FAQ

We'll answer your questions

Questions about working at AIDA

Departure from port

Your application

  • How can I apply for a job at AIDA?

    You can upload your documents in our online application form. We prefer online applications. Of course, you can also apply in writing. Both types of application are treated equally in the selection process. Please send your written application to: AIDA Cruises, Human Resources Management, Am Strande 3d, 18055 Rostock, Germany

  • Can I apply for more than one job at the same time?

    Yes, you are welcome to apply for multiple jobs with one application. Just send an application for your preferred job and write in the comment field which job you are also interested in.

  • How far in advance should I apply?

    If vacancies are published, we would of course like to fill them as soon as possible. It is best to apply as early as possible. You can apply for a position on board 4 - 6 months before your desired date of embarkation.

  • To whom should I address my application?

    If you send us a cover letter, you are welcome to use the general salutation "Dear Sir or Madam".

  • Unsolicited application

    If there is currently no suitable job offer for you in our career portal, you are welcome to send us an unsolicited application. After receiving your application, we will check whether you are suitable for one of our positions and contact you.

  • Can I apply for a specific ship?

    You do not apply for a ship, but for a position and are assigned to a ship as required. However, it is possible to express preferences regarding the location of the assignment, which will be taken into account in the planning if possible.

  • What happens after receipt of my application?

    As soon as we have received your documents, we will send you a confirmation of receipt. Your application will then be reviewed by our recruitment team and the relevant department. If you are suitable for the position, we will invite you to a online hiring day, interview or online interview as part of the selection process. Afterwards, we will contact you to inform you about the outcome of your application. If we are convinced by you and your skills and you fit into our team, you will receive all details and information about the further procedure or your contract.

  • How quickly will I receive a response to my application?

    You will usually receive a response to your application within 14 days.


Working on board AIDA

  • How does the employment on board works?

    If you work on board, you will receive a contract of employment of seaman. The length of the contract can vary depending on the position on board and the location. In general, you can assume an assignment length of about 3 to 6 months. AIDA Cruises is one of the few shipping companies in the world where you, as an EU citizen, receive an employment contract in compliance with the directives of the European Union and are thus comprehensively covered by social insurance. In addition, you have the option of switching to a permanent position after successfully completing several assignments. 

  • Am I insured during my time on board?

    EU citizens on board are fully covered by health, accident, unemployment and pension insurance for the duration of the employment contract in compliance with EU directives (Regulation EC No. 883/2004). 

  • Are there any special requirements for employment on board?

    Depending on the position, the qualifications required for employment on board may include an appropriate apprenticeship or university degree as well as previous work experience. In addition, all employees on board require a certificate of fitness for sea service and a current police clearance certificate. Before the start of the assignment, various training courses are organized to ensure optimum preparation for the work on board.

  • What health requirements are necessary for me to be able to work on board?

    Physical and mental fitness are important basic requirements for an assignment on board. Every crew member of a cruise ship has to prove a national sea service fitness before boarding the ship, which only certain doctors are allowed to examine (you can find an overview of the doctors and further information here). Certain medical conditions, such as very weak eyesight, a significant physical impairment (e.g. no self-rescue possible) or a BMI of more than 40 can exclude a fitness for sea service. After you have received a confirmation from us, you have to take care of your national sea service fitness.

  • What are my working hours on board?

    Basically, a 7-day working week applies. The working and rest periods comply with the established standards and regulations of the internationally applicable Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and depends on the job on board. The crew usually works on a part-time basis, so you can discover the most beautiful places in the world between working hours.

  • How does the arrival and departure of the crew take place?

    In case of regular embarkation and disembarkation of the crew living outside Germany, AIDA Cruises covers the costs for the arrival and departure from the home airport to the ship and back. Crew members embarking or disembarking in their home country organise the arrival and departure to/from the ship themselves. Crew members living in Germany have the opportunity to use the Flixbus free of charge. If the embarkation or disembarkation takes place in a port outside Germany, AIDA also covers the flight costs for crew members living in Germany from/to the nearest home airport. The arrival and departure to/from the airport is the responsibility of the crew member.

  • What does the catering on board look like fot the crew?

    In the Crew Mess, the exclusive restaurant for our crew members, you can compile your food and drinks for free. The meals are varied and tailored to the various needs of our international crew (different, country-specific dishes, vegetarian and vegan dishes, etc. ). By arrangement it is also possible to use our guest restaurants.

  • What is the on-board language for crew members?

    On board works an international crew. English language skills are therefore essential. The language on board used with our guests is German.                                                 

  • What leisure activities are available on board for crew members?

    On board the ships, the crew has its own crew mess (restaurant), a crew sundeck, a crew sauna, an exclusive gym and a crew bar incl. crew store. You can find more insights into our crew area here. In their cabins, crew members receive TV and movies in German or English. Furthermore, there is internet access on board of our ships as well as different e-learning tools for further education. Of course, the crew can do shore excursions in their free time and discover the most beautiful places in the world.

  • Do I get a uniform on bord?

    On board, all crew members are provided with a uniform. These will cleaned free of charge. Please bring your shoes and socks by yourself.

  • How old do you have to be to work on board?

    To work on board the AIDA fleet, you must be at least 18 years old. There is no age limit to the top.

  • Can I work on board if I have tattoos/piercings?

    Of course, it's totally fine for us if our employees have tattoos and piercings. 

  • Do I need apprenticeship training for every job on board?

    Of course, you also have the opportunity to find a job on board our AIDA fleet as a career changer - for example, if you have just graduated and are looking for a new adventure. In the departments of our hosts, outdoor guides or in some entry-level positions in the bar and restaurant area, an apprenticeship is not absolutely necessary. However working experience is an advantage. Feel free to check out our job search for more information on the requirements.

  • Is it possible to do an internship on board?

    Internships on board our ships are only possible in the nautical or technical area as part of your studies. If you are studying in a different field, you are of course welcome to work on board and acquire practical experience. In this case, your assignment on board will be temporary. If you have to complete a compulsory internship as part of your studies, please check with your university beforehand whether this type of activity is also recognized as a practical semester. Currently we do not offer student internships on board.

  • Can I do an apprenticeship on board?

    We do not offer apprenticeships on board our fleet. But you are very welcome to apply for an apprenticeship on shore with us.


Preparation for your job on board


Working ashore at AIDA

  • How much vacation do I receive as an employee at AIDA Cruises?

    Our employees receive 30 days of vacation per year.

    There are different conditions for our juniors (working students, interns, gap year trainess etc.), which will be individually discussed in the interview.

  • Is it possible to work from home as an employee at AIDA Cruises?

    AIDA offers all employees on shore the opportunity to flexibly take two home office days a week, as long as the tasks or operational processes of the department do not exclude to work from home.

    There are different conditions for our juniors (working students, interns, gap year trainess etc.), which will be individually discussed in the interview.

  • Is it possible to work part-time?

    We offer different working time models in full-time and part-time. The exact working hours and the possibility of working part-time depend on the respective position. Details are discussed in the application process.

  • Is there a collective agreement?

    Yes, there is a collective bargaining agreement. This contains the following main components: remuneration, remuneration for overtime, work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, company pension scheme, 13th salary, working time regulations, time off from work, vacation, length of employment with the company.

  • Can overtime occur?

    In the case that our employees should work beyond their contractual hours, each employee has a working time account. Any overtime is collected in this account and can be compensated in free time if necessary.

  • Can I do an internship on shore?

    At our company headquarter in Rostock or our location in Hamburg, enrolled students can gain first practical experience in different departments as part of a six-month compulsory internship or a three-month voluntary internship. Whether in Marketing & Sales, Controlling & Finance, HR or other departments - interesting projects and challenges await our interns. You can find all open internships in our job offers.

  • Which apprenticeships does AIDA offer?

    We offer various apprenticeships on shore, such as the apprenticeship with a focus on e-commerce (m/f/d), office management (m/f/d), event organization (m/f/d) (offered every 3 years), dialogue marketing at the AIDA Customer Center (m/f/d) and the apprenticeship to become a travel agent for private and business travel (m/f/d) or an IT specialist (m/f/d) for system integration. If you would like to study, we offer the dual bachelor programs Business Administration in collaboration with the HSBA in Hamburg, Business Informatics in collaboration with the Nordakademie in Elmshorn or Nautics, Ship Electrical Engineering and Ship Operations Engineering in collaboration with the Hochschule Wismar. You can find all open study programs and apprenticeships in our job offers.

  • When should I apply for an apprenticeship/study program?

    You should apply for an apprenticeship or dual study program at least three quarters of a year to one year before the start date. The last certificate or half-yearly certificate is sufficient as a certificate. The vacancies will be announced in autumn before the start of the apprenticeship/dual study program in our career portal.


Working in the AIDA Customer Center

  • How can I imagine working in the AIDA Customer Center?

    The AIDA Customer Center offers a modern workplace with the latest technology, two screens and a headset. You will work in teams of up to 20 colleagues, supervised and guided by a supervisor and a deputy supervisor.

    Not in the mood for long journeys? You can also work from home. We provide you with technology and you decide flexibly whether you prefer to work from home or in the AIDA Customer Center. You can also combine the benefits of both and switch places of work flexibly.

  • How are the working hous in the AIDA Customer Center arranged?

    The employees of the AIDA Customer Center provide advice 365 days a year. The planning of your working time is strongly oriented to your needs and the needs of the company. You tell us when you want to work and we try to make the wish come true. It is not a rigid shift model, instead we arrange your contract hours flexibly and together with you. You can choose between a 4- or 5-day week.

  • Can overtime occur?

    In the case that our employees should work beyond their contractual hours, each employee has a working time account. Any overtime is collected in this account and can be compensated in free time if necessary.

  • How will I be prepared for the job at the AIDA Customer Center?

    Our employees attend training courses via an intensive digital training program. Theory and practice are combined in such a way that every employee can test and consolidate the knowledge they have learned.

  • How long does the training take?

    The compact induction phase consists of approx. 6-9 weeks. You can attend the virtual classroom from home. In these first weeks, you will build up detailed product and system user knowledge in various training modules, which you will consolidate in various practical exercises together with our mentors.

  • Can I get to know the ships?

    Visiting a ship is an essential part of your induction training. In addition, you have the opportunity to get to know individual ships on guided excursions in your free time. In order to explore our ships intensively, we offer you a vacation trip at special conditions. 

  • As an employee, will I receive further trainings or education after the onboarding?

    There are various training courses specially designed for the AIDA Customer Center that refresh and continuously develop both specialist knowledge and communicative skills. In this way, our employees can continue to train and specialize beyond their induction training.

  • Is there a collective agreement?

    Yes, there is a collective bargaining agreement. This contains the following main components: remuneration, remuneration for overtime, work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, company pension scheme, 13th salary, working time regulations, time off from work, vacation, length of employment with the company.

  • Is vacation or Christmas bonus paid?

    After 6 months of employment, AIDA Customer Center employees receive a 13th salary. This is paid proportionately in June and November.

  • Is it possible to work from home?

    Don't want to drive long distances? You can also work at home. We provide you with technology and you can decide flexibly whether you prefer to work in your home office or in the AIDA customer center. You can also combine the advantages of both work locations and switch flexibly.

  • How much vacation will I receive?

    When you join the company, you will receive 28 days of vacation. The vacation entitlement increases to up to 30 days depending on the length of employment. The vacation stages are regulated in the collective agreement.

  • What contract options does the AIDA Customer Center offer for employment?

    In the AIDA Customer Center we offer permanent contracts with a 35h or 40h week in flexible shift planning (no rigid shift model).


Which ships are part of the AIDA fleet?

  • Which ships are available from AIDA?

    Our AIDA fleet currently consists of 12 ships: AIDAaura, AIDAbella, AIDAblu, AIDAcosma, AIDAdiva, AIDAluna, AIDAmar, AIDAnova, AIDAperla, AIDAprima, AIDAsol und AIDAstella. 

  • Which is AIDA's largest ship?

    Currently, these are AIDAcosma and AIDAnova with a length of 337 meters and a width of 42 meters.

  • Where were the AIDA ships built?

    The AIDA ships were built in 3 different shipyards: Aker MTW shipyard in Wismar, Meyer shipyard in Papenburg and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki.

  • Which is the most modern AIDA ship?

    The most modern ship of AIDA Cruises is the latest new construction of 2022, AIDAcosma.

  • Where are the AIDA ships docked in Hamburg?

    In the Port of Hamburg, the ships of the AIDA fleet are usually docked at the Cruise Terminal in Steinwerder or at the Cruise Center in Altona.


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FAQ

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