What Is a Cruise Ship Captain's Salary?

Table Of Content

• How To Become A Cruise Ship Captain: Qualifications Needed
• Cruise Captain Job Roll – What do Cruise Captains do?
• Cruise Ship Captain Salaries in 2024: Everything You Need to Know!
• What is a Carnival Cruise Captain Salary?
• Where can I get a higher Cruise Ship Captain salary in the United States?
• What Is a Cruise Ship Captain's Salary?
• Cruise Ship Captain Salary: Here’s How Much Cruise Captains Make

Aspiring captains must be prepared to invest in their education, commit to gaining extensive maritime experience, and develop the essential skills needed for leadership at sea. All crew members onboard cruise ships have drills and procedures that they have to practice in case of emergency. On cruise ships, there are drills for almost anything that you can think of. In this article, we explore everything that a cruise ship Captain does and look at how much a cruise captain can expect to earn. In the event of a  disaster, it is the captain’s obligation and legal duty to be the last man off the ship.

How To Become A Cruise Ship Captain: Qualifications Needed

It is estimated that Disney Cruise pays upwards of $100,000 for captains. On average, Royal Caribbean captains can earn salaries in the ballpark of approximately $120,000 to $180,000 or more per year. On top of all of the above, the captain is also expected to attend social events on the ship and interact with guests. Weather conditions, travel itineraries, and unexpected emergencies demand the captain’s attention at different times of the day and night. Cruise ship Captains can earn between $50,000 and over $220,000 a year.

Cruise Captain Job Roll – What do Cruise Captains do?

The average annual salary for a cruise ship captain is around $93,000 to $150,000 per year. Additionally, the weekly or monthly cruise ship captain salary might not be the full picture. Generally speaking, the top salaries in the cruise ship industry can be found at Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean. This generally also correlates with the size of the vessels that a captain might be commanding since the next up are Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines, Seabourne, and Holland America. While there will always be variations in how much a cruise ship captain will make, it is clear that the biggest ships command the biggest salaries to attract the most skilled cruise ship captains. The size of a cruise ship directly affects the cruise ship captain salary.

Cruise Ship Captain Salaries in 2024: Everything You Need to Know!

Cruise ship captain salaries have been on the increase over the past years. The first thing that every cruise line needs is an experienced individual capable of handling the colossal vessel. This critical exam typically becomes available once an individual has accumulated around 10 years of relevant experience in the maritime industry. One significant milestone in a captain’s career is passing the Federal Maritime Authority captain’s license exam.

What is a Carnival Cruise Captain Salary?

We publish articles and breaking stories that matter to you every weekday. First, you need four years of a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering or Nautical science, 2 years for a Master’s degree, and if you want to achieve more success, add 2 more years for an MBA degree. I have been cruising since 2004 and have sailed on dozens of cruises all over the world. As the creator of this website, I want to help families plan fun cruises free of stress and filled with adventure! After the contract finishes, captains return home for two to three months of rest.

Where can I get a higher Cruise Ship Captain salary in the United States?

These captains are on call 24/7 whether it is a medical crisis or severe weather conditions. They shoulder duties like safely guiding ships through dangerous waters while ensuring the safety of many passengers and crew members. Additionally, captains oversee the ship’s transportation plus operation which includes crew, passengers, and cargo. Captains need to document the movement of the ship, cargo, and passengers, as well as provide and exchange information with other ships. While there are some who view the job of a cruise ship captain as glamorous and exciting, the truth is that it may be less fascinating than you think. Running a ship involves long hours and huge amounts of responsibility.

What Is a Cruise Ship Captain's Salary?

The size, passenger capacity, and prestige of the cruise ship play a role in determining the salary of a cruise ship captain. After receiving the Master Mariner Certificate, you can captain a commercial vessel. Most captains find work in the military, Coast Guard, or cargo transportation before becoming cruise ship captains.

However, it is important to note that not all captains are legally able to perform marriages. The captain will also need to deal with any disciplinary issues that may arise amongst the crew. The captain may not deal with the emergency directly, but they will be responsible for coordinating the response and giving orders as necessary.

The captain also usually enjoys first-class flights to his destination of choice when leaving the ship at the end of a contract. The contracts are usually around 3 months long, with 3 months spent at home on holiday. Paid vacations are also commonplace when you are the captain of a ship. After graduating, aspiring captains must get several certifications mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Essential are the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW), and often, a Master Mariner Certificate.

This involves understanding and using the ship’s technical equipment to its full ability to make critical decisions based on ever-changing weather conditions. Before discussing the average salary for a cruise ship captain, it is important to note what responsibilities the job comes with. While it appears glamourous to be able to sail all over the world, visit exotic locations, and receive a large salary, people often gloss over what this job truly entails.

It is not uncommon for the spouse and family of the ship’s captain to travel with them, although this is usually for shorter periods of time and for special events such as holidays. Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel. We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.

$400,000 is an excellent salary, but the amount of work needed to get to that level means that you won’t enjoy that salary for 30+ years. It’s important to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication that captains put into their roles. So next time you see the Captain, remember it’s not all hand-shaking and glamour. Captains oversee the ship’s hotel operations, including housekeeping, food and beverage, and guest services. This allows them to work with a team of professionals and manage various tasks.

Cruise line loyalty programs: The ultimate guide - The Points Guy

Cruise line loyalty programs: The ultimate guide.

Posted: Mon, 11 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

This means that he is also responsible for the safety of every person on the ship, with the safety of the passengers and crew being the main priority for every decision made by the captain. The captain also oversees the ship’s security and makes major decisions such as who will be tossed in the ship’s jail and who will be booted off the ship (at a port, of course!). A captain’s education begins at a recognized maritime academy or university. Candidates pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Maritime Science or Nautical Science. The formal education teaches navigation, naval laws, ship construction, and safety at sea. Aspiring captains take on roles as deck officers or third mates and work their way up.

For those with a deep love of the sea and a passion for leadership, the answer is often a resounding yes. The salary and benefits package, while reflective of the role’s demands, is only part of the equation. This section delves into the demanding aspects of a captain’s life, offering a balanced view of the profession to those considering this career path. However, reaching the pinnacle of this career path requires a combination of education, experience, and the development of key skills.

According to Salary.com, the salary of a Royal Caribbean cruise captain is between $80,000 and $100,000, and the average salary is $88,000. Besides this, the Royal Caribbean cruise directors and captains get many free perks and bonuses. Royal Caribbean captains’ salary widely depends on region, education level, and experience. Also, an experienced cruise captain knows how to maneuver the ship, so cruise lines trust him. The popular cruise lines give handsome paychecks to experienced captains, and it’s almost more than 150K.