Table Of Content
- The Secrets to Running a Cruise Ship
- How Much Do Cruise Ship Captains Make? (2023 Salary Insights)
- What’s a Typical Cruise Ship Captain Salary?
- Ship Captains Are Often Exhausted and Sleepless
- What Is The Salary Of Princess Cruise Ship Captain?
- The Benefits Of Being A Cruise Ship Captain
- How Much do Cruise Ship Captains Make? (Salary

The size of the cruise ship is a significant contributor to a captain’s salary. Captains of mega cruise ships earn more than those piloting small luxury vessels. It is also interesting to note that other positions earn more than that of a cruise ship captain.
The Secrets to Running a Cruise Ship
The road to becoming a cruise ship captain is a long one that requires a number of years of study and experience. In order to become the captain of a cruise ship, you will require the right education, with a master’s degree in maritime studies being required by most cruise lines. Embarking on a journey as a cruise ship captain means embracing a role laden with responsibilities and diverse challenges. When most people think of cruise ships, they have visions of the large ocean-going vessels that are essentially floating hotel resorts carrying thousands of passengers. However, when you look at sites such as ZipRecruiter they actually include salaries of captains on smaller passenger vessels as well. Personally, I don't include a vessel with only a handful of passengers to be in the same category as those with thousands of cruise passengers spending a week or more onboard.
How Much Do Cruise Ship Captains Make? (2023 Salary Insights)
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 the event of a disaster, it is the captain’s obligation and legal duty to be the last man off the ship. The captain should stay on board for as long as possible ensuring that all passengers and crew are evacuated safely in the event of such an emergency. The most obvious role of the cruise ship captain is to navigate the vessel to required destinations. The working hours of a cruise ship captain vary, but they would normally be expected to work for around 12 to 16 hours per day.
What’s a Typical Cruise Ship Captain Salary?
Cruise lines often supply uniforms specific to their brand, ensuring that captains have appropriate attire for various events and occasions. On top of all of the above, the captain is also expected to attend social events on the ship and interact with guests. The responsibility of handling all necessary paperwork falls squarely on Captain’s shoulders. From crew schedules to maintenance records, every document must be organized and completed on time to ensure the proper functioning of the ship.
Ship Captains Are Often Exhausted and Sleepless
Being the captain of a cruise ship is clearly a lucrative career, but it comes with enormous responsibility and extensive experience requirements. The Captains luxury cruise lines like SilverSeas have higher salaries with an annual salary of around $170,000. Earning a bachelor’s degree from a highly regarded college in marine science or marine engineering sets the stage for a dynamic career in the maritime industry. Getting a maritime degree alongside a secondary degree not only enhances one’s knowledge base but also opens doors to well-paid career opportunities. Obtaining hands-on experience through an internship can significantly enhance your career prospects. Although the pay of cruise ship captain is attractive, their life is anything but ordinary.
This includes anything from medical emergencies to fires on board the ship. As well as possibly making decisions as to whether a passenger should be kicked off the ship. The captain will also need to make sure that the ship has the correct documents and certificates to dock at each port. They need to have an in-depth knowledge of maritime law and be able to navigate using both modern technology and traditional methods. Read on to see how we arose at these figures and the various factors that influence the amount.
What Is The Salary Of Princess Cruise Ship Captain?

We earn money from the links you click and purchases you make to keep this website running. We aim to give you a balanced view so you can make smart choices for your next cruise. Captains can earn a significant amount ranging from $80,000 to $195,000 annually.
Want to save money? Work on a cruise ship: I live 24/7 aboard a massive boat and spend barely anything - Daily Mail
Want to save money? Work on a cruise ship: I live 24/7 aboard a massive boat and spend barely anything.
Posted: Sat, 23 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Benefits Of Being 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. There are many variables when it comes to what the typical salary of a cruise ship captain is. Furthermore, factors that influence salary will vary according to the size of the ship and the company. Commanders of military boats doing day excursions can expect $50,000 USD, while operating a top-notch luxury cruise can garner $150,000 USD.
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree from a recognized maritime academy or a related field is crucial. It is often advantageous to pursue degree programs that provide maritime qualifications and credentials. The size and luxurious quality of the cruise ship are also important factors in deciding a captain’s remuneration. Commanding larger, more luxurious vessels, equipped with sophisticated amenities and hosting a greater number of passengers, usually entails more responsibilities and thus, results in higher compensation. The complexity of operating such grand vessels demands a premium in terms of pay, reflecting the elevated level of expertise and commitment required.
Females can become cruise ship captains, although the numbers are very low. In fact, there are only a handful of female captains working for the major cruise companies. Thankfully these kinds of disasters are extremely rare events and the vast majority of cruise captains are worthy of their important and well-paid role on the ship.
The highest-paid person on a cruise ship is typically the cruise ship captain or the master of the ship. This individual bears immense responsibilities, ensuring the safety, security, and overall smooth operation of the vessel, which justifies their substantial compensation. Salaries vary widely, depending on factors like experience, the cruise line, and the specific ship, but can exceed $100,000 annually, coupled with bonuses and perks like free accommodation and travel. On average, a cruise ship captain earns between $96,000 and $153,379 per year. Captains at the higher end of the salary range typically have extensive experience and command the largest vessels for luxury cruise lines. In comparison to other professions in the industry, cruise ship captains generally earn higher salaries due to the level of responsibility they carry.
But, the reality is a tad less glam and a whole lot more work than you might think. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. Laundry services and housekeeping are included for captains, taking off some of the pressure of everyday chores while they’re working. Just like the rest of the crew, captains will get all of their food included.
So in this post, we look at the factors that influence a cruise captain’s annual salary and how much they make a year plus a look at some of the added perks of the job to be added on top. Another source of cruise captain salary data is from Payscale which indicates a ship captain’s average salary at US$ 96,347 a year. Some may even earn upwards of $200,000 per year while at the other end of the spectrum for small vessels and those newly promoted to the position make approximately $50,000 annually. The exact amount can vary depending on several factors, including experience, the size and prestige of the ship, and more.

Bonuses and incentives are additional sources of income for captains, rewarding their performance, safety practices, and passenger satisfaction. These bonuses can significantly increase their overall compensation, making the profession even more financially appealing. Next, let’s explore the additional perks and benefits that contribute to a captain’s overall compensation.
Beyond the competitive salary, captains enjoy several benefits that enhance their quality of life at sea and contribute to the allure of this esteemed position. The path to becoming a cruise ship captain is both challenging and rewarding. Becoming a cruise ship captain is a dream for many, conjuring images of navigating vast oceans and exotic destinations. This guide unveils the earnings, challenges, and the path to steering the world’s most magnificent vessels, providing an in-depth look into a career that’s both demanding and rewarding. This is dependent on the Captain’s experience, and the cruise line for which they work.
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