Working for Disney Cruise Line

[only_me_123]

Hi all,

First off, I would like to say hi as I am new here.

A little about me… I’m a 34 year old male from the United Kingdom.

I am posting this message as I would like to find out more about working for Disney/Disney Cruise Line and the best way to go about applying.

I frequently look and see jobs at Disney head office in the UK – London. I applied for a role around 2 years ago in my area of expertise in which I was not successful. My area of expertise is web and graphic design (19 years’ experience). I assume I just wasn’t what they were looking for at the time – maybe I didn’t have enough “big” projects on my C.V. or something such like.

Anyway, I have always thought the idea of working on the Cruise Line would be fantastic. I enjoy helping people and would love the opportunity to do this at sea.

At present, I can only see a few jobs available that are in the US.

Now, I have a few questions and wondered if anyone can offer some advice…

• Being based in the UK, can I apply for jobs at sea that are based in the US? I assume I need some kind of VISA. If so – do I apply for a VISA first, or do I apply first? What type of VISA would I require?
• If I cannot apply for jobs in the US, can I apply a different way such as writing them a letter directly offering my assistance (that sounds a bit desperate), but I would be happy doing most kind of jobs.
• Can I write to them asking for an internship/work experience? – Do they offer this?
• Can I still do this being over 30?

I would basically like the opportunity to work for Disney Cruise Line in most areas. I do not think my current area of work – design, would be suitable at sea?

Can anyone recommend the best path to proceed? Any tips and advice would be great, especially with the UK/US working situation.

Many thanks!

 

[Marc D]

The best way to start is to visit this link :

https://jobs.disneycareers.com/category/dcl-shipboard-island-jobs/391/38467/1
They mention what they call a ‘procurement ally’, someone with the proper knowledge that will be able to answer all your questions before starting the application process.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Getting an office job in the US on that skillset requires a specific visa. The visa type required is currently closed, and graphic design would not have qualified before it was shut down this year.

 

[only_me_123]

Thanks, yes that is the website I have seen the current jobs on for Cruise Line.

I understand graphic design wouldn't be accepted, which is why I would be open to other jobs onboard.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Thanks, yes that is the website I have seen the current jobs on for Cruise Line.

I understand graphic design wouldn't be accepted, which is why I would be open to other jobs onboard.

Sometimes, if you havea certain skillset that's not needed, they wonder why you'd want the change and how long you'd stay. Make sure, in your cover letter to explain your desire for the change and for the ability to work in that area. Also, do you have any idea what you'd like to do on the ship? You might look at getting relevant experience on land. For example, if you want to be in entertainment, start doing something on land, even if it's only volunteer work at a senior home.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Before Covid and the worldwide shut down of the travel and tourism industry, you would apply for a job and if you were hired Disney would arrange the work visa for you. Your eligibility to remain in USA would be dependent on your employment with Disney.

Disney are like any other employer, so you would have had to have the relevant skills, qualifications or experience for whatever job you were applying for. For example, you would have to had front of house restaurant experience to be a server, or you would have had hotel housekeeping experience to be a stateroom host.

However now, with the indefinite worldwide shutdown of the cruise industry as well as the suspension of multiple types of work visa's by the USA Government, I'm afraid you are out of luck.

When the Disney Cruise Line does restart, they will have limited passenger capacity which will lead to a reduction of crew members. There will be huge competition from previous crew members for all of the positions, so unfortunately you , with no previous ship experience or even land based hotel, restaurant or hospitality experience will be at the bottom of the list and your CV will probably not even pass the first online screening filter.

 

[Travel60]

I agree with BadPinkTink that jobs could be difficult to come by for a while but it seems that Disney does like diversity on the staff.

I'm a huge believer in multiple-disciplinarity...use what you know and the skills you have to make yourself marketable. Think of a job you would not mind doing 14 hours a day, 6-7 days a week for a ?6-9? month contract and get some experience in it. Youth staff, working in shops, crafts, maintenance (painting, cleaning), food service, bartender or room steward, DJ or other entertainment jobs.
The workers work hard, most have multiple shifts, multiple venues. They have tiny rooms with roommates. We seldom see anyone enjoying the "employee pool".