By Lucian Reed-Drake

When it comes to the world of luxury cruising, the guests certainly are Very Important People, so crewmembers and their hospitality standards are insisted to be of an exceptional quality. Step forward the suitably named ‘VIP International’, a worldwide cruise ship recruitment agency that delivers many of the finest hospitality and catering professionals at sea.

VIP International has been going since 1968, recruiting for the cruise, hotel and industrial industry all over the world. The cruise line division was first launched specifically to provide assistance in recruiting skilled personnel for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) and their inauguration of their first vessel in 1970.  This specialized division has nurtured a well-recognised reputation throughout the industry with many of the major cruise liners.

Catch on with VIP International

With their head office in London and many other offices scattered worldwide, VIP International recruits over 1,000 people a year across all departments. This is the one-stop for a number of management level positions too, with which previous experience in the hospitality industry, on land and at sea, can really pay off with an exciting job abroad and an excellent salary.

Working Abroad Magazine spoke to Marco Mansouri, Chairman and Managing Director for the company, having worked himself for over 18 years onboard, and gaining a good reputation between many cruise liners. For contacts within the cruising industry, VIP International has its fingers in many pies. Year-round, they are recruiting for all the leading names including: Carnival cruise jobs, Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, P&O and RCCL, as well as the smaller and more upscale liners such as Azamara, Oceania, Seabourn and Silversea.

The recruitment drive is ongoing and there is always a high demand for crewmembers. As an example, RCCL has 22 ships, one of which the Legend of the Seas recruits around 40 people. In 2009 alone, VIP international recruited 400 crewmembers for RCCL worldwide.

With such a catalogue of high quality liners and fierce competition for jobs, the main requirement that comes with applying with this agency, is experience. Whilst it is not essential to have previous shipboard experience, candidates are preferred to have 3-5 years experience relative to the position they are applying for, ideally in a 4-5* hotel or a Michelin Restaurant.

The other pre-requisite is that you must be at least 21 years old, and able to speak, read and write English proficiently, since English is the first language onboard.  Previous experience working abroad and additional languages are not essential, although a great selling point, and will give you more of a chance to find a quick departure.

Successful applicants can expect a contract of 4-6 months, with a 2 month vacation in between and the possibility to renew the contract as many times as you would like. Make no mistake, it is hard work, and you can expect to work up to 70 hours a week. There are also start-up costs involved, including £75 (US$120) for a C1D Visa to permit crew to travel via the US, as well as £300 (US$450) for a full medical check up which is valid for two years.  Some companies require the crewmember to pay for the cost of the flight to join the ship, although this is not always necessary as it depends on the company.

A factor that makes VIP International stand out from some of the other cruise recruitment agencies, is that they do not ask money from the candidate to find them a job, whilst in other parts of the world the candidates usually have to pay the agency for their services.  The candidates don’t pay any finders fee, instead the agency pre-arranges the contract and a flat fee with the cruise liner direct.

In return, you can have an amazing time eating and sleeping for free, as well as travelling to some of the world’s most exotic ports of call, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean and South America, or from Australasia to Asia, and beyond. Marco claims many find the best part is the people you meet and the atmosphere onboard, “you can learn a lot about other cultures. We also say it is like a really good school where you can learn a lot professionally.”

The salaries vary according to the position and level that you work as and also depends on the company and experience you have. The great thing about working abroad on cruise liners is that your salary is tax-free and once on board you can save most of your money since all of your living expenses are covered.

If you have never worked on ships before, in some cases the candidate might have to accept some time to be hired on a lower position than they might have had on land. This is in order to adapt to the different (and more difficult) working environment and often an increased number of guests that you may be used to. Yet there is soon potential for career progression onboard. If you are motivated, you have a real opportunity of promotion much sooner than you would on land. You can even be promoted after just one contract! There are also opportunities for well-experienced hospitality professionals, since VIP International also has a number of high-level cruise jobs.

The cruise industry, their products and clientele are diverse, and with such a wide range of jobs and companies associated with VIP International, it is always worth applying. Marco has told us that there are different types of ships and each company has a different way of working. If you do not pass the first interview, the door is always open with VIP International. Marco says that “sometimes it’s a no for one of our clients but can be a yes with another. Also when we can’t accept an application if the candidate has a lack of experience, we welcome them to come back and reapply when they have improved in a year.”

So the burning question…how to apply? Well you can send your CV via email to cruise@vipinternational.co.uk. Otherwise the doors are always open in their offices to pop in. Check out www.vipinternational.co.uk for more information on contact details and for upcoming interviews and current vacancies.Best of luck and Bon Voyage!

“I had been backpacking for a year and was back at home and bored,” says Matthew Everson. “I still had the travel bug, though, and thought working on a cruise ship would be the best way of seeing the world and getting paid for it!”

Work in a Cruise Ship Retail Shop

That was two years ago and Matthew is now on his fifth ship, including spells on the Queen Mary  2 (transatlantic) and QE2 (world cruise)’ I went to P&O’s Arcadia as emergency cover for someone who had to transfer to another ship. I was only supposed to be there for three months but I was promoted to Assistant manager and ended up staying for a full six months!’

Matthew had worked part time at Tesco while he was at university and also had experience as a restaurant assistant manager and selling nuts, bolts and power tools at an engineering firm. Now he’s a shop manager responsible for selling fashion on one of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships, the Silver Shadow, and has had experience with most areas that Harding Brothers covers, including Casual and Formal Clothing, Fine jewelery and Costume Jewelery, Perfume and Cosmetics.

He describes a typical day: “On the Silver Shadow our opening times are a little different to the larger ships; we open at 9am until 12 noon then close until 2.30pm. This give’s us an opportunity to have a break, re-stock the shop or have a sleep. We reopen at 2.30pm until 8pm, and then again from 9.30pm until midnight. I typically will leave the office at about 1am after all the paperwork has been sent to the office. On a port day we open about 1/2 an hour after we sail, because we are not allowed to open in port. This typically means we are off duty and go ashore, unless you have other duties to do or are IPM (you take it in turns to stay onboard for safety reasons).”

Since working for the company Matthew has been to over 65 countries including Australia, China, Columbia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, India, Vietnam, Singapore, New Zealand, plus most of the Caribbean, Russia and Mediterranean. (WOW!)

“Harding Brothers are very flexible and let you decide where you would like to go after you have completed your first contract with them,” he says. “There is a fantastic variety in cruise ships and itinerary. Shore side management is always very supportive if you have problems on board a ship and even when you are on leave.”

WAM: So what would he say to other graduates considering applying for a position with the company?

“If you enjoy travel, hard work, adapt very quickly and you can get along with people for long periods of time, then working on cruise ships is a great way to see the world, meet new people and experience things you would never normally get the opportunity to do, from helicopter flying to  husky racing, from sky diving to Great White shark diving!”

We also talked to Matthews colleague Isabel who always wanted to see the world. When she discovered the world of onboard retailing she contacted Harding Brothers – and so started her new career in 2005. She is currently Boutique Manager onboard the Silver Whisper now in the Mediterranean after wintering in Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Isabel joined Harding Brothers after working at Disney’s Epcot park in Orlando, Florida.

WAM: What do you like about your new life?

“Everyday is different, nothing is ever boring,” she says. “Everyday is a new adventure, someone new to meet, a new city to discover, so many exotic ports to explore. The view from our window changes every single day, there is no time to be bored onboard!”

Having visited every single Continent, Isabel just can’t wait for the next port of call.

“I usually go on a tour in the morning, which always takes us somewhere interesting; then I come back to the ship, collect some friends and go out for lunch. I love to try the local food, then maybe have a coffee or a drink somewhere in the port. After that it’s time to go back to the ship and get ready for work!”

Her shops open before dinner and then again afterwards until midnight. “The shop is always busy, busy, so the time flies by. After that a drink or two in the crew bar is always a must, and then tomorrow we’ll start all over again.”

For any graduate considering their career options, Isabel highly recommends working for Harding Brothers. “It’s a great experience on every level, professional and personal,” she says. “It’s a chance to grow, make many friends all over the world and learn a lot! The experience that you will have onboard – no other place can give to you.”

Interested in Harding Brothers? Email Harold Gittelmon, harold.gittelmon@hardingbros.co.uk or call 0117 982 5961.