Important Information

Our History

Founded in 1837, the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) first offered voyages when passengers from England travelled with the Royal Mails to ports on the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean, returning home on other P&O mail voyages.

When P&O pioneered cruising from Australia in 1932 the new 23.000-ton mail steamer Strathaird carried 1,100 passengers on the first cruise to Brisbane and Norfolk Island - a sailing that sold out on just one day.

From 1945 to 1972, it was from the decks of P&O ships that over 1 million United Kingdom migrants caught their very first glimpse of their new Australian homeland. Known as Ten Pound Poms, this mass arrival was a scheme devised by the Australian and British Governments to help populate Australia.

Today P&O Cruises Australia sail to the stunning South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, and select ports in South East Asia.

Our fleet:

PACIFIC EXPLORER, 77,441 tonnes carrying 2000 guests

PACIFIC ADVENTURE, 198,865 tonnes carrying 2600 guests

PACIFIC ENCOUNTER, 198,865 tonnes carrying 2600 guests

Policies & Procedures

Working Hours

Manning a 24/7 operation means that on board working hours are never 9-5! Work schedules are arranged by Heads of Department and will vary depending on the position held and the itinerary of the ship. Most crewmembers are contracted to work seven days a week with specific contracted hours and appropriate hours of rest. Crewmembers are also required to take an active role in safety drills, in-port manning (you may be asked to remain on board when in port) and gangway/embarkation duties. These duties are in addition to your regular job responsibilities.

Accommodation

Accommodation provided depends on position, department and ship assignment. Most crew cabins and crew areas are located on decks below passenger areas. Crew usually share a room with 1-3 colleagues of the same gender, usually from the same department, but not necessarily of the same nationality and often with conflicting work schedules. If you share your cabin, you will also share the bathroom facilities. Some ships may also have communal bathrooms instead. Most cabins are equipped with a television and VCR and/or DVD player and telephone. Officers of a senior rank are provided with their own room, with private amenities.

Salary

All salaries are paid monthly, in Australian dollars.

Uniforms

Uniforms will be provided on board except non-safety working shoes.

Tattoos

There is a policy for managing tattoos that are visible when in uniform. All visible tattoos must be declared on application.

Proud Values

At P&O Cruises Australia, we are very Proud of our on-board customer service program.

We've taken a flag that has a strong maritime heritage and brought it into the Twenty-First Century, giving it a fresh new purpose.

PROUD means being proud of our ship and proud of our company. It means being proud of our work and how well we do it, our attention to every detail and proud of our team and how brilliantly we all work together. Everything we do from the largest actions to the tiniest tasks is about building pride in our work and providing our guests with the great Australian cruise holiday.

The PROUD program embraces a seafaring tradition in borrowing the 'Blue Peter' flag as its banner. In PROUD's case, it signifies readiness and the start of a brand new journey in on board customer service excellence and also represents the first letter of PROUD.

PROUD was essentially developed from our crew on board. In September 2009, we interviewed over 150 crewmembers and asked them what motivates them to provide fantastic service to our guests.

Over and over again, our crew referred to a sense of pride in one of the following areas. As a result, these five inspirations became the foundations of the program.

I'M PROUD OF MY SHIP & COMPANY.

I'M PROUD OF MYSELF.

I'M PROUD OF MY WORK.

I'M PROUD OF MY TEAM.

I'M PROUD OF MY GUESTS.

Shipboard Departments

More than 3,000 crewmembers currently work on board the P&O Cruises Australia fleet, fulfilling P&O Australia’s commitment to service excellence. The shipboard officers and crew are headed by the Captain, who has full responsibility and authority for the performance of the ship, the ship’s company and the comfort and safety of the passengers and crew.

HOTEL OPERATIONS/GUEST SERVICES

Headed by the Hotel Director, the hotel operations are responsible for all hotel service and revenue areas for passengers and the ship’s company, as well as the preparation of all necessary documents, shipboard accounts, and financial matters. Below is a list of some of the key roles within the Hotel Operations:

Cruise Staff

Cruise Director

Sports Coordinator

Entertainment Staff

Deputy Cruise Director

Photo Department

Photo Video Manager

Assistant Photo Video Manager

Master Photographer

Junior Artist

Photographer

Youth Staff

Youth Activities Coordinator

Teens Activities Coordinator

Youth Staff

Seasonal Youth Staff

Stage Staff

Production Manager

Assistant Production Manager Audio

Production Assistant

Guest Services

Admin Revenue Director

Night Manager

IT Officer

Internet Specialist

Receptionist

Destinations Manager

Assistant Destinations Manager

Food & Beverage

Maître D

Senior Restaurant Manager

Restaurant Manager

Food and Beverage Director

Assistant F&B Manager

Bar Manager

Cocktail Bartender

Housekeeping

Accommodations Manager

FAQs

Who am I employed by?

Whilst working on P&O Cruises Australia vessels you are employed by Princess Cruise Lines Limited, a company within the Carnival Corp and plc group of companies. (the employer).

Where do P&O Cruises Australia ships sail?

Our ships sail from various ports of call in and around Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and South-East Asia. Please see the P&O Cruises Australia website for more information.

What documentation is required to work onboard P&O Cruises Australia ships?

Regardless of the position for which you are applying, to qualify for shipboard employment you must obtain:

A unrestricted passport valid for at least 1 year
A MCV visa (Maritime Crew Visa)
An Australian Transit Visa or ETA visa
A Background Police Check
A valid Seafarers Medical Fitness Certificate
Present the proper qualifications/certifications required based on your role

What is a MCV Visa?

A MCV visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by Australian immigration authorities and allows crew members to work onboard whilst transiting through Australian ports. If offered a position, you will be provided with a letter to support your visa application.

How do I obtain a Seafarers Medical Fitness Certificate?

All crew members are required to obtain a statutory Seafarers Medical Certificate of fitness. Details will be provided upon employment.

To which ship would I be assigned?

Once you have been offered a position, you will be advised which ship you will be joining. Assignments will be in line with operational requirements therefore, you could join any of our beautiful ships!

ABOUT US

Our History

Policies & Procedures

Working Hours

Accommodation

Salary

Uniforms

Tattoos

Proud Values

Shipboard Departments

HOTEL OPERATIONS/GUEST SERVICES

Cruise Staff

Photo Department

Youth Staff

Stage Staff

Guest Services

Food & Beverage

Housekeeping

FAQs

Who am I employed by?

Where do P&O Cruises Australia ships sail?

What documentation is required to work onboard P&O Cruises Australia ships?

What is a MCV Visa?

How do I obtain a Seafarers Medical Fitness Certificate?

To which ship would I be assigned?