Once upon a time, the sea was no place for women. Old maritime legends claimed it was bad luck to have a woman onboard, thanks to myths about mermaids leading sailors astray. The only way women worked at sea was by disguising themselves as men. True story.
But the tides have changed—literally.
These days, cruise ships are one of the most welcoming places for women in the entire marine industry.
While only about 1.2% of the world’s professional mariners are women, cruise lines are far ahead of the game, with some ships boasting female crews of up to 20%.
And no, you’re not just limited to spa jobs or kids’ clubs (unless that’s what you want to do!). Whether you dream of commanding the bridge or dazzling on stage, there’s room for you onboard.
🛳️ Where Do Most Cruise Jobs Fall?
About 85% of cruise ship roles fall into the “hotel” category—think restaurants, bars, entertainment, retail, housekeeping, spa services, and guest experience. The other 15% are “marine” roles, like navigation and engineering.
But here’s the good news: gender isn’t a job qualifier. From captain to casino dealer, there are cruise ship jobs available for women in every department.
Let’s dive into the 15 best cruise ship jobs for women—from high-ranking officers to fun, flexible roles that let you see the world.
1. Captain
Yes, we’re starting at the very top. Once unheard of, female cruise captains are now sailing across all the major cruise lines.
The first woman to command a cruise ship was Karin Stahre-Janson in 2007. Since then, cruise lines like Celebrity, Cunard, Silversea, Virgin Voyages, and Windstar have proudly promoted women to their highest bridge roles.
One of the most famous captains at sea today is Kate McCue, the first American woman to captain a major cruise ship—and a true icon for women in maritime leadership.
👩✈️ What it takes:
- 15–20 years of experience
- Maritime certifications and licenses
- Serious leadership and crisis management skills
🎓 It’s not an easy road, but it’s one of the most rewarding.
2. Deck Officer
If captaining the ship feels a bit too far off right now, deck officer roles are a great place to start. These are leadership positions on the bridge that help manage navigation, safety, and ship operations.
You’ll find roles like:
- Staff Captain
- First, Second, and Third Officers
- Security and Safety Officers
- Deck Cadets (ideal entry point!)
Celebrity Cruises leads the way here, with 32% of their bridge crew made up of women, and they even made history with an all-female bridge team on Celebrity Edge in 2020.
3. Cruise Director
If you’re a natural entertainer with serious organizational chops, being a Cruise Director could be your dream gig.
Cruise directors manage all things fun onboard—from shows to game nights to special events. While this used to be a guy-dominated role, many of today’s top cruise directors are women, especially on Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships.
This role is perfect if you’re:
- Outgoing and charismatic
- Comfortable speaking on a microphone in front of large groups
- Good at managing staff and schedules
🧡 Think cruise, MC meets event planner meets team captain.
4. Guest Services Representative
Prefer something more front-desk than front-stage? Guest Services is where many women thrive on cruise ships, especially if you’re multilingual and love solving problems.
You’ll assist with:
- Room issues
- Billing questions
- Itinerary adjustments
- General passenger support
This department often has a 50/50 gender split, making it one of the most balanced onboard.
5. Performer
Love the spotlight? Cruise lines are always hiring talented women for entertainment roles. Whether you’re:
- A dancer in the main-stage show
- A singer in the piano bar
- An aerialist or acrobat in a production number
- Even a close-up magician—yes, women do that too!
There are countless ways to turn your talent into a cruise career.
✨ Bonus: Most performers enjoy better rooms, less daily workload, and more free time than many other crew roles.
6. Shore Excursions Manager
Love exploring new places and helping others do the same? A shore excursions manager gets paid to do just that. You’ll be in charge of selling, organizing, and sometimes even joining guests on tours.
Perks of this job:
- You get to try out excursions (yes, for free!)
- You’ll interact with guests and tour operators daily
- It’s a fantastic way to see the world without spending a dime
This role often appeals to women who love planning, presenting, and—let’s be honest—going on adventures.
7. Waitress
Dining room teams can be male-heavy, but don’t let that discourage you. Cruise lines hire women for all kinds of food service roles, from buffet servers to cocktail waitresses to fine dining attendants.
You’ll find job opportunities in:
- Specialty restaurants
- Cafés and bakeries
- Lounges and poolside bars
- Room service departments
💡 Fun fact: Friendly, multilingual women often earn more tips in guest-facing roles like this.
8. Chef
Cruise ship kitchens (aka galleys) have traditionally been dominated by men, but that’s changing fast. More women are moving into culinary leadership roles—whether it’s baking, butchery, or gourmet cuisine.
If you’ve worked in a restaurant or attended culinary school, you’ve got a solid shot at landing a galley position, from prep cook to sous chef.
🚨 Pro tip: Some female chefs say once you’re in the kitchen, your skills matter more than your gender.
9. Beautician & Spa Therapist
Cruise ship spas are a haven for wellness lovers. Women dominate this department, both as staff and clients. Jobs include:
- Hairdresser
- Nail tech
- Massage therapist
- Facialist or skincare expert
- General beauty therapist
You’ll work in a luxurious setting, often on a commission or tip-based system, which means the more bookings you get, the more you earn.
💅 Bonus: You get discounts on spa treatments, too!
10. Shop Assistant
Cruise ships are floating shopping malls. From duty-free jewelry to designer clothing to souvenirs, there’s something for every guest—and plenty of retail jobs for women.
You could work in:
- Fine jewelry or watch boutiques
- Designer handbag shops
- Perfume and cosmetics counters
- Gift shops or photo studios
If you’re great at customer service and love helping people find the perfect item, this is a rewarding and often fun-paced role.
11. Security Guard
Surprised? Many people are. While land-based security is often male-dominated, cruise ship security departments regularly employ women, and not just for show.
You might be:
- Manning the gangway and checking IDs
- Monitoring ship surveillance
- Responding to guest incidents
- Assisting with crowd control during emergencies
Cruise lines appreciate the balance a female security presence can bring, especially when handling sensitive situations involving female guests or crew.
12. Bar Server
Most cruise ship bars still skew male, but many lines—like Celebrity Cruises—are actively recruiting more women into beverage service roles to diversify their teams.
Women can apply for roles such as:
- Cocktail waitress
- Bartender
- Bar back (support staff)
- Wine steward
👠 Why it works: Many women in bar roles find great success, especially in guest-facing environments where a warm personality and great service translate into better tips.
13. Engineer
Yes, you read that right. Cruise ship engine rooms aren’t just for the guys anymore. In fact, in 2018, Leanne Robertson became the first woman promoted to First Engineer for P&O Cruises—a huge milestone for women in ship operations.
Engineering teams oversee:
- Engines and power systems
- Plumbing and waste
- Ventilation and air conditioning
- Safety and emergency systems
If you’ve studied mechanical or electrical engineering and want a career that combines tech with travel, don’t count yourself out here.
14. Lifeguard
Lifeguarding has always been one of the more balanced jobs in terms of gender—and that’s true at sea, too.
Some cruise lines even prefer hiring female lifeguards for cultural reasons, especially on routes through regions where guests may prefer gender-specific supervision at pools.
Note: Not all cruise lines staff pool areas with lifeguards, so check listings carefully if this is the job you’re after.
15. Youth Staff
Family-friendly cruise ships almost always have kids’ clubs, and the people running them are overwhelmingly women.
As a youth staff member, you’ll:
- Organize games and activities
- Supervise playtime
- Manage themed events
- Keep the kids safe while their parents relax
This role is perfect for women with backgrounds in teaching, childcare, or psychology.
Just note: cruise contracts can make it hard to start your own family while you’re away for months at a time—something to consider long-term.
Final Thoughts: Women Belong on Every Deck
From captains to croupiers, entertainers to engineers, women are not only welcome aboard—they’re thriving.
Cruise ship careers are open to anyone with drive, training, and the willingness to live and work at sea.
So, whether you’re chasing leadership, adventure, or a flexible role with room to grow, know this: your gender is no barrier.
💬 As the article beautifully closes: Having a vagina should never limit your career path at sea—or anywhere else.
