Diploma in Hotel & Cruise Operations

Hospitality Doesn’t Stop at the Shoreline.

One year of hotel training and sea-ready preparation, with continued support as you apply for your first cruise role. Cruise lines make the hiring decision; we prepare you to meet their standard.

Apply now See fees Book a free demo class

FormatFull timeClassroom + weekly practicals

EligibilityClass 10 pass or above18+ at joining; passport and medical fitness needed

Batch starts30 October 2026Founding batch · Up to 30 students

Duration1 yearFee ≈ ₹4.5 lakh

Apply now

Overview

Diploma in Hotel & Cruise Operations.

One year of hotel training and sea-ready preparation, with continued support as you apply for your first cruise role. Cruise lines make the hiring decision; we prepare you to meet their standard.

Free demo class · 90 minutes

How cruise hiring really works, plus a live service role-play. Book a seat

Hotel training firstShip service runs on hotel skills: front office, food & beverage and housekeeping.
10 hours of practicals, every weekHands-on sessions run alongside classroom teaching for the whole year.
Sea-ready preparationWorking life onboard, the documents you need and how cruise interviews work.
Support until you applyContinued preparation and application support towards your first cruise joining.

Who it is for

Is This Diploma for You?

No experience needed. These are the students who get the most from it.

Dreaming of the sea

You want a hospitality career that lets you travel and work with guests from around the world.

Class 10, 12 or graduate

You are ready to start with hotel skills and build towards a role on a ship.

Ready for discipline

You can handle documents, medicals, long contracts and life onboard.

The year

What You Do, Stage by Stage.

A year built around practice. Each stage ends with something you can do, not just something you know.

Stage 1

Build Hotel Skills.

Learn front office, food & beverage service and housekeeping, the same skills every ship relies on.

Departments3

Practical hours10 / week

Stage 2

Understand Life Onboard.

Routines, conduct, teamwork and the realities of living and working at sea, explained plainly.

FocusOnboard life

FormatSessions

Stage 3

Get Role-Ready.

Prepare your documents, practise cruise interviews and build the experience your target role asks for.

InterviewsRehearsed

DocumentsChecklist

Stage 4

Apply and Join.

Apply through verified employers and authorised routes, with Meridian supporting you to your first joining.

RoutesVerified only

SupportContinued

Curriculum

What You Will Learn.

The detailed syllabus, timetable and assessment plan are given to you in writing at counselling.

Food & Beverage Roles

Service skills and the communication cruise restaurants and bars expect.

Restaurant service
Bar basics
Guest communication

Housekeeping Roles

Stateroom and guest-area presentation, teamwork and standards.

Stateroom service
Public areas
Standards

Kitchen & Galley Pathways

How culinary and galley support roles differ, and what each one requires.

Galley support
Commis path
Role requirements

Working Life Onboard

Routines, professional conduct and life on a ship, contract by contract.

Shipboard routine
Conduct
Wellbeing

Hotel Foundations

Front office, F&B and housekeeping on land, the base for every sea role.

Front office
F&B
Housekeeping

Cruise Hiring Readiness

Documents, interviews and how cruise hiring really works, step by step.

Passport & medicals
Interview practice
Verified routes

Cruise careers

Your Road to a Ship.

Cruise hiring has clear steps. We take you through each one, so there are no surprises and no shortcuts that cost you money.

1
Complete your diploma
Hotel skills plus sea-ready preparation, practised every week for a year.
2
Build your experience
Many guest-facing cruise roles ask for 1–2 years of hotel experience. Your diploma prepares you for that first hotel role too.
3
Prepare your documents
Passport, INDoS number, STCW basic safety training, pre-sea medical, CDC, yellow-fever vaccination and visa. DG Shipping updated the CDC route in 2026; we walk you through the current rules.
4
Interview with a verified employer
Apply through cruise lines and licensed agencies only. Licensed agencies may not charge seafarers a recruitment fee.
5
Join your ship
From interview to boarding can take up to about three months. You must be at least 18 (21 for bar roles).

Careers

Roles This Diploma Prepares You For.

Placement support is part of every diploma. Employers make the hiring decision; we make sure you are ready for it.

How placement support works

Food & beverage

Waiter / Assistant Waiter

Restaurant service on board for guests from around the world.

Food & beverage

Bar Staff

Bar service roles (minimum age for bar roles is usually 21).

Housekeeping

Stateroom Attendant

Preparing and caring for guest cabins to the ship’s standard.

Hotel

Hotel Steward

Supporting service across the ship’s hotel operation.

Kitchen

Galley Utility / Commis

Entry roles in the ship’s galley.

On land first

Hotel roles

Many cruise roles ask for 1–2 years of hotel experience; your diploma prepares you for both.

Admissions & fees

Clear Fees. Written Terms.

Counselling is free. You receive the full fee breakdown and terms in writing before you pay anything.

Programme fee

≈ ₹4,50,000

Indicative package, GST included, paid in 3 instalments of ₹1,50,000: at joining, by month 3 and by month 6. Covers tuition plus the medical and safety-training components within the agreed scope. Accommodation and passport expenses are separate.

Apply now Pay online

How admission works

Free counselling with Mahi, for students and parents together
Eligibility review and a free 90-minute demo class
Written offer with fee breakdown and terms
Reserve your seat online with ₹5,000, credited towards tuition
Hostel stay available

FAQs

Questions About This Diploma.

Who can apply?

Students who have passed Class 10 or above and want a hospitality career at sea. To join a ship you will need to be at least 18, hold a valid passport and pass a medical.

What does it cost?

An indicative package of about ₹4,50,000, GST included, covering tuition plus the medical and safety-training components within the agreed scope. Accommodation and passport expenses are separate. You receive the full breakdown in writing before you pay.

Will I get a cruise job?

Cruise lines decide who they hire. Meridian prepares you, supports your applications and stays with you until your first joining, but no college can honestly guarantee a cruise job.

Do I need hotel experience?

Many guest-facing cruise roles ask for 1–2 years of hotel experience. That is why this diploma starts with hotel training.

Should I pay an agent to get me on a ship?

No. Licensed recruitment agencies are not allowed to charge seafarers recruitment fees. Apply only through verified employers and authorised routes. Meridian will help you check.

Is hostel stay available?

Yes, hostel stay is available during your studies. Accommodation is not part of the cruise package; ask Mahi for current options and costs.

Admissions 2026