How Much Are Cruise Ship Employees Paid?

Cruise ship staff salaries vary greatly depending on their position and level of experience. The average salary for a cruise ship captain is 98,000, while the average cruise crew member can earn between 16,000 to 20,000. Cruise lines cover the cost of food and a place to stay for crew members working onboard. On top of their pay, crew members can expect to receive room and board, taxes, deductions, and other benefits.

Cruise ship employees typically make between £20,319 per year and £22,930 per year. Primary duties include bar staff taking guest orders for beverages on the cruise ship, which requires the ability to multi-task. The average pay range for a cruise ship worker varies greatly, with many opportunities for advancement. The lowest paying jobs average less than 200 per week, while the highest will make several thousand per week.

Cruise ship crew members for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian Cruise Line can earn an annual average between 16,000 to 20,000. Most big cruise lines and most positions would be starting around 1,000 US per month, with bonuses and commissions added on. However, there are many positions that can make as much as 2,500 a month, equivalent to 13 an hour.

The average hourly pay for a cruise ship crew job in the US is 21.28, with an hourly salary range of 10.82 to 20.82.

Do cruise workers get a day off?

Most jobs onboard cruise ships require grueling hours, cramped cabins, and no days off. But for some workers, the friendships, travel, and rewarding work can make it all worth it.

Cruises are back — and they’re hiring.But working on a cruise ship should not be confused with a perpetual vacation, Natalie Grillo, a 25-year-old Third Officer at a major US cruise line, warns.

“Everyone thinks that working on a cruise ship is easy,” Grillo told Insider. “But I’ve worked in the oil field, on research vessels, and on small boats, and working on a cruise ship is the most difficult job I’ve ever had.”

Insider spoke with five cruise ship workers including a dancer, musician, chef, and photographer about the best and worst parts of their jobs.

What is the highest paying job on a cruise ship?

5 Highest-Paying Jobs on Cruise ShipsExecutive Chef.Cruise Director.Chief Purser.Hotel Director.Human Resources Manager.

• 5 Cruise Ship Jobs Paying Top Dollar. Executive Chef
• Cruise Director
• Chief Purser
• Hotel Director
• Human Resources Manager

Generally, the highest-paying jobs on cruise ships are held by officers, department heads, and those working on commission. However, many other variables affect earning potential, such as cruise line, ship size, clientele, tips awarded, and prior job experience.

Contracts are another factor. Onboard positions are short-term, based on contractual agreements. For new employees, job length ranges from three months to one year. Thankfully, contracts are renewable, granting longer employment terms to those who serve with excellence.

How much do cruise ship performers make?

Cruise ship performer salaries for non-headliners usually range between $2,000 and $4,000 per month, depending on experience, location, and the cruise line itself. Headliner rates can be much higher and are usually negotiated by an agent or manager.

Entertainers can usually get discounted rates for friends and family, or have in-cabin guests. One of the great things about working on a cruise ship is that most of your onboard expenses, like lodging and food, are covered.

If you land a cruise ship gig, expect a paid rehearsal period. Many (but not all) production cast rehearsals take place in Florida, even if the ship ports out from somewhere else, like New York City. Rehearsal lengths vary, and you’ll get to know the rest of your cast well during this time. Keep in mind that things change frequently—performers get sick, injured, or fired. That means near-constant tweaks to the shows. Be adaptable.

Who is the highest paid crew on a cruise ship?

Who can earn the most money working on a cruise ship?

It comes as no surprise that the ship’s captain has the biggest salary from working on a cruise ship. The master of the vessel has a huge responsibility for ship safety for crew and passengers along with navigation. The captain can earn almost $100,000 manually depending on the cruise line and experience.

Is it easy to work on a cruise ship?

Some crew members work eight to 12 hours per day, with no days off, for seven months straight. However, my coworkers love this lifestyle and their jobs. If you don’t, you probably won’t make it very long on board.

Working on a ship, we wake up in a different country virtually every day and appreciate every free moment. Being part of such an amazing group of people is the most special experience I’ve ever had. I feel such a sense of community and morale with the other crew members.

Contracts can vary, but I often have time to relax for a few months between them where I can eat junk food, sleep all day, and catch up on pop culture.

How many hours do cruise ship employees work?

Workers in the cruise line industry should not expect to have a lot of free time. Most cruise ship workers work long hours—eight- to 14-hour days, seven days a week are not uncommon. Many employees spend a number of weeks, usually five or more, working at sea, followed by an extended leave ashore.

Being a people person is important in this industry. Cruise ship workers not only are expe…

The health of the cruise line industry is intrinsically tied to the state of our nation’s economy. During economic slowdowns, luxury travel decreases as people tend to watch their money more carefully. Also, during times of political unrest and security risks, cruise lines upgrade their safety measures to ensure passenger and crew safety. Bookings may decline during these times, but the cruise…

How many hours a day do cruise ship workers work?

Contract lengths vary by position but range between four and ten months. After each contract you will receive approximately 60 days of vacation before your next assignment. Your daily work schedule while onboard will depend on your particular position, but you can expect to work seven days a week and anywhere between 10-13 hours per day.

Time off during the contract is not permitted. In case of family emergencies, Princess Cruises does understand that additional time at home may be needed and does accommodate these requests on a case-by-case basis.

Accommodations vary depending on the ship and position. Those in non-management positions generally share a cabin with one to three other roommates whereas those in most management positions are entitled to a single cabin. Cabins include a storage space, TV, and DVD player.

Do you make a lot of money on a cruise ship?

A month Duos are probably going to start somewhere. Around $23 to $2500. A month and the soloists are usually starting somewhere between 33.

How much do Royal Caribbean crew members get paid?

How much does a Crew Member make at Royal Caribbean group in the United States?. Average Royal Caribbean group Crew Member hourly pay in the United States is approximately $18.43, which is 33% above the national average.

Salary information comes from 9 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.

Please note that all salary figures are approximations based upon third party submissions to Indeed. These figures are given to the Indeed users for the purpose of generalized comparison only. Minimum wage may differ by jurisdiction and you should consult the employer for actual salary figures.

Can I work on a ship with no experience?

Requirements/Training. Certain roles, such as Bridge/Deck and/or Technical positions, will require post-secondary training at a certified Marine School. However, for almost every other role onboard, most cruise lines do not require any post-secondary training. Instead, cruise lines prefer to see at least 1-2 years of relevant experience in a related role ashore. For example, if you are applying for an onboard retail sales position, the cruise line will want to see that you have 1-2 years of high-end retail sales experience. You may also want to consider some additional cruise-specific training via a Tourism/Hospitality School and/or an online Cruise Ship Program.

Onboard Hierarchy. There are three main crew categories that exist onboard a cruise ship. Each category’s associated positions may differ from company to company. However, these three categories will usually always be in place.

This category often includes the following personnel: Deck Officers, Technical Officers, and Hotel Managers. Hotel Managers and related Officers include: Hotel Director, Cruise Director, Human Resources Manager, Crew Trainer, Ships Doctors, Security Officers, Retail Manager, Photo Manager, Casino Manager, Youth Activities Manager, etc. In addition, some entry-level positions onboard are given Officer-level status from day one. These roles can include Pursers (Hotel Front Desk), Cruise Activities Staff, and Entertainers.

Does Royal Caribbean pay well?

As of Jul 20, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Royal Caribbean Cruise in Florida is $23.46 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $55.53 and as low as $7.09, the majority of Royal Caribbean Cruise salaries currently range between $13.98 (25th percentile) to $30.06 (75th percentile) in Florida.

How much do cruise ship workers get paid?

How much does a Cruise Ship Worker make? As of Jul 23, 2024, the average annual pay for a Cruise Ship Worker in the United States is $49,005 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.56 an hour. This is the equivalent of $942/week or $4,083/month.