Everyone onboard is the Captain’s responsibility; guest and crew alike!  Everyone working falls into one of four departments:

Deck Department – Overseen by the Captain and led by the Chief Officer, this department is comprised of navigation and security.  Although you will not be working with navigation often, if at all, you will be working with Security Officers as you embark and disembark the ship.  You will also see them occasionally walking through the crew areas to make sure all is well.  

Engine Department – Headed by the Chief Engineer, this department is responsible for all mechanical and electrical functions on the ship to include communications, electricity and plumbing. 

Environmental Department – The Environmental Officer is responsible for all training related to environmental requirements compliance and duties.  We lead the industry in this area, so don’t let HAL down.

Hotel Department – The largest department onboard, led by the Hotel Manager, the Hotel Department is responsible for Culinary Operations, Beverage Department, Guest Relations, Onboard Revenue/Concessionaires, the Purser, Shore Excursions, Housekeeping, Medical, and the Entertainment Department to name a few.  You will be working closely with the Hotel Department more than any other.  

A brief summary of important people you need be familiar with is below.  In general, your point of contact is the Event Manager.  

Hotel Manager (HM) – Head of the Hotel Department.  Responsible for overall guest satisfaction.

Cruise Director (CD) – Head of the Entertainment Department.  Reports to the Hotel Manager and is responsible for overall entertainment ratings onboard the ship as well as guest interaction.

Event Manager (EM) – Runs the Entertainment Department behind the scenes.  The EM will be your source of direction and mentoring as well as communication with the Seattle Office if necessary.

Human Resources Officer (HRO) – Will welcome you onboard and assist you with materials, benefits and any other HR issues.

Purser – Schedules paydays and pays all crew onboard.  You will see to draw pay if needed.

Each department on the ship is distinguished by its own stripe pattern.  After a brief overview of the different uniforms you will have enough to get started onboard.

Captain – The only five stripe officer, the Captain wears a wide gold bar, two regular gold stripes, plus a loop.  

Chief Officer – Sports four regular gold stripes plus a loop. 

Other Officers in the Deck Department wear different numbers of gold stripes with top stripes looped.  

Chief Engineer – Bears four gold stripes.  

Other Officers in the Engineering Department wear straight gold stripes accordingly with their rank starting at Second Officer that wears three stripes.

Environmental Officer – Dons four gold stripes lined with blue.  

Communication’s Officer – Is clad with two gold stripes which are lined with green 

Hotel Manager – Owns four straight gold stripes that are sandwiched by white stripes.

Other Hotel Department Officers wear different numbers of gold stripes sandwiched with white stripes, but, although a part of the hotel department, the medical team, has straight gold stripes with red filling.