Live the High Life! Become a Cruise Ship Security Officer and Earn up to R90,000 per Month! Cruise ship security officers perform a combination of security and maritime duties to ensure the safety and security of crew and passengers aboard their vessels. These security professionals must have specialized training and skills to enter their roles, often starting as deck officers or security guards and advancing with experience. With the right experience, they can earn up to R90,000 per month.

If you’re interested in a career as a cruise ship security officer, there are several important things to consider about the job. In this article, we explore what a cruise ship security officer is, what they do and how to become a cruise ship security officer with several frequently asked questions to help you learn more about the role and if it’s right for you.

What is a cruise ship security officer?

Cruise ship security officers are security guards who work on cruise ships and typically have prior experience working in law enforcement, security or the military. These are the professionals who patrol cruise ships and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members on board. Cruise ship security officers can travel the world, and they often get to enjoy many of the amenities aboard the ships they work on.

 

What does a cruise ship security officer do?

Security officers on a cruise ship often report to chief or deputy security officers or staff captains to carry out objectives regarding the safety and patrol of the ship. They monitor and control all points of entry to the vessel and assist during passenger boarding to ensure passengers meet screening requirements to board. Cruise ship security officers must also train in anti-terrorism and anti-piracy techniques to develop the skills necessary to mitigate threats and respond to emergency situations should they arise onboard. Additional job duties cruise ship security officers perform include:

• Recording and presenting activity logs during evening and overnight hours to document security status

• Performing regular patrol of all areas on board the vessel, including public and crew-only areas

• Conducting scheduled and random security inspections in crew quarters to ensure crew members’ safety and compliance to regulations and maritime law

• Checking luggage and belongings of crew members and passengers to ensure no prohibited items come on board the vessel

• Attending meetings, training programs and educational courses in compliance with cruise line regulations

• Coordinating safety and security with other security professionals while ships are at port

• Screening passengers who are returning to ships after being at port

Related: Learn About Being a Security Officer

How to become a cruise ship security officer

Security officers who work for cruise lines typically have prior experience working in the field. That being said, you can take several approaches to becoming a licensed security officer aboard a cruise ship, including the following steps:

1. Attend an accredited maritime training program

Many cruise ship security officers must attend an accredited maritime training academy, as this can be a requirement across many cruise lines. Maritime diploma programs include training in passenger vessel security, private vessel security, international ship and port facility security (ISPS) codes and maritime law and regulation. Most programs that provide maritime training can provide you with an entry-level credential that supports your advancement to the role of security officer.

2. Gain entry-level experience

To advance to the rank of security officer, most security professionals serve in entry-level security guard positions or as deck officers who report to an acting deputy officer. Working in an entry-level role gives you the experience you need to learn how to perform on the job. This valuable experience also gives you specialized maritime skills that can boost your competitive advantage when advancing in rank.

3. Complete firearms and safety training

Most entry-level security guards aboard cruise ships work unarmed until they gain more experience and attend a firearms safety course. As you advance to the rank of a security officer, it’s important to complete this firearms training to obtain certification to carry firearms aboard passenger vessels. Depending on the cruise line company and the role you work in when you enter your career, you can likely complete firearms training on your schedule.

4. Obtain all necessary certifications

Cruise ship security officers must hold specific certifications in areas like maritime safety, firearms security and other areas that cruise lines may require. Several of these credentials include certificates and licenses in basic safety courses, firearms handling, anti-terrorism protocol and licensing as a security officer. The specific credentials you need to work as a security officer can vary between cruise companies and your country or state of origin.

5. Advance your career

Cruise ship security officers have many opportunities to advance their careers. Many officers obtain promotion to deputy or chief officers, depending on their skills, qualifications and experience. As a security officer aboard a cruise ship, you can pursue additional training and certification for higher-level security roles. Additionally, some security officers who work in the role for a number of years may also advance to security captain or staff captain, where they become responsible for directing and managing security activities and procedures for all security staff aboard their vessels.

Related: How To Become a Security Guard

FAQs about becoming a cruise ship security officer

For more insight into what it’s like to work as a cruise ship security officer, consider the following frequently asked questions about the career:

What’s the average salary for a cruise ship security officer?

According to Indeed’s salary data, a security officer earns a national average salary of R1,5 millon per year. While this income average reflects the salary potential for security officers across all work environments, security officers who work aboard passenger ships may earn more or less than the average. The difference in income levels can depend on the cruise line company officers work for and the level of experience they have.

What is the work environment like for a cruise ship security officer?

Even though cruise ship security officers work primarily aboard passenger vessels, they also have the opportunity to explore some of the ports they land in during their off-duty hours. Security officers may also perform tasks within port facilities to screen and approve passengers for boarding, usually by checking luggage and belongings for prohibited items. Aboard a cruise ship, security officers typically work throughout all deck areas to patrol access points, vessel safety equipment, guests’ quarters and the bridge and captain’s areas. Security personnel also spend long hours moving around the ship, often working evening and overnight shifts.

What skills do cruise ship security officers need to be successful?

Cruise ship security officers must possess specialized knowledge and skills in maritime law, policy and methods of conduct. These security professionals train in a variety of areas to support the safety and security of all crew and passengers aboard a vessel. Several key hard skills specific to the role include firearms handling, at-port and at-sea safety protocols, risk mitigation techniques and technical knowledge for navigating cruise ship computer systems.

Security officers also interact with a diverse range of individuals, from their fellow crew members to different passengers. Communication skills, interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate social interaction with others are highly important traits on the job. Many cruise ship security officers are also fluent in more than one language, giving them the communication skills they need to assist passengers and work with crew members from all over the world.

 

 

Cruise Ship Jobs Gaining invaluable experience and skills while working on a cruise ship is a fantastic opportunity to boost your career prospects. Whether you‘re looking to progress within the cruise industry or explore a new career path, your time at sea will be a valuable addition to your CV.

Average Silversea Cruise Line Security Officer monthly pay in South Africa is approximately R 129 000 per Month, which is 795% above the national average.

The average Crew Life at Sea monthly salary ranges from approximately R 43 881 per month for Broadcaster to R 93 928 per month for Waiter/Waitress.

Check your pay

Salary range for the majority of workers in Ships’ deck officers and pilots – from R90 078 to R145 498 per month – 2023. A Ships’ deck officers and pilots typically earns between R90 078 and R122 066 net per month at the start of the job.

Top 10 Reasons to Work on a Cruise Ship Jobs.

 

1. Unlock Limitless Opportunities: Exploring the World Through Cruise Ship Employment

Working on a cruise ship is an amazing opportunity to explore the world without having to worry about the cost of accommodation and food. Employees are able to sign contracts to work on a ship for up to nine months, giving them the chance to visit a variety of places they may never have had the chance to see before. With limited time off each week, they can still make the most of their time in port and experience new cultures and sights. At the end of their contract, they can choose to embark on a new journey to even more exciting destinations.

 

2. Revel in Exciting Experiences: Discover the Joys of Working on a Cruise Ship

Cruise crew members’ salaries are low partly because they receive food and a place to live. Jobs that involve customer service, such as room stewards and dining table waiters, are highly dependent on tips. Ship workers find they don’t need to spend a lot of money, though, and are able to save money or send it home to support their families. Crew members say that after some initial splurging, they spend very little in ports because they go to them so often. Ships host crew parties on a regular basis, too, covering part of what they’d spend on entertainment.

International Friendships

Great Food

Good Weather

Why Do You Want to Work on Cruise Ships Interview Question And Answer

 

Why do you want to work on a cruise ship is a very important question, If you are looking for a job on a cruise ship then you must need to prepare a good answer to this. This question (why do you want to work on a cruise ship) can ask you twice during your cruise ship job.

They can ask you at the time of your Cruise ship job interview and second, they can ask you about Immigration as well. If you failed during Immigration in this question then they may send you back home. So here I will let you know the best answer.

Why Do You Want to Work on a Cruise Ships Best Answer

There are many answers to this question and you can give your best answer but If you really want to work on a cruise ship then you must need a correct answer.

I recently did a community post about this question and you will not believe only 26% of people guess the correct answer and all the rest choose the wrong answer. Here I gave four options to choose the best answer.

CHOOSE A CORRECT ANSWER

• To earn Money, So that you can support your family.
• To improve your skills and Knowledge.
• To Earn money and At the same time, you can roam/travel around the world.
• I have my own reason.

The Question is very easy and the answer is also very easy but you need to choose the best answer for this. So that you can get your dream job and you can fulfill your’s all dream.

 

See, If you answer like this then the interviewer or immigration officer will think yes he/she thinking about family and for sure he/she will come back to home country for their family and will not cheat with the company.

Because some of the people join cruise ship to jump over the company which is really very bad for the whole nation. Because of few narrow-minded people, whole country people get to suffer. If someone does like this then the hiring company does blacklist him/her and they do not take any more new crew from that country.

So whenever you join cruise ship jobs please be loyal to that company and make your country proud of you.