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They offer technical assistance and organize alterations and enhancements to the ship’s equipment. First, as mentioned, the crew are internationally sourced, often from places where the cost of living is significantly lower than what we see in the United States. That can make the earnings — though low by American standards — more attractive.
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This gives us a glimpse into everything from the value of its ships to exactly how much it pays its crew. But we wanted to get the real scoop on what a cruise line pays its employees. For that, we turned to some recent financial statements from Carnival Corporation. There’s a lot to consider before you decide on working on a cruise ship, and you need to be sure that it is indeed what you want.
How Much Cruise Lines Spend on Food (Less Than You Think?)
However, cruise ship waiters may only make $1,200 per month for a junior position or $5,000 per month for the head waiter on an ultra-luxury cruise ship. It’s worth noting that cruise ship contracts can last anywhere between 2 and 11 months, with most lasting 4 to 8 months. During this time, living expenses such as accommodation and food are usually covered by the cruise line, but employees may not have access to free Wi-Fi. Entry-level kitchen positions usually have the lowest wages found on cruise ships. However, on the plus side, they have the highest opportunities for advancement. Furthermore, wages may be low in this area, but the tips and gratuities make up for 95% of the difference.
Different Roles and Their Corresponding Earnings
Additionally, gratuities, commissions, and other income sources can greatly impact a crew member’s overall earnings. Yes, cruise ship workers often receive additional benefits, including room and board, meals, and access to onboard facilities. These benefits can significantly reduce living expenses, making it more financially attractive. Some cruise lines also offer health insurance and retirement plans for long-term employees.
Do cruise ship employees get free food?
Positions in hospitality, such as bartenders, waiters, and housekeeping, generally have lower base salaries. These positions often rely heavily on gratuities and tips, which can significantly augment their income. On average, they can earn between $600 to $1,500 per month, alongside accommodation and meals provided by the cruise line. Deckhands aboard cruise ships have a vital role in the upkeep and security of the ship.
The great gratuities debate: why many cruise crews rely on your tips to make ends meet - Cruise Passenger
The great gratuities debate: why many cruise crews rely on your tips to make ends meet.
Posted: Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Overall, the benefits offered to cruise ship employees can make a big difference in their quality of life and job satisfaction. As mentioned, there are additional benefits that workers receive over their salary. Free room and board, meals, and medical care allow individuals to save money while working. The responsibilities of a cruise director include organizing and scheduling various activities and events, leading the entertainment team, and ensuring passengers’ safety and satisfaction. The cruise director also plays a significant role in public relations, making announcements and acting as the cruise company’s public face.
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I worked on a cruise ship, but the pay and schedule weren't worth it. - Business Insider
I worked on a cruise ship, but the pay and schedule weren't worth it..
Posted: Thu, 23 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
According to Business Insider, a cruise ship crew member for Carnival, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line can earn an annual average between $16,000 to $20,000. For leadership staff on board cruise ships, the annual salary can be much higher from $30,000 to $100,000. All in all, however, with an average salary of under $24,000, it’s clear that most cruise lines employees aren’t getting rich by American standards. So be sure to tip generously for the staff and crew that make your trip so enjoyable. These factors include the cruise liner, the size of the ship, the type of the ship, clientele, tips earned, whether you are salary or commission-based, and of course, your job experience.
Employee compensation on cruise ships is position-, experience-, and skill-specific, just like in any other business. Employee contracts on cruise ships often span four to eight months, with two or three months off in between. This article will explain how much cruise ship employees make and give you details on some of the jobs that are available on board. First, there is no set rate that every person working on a cruise ship earns. And on a modern cruise ship there are dozens if not hundreds of different roles, from the captain of the ship to kitchen staff.
Cabin Steward
Engineers play a pivotal role in maintaining the ship’s mechanical systems. Cruise ship doctors are in charge of overseeing the ship’s medical facilities, addressing medical crises, and providing medical care to both passengers and staff. They normally require at least three years of post-graduate clinical experience in addition to a concentration in family medicine or emergency medicine. They are in charge of onboard sales, maintenance, and administrative duties in addition to responding to inquiries and grievances from visitors.
Musicians – The salary for cruise ship musicians starts at $1,400 per month for Caribbean Calypso band members up to $3,500 per month for piano bar entertainers. Cruise ship bartenders make between $1,400 and $2,600 per month depending on the cruise line. This includes gratuities which are automatically collected and shared, but they can make more if people tip extra in cash. Cruise ship chefs usually have several years’ experience working in similar roles in luxury hotels, restaurants or other high-volume food service facilities. Cruise directors work 11 to 14 hours per day on a sea day and six to eight hours per day on a port day. They usually work for six months at a time, with six weeks off to go home in between contracts.
You read that right — across more than 100 ships the cruise line has nearly 85,000 crew members, coming from over 100 countries! These workers range all the way from engineers that keep the ship running to the captain to the waitstaff in the dining rooms. It is a structured organization with a chairman and other officers who look after the welfare of the crew. This group organizes and conducts numerous activities just for the crew members. Most positions are on an hourly rate basis, and jobs on a cruise ship pay from $1,200 to $1,500 a month. However, many positions pay up to $2,500 a month, which is like $13.00 per hour.
While the median average salary for cruise ship workers may be less than that of the average American, it’s important to consider the unique nature of the job. Cruise ship contracts can last anywhere between 2 and 11 months, with most lasting 4 to 8 months, meaning that employees have the opportunity to earn a significant amount of money in a short amount of time. In conclusion, the earnings of cruise ship workers vary widely based on roles, experience, and the cruise line they work for. While some roles offer substantial salaries, others rely on gratuities and tips to enhance income. Pursuing a career on a cruise ship requires a spirit of adventure, adaptability, and a passion for serving passengers while exploring the world.
Despite incurring some additional expenses, cruise ship staff find that they can save more money than in many land-based jobs due to providing lodging and meals. This blend of financial savings, unique benefits, and the opportunity to travel the world makes working on a cruise ship an attractive option for those seeking an unconventional career path. However, potential employees should weigh these benefits against the unique challenges of this work environment, such as long hours, strict regulations, and limited personal space.
As an example, a stateroom attendant will work the morning to go through all of his/her cabins, and then take a few hours off in the afternoon, before returning for work in the evening. In fact, crew members are not allowed to go into passenger cabins unless there is an official reason. Just like a job on land, everyone's salary is not public information, so I have to rely on job recruiting websites for some insight. How many dining venues and where they are located, will vary from ship to ship. Often there will be regional dishes from the crew members' home countries. "Financially, it's not a good business prospect, which is why I stopped doing it."
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