How Much Do Captain’s Make on a Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

A cruise ship captain is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a cruise vessel. It is an important role to fill, with captains having extremely high levels of responsibility.

Cruise ship captains are in charge of the overall safety and operations of the ship and its passengers, and must possess an impressive amount of experience in order to succeed.

The salary of a cruise ship captain is highly dependent on the size of the vessel, as well as the company they work for. The larger the vessel and/or more prestigious the company, the higher their salary will be.

Generally speaking, a captain working on a smaller vessel can expect to make around $50,000-$70,000 per year. Those working on larger vessels may make upwards of $150,000 per year or more.

In addition to salary, many cruise lines offer bonuses for performance or other incentives such as free travel or discounts onboard their ships. These benefits can add up quickly and can often be quite generous depending on how successful a captain is at their job.

For those looking to pursue a career in cruise ship operations, becoming a captain is definitely worth considering.

It takes dedication and commitment to become a successful captain; applicants must pass rigorous tests before they are hired by any major cruise line. However once they have passed these tests and obtained their qualifications they will have access to some great career opportunities that offer lucrative salaries and plenty of job satisfaction.

In conclusion, captains on cruise ships can earn anywhere from $50,000-$150,000+ annually depending upon their experience level, size of vessel sailed upon and company employed by. Cruise lines may also provide bonuses or other incentives such as free travel or discounts onboard their vessels in addition to salary which can add up significantly over time. Becoming a cruise ship captain requires dedication and commitment but it can be highly rewarding both personally and financially for those who pursue this career path.