How Much Do You Make Working on a Cruise Ship a Year?

By Robert Palmer

Working on a cruise ship can be an exciting and rewarding job. It can be a great way to travel the world, meet new people, and make a living at the same time. But how much do you make working on a cruise ship each year?

The amount of money you make working on a cruise ship depends largely on your position, experience level, and employer. On average, entry-level staff members (such as housekeeping staff or waiters) can earn around $1,500-$2,000 per month in salary plus tips. More experienced positions such as bartenders or sommeliers can earn up to $4,500 per month in salary plus tips.

If you are lucky enough to hold a managerial position onboard the ship (such as a Cruise Director), your salary will be much higher than that of entry-level staff members. Cruise Directors typically start out with salaries between $7,000-$8,000 per month and can earn up to $15,000 per month depending on experience level and company policies.

In addition to salaries and tips earned during the contract period (usually 6-10 months), many cruise lines also offer bonus incentives for excellent performance or long-term contracts. These bonuses range from free trips to exotic destinations to additional cash bonuses at the end of the contract period.

Overall, working on a cruise ship is an excellent way to make money while traveling the world and meeting new people. The amount you can earn depends largely on your position, experience level, and employer but typical salaries range from around $1,500-$2,000 for entry-level staff members up to around $15,000 for experienced managers such as Cruise Directors. In addition to these salaries there are also bonus incentives offered by many cruise companies that provide additional income opportunities for employees who excel in their roles.

Conclusion: Working on a cruise ship is an excellent way to make money while travelling the world and meeting new people. Salaries typically range from around $1,500-$2,000 for entry-level staff members up to around $15,000 for experienced managers such as Cruise Directors with added bonus incentives that allow employees extra earning potential if they excel in their roles.