How to Land a Job Performing on the Disney Cruise Line

The job market can be tough no matter your profession, but those who want to snag a job in the entertainment industry might have an even harder time.

If you want to work as a performer and see the world at the same time, a job aboard the Disney Cruise Line might be what you’re looking for. These coveted positions have steep competition – especially for performers looking to break into an acting career. However, cruise line jobs can be extremely rewarding. Some have even described it as a summer camp for performers!

Here’s what you need to do to get a job performing aboard a Disney Cruise ship.

Get to know the employer

As with any job search, you need to get to know your potential employer. Who is hiring and what are they looking for? What’s really important here is not as general as which cruise line is hiring but really which people are hiring for the cruise line. If you find out that the hiring manager or even someone in the department graduated from your alma mater or you have something else in common, highlight this on your application or in your audition. Managers like to hire people with commonalities!

You should also explain how you feel you would fit in to the company. Do they concentrate on Broadway shows or family performances? If you have experience in the area of concentration, focus on this connection.

If a cruise line is adding new ships, there’s a good chance that they’ll be expanding their staff. This is a great time to apply!  The Disney Cruise Line is planning to bring two new ships online in 2021 and 2023.  They will need performers for those ships, as well as the existing ones.

Finally, you should make yourself aware of any restrictions that the cruise line has. If they don’t hire applicants under 21 years of age, don’t even bother applying until you’re 21 or at least very close.

Know what to expect

Having realistic expectations is important no matter what you’re doing. Although you’ll be opened up to some really awesome experiences as staff of a cruise ship, you need to remember that this is first and foremost a job and even a start to your career.

You are not on vacation.

Your job is to provide entertainment no matter how annoying the little kid and his family are, no matter how little sleep you got last night, and no matter how much you miss home and family. Regardless of what’s going on in your “real life”, you have to be “on stage” while you’re on duty.

What’s more, don’t expect your accommodations to be like the stateroom you stayed in during your senior spring break trip to the Bahamas. Most rooms for employees are like dorms, and you’ll probably be shacking up with at least one other person. It’s not always luxurious, but the rest of the ship will be and you’ll likely get to enjoy it while you’re off duty.

A job at sea isn't like a vacation, but you will get to enjoy some amenities.
A job at sea isn’t like a vacation, but you will get to enjoy some amenities.

Follow Job Boards

A great resource is the cruise line websites. If there’s a specific cruise line you want to work for like Disney Cruise Line, set up a search notification or search regularly on their site. It will be the most accurate listing of what positions are available and where the auditions are being held.

Allcruisejobs.com is also a great job board to follow. This site lists everything from cosmetologist positions and childcare to medical and IT jobs.

Do you want to work for Disney Cruise Lines?  Know anyone who does?