Practice 30 Royal Caribbean International interview questions covering hospitality, shipboard operations, and guest service excellence.
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Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
The interviewer is trying to gauge your understanding of what life shipboard looks like, and that you are capable of following through on your commitments. If you decide that you are not up to the task, and you are rooming with someone else, they are not going to turn the ship around to bring you home, and neither is it good for the crew morale to have someone who is discontent. If hired, you will need to sign a contract of employment, with stipulations specific to Royal Caribbean. For example, in some cases, depending on your location and the ship's location, you may need to fly to the nearest airport, which will be at the your expense for the first contract. "The company covers the cost of repatriation after your contract is concluded as long as you satisfy the basic requirements of your assignment."

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"I imagine it's tough and, at the same time, rewarding. I have no doubt there will be some growing pains as I get accustomed to working on a ship away from home and everything familiar, and I know that some days will be more emotionally challenging than others. But I am eager for the excellent training opportunities, new experiences, and the adventure this will bring. Once acclimated, I have no doubt I'll have trouble returning to life as I knew it, and will want nothing more than to get back onboard and launch off again."

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"It sure is a unique position to be in, working on a ship for long periods of time. It's not always fun and games like in movies, or that 70s TV show, The Love Boat. What I love is the sense of community, and going ashore when I can. I love the ease of the lifestyle, never really having to prepare my own meals, and having my free time being completely my own. I love the hard work. I love my sea legs."

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
It's vital to into your interview with realistic expectations, and not thinking that the job is all fun and games because you will be traveling around the world. Many pursue this opportunity for the money. From your interviewer's perspective, these are the wrong reasons, and they need to make sure you are doing it for the lifestyle, and the benefits such a lifestyle can bring. Discuss what you understand about their workplace culture aboard their cruise ships.

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Here's a testimonial from one of their employees posted their website praising the lifestyle and the opportunity it brings; "I feel honored every time I walk through these doors, and I've had so many opportunities to grow and pave my own path. Our culture empowers each employee to discover the work that fulfills them, no matter where they start. The connections made here are rooted in support of each other and in a profound respect for the work we all do to deliver our products to our guests. No matter your background, you'll be known for the good that you do for your team, our communities, and Royal Caribbean Group's purpose." Also, before your interview, read the Royal Caribbean Blog post that offers "A look at the secret crew-only areas on the world's biggest cruise ship." Spend adequate time assembling the big picture of what it looks like spending months on board a ship with little time off and living in small quarters.

Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"As I see it, the way of life onboard a ship is about community, and living with others in a place where you work, eat, sleep, and play, day in and day out. Yet at the same time you are traveling, or are at sea, and you are working together to make adventure happen. Working on a cruise ship is a unique experience, and not always fun or easy. I love putting in the hard work. It's all part of this ongoing, life-changing experience."
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Written by Kevin Downey
30 Questions & Answers • Royal Caribbean International

By Kevin

By Kevin