Pay is a big factor for cruise ship employees. You’re not the only one who has wondered how much money you can make and how much money you can save while working on a cruise ship. Here, we go into more detail about some of the questions that cruise ship employees frequently have regarding their earning potential and pay.
Your position on a cruise ship will largely determine how much money you can make. But there are a lot of other things that can affect your earnings. Your earning potential will be influenced by the size, type, passengers, cruise liner, tips earned, and prior work experience of the ship in question. Whether you are paid a salary or on commission will also affect how much you make. When attempting to forecast the amount of money you can make or save by working in the cruise industry, each of these factors should be taken into consideration.
You must pay all income taxes due as a paid cruise ship employee just as you would if you worked a land-based job. But keep in mind that there are some significant differences between jobs that are performed on land. For instance, on a cruise ship, your cabin is typically free. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about paying for groceries during the term of your contract, and the cruise line frequently provides uniforms. Some companies will even pay laundry expenses. This indicates that you can save almost all of your income, especially if you don’t have a lot of expenses related to your land.
It is accurate to say that compensation can differ significantly between cruise lines. On large lines, however, staff and entry-level jobs like aerobics instructors, youth counselors, junior pursers, disc jockeys, and hosts will make an industry-standard salary of roughly $1,200 to $1,500 per month. The tips that customers leave for wait staff, bartenders, and casino employees can sometimes double their pay.
Although wages will rise with experience on some ships, raises are relatively uncommon for those who remain in the cruise staff. When a staff member accepts a new position like that of a cruise director or assistant cruise director, their pay increases significantly. Cruise ship workers in these positions can earn up to $4,500 per month. Keep in mind though, that these positions are very competitive. A cruise director can earn up to $80,000 per year, making it one of the highest-paying jobs on board, although the typical cruise ship director salary is only $50,000 per year. Of course, there can be fierce competition for these positions, with numerous qualified candidates vying for only two or three positions per ship.
The majority of positions pay hourly, so what can you expect to make? Most jobs on cruise ships pay between $1,200 and $1,500 per month. However, there are numerous jobs where salaries can reach $2,500 per month, or $13 per hour. A cruise ship employee can anticipate to work more than 45 hours per week on average because cruise ship work weeks are typically longer than your typical work week. Some cruise ship employees will work closer to 60. Although it may seem tedious and time-consuming, the potential payoff for all those hours put in is very good.
Almost all cruise lines provide a cruise discount to staff members who have worked there for more than a year. Your family can travel to places they might not otherwise be able to see by taking a cruise for as little as $15 per day, saving you thousands of dollars in vacation costs. Going to sea won’t make you a millionaire, but it can add a healthy amount of cash and, perhaps more importantly, happy memories to your life.
How much do cruise ship workers make?
Cruise ship worker salaries can depend on several factors, including:
In addition to their salary, cruise ship employees also receive benefits like room and board, medical coverage, and meals. This lowers living costs while staff members are on a scheduled cruise. Additionally, cruise ship crew members typically put in longer hours, which results in higher hourly pay. Additionally, they frequently receive deeply discounted cruise rates for themselves and their loved ones.
What are cruise ship workers?
All crew members on a cruise ship are considered to be cruise ship workers. Cruises may require hundreds of staff members in various departments, depending on the cruise line and type of ship, including:
Types of cruise ships jobs
The typical cruise ship jobs and their average salaries are listed below. Click on the salary link for each job title below to access the most recent data from Indeed.
The preparation, storage, and service of food and beverages are the main responsibilities of food service personnel. They should take pleasure in working with people and possess fundamental math skills. They work irregular hours and report to restaurant managers, especially during opening shifts.
Deckhands’ main responsibilities include helping to prepare and maintain a ship, run machinery, and maintain equipment. They need to be able to put in a lot of manual labor, work long hours, and travel a lot. Deckhands report to a ships captain.
Receptionists’ main responsibilities include greeting visitors, handling check-in and check-out processes, collecting payments, and providing visitors with information. To resolve issues with guests, they should possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as patience.
The primary responsibilities of housekeeping managers include scheduling housekeeping staff, setting up and cleaning up guest rooms and common areas. They supervise housekeepers and make sure they adhere to high standards of quality and cleanliness.
Security officers’ main responsibilities include monitoring ship security, responding to security or safety concerns, and assisting in ship emergencies. They must undergo training, which may include firearm tactical training. Security guards might also need to apply for a license from a reputable agency.
Primary responsibilities include instructing and supervising crew members as they inspect, maintain, and repair deck machinery and equipment. They are knowledgeable about all non-engine ship maintenance procedures, including cargo, lines, and anchors, and they are able to complete these tasks on their own.
Recreation coordinators’ main responsibilities include planning, directing, and supervising the ship’s recreational activities, including exercise classes, dance instruction, and kid’s activity programs. They may also plan special events, such as theme parties. Recreational coordinators can have a degree in recreation and leisure studies or a related field, but they are not required to have a bachelor’s degree.
Primary responsibilities: Paramedics on cruise ships provide medical care and treatment to passengers, crew, and staff. Basic paramedic certification requires education, which typically takes two years, as well as a state license.
Fitters’ main responsibilities are to maintain and repair the metal parts of the cruise ship and related equipment. They are knowledgeable workers who can mill, shape, and grind metal into the required shapes.
HVAC specialists’ main responsibilities include repairing and maintaining the ship’s HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. Typically, they finish a training program that lasts six to 24 months, followed by an apprenticeship.
Primary duties: Entertainers perform for guests on cruise ships. They rehearse, perform and interact with guests. Acts may include musicians, singers, magicians and comedians.
Plumbers’ main responsibilities include fixing and maintaining the ship’s plumbing system. They frequently hold a state license, which might call for a specific number of hours spent in a job training course.
Hotel managers’ main responsibilities include supervising hotel department staff, making staff schedules, ensuring a positive guest experience, and coordinating hotel services like room service. They should have strong interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills.
Food service managers are in charge of ordering, storing, preparing, and serving food and beverages. They establish staff schedules, oversee waiters and bartenders, and respond to any issues that guests may have.
Entertainment managers’ main responsibilities are to find performers and schedule them for cruise ships. They also oversee the lighting, production and sound crews.
Cruise ship nurses’ main responsibilities include treating passengers, crew members, and other passengers who need medical attention. They attend to illnesses, injuries and any medical emergencies.
Executive chefs’ main responsibilities are to plan and prepare meals for cruise ship passengers. They order supplies, take inventory and manage kitchen staff.
Maintenance of the ship’s systems, including its engines, hydraulics, and controls, is the chief engineer’s primary duty. They maintain inventory and work closely with the ships captain. Cruise ship captains must hold a marine chief engineer certification.
Maintenance managers’ main responsibilities include keeping a cruise ship’s main guest and staff areas clean and in working order. In these locations, they also maintain and repair mechanical elements like elevators and lighting.
Environmental health and safety professionals’ main responsibilities include developing safety plans, putting them into action, analyzing health and safety reports, and coordinating the handling and disposal of hazardous materials. They record and store their evaluations and conduct safety audits.
The captain of the ship has the most important responsibilities. They command the ship and make operational and navigational decisions. Captains must maintain all U. S. having the necessary Coast Guard licenses, a FCC radio operator’s license, and radar certification
Electrical engineers’ main responsibilities include monitoring and fixing the ship’s electrical systems. Most of them have advanced degrees, and most have at least a bachelor’s degree from a school recognized by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
Directors of operations’ main responsibilities include organizing and supervising all onboard activities and events. They serve as the cruises representative, facilitate communication between departments, and address customer complaints.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO CRUISE SHIP EMPLOYEES MAKE?
FAQ
Do cruise ship jobs pay well?
An average yearly salary for a cruise ship crew member working for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian Cruise Line is between $16,000 and $20,000. The annual salary for management staff on cruise ships can range from $30,000 to $100,000.
What is the salary of cruise ship employees?
With gratuities included, the monthly salary for an assistant waiter can be anywhere between $900 and $2,200; experienced dining room waiters can make up to $3,200. The assistant maitre d’ can make up to $4,000 per year and typically receives tips.
How much do cruise ship waiters make?
- Executive Chef.
- Cruise Director.
- Chief Purser.
- Hotel Director.
- Human Resources Manager.
Who is the highest paid person on a cruise ship?
- Executive Chef.
- Cruise Director.
- Chief Purser.
- Hotel Director.
- Human Resources Manager.
