BA (Hons) Cruise Industry Management (Full Time)

The Cruise Industry Management degree will help you succeed in this fast-growing sector. It is a comprehensive study of cruise ships and organisations, including suppliers, logistics, the public sector and the hospitality sector.

Key elements include:

• Theoretical units on the cruise industry, tourism, management and business
• Professional skills needed for the cruise industry
• Cruise tourism development and impact
• Marketing and contemporary issues in cruise tourism
• Complex concepts explained through real-world examples, such as the Costa Concordia sinking
• Interactive seminars
• Extensive written and one-to-one feedback to back-up your progress
• Expert staff team with many years of experience in the tourism, hospitality and cruise industries
• Open-door policy to ensure you feel supported and can meet with staff as required.

The course includes a cruise field trip, and regular ship and hotel visits. Students recently sailed on the P&O cruise ship Ventura, taking a behind-the-scenes tour, experiencing life as a cruise passenger and gaining insight into the operations of a mega cruise ship.

Industrial focus

The course is designed to enable students to gain the skills required by this industry. It includes a work placement of at least six weeks in length. There are dedicated units in the first year on developing the skills you will need to succeed on this placement.

Recent guest speakers have included representatives from ports and major cruise lines, such as Cunard and Royal Caribbean International.

Course content

Year 1

Six core units:

• Cruise Industry Principles and Practice
• Financial Planning and Reporting (half unit)
• Hotel Operations
• Academic and Employability Skills
• Introduction to Organisational Behaviour in Leisure Services (half unit)
• Introduction to Tourism
• Leisure Marketing.

Year 2

Five core units and one option unit:

• Cruise Operations Impacts
• Customer Service, Marketing and Sales
• Hotel Management
• Research Methods for the Leisure Services Industries
• Work-based Professional Studies.

Option:

• Curriculum Plus (excluding Work-based Learning and CV and Career Building)
• Management of Visitor Attractions
• Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Development
• Managing Service Operations
• Curriculum Plus.

Year 3

Five core units and one option unit:

• Contemporary Issues in Tourism
• Cross-Cultural Management
• Globalisation of the Cruise Industry
• Project (equivalent to two units).

Option:

• Event Organisation
• Tourism and the Media
• Consultancy Project
• Tourism in Developing Countries
• Finance Entrepreneurship
• Small Business Enterprise
• International Marketing for Travel and Tourism
• Natural and Cultural Heritage Management
• Strategy for Business
• Language
• Curriculum Plus.

Why choose Solent?

The cruise industry is the fastest growth sector in tourism. It is looking for highly motivated individuals who can work in an environment that is constantly changing. This course will enable you to gain valuable knowledge and equip you with the necessary skills demanded by the cruise industry. You will also have the opportunity to take part in a cruise field trip to experience being a passenger and seeing first-hand how cruise ships are managed.

• Located in one of the UK’s busiest ports.
• Opportunities for valuable work experience in the cruise industry.
• Carnival UK – the leading cruise brand – has its head office in Southampton.
• Work with a range of industry sectors such as cruise travel agents, hospitality, logistics, suppliers and many more.
• Fifth cruise terminal to be built in the port to meet the growing demand of the cruise industry.
• Engage in a varied learning environment.
• Enjoy the flexibility and responsibility of working both on your own and in groups.
• Tourism tutors are highly experienced practitioners and continue to network and collaborate with the tourism industry for the benefit of the field trips.

Assessment

Essays, written examinations, seminar presentations, written reports, case studies, practicals, group work, work placement, reflective journal, photo essay, posters and a final-year 12,000-word dissertation.

Projects/work experience

A minimum six-week work placement is compulsory for all students and you will be given guidance and support to help you gain your placement. For example, past students have worked in reservations, marketing and sales with leading cruise companies, or in the voluntary sector, hospitality sector or travel agents.

Key career skills

Interpersonal skills, organisation, communication and problem solving, presentation, leadership, management, teamwork, showing initiative and IT skills.

Student quote

Emilie Kishtoo, Graduate

“I came from France to study at Southampton Solent University. I chose Cruise Industry Management as I had studied tourism in general and worked in different places in France.

“Studying here has enabled me to learn much more than if I had done a tourism degree in France. I have had the opportunity to understand how university life is organised in England through my experiences of seminars, the lectures, the library, the IT rooms, and so on.

“The course gave me the opportunity to learn diverse aspects of the cruise industry, such as the management and strategies and how to be more competitive. It also covered the globalisation of the cruise industry and its impact on the economy and the environment of different countries. All these gave me a clear insight into the various cruise markets and global cruise development.

“The primary and secondary research I did for the dissertation gave me the chance to get feedback from experts and cruisers who have cruised several times for their holidays. This research enabled me to expand my knowledge as I was passionate about the subject. I have now found a great job back in France working for a major cruise company.
“Thanks to my teachers and the University, I developed my skills in cruise management and tourism, gained more confidence, socialised and met fantastic people from different countries with whom I still have a strong relationship.”

Industry quotes

Doug Morrison

Managing Director of AB Ports Southampton

“I am very happy to continue to support and of course endorse the Cruise Industry Management degree.”

Carnival UK

“The BA (Hons) Cruise Industry Management is a fantastic idea, particularly due to the growth of the cruise market within the UK and abroad.”

Royal Caribbean International

“We’re always on the lookout for well-qualified and educated individuals to work with us.”

Key info from UNISTATS

You might notice the data is the same in multiple widgets below. That’s because if there isn’t enough data about each version of the course, the data is combined. For more info, visit the Unistats website.