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Internship Cruise Ship Engine Jobs in Springfield, VA

Stand watch in ships' bows, sterns, or bridge wings in order to look for obstructions in a ship ... HVAC, engine, and technical equipment * Maintain the cleanliness and safety of all common areas

Internship Cruise Ship Engine information

See Springfield, VA salary details

$9

$18

$24

How much do internship cruise ship engine jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship cruise ship engine in Springfield, VA is $18.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.05 and $20.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship cruise ship engine?

Internship cruise ship engine jobs are entry-level positions designed for students or recent graduates in marine engineering or related fields who want hands-on experience working in a ship's engine department. Interns typically assist licensed engineers with the maintenance, repair, and operation of the ship's propulsion and auxiliary systems. These roles provide valuable practical training and exposure to maritime operations, often forming part of a formal education program or serving as a pathway to a career at sea.

What are the typical responsibilities and learning opportunities for an intern in a cruise ship engine department?

As an intern in a cruise ship engine department, you can expect to assist with routine maintenance, monitoring engine performance, and supporting engineers with troubleshooting mechanical or electrical issues. You'll gain hands-on experience with complex marine systems, learn to follow safety protocols, and participate in daily inspections. Interns often rotate through different tasks to broaden their understanding of ship operations and may have opportunities to shadow senior engineers, which is valuable for future career advancement in marine engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship cruise ship engine, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Cruise Ship Engine, you need foundational knowledge of marine engineering principles, mechanical aptitude, and typically enrollment in a maritime or engineering degree program. Familiarity with engine room operations, safety protocols, and onboard maintenance systems such as PLCs and engine monitoring software is essential. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication help interns adapt to the unique demands of life at sea. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining safety, efficiency, and reliability in the vessel's operations while ensuring compliance with maritime regulations.

What is the difference between Internship Cruise Ship Engine vs Cruise Ship Engine Trainee?

AspectInternship Cruise Ship EngineCruise Ship Engine Trainee
CredentialsBasic maritime or engineering coursework, possibly some certificationsSimilar certifications, often requiring maritime training
Work EnvironmentOnboard cruise ships, working in engine rooms under supervisionOnboard cruise ships, assisting engine room staff
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used for entry-level training programs in cruise linesUsed interchangeably, focusing on training for future engine room roles

Both roles involve onboard engine room work, focusing on gaining practical experience in cruise ship engineering. The main difference is that 'Internship Cruise Ship Engine' emphasizes a structured internship program, while 'Cruise Ship Engine Trainee' refers to a trainee position aimed at developing skills for a future engine room career.

What job categories do people searching Internship Cruise Ship Engine jobs in Springfield, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship Cruise Ship Engine jobs in Springfield, VA are:

Infographic showing various Internship Cruise Ship Engine job openings in Springfield, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,597 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

City Cruises DC - Deckhand

Hornblower

Washington, DC • On-site

$18.40/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Hornblower rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 9 rated cruise lines


Job description

Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group's portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group's premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands. City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group's Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systemsHornblower Group's subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfront logistics and management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and entertainment industries. Today, Hornblower Group's global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group's additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.
Position Summary:
The successful Deckhand is responsible to maintain the appearance and cleanliness of the vessel, ensuring guest comfort and safety while underway, and assisting with docking and undocking.
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Provide exceptional hospitality to guests and coworkers as prescribed in our RESPECT service system
  • Follow safety procedures in order to ensure the protection of passengers and vessel
  • Participate in routine safety drills to prepare for major incidents
  • Handle lines to moor vessels to pier
  • Stand watch in ships' bows, sterns, or bridge wings in order to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids such as buoys and lighthouses
  • Assist Captain and supervisory personnel in maintain vessel equipment and systems such as HVAC, engine, and technical equipment
  • Maintain the cleanliness and safety of all common areas
  • Sweep, mop, and wash down decks and exterior to remove dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses
  • Load or unload materials from vessels; gather and remove trash from vessel
  • Service, clean, and supply restrooms
  • Be prepared to begin work at scheduled time
  • Maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards

Other Duties and Responsibilities
  • Additional job duties assigned

Requirements & Qualifications:
  • High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) preferred
  • Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
  • Must be able to effectively understand and convey written and verbal information to guests and coworkers
  • Must possess a service orientation - actively looking for ways to help others
  • Energetic and enthusiastic personality essential
  • Will work for extended periods of time without sitting
  • Must be able to lift up to fifty (50) pounds
  • Must be able to throw mooring lines from ship to pier
  • Must have normal color vision to accurately interpret navigational lights and color-sensitive system and safety displays
  • May be required to apply for a Transportation Workers ID Card
  • Will be required to be available for work on all major holidays

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to work onboard a moving vessel in varying weather and sea conditions, including maintaining balance and stability while underway.
  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, frequently throughout a shift.
  • Ability to navigate stairs, ladders, narrow passageways, and confined spaces commonly found onboard vessels.
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull supplies, equipment, and inventory weighing up to 40 pounds independently.
  • Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, and perform repetitive motions as required in food service and hospitality operations.
  • Ability to respond quickly and effectively during normal operations, guest service situations, and emergency procedures.
  • Ability to safely work in a fast-paced environment with exposure to moving equipment, wet surfaces, temperature variations, and moderate noise levels.
  • Ability to visually inspect service areas, food presentation, cleanliness standards, and safety conditions.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with guests, crew members, and management in person and via radio or other communication devices.
  • Successfully complete vessel-specific safety and emergency training.
  • Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as operational needs require.

Work Environment
  • Work is performed primarily onboard a Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessel, with duties split between dining, service, storage, galley-adjacent, and administrative areas.
  • Position requires regular movement throughout multiple decks and may involve occasional exposure to outdoor marine environments, including heat, humidity, rain, wind, and sunlight.
  • Must be able to safely perform duties while the vessel is docked or underway.

#CityCruisesUS
The RESPECT Service System embodies our mission, vision, values and operating principles. By creating a company culture that puts RESPECT at its core, we believe it will drive us to achieve our goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader.
EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, as a federal, state, and local contractor, Hornblower complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals, where and as they apply. The company also participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations.

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