What Is the Captain of a Cruise Ship Called?

By Alice Nichols

The captain of a cruise ship is the most senior role on board, and is ultimately responsible for the safety and wellbeing of all passengers and crew. The captain’s duties range from supervising the navigation and operations of the ship, to monitoring the cargo, to ensuring that all safety regulations are followed.

The captain is usually a highly experienced mariner who is usually specially trained in navigation, meteorology, maritime law and other maritime disciplines. According to international maritime law, a captain must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid certificate from their country’s maritime authority.

Cruise ships also have other senior officers such as a first officer (also known as chief mate) who is responsible for keeping watch over the deck operations of the ship; an engineer officer who oversees the engine room; a navigator; and various other officers responsible for running various departments on board such as housekeeping, food service, maintenance and security.

The captain has ultimate authority over all these officers, but typically delegates most of their day-to-day responsibilities to them. The captain will still be consulted on major decisions such as whether or not to change course due to weather or sea conditions.

Cruise ships are also required to have an official document called a “ship’s log” which details all major events on board. This includes details such as any changes in course or speed, any incident reports filed by passengers or crew members, and any medical emergencies that occur onboard.

In conclusion, what is the captain of a cruise ship called? The captain of a cruise ship is the most senior role on board and is responsible for all aspects of running it safely and effectively. They are highly trained professionals with considerable experience in navigation, meteorology and maritime law who must hold valid certificates from their country’s maritime authority.