We are a preparation academy, not a recruiter. Legitimate cruise lines pay you. You never pay them for a job.

Online course

Galley Course

Galley structure, food preparation, hygiene and safety, working under pressure, and the discipline a cruise kitchen runs on.

  • In production
  • Certificate of completion
  • Study on your phone
  • Lifetime access
Filmed on boardWatch crew who trained with us
Coming soon

We are writing this course now, to the same standard as every other course here. Leave your details and we will tell you the moment it opens.

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Filmed on board

Crew who trained with us

Short phone clips from July and September 2026, in their own words.

Swipe, or use the arrows, to browse our students

The outcome

What you will be able to do on board

  • 1Understand how a cruise galley is structured and run
  • 2Work cleanly and safely under real pressure
  • 3Know where a galley career can take you

Who this is for

Kitchen staff who want to work in a cruise ship galley.


Our honest promise

We will not promise you a job, because no honest academy can. We promise real preparation that makes you a serious, ready candidate, and a CV builder that puts it on paper the way cruise lines want to read it.

  • Built from real cruise experience
  • STCW is done at a SAMSA approved centre, and we show you the route
  • You never pay anyone for a job

A one minute welcome from Jean Jacobs, Founder. Tap to play.

Who is behind the academy

Taught by people who have done the job

I have hired and led crew from all over the world. South Africans belong on those ships. My job is to get you ready to prove it.
Jean Jacobs
  • Luxury hotels, top restaurants and the world's largest cruise line
  • DoubleTree by Hilton, Harbour House Group, international cruise operations
  • Chosen to lead high profile launches and operations
Meet the team
Our students

A wall of real momentum

Our students, on camera and in writing. Crew cards are backed by the clips above; written reviews come straight from our students.

Crew member
Landed her first contract

And here I am. I landed the job on board. I am enjoying it. Keep it up guys.

On camera
Vencesla
Restaurants · Madagascar

Thank you Cape Marine Academy for the training, and Jean. You guys are the best. Thank you for giving me this training.

On camera
Siya
Working on board now · South Africa

Cape Marine Academy changed my life in so many ways. I bought courses online, and then here I am on the ship, earning in dollars. Don't hesitate. Try it.

On camera
NP
Nicole P.

I expected a few basic videos about cruise ships. I was completely wrong. The training actually shows you how the role works, what the standards are and what you are expected to know before you ever step onboard.

Written review
ZN
Zanele N.

The Assistant Waiter course taught me that there is much more to the job than clearing tables. Mise en place, service sequence, table setup, guest interaction and hygiene standards were all explained properly. I feel much better prepared now.

Written reviewAssistant Waiter
BF
Bianca F.

I thought the course would mainly be about serving guests. I was surprised by how much it covers about ship life, hygiene standards, teamwork, guest expectations and the reality of working long hours onboard. It gives you a much bigger picture.

Written review
DB
Dylan B.

The CV section was a wake up call for me. I thought my CV was fine because I had hospitality experience already, but I realised I was not presenting that experience in a way that made sense for an international cruise application.

Written review
CI
Cameron I.

The Bar Server training was much more detailed than I expected. Wine, spirits, beer, cocktails, garnishes, taking the order correctly, serving and presenting the bill. It takes something that looks simple from the outside and shows you the proper standard.

Written reviewBar Server
MH
Megan H.

I originally came here because I wanted to find a cruise job. Somewhere during the training my thinking changed. I stopped looking at it as one job and started looking at where the career could take me over the next five or ten years.

Written review
AV
Anika V.

I would recommend this even to someone who already works in hospitality. I have experience and still found plenty of things I either did not know or had never been properly taught.

Written review
CB
Chloe B.

The whole experience feels modern. Lessons, quizzes, progress tracking and career preparation are all together in one place. It does not feel like one of those online courses where somebody sends you ten PDFs and wishes you luck.

Written review
AM
Amahle M.

I have not even left South Africa yet, but mentally I already feel like I am in a very different place compared to when I started. I finally feel excited about my career again.

Written review
RJ
Reece J.

I found the academy online and was quite sceptical at first because there are so many people selling cruise ship dreams. Once I started using the platform I could see there was real structure behind it. It feels like somebody has actually thought about what a first time applicant needs to know.

Written review
Crew member
Landed her first contract

And here I am. I landed the job on board. I am enjoying it. Keep it up guys.

On camera
Vencesla
Restaurants · Madagascar

Thank you Cape Marine Academy for the training, and Jean. You guys are the best. Thank you for giving me this training.

On camera
Siya
Working on board now · South Africa

Cape Marine Academy changed my life in so many ways. I bought courses online, and then here I am on the ship, earning in dollars. Don't hesitate. Try it.

On camera
NP
Nicole P.

I expected a few basic videos about cruise ships. I was completely wrong. The training actually shows you how the role works, what the standards are and what you are expected to know before you ever step onboard.

Written review
ZN
Zanele N.

The Assistant Waiter course taught me that there is much more to the job than clearing tables. Mise en place, service sequence, table setup, guest interaction and hygiene standards were all explained properly. I feel much better prepared now.

Written reviewAssistant Waiter
BF
Bianca F.

I thought the course would mainly be about serving guests. I was surprised by how much it covers about ship life, hygiene standards, teamwork, guest expectations and the reality of working long hours onboard. It gives you a much bigger picture.

Written review
DB
Dylan B.

The CV section was a wake up call for me. I thought my CV was fine because I had hospitality experience already, but I realised I was not presenting that experience in a way that made sense for an international cruise application.

Written review
CI
Cameron I.

The Bar Server training was much more detailed than I expected. Wine, spirits, beer, cocktails, garnishes, taking the order correctly, serving and presenting the bill. It takes something that looks simple from the outside and shows you the proper standard.

Written reviewBar Server
MH
Megan H.

I originally came here because I wanted to find a cruise job. Somewhere during the training my thinking changed. I stopped looking at it as one job and started looking at where the career could take me over the next five or ten years.

Written review
AV
Anika V.

I would recommend this even to someone who already works in hospitality. I have experience and still found plenty of things I either did not know or had never been properly taught.

Written review
CB
Chloe B.

The whole experience feels modern. Lessons, quizzes, progress tracking and career preparation are all together in one place. It does not feel like one of those online courses where somebody sends you ten PDFs and wishes you luck.

Written review
AM
Amahle M.

I have not even left South Africa yet, but mentally I already feel like I am in a very different place compared to when I started. I finally feel excited about my career again.

Written review
RJ
Reece J.

I found the academy online and was quite sceptical at first because there are so many people selling cruise ship dreams. Once I started using the platform I could see there was real structure behind it. It feels like somebody has actually thought about what a first time applicant needs to know.

Written review
Thuto
Restaurants · South Africa

Cape Marine Academy, I met them online. I take all my courses from them. They are one of the best. Give them a try.

On camera
Pedro
Restaurants · Brazil

Thank you Cape Marine Academy for giving me the best training. Appreciate you guys, you're the best.

On camera
Manele
Working on board now · South Africa

I highly recommend Cape Marine Academy. If you want to come on board, join and do the courses online. And here I am now, on board, because of Jean. They highly assisted me.

On camera
SD
Sipho D.

What changed most for me was my confidence. I already had hospitality experience, but cruise ships felt like a completely different world. After doing the training I feel like I can walk into an interview and actually understand the questions being asked.

Written review
JW
Jason W.

Straightforward, practical and actually useful. No unnecessary fluff. I now understand what cruise lines expect from someone applying for the role.

Written review
SM
Sibusiso M.

The Waiter course completely changed how I look at the position. It is not just taking an order and bringing food. You are managing a station, working with your assistant, selling, serving wine correctly and creating an experience for the guest.

Written reviewWaiter
PM
Palesa M.

Interview preparation helped me a lot. Before the course I would probably have gone into an interview and tried to improvise everything. Now I understand what they are actually trying to find out about you and how to prepare without sounding rehearsed.

Written review
LM
Lerato M.

I already had experience working in restaurants, which made me think I was ready. What I did not understand was how different cruise ship standards can be. The course helped me connect the experience I already had with what is expected onboard.

Written review
MH
Musa H.

I liked that the Restaurant Supervisor training deals with situations that actually happen. Complaints, special requests, staff issues, service problems and pressure on the floor. It feels relevant to real hospitality work.

Written reviewRestaurant Supervisor
ID
Imraan D.

I work full time, so being able to study around my schedule made a big difference. Some days I did one lesson, some days I did more. I never felt pressured to rush through it just to finish.

Written review
YI
Yusuf I.

I was very careful because there are a lot of cruise job scams around. The academy was very clear about what they can help with and what they cannot promise. Nobody told me to pay for a job or guaranteed anything. That was important to me.

Written review
RP
Ruan P.

Sometimes in South Africa it feels like there is only so far you can go financially, especially when you are young and working in hospitality. Learning about the opportunities available internationally really opened my mind. It made me realise my current situation does not have to be permanent.

Written review
NG
Nosipho G.

When I first started looking into cruise ships I was sitting at home trying to piece together information from TikTok, Facebook and Google. Eventually I completed my training, improved my CV and prepared properly for the application process. The academy did not hand me an opportunity, but it helped me become much more prepared to go after one.

Written review
Thuto
Restaurants · South Africa

Cape Marine Academy, I met them online. I take all my courses from them. They are one of the best. Give them a try.

On camera
Pedro
Restaurants · Brazil

Thank you Cape Marine Academy for giving me the best training. Appreciate you guys, you're the best.

On camera
Manele
Working on board now · South Africa

I highly recommend Cape Marine Academy. If you want to come on board, join and do the courses online. And here I am now, on board, because of Jean. They highly assisted me.

On camera
SD
Sipho D.

What changed most for me was my confidence. I already had hospitality experience, but cruise ships felt like a completely different world. After doing the training I feel like I can walk into an interview and actually understand the questions being asked.

Written review
JW
Jason W.

Straightforward, practical and actually useful. No unnecessary fluff. I now understand what cruise lines expect from someone applying for the role.

Written review
SM
Sibusiso M.

The Waiter course completely changed how I look at the position. It is not just taking an order and bringing food. You are managing a station, working with your assistant, selling, serving wine correctly and creating an experience for the guest.

Written reviewWaiter
PM
Palesa M.

Interview preparation helped me a lot. Before the course I would probably have gone into an interview and tried to improvise everything. Now I understand what they are actually trying to find out about you and how to prepare without sounding rehearsed.

Written review
LM
Lerato M.

I already had experience working in restaurants, which made me think I was ready. What I did not understand was how different cruise ship standards can be. The course helped me connect the experience I already had with what is expected onboard.

Written review
MH
Musa H.

I liked that the Restaurant Supervisor training deals with situations that actually happen. Complaints, special requests, staff issues, service problems and pressure on the floor. It feels relevant to real hospitality work.

Written reviewRestaurant Supervisor
ID
Imraan D.

I work full time, so being able to study around my schedule made a big difference. Some days I did one lesson, some days I did more. I never felt pressured to rush through it just to finish.

Written review
YI
Yusuf I.

I was very careful because there are a lot of cruise job scams around. The academy was very clear about what they can help with and what they cannot promise. Nobody told me to pay for a job or guaranteed anything. That was important to me.

Written review
RP
Ruan P.

Sometimes in South Africa it feels like there is only so far you can go financially, especially when you are young and working in hospitality. Learning about the opportunities available internationally really opened my mind. It made me realise my current situation does not have to be permanent.

Written review
NG
Nosipho G.

When I first started looking into cruise ships I was sitting at home trying to piece together information from TikTok, Facebook and Google. Eventually I completed my training, improved my CV and prepared properly for the application process. The academy did not hand me an opportunity, but it helped me become much more prepared to go after one.

Written review
Honest answers

Questions about the Galley course

Every honest question we get asked, answered straight. If yours is not here, message us and we will tell you the truth.

Will the Galley course get me a job?+

No honest academy can promise a job, and anyone who does is a red flag. What this does is prepare you to apply as a serious, ready candidate through the official channels, which is exactly where real hiring happens.

What if I change my mind?+

If you have not started the course you have a 7 day cooling off right, and we refund you in full. Once you begin the lessons that right falls away, because the content is delivered digitally. Our Refund Policy sets this out plainly, with no fine print games.

What does a galley steward actually do?+

The galley's standards and flow: cleaning to USPH standard, supporting the chefs, handling equipment and waste properly, and keeping the kitchen inspection ready every single day. It is the entry point into cruise kitchen work, and the course teaches the standards the lines inspect against.

Do I need cooking experience?+

No. The galley steward role is about standards, hygiene and supporting the galley team, not plating dishes. If you do have kitchen experience, the course connects it to how cruise galleys actually run.

What are USPH standards?+

The United States Public Health sanitation program for cruise vessels, which most of the industry runs to even outside American waters. It covers food temperatures, hand washing, storage, ice handling and more, and ships are scored on it by unannounced inspectors. The course teaches the standards so you can hold them.

Do I need experience to take the Galley course?+

Kitchen staff who want to work in a cruise ship galley. The course builds every skill step by step, so nothing is taken for granted. If you already work in hospitality, it sharpens what you have to the exact standard the cruise lines expect.

Full Career Package

STCW and documents, coordinated for you

Set Sail includes one or two Career Training Courses for your career path, and Crew Ready. It books your SAMSA accredited STCW in Cape Town at the training centre's own price, times your police clearance, and has your Seaman's Book application ready to lodge if you are offered a contract, with an academy member guiding you from the day you enrol.

Want your STCW and documents handled too? Choose Set Sail instead of a single course.

R 27 072,82in total

R15 500 to Cape Marine Academy, R11 382,82 to the training centre (invoiced to you directly at its published price), R190 to SAPS through our agency. Your medical, passport, visa and flights are paid separately.

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