the website a little, you can get a feel for the cruise line’s goals.
Carnival, for instance, caters to a young, active crowd. Princess, on the other hand, woos the older, more upscale traveler. Knowing this information can help you slant your resume and cover letter appropriately and improve your chances of getting a massage therapy job with a cruise line. As importantly, it can help you decide which cruise lines would provide a good working atmosphere for you.
What Qualifications Are Needed to Get a Massage Therapy Job on a Cruise Ship?
Cruise ship life isn’t for everyone, but enough massage therapists are drawn to it that the competition for jobs can be quite stiff. Cruise lines usually have their pick among the cream of the crop.
To make yourself a contender, you should be nationally certified, licensed in your state (if your state offers licensure) and have at least a year of experience under your belt. Since cruise ship passengers are a diverse group, you’ll also need to know several different kinds of massage therapy—Swedish, sports, deep tissue, etc. If you have a specialty, such as aromatherapy, chakra tuning and alignment, hot rock massage, Reiki, etc., so much the better.
Getting a massage therapy job on a cruise ship can take a while, so if you’re not hired immediately, be patient. Use the time to build your skills and make yourself more attractive than ever to potential cruise line employers.
