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This is reflected in both a higher salary as well as the individual captains being able to earn additional income outside of the salary they get from the cruise line. The average salary of a Norwegian cruise captain is similar to that of the Carnival cruise captains, who also make between $100,000 and $200,000. They pay higher wages than other cruise lines and offer bonuses and perks.
Family are welcome to stay onboard
Experience, ship size, and cruise line all affect how much a captain makes. Cruise Captains with an advanced Master’s Degree in Maritime Studies or specialized training often command higher salaries due to their educational background. You are responsible not only for keeping the schedule and accommodating weather fluctuations, but also for the safety of those aboard the ship. You are on-call at all times of the day and night for months at a time. When you are the captain of a ship, you have many people reporting to you, like the cruise director, hotel manager, and chief engineer. Cruise ship captains are paid well, although there’s a lot of work to reach that level of salary.
Understanding Cruise Ship Captain Salaries

Certain areas pay far higher than the national average, with a captain’s salary of about $140,000 per year or more. With this salary comes numerous benefits, including accommodation, food, flights, paid holidays, and more. The cruise ship captain salary reflects the years of experience, level of responsibility, and the size and reputation of the cruise line. With a typical range between $80,000 to $200,000 per year, captains can earn well-paid incomes while enjoying the unique lifestyle that comes with commanding a luxury ship.
What is a Royal Caribbean Captain’s Salary?
The captain will also need to make sure that the ship has the correct documents and certificates to dock at each port. Captains who are based in Europe or North America will generally be paid more than those based in other parts of the world, such as Asia or South America. Read on to see how we arose at these figures and the various factors that influence the amount.
What is the salary of Carnival cruise captains?
You’ll often see the Captain interacting with guests and they may make some form of welcome speech at the start of the cruise. Many of which have cruise ships with the capacity to carry over 5000 passengers. One of the more unusual duties of a cruise ship captain is to officiate at weddings that are held on board the ship. In the event of an emergency, the captain will need to make sure that the correct procedures are followed and that the safety of all passengers and crew is paramount. The captain is in charge of many aspects including navigation, safety, security, maintenance, crew, and passengers. A newly qualified captain with little experience can expect to earn much less than a captain who has been sailing the seas for many years.
Once you complete your four-year program, you’ll want to start obtaining maritime certifications. These prove your competency and qualifications for navigating and managing a ship. Some certificates you’ll need include Officer of the Watch, Chief Mate, and Master Mariner.
With such a high level of responsibility but also a large range of types of vessels, you can see why the simple question of what a cruise ship captain makes can be pretty complex. This is a bitter truth that the captain has to manage many things at a time. The salary of a cruise ship captain is not fixed; it depends on a few factors, like experience, qualifications, management skills, ship size, location, and cruise lines.
How Many Hours Does A Cruise Ship Captain Work?
They are respected by their crew members and passengers, seen as leaders and role models. Cruise ship captains seem pretty near the top of the list in the glamorous job category. But, the reality is a tad less glam and a whole lot more work than you might think. In this section, we’ll chart the course to captaincy, exploring the educational requirements, experience needed, and the essential skills that make a successful captain. Yet, the journey to the helm of a colossal vessel like the Icon of the Seas is paved with dedication, extensive training, and years of maritime experience.
Please Call Her Captain - The New York Times
Please Call Her Captain.
Posted: Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Do I receive fair pay as a Cruise Ship Captain currently?
Some captains might pocket as low as $48,000 a year, while others could rake in almost $200,000 a year or more. In this section, we’ll address some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the salaries of cruise ship captains, providing insights into this intriguing and prestigious career. Becoming a cruise ship captain is often seen as reaching the pinnacle of the maritime profession, a role replete with respect, authority, and the allure of the high seas. For instance, chief engineers and hotel managers on cruise ships also command high salaries but generally fall slightly below the captain’s earnings. Being a cruise captain is an incredibly difficult and demanding job, cruise captains often work for long periods and are responsible for many things onboard the ship.
While attending these social events is not strictly part of the job, it is considered to be good practice as it helps to foster good relations with the passengers. This includes making sure that all passengers have the correct documentation to travel to their destination and that they are adhering to the customs regulations of each country that the ship visits. In addition to this, the captain will also be responsible for managing the ship’s paperwork and certificates.

If so, there are some critical steps you need to take to make it happen. Let’s look at how you can start working towards making your dream come true. However, as difficult as it sounds, many find it to be a rewarding career. They get to navigate a massive vessel across the sea and see exciting places. In addition, captains play a significant part in helping families create unforgettable memories. You’ll surely reach your dream destination if you’re dedicated to becoming a successful cruise captain and truly passionate about your work.
You must be capable of managing a large vessel while sailing the high seas. Cruise ship captains play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, navigation, and overall operation of these floating cities, as well as providing a positive experience for passengers. Becoming a cruise ship captain is a distinguished achievement in the maritime industry, requiring a combination of education, experience, and licensing. To become a cruise ship captain you must have a good education and put in the time required to learn the skills needed. So, cruise lines must recruit internationally to find the most suitable and experienced captains.
The Guardian (source) estimates a salary of $164,000- $190,000 per year. The captain will also have photos taken with guests and may even dine with a select group of guests. The Captain is the head of this hierarchy and can often have many crew members beneath them. The crew will take turns working in shifts to ensure that the bridge is always manned. Traditionally a captain must always ‘Go down with the ship’ meaning that the captain shouldn’t leave the ship until the last person on board has left. This means they may be called upon at any time to deal with an emergency or problem.
This involves coordinating with the crew and overseeing the loading process to prevent any mishaps or accidents resulting from improperly stowed cargo. While it takes many years to become a captain, the prediction is that there will be an increased growth in years to come. When things return to normal, a tourism boom is expected, which is predicted to create a 10% increase in demand for this position. Cruise ship captains must be fully licensed to be considered the commander of the ship. Captains can officiate weddings and other special events on the ship, creating memorable experiences for couples.
The ship’s prestige means that the QM2’s captain is paid more than they would on a similar-sized vessel. Most cruise ship captains begin their careers at entry-level positions and climb to the rank of captain. The life of a cruise ship captain is filled with glamour and adventure, but it also comes with great sacrifices and loyalty. One of the most demanding aspects of this job is that constant availability is needed, which means captains even miss important family events and holidays. Furthermore, factors that influence salary will vary according to the size of the ship and the company.
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