If you have a passion for adventure and love working with people, then becoming a cruise ship worker may be the perfect career move. Cruise ship workers often enjoy great benefits and vacation time, along with competitive salaries. The following guide will give you some important tips if you are thinking about working on a cruise ship.
You have a great opportunity to make money and travel the world with a job on a cruise ship. As an employee on the ship, you get room and board, no rent payments, food and entertainment for free–all provided by the cruise line corporation
A cruise ship employee’s salary depends on the job, how long they have been working for their crewing agent, and their national origin. Steaming personnel, who work in engine rooms or cleaning vehicles, can earn around $ 1,000 US per month to start.
Salary For Working On A Cruise Ship Overview
If you’re considering a career on a cruise ship, there are a few things you should know. The first is that working on a cruise ship is an amazing way to see the world and make some money while doing it! Cruise ships offer all kinds of jobs, from working in the kitchen to helping passengers with their luggage or selling souvenirs onboard. Many people work their way up from serving drinks to actually managing the bars or restaurants.
The second thing you should know about working on a cruise ship is that it’s not going to be easy. Cruise ships operate around the clock, and most employees have shifts that span from early morning until late at night (or vice versa). If you’re used to waking up at 9am every morning and going to bed at 8pm every night, this might not be the right fit for you—but if you can handle the grueling hours and enjoy being part of the crew, then working on a cruise ship could be just what you’re looking for!
How Much do Cruise Ship Workers Make?
According to Business Insider, the median annual earnings of cruise ship workers is between $16,000 to $20,000.
The estimate comes from the 2018 annual regulatory filings of the three largest cruise lines; Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Although the average salary differs between cruise lines, these three companies provide valuable insight into the wages of cruise ship workers.
- Carnival Cruise Line: $16,622
- Royal Caribbean International: $19,396
- Norwegian Cruise Line : $20,101
Cruise ship workers make far less than the median annual income in the US of $31,561 (in 2017). While the median annual earnings of cruise ship workers are low relative to the US, there are plenty of benefits from working on a cruise ship that is discussed later in the article.
It’s important to remember that the annual salary figures don’t take into consideration the number of hours worked. Cruise ship workers are known to work long hours of up to 16 hours per day, seven days a week.
Other workers, such as the ship’s entertainers, may only work for a few hours each day.
Cruise ship employee contracts are between two to eleven months long, with the average lasting four to eight months.
Working on a cruise ship means the workers are often away from family for long periods. Many cruise ship employees return home for a few months between contracts.
Cruise Ship Worker Benefits
Although a cruise ship employee’s salary is lower than the average American, so too are their living costs.
Employee benefits may include accommodation, food, training, laundry services, medical care, flights to and from the ship, cruise discounts for family, retirement plan contributions, and health and dental insurance.
While on contract, crew members receive free accommodation on the cruise ship. The rooms aren’t nearly as luxurious as the passenger cabins, and they are responsible for cleaning their cabin. Staff performs weekly inspections to ensure that the crew performs routine cleaning.
Fun Fact: The crew cabins are below sea level, on deck 0. Most crew cabins don’t have a porthole (window) to look out – a luxury reserved for high-ranking staff.
Depending on your position, staff may have a cabin all to themselves or have to share it with one or two other crew members.
It’s common for cruise lines to provide three meals a day for crew members. Additionally, snacks and coffee are also served, usually in the afternoon and at midnight. However, staff and crew don’t have access to room service.
Cruise ship workers receive a drink allowance that they redeem at the crew-only bar. Additionally, they can order more drinks for a reduced price.
Another benefit is the deals and discounts crew members receive. Some cruise lines give perks to their staff, especially if they have been working for multiple years.
Discounts on cruise fares often extend to the crew’s family so they can travel as a guest at an affordable price.
Because of the benefits and minimal living expenses, most cruise ship employees can save most of their basic pay. If you add up the savings over many years, it can add up to a substantial amount of money.
Are there Expenses Incurred for Working on a Cruise Ship?
Although meals and room accommodations are free while working on a cruise ship, crew members may incur additional expenses. The living expenses are minimal, and some cruise lines may cover everything.
Cruise lines typically include complimentary laundry services for staff uniforms. However, the price for cleaning personal clothing items is minimal. The cost of laundry soap and ironing is also discounted for staff members.
Phones and the internet are also not included for crew members. Although, cruise ships usually have “internet cafes” where crew members can connect to the internet at a price cheaper than what guests pay.
Additionally, the crew can purchase phone plans and WiFi packages to easily access the ship’s network. Cruise ships usually have different connections for guests and crew and typically prohibit staff from using the internet in guest areas.
For haircuts, manicures, pedicures, and massages, the staff uses the ship’s salons and spas at discounted rates. Some ships even encourage workers to use the spa services when the ship is at the port, and most passengers aren’t using the facilities.
Cruise Ship Worker Salary by Position
Like every organization, the salary of cruise ship employees varies by position, experience, and skills. Below, we’ve listed the most common staff positions with salary data provided by PayScale.
what Cruise Ship Captain Make?
The cruise ship’s captain is the highest-ranking officer on the vessel. They control the ship and make decisions on operations, navigations, and the safety of guests and crew.
The average salary of a cruise ship captain is $96,000. Salary’s for ship captain’s range between $44,000 to $177,000 depending on the size of the ship and years of experience.
Due to the nature of such a demanding role, the ship captain often works for three-month contracts. While they are on the ship, they are on call 24 hours a day.
To learn more about the role and responsibilities of cruise ship captains, check out our article on the average cruise ship captain salary.
what a Cruise Ship Director Make?
The average salary of a Cruise Director is $65,000. New cruise directors start at $45,000, while experienced cruise directors can make over $100,000 per year.
The cruise director oversees all of the daily onboard activities and events around the ship.
You will often see the cruise director hosting onboard activites, introducing shows, telling jokes, and kicking off the evening theatre shows.
But, behind the scenes, the cruise director has much more responsibility. As head of the ship’s entertainment, they are responsible for hundreds of crew members including the performers, musicians, youth staff, activities staff, sound and lighting technicians, and stage staff.
Cruise directors work six to eight hours on port days and up to fourteen hours per day on sea days. They usually work for six-month contracts followed by a six-week break.
Environmental Health & Safety Officer
The Environmental Health & Safety Officer is responsible for safety procedures on the ship. Their role is to implement safety procedures and protocols, generate safety plans, create safety reports, and coordinate the disposal of hazardous components.
They are also responsible for performing regular safety audits of the ship.
The Environmental Health & Safety Officer makes an average of $87,000 per year.
How Much Does the Hotel Manager Make?
Hotel managers are responsible for the guest accommodations. Their responsibilities include supervising the department employees, coordinating hotel services, and ensuring positive guest experiences.
The hotel manager on a cruise ship can expect to make $50,000 per year, plus tips.
what Cruise Ship Cabin Stewards Make?
Cabin stewards are among the lowest-paid workers on a cruise ship.
Cabin stewards have a base salary of $10,800 but can make as high as $24,000 with tips.
what Ship’s Engineers Make?
The cruise ship’s mechanical and engineering department is responsible for repairing, maintaining, and operating the ship’s technical and mechanical systems.
They are responsible for everything from the HVAC systems in the cabin to the engine propulsion systems.
An engineer makes between $30,000 and $85,000 for the chief engineer.
what an Executive Chef Make on a Cruise Ship?
The executive chef is responsible for planning and preparing the meals for the ship’s guests. The executive chef takes inventory, orders supplies, and manages the kitchen staff and operations.
The average salary of the executive chef is $64,000.
what Assistant Chefs/Sous Chefs Make on a Cruise Ship?
The sous chef is responsible for preparing passengers and crew’s food. In addition to cooking, the sous chef is responsible for helping with menu planning, minimizing food waste, and keeping the kitchen budget.
Sous Chefs have an average annual salary of $47,000.
what do Cruise Ship Waiters Make?
The salary for cruise ship waiters varies from $22,000 per year to $50,000 per year for the head waiter. These salary numbers include the gratuities that cruise lines collect and share among the staff.
Waiters often work long hours as they are responsible for serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They may make additional money if customers choose to tip more.
