Thinking of becoming a Purser?

We asked Julia, Purser trainer at The Crew Academy, to tell us what it takes to become a Purser...

What are the duties and responsibilities?

Julia: “The role will vary significantly from one vessel to another but duties can include accounting, administration, destination management, port clearances, event planning and crew management.

“It’s important to note, though, that it wouldn’t be feasible for one person to take on all of these tasks all of the time so each role will be different.”

What qualifications and experience do you need??

Julia: “It’s helpful to have a background in accounting, event management or vessel management but this is not strictly necessary.

“Our Purser course is a great starting point, covering all the duties that come under the title and giving you all the tools and knowledge to thrive.”

Are Pursers always Chief Stews before moving into the role?

Julia: “While it seems like a natural progression to move from Chief Stew to Purser it is not the only pathway, and not every chief stew is equipped to take on the Purser role.

“Pursers come from a variety of backgrounds and it very much depends on their previous life experiences and what they have been exposed to on board.

“We have students that have come from other departments like the galley, bridge or deck that have successfully moved into the Purser role.”

What do you think makes a great Purser?

Julia: “To succeed in the Purser role an individual should be self-motivated, be able to work independently, take direction well, be organised and able to multitask.”

Upcoming courses

For those looking to take the next step to becoming a Purser, we have residential courses coming up in September, October, and November.

Join Julia and other students at Tilton House, our training facility in the heart of the South Downs, to gain all the knowledge and tools you need to become a Purser.

Plus, we're currently offering all residential students two free additional courses when they sign up before the end of August; a free Mental Health Awareness course and a free HR, Recruitment, Retention course (worth ￡655).

For more information, email us at [email protected] and quote this offer.

If you can't make it in person, you can also choose to study live online with either our 2-week or flexible programmes.