If you’re thinking about becoming a Future Cruise Consultant, you’re looking at one of the most rewarding—and surprisingly powerful—jobs onboard a cruise ship. And I say that from experience. Learn more about the role of a Future Cruise Consultant on board a Cruise Ship.

Back when I worked onboard, the Shore Excursions desk was right next to the Future Cruise desk, so I spent months working shoulder to shoulder with Cruise Consultants. I watched them sell future cruises, run loyalty events, host presentations, and engage guests every single day. I even helped a few times—jumping into port talks, answering destination questions, and selling future cruise credits when the lines got long.

So in this guide, I’m not just telling you what the job looks like—I’m telling you what I saw, what I learned, and what Cruise Consultants themselves shared with me.

If you’re exploring this career path, this article will give you the clear, honest picture you need.

What Cruise Lines Call Their Future Cruise Consultants

Different cruise lines use different branded names for their onboard future cruise sales teams. Here are the most common ones:

What Exactly Does a Cruise Consultant Do?

Think of a Future Cruise Consultant as the person responsible for selling guests their next cruise… while they’re still enjoying the current one.

Passengers are relaxed, happy, and already in “vacation mode,” which makes this one of the most effective (and profitable) sales positions on the ship.

Your Main Job

• Sell future cruise deposits
• Book itineraries and help guests create vacation plans
• Grow loyalty and repeat business
• Hit revenue targets every single voyage

When I worked alongside them, I saw firsthand how important this role is. Cruise lines really depend on these revenue numbers.

It’s Not Just Sales — It’s “Double Duty”

One thing most people don’t realize is that Future Cruise Consultants do much more than book cruises.

You Also Manage the Loyalty Program

To name a few, some most famous cruise line loyalty programs:

• Latitudes Rewards (NCL)
• Castaway Club (Disney Cruise Line )
• Crown & Anchor Society (Royal)
• Captain’s Club (Celebrity)
• VIFP Club (Carnival)
• Captain’s Circle (Princess)

Cruise Consultants run:

• Loyalty cocktail parties
• Tier recognition events
• Private onboard gatherings
• Behind-the-scenes ship tours

And yes… they handle the messy stuff too, like:

• Missing laundry benefits
• Beverage entitlements
• Incorrect loyalty points
• Complaints about perks

I can’t tell you how many times guests—confused, upset, or just impatient—would come to the Shore Excursions desk thinking it was our problem. I’d literally point them one desk over and say:

“Don’t worry, the Cruise Consultant will fix that.”

Cruise Line Loyalty Programs (Explained by Someone Who Watched Them in Action)

Loyalty programs are everything in this role—80% of onboard bookings come from repeat guests.

Here’s how the biggest programs work, from my firsthand experience working alongside the people who manage them.

Cruise Line & Loyalty Program	Features & Guest Benefits
Latitudes Rewards	Earn points by nights sailed Laundry perks, priority check-in, exclusive cocktail parties Multiple Latitudes events hosted by the Cruise Consultant
Crown & Anchor Society	Extremely strong repeat guest culture Multiple tiers with growing perks and expectations High-tier guests LOVE booking onboard for the best deals
VIFP Club	Simple, easy-to-understand program Fun perks and strong brand loyalty Extremely popular with enthusiastic repeat cruisers
Captain’s Club	Premium perks for a premium audience Perfect for guests booking high-end itineraries Focus on elevated service and recognition
Captain’s Circle	Strong emphasis on recognition and exclusivity Very loyal guest base with high repeat rates Consultants play a major role in loyalty satisfaction

Future Cruise Consultants are the face of these loyalty programs onboard, guiding guests through perks, tiers, and exclusive benefits.

A Very Public, Guest-Facing Job

If you’re shy or prefer working behind the scenes, this isn’t the role for you.

Future Cruise Consultants:

• Spend hours at a desk in guest areas
• Walk through lounges and socialize
• Attend events and mingle with guests
• Host presentations in theaters and lounges

I’ve stood backstage with them before big port talks. Some were nervous, some were natural performers—but all of them had to speak confidently and keep guests excited.

Cruise Line Credit Cards: A Hidden Part of the Job

This is something many people don’t know:
Cruise Consultants also promote the cruise line’s credit card.

These cards offer:

• Extra loyalty points
• Onboard Credit
• Faster tier progression
• Discounts on future cruises

Guests often ask about them during consultations, and Consultants are expected to know the benefits inside out.

Port Talks, Presentations & Hosting Events

One of my favorite memories is stepping in to help a Cruise Consultant prep a port talk when she was overwhelmed. These talks are a huge part of the job and a skill you absolutely must develop.

You Will Speak in Front of Hundreds of Guests

Presentations include:

• Destination overviews
• New and Upcoming Ships
• Future cruise promotions
• Loyalty program explanations
• Credit card benefits

Some Cruise Consultants absolutely thrive on stage. Others grow into it. But nobody escapes it.

The Lifestyle Perks Nobody Talks About

Future Cruise Consultants live better than the average crew member—as part of the Staff on board the cruise ship, you’ll have certain privileges as a cruise consultant.

Because the job requires high visibility and guest interaction, you’ll often receive privileges most crew do not.

Guest Area Access

• Main dining rooms
• Guest lounges
• Theaters
• Atriums
• Event spaces

It’s part of the job—you need to be where the guests are.

Dining Privileges

You may eat and drink:

• In the main dining room
• At the Ship’s main buffet
• Occasionally, in specialty restaurants
• With VIPs or loyalty members
• At the ships many bars and lounges

You can enjoy your time off and take advantage of these perks. Dining with guests will also be part of your routine, as this creates natural sales opportunities.

Gym & Spa Privileges

You’ll also have access to the following:

• Use the guest gym during off-peak hours
• Access certain spa facilities
• Receive discounted spa services

This is a HUGE lifestyle perk.

Entertainment Access

You can attend:

• Broadway-style shows
• Comedy nights
• Live music
• Special onboard events

This helps you understand the product you’re selling.

Better Cabins

You might receive cabins in:

• Quieter crew areas
• Sometimes single occupancy, but not less than double occupancy.

All of these perks contribute to why this is considered one of the top-quality-of-life jobs onboard.

The Hiring Process & Timeline

1. Apply online

Upload your CV (in English) with a clean, chronological layout.

2. Interview

You’ll be evaluated on:

• Sales ability
• Communication
• Personality
• Public speaking
• English fluency
• Your ability to adapt to life at sea.

3. Second interview (sometimes)

Usually with the head office.

4. Pre-boarding documentation

This may take weeks:

• Medical exam
• Background checks
• Visas
• SCTW Training
• Seaman’s book(based on nationality required)

Recommended internal reading:

Requirements to Work on a Cruise Ship

Want to work on a cruise ship? Learn all the requirements — including STCW training, documents, and eligibility — in our complete step-by-step guide.

Read Article

These articles help you understand the logistics before boarding.

Salary, Contracts & Where You’ll Travel

Base Salary: The Guaranteed Part

Most cruise lines offer a base salary that starts around $2,000 USD per month.

This base pay:

• Is guaranteed regardless of sales
• Covers your basic onboard expenses
• Acts as a safety net, not your main income

On its own, the base salary is modest—but it’s not where the real money is made.

Sales Commissions: Where Most of the Money Comes From

The majority of a Cruise Consultant’s income comes from sales commissions.

You earn commission on:

• Future cruise deposits
• Full cruise bookings made onboard
• Credit card signups bonuses per approved credit card application

Because guests are already onboard and emotionally invested in the experience, conversion rates tend to be much higher than land-based travel sales.

Strong sellers can dramatically increase their income voyage after voyage.

Average Monthly Earnings: The Realistic Range

When you combine:

• Base salary
• Cruise sales commissions
• Credit card sign-up bonuses

Most active Future Cruise Consultants earn between:

💰 $4,000 to $7,000 USD per month (on average)

Some key things to keep in mind:

• New cruise consultants may start closer to the lower end
• Experienced, confident sellers often reach the higher end consistently
• Top performers can exceed this range during strong itineraries or peak seasons

Because onboard expenses are minimal, a large portion of this income is pure savings.

An Honest Reality Check

This job is not passive income.

You’ll have:

• Daily targets
• Voyage goals
• Busy sea days
• High-pressure moments

But for the right personality, the earning potential—combined with the lifestyle and travel—makes it one of the best value-for-effort roles onboard a cruise ship.

Top performers earn more.

Contract Length

• Usually 3–4 months
• Flights to the ship typically covered

Destinations

You’ll travel to where destination cruise ships go, which is all over the world. Get ready to experience the world like you never did before. In theory, you could visit all of the continents on a single contract, typically 4-6 months.

If you speak more than one language, your chances of being selected to go to a multi-itinerary ship are higher, since they rely on crew to be able to communicate with the guests in their own language.

Daily Life as a Future Cruise Consultant

Here’s what a typical day looks like:

• Sales consultations
• Running reports
• Hosting events
• Selling onboard credits
• Presentations
• Port talk prep
• Follow-up with interested guests

Revenue targets are clear, and performance is measured voyage by voyage.

Is This the Right Cruise Ship Job for You?

After working just a few feet away from Cruise Consultants for months, I can tell you:

This is a job for people who:

• Love people
• Enjoy sales
• Are comfortable on stage
• Like being in the spotlight
• Want a higher quality of life onboard
• Thrive under goals and challenges

If that sounds like you, this could be the most exciting career move of your life.

“Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul.”

Jaime Lyn Beatty