How Much Does a Cruise Ship Staff Get Paid?

By Michael Ferguson

Cruise ship staff are responsible for providing a pleasant and safe experience for guests aboard the ship. Cruise ship staff are employed in a variety of roles and the pay varies depending on the position.

Cruise Ship Captains
Cruise ship captains are responsible for the safety of all passengers, crew, and the vessel itself. They are in charge of navigating the ship and communicating with all departments during every voyage. Cruise ship captains typically earn salaries between $80,000 and $200,000 annually depending on experience and length of service.

Deck Officers
Deck officers assist cruise ship captains with navigation and serve as supervisors to junior officers and crew members. Deck officers typically earn salaries between $50,000 and $90,000 annually depending on experience and length of service.

Engineering Officers
Engineering officers are responsible for maintaining all mechanical systems aboard the vessel such as engines, pumps, generators, air-conditioning units, etc. Engineering officers typically earn salaries between $45,000 and $80,000 annually depending on experience and length of service.

Hotel Managers
Hotel managers oversee all aspects of the hospitality services aboard a cruise ship such as food services, accommodations & housekeeping services. Hotel managers typically earn salaries between $50,000 and $90,000 annually depending on experience and length of service.

Other Cruise Ship Staff Positions
Other cruise staff positions include bartenders & waiters ($15 to $20 per hour), entertainers ($10 to $25 per hour), deckhands & engineers (averaging around $40k per year) , housekeepers ($10 to $15 per hour) , casino dealers ($10 to $20 per hour) , security personnel (averaging around $50k per year) , medical staff (averaging around $60k per year), photographers (averaging around 20% commission).

In conclusion it is clear that there is no one set wage for cruise ships staff as wages vary greatly from position to position depending on experience & length of service . However in general most positions will pay above average wages with some positions paying very well indeed .