When people think of Holland America and Princess cruise lines, they often think of gigantic luxury ships traveling to exotic ports around the world. While that is very well true, the two cruise giants have partnered to deliver an incredible vacation experience in Alaska. Consequently, the company is looking for a lot of Workampers in 2024.
Today I am interviewing two executives from Holland America Princess. Taylor Franco is the talent acquisition manager based in Dallas, and Rick Peterson is the director of safety and compliance based in Alaska.
When the cruise ships dock in Alaska, Holland America Princess takes over by doing everything possible to support passengers on various land excursions. The company operates luxury trains cars, motorcoaches, lodges and restaurants.
Summers are the busiest time for trips to Alaska. Taylor and Rick said the company will be serving a million people in 2024, for which they need thousands of workers. In fact, there are more than 300 different types of jobs available with Holland America Princess at locations around Alaska.
Not only can people earn money by working in one of the most spectacular areas of America, everyone who works at least 400 hours qualifies for a free cruise anywhere in the world the cruise line operates.
There are so many opportunities for Workampers at the company that Taylor said she was confident there was a job available utilizing any type of skill a Workamper could provide in just about any type of work they liked to perform.
Workampers are needed in retail stores, restaurants, hotels and lodges, on trains or as motorcoach drivers, in guest services jobs and maintenance positions, just to name a few.
The seasonal jobs start in mid-April and continue through the end of October. However, Holland America Princess is very flexible regarding when Workampers can start and how long they can work. Workampers can work the entire season or even come up in June and work until fall.
Because the operation extends across the state, Workampers can hone in on an area they’d really like to experience and stay there. Then, if they desire, they can return the next year to work in a completely different part of the state.
Workampers typically work at least 40 hours a week, and overtime is available. Most jobs start at $12 per hour, but some positions pay even more. A few positions earn tips as well. Taylor said the specifics will be discussed in an interview based on when and where a Workamper wants to work.
RV sites are available as well, but Workampers will pay for them at greatly reduced prices. For those folks who don’t want to bring their RVs to Alaska, Holland America Princess has employee housing available in dorm-like settings.
Another perk of working for the company is that, on their days off, Workampers can take the same excursions guests do, but at deeply-discounted rates on a space-available basis. So they can hop on a plane for a flightseeing trip, or go on a dog sled adventure, or even go whitewater rafting.
The company is looking for Workampers who enjoy a sense of adventure and love nature. No special skills are required. In fact, the company provides that training at no cost for people who want to get their commercial driver’s license to operate shuttle busses.
Rick, who lives in Alaska, wants people to realize summers in the state are fabulous with temperatures in the 70s and lots of sunlight. In fact, people still enjoy daylight and even go golfing until 11 p.m.
For more information, visit www.alaskatourjobs.com to see details about the hundreds of different types of jobs available next year. Workampers can also apply right on that site. Applications are being accepted now.