Do you make a lot of money working on a cruise?

How much does a Cruise Ship Worker make? As of Nov 6, 2023, the average annual pay for a Cruise Ship Worker in the United States is $49,005 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.56 an hour. This is the equivalent of $942/week or $4,083/month.



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While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $102,500 and as low as $14,500, the majority of Cruise Ship Worker salaries currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) to $58,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $90,000 annually across the United States.

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You'll Gain Transferable Experience and Skills. Working on a cruise ship is a great way to gain experience and skills that you can use in any career. Whether you're looking to move up within the cruise industry or start a new career altogether, you'll be able to add your time at sea to your CV.

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The cost of living onboard a cruise ship varies depending on the type of cabin you choose and the amenities you desire. Generally, retirees can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 - $3,000 per month for accommodation, meals, entertainment, and other activities.

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For those with a degree in hospitality, among the highest-paying cruise ship jobs are executive chef, cruise director, chief purser, hotel director, and human resources manager. While the positions of captain and safety officer pay more, they require graduation from an accredited maritime training institution.

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A majority of cruise ship lines offer their employees free food throughout the duration of their contracts. There's typically a special kitchen on the boat that prepares food for staff members. Employees may eat in separate dining areas, depending on their classifications.

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Managing Your Taxes When Living on a Cruise Ship “As a U.S. citizen, your income is still taxable, even if you're at sea the majority of the time,” Tetreault says. That includes both federal income tax and state income tax if that applies to the state of your primary residence.

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How long will I be onboard? Contract lengths vary by position but range between four and ten months. After each contract you will receive approximately 60 days of vacation before your next assignment.

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The bottom line is that in some cases, spending an extended amount of time on a cruise ship can be more cost effective -- as well as more enjoyable -- than a nursing home or retirement community. But it isn't for everyone.

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There are no holiday entitlements, but crew members can choose when they take the six- to eight-week break that automatically comes with longer contracts.

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The Cons of Working on Cruise Ships
  • There are no days off. On ships, weekends and holidays don't exist. ...
  • You work long hours. ...
  • Contracts are 4-9 months long. ...
  • You're on call 24/7. ...
  • Small living quarters. ...
  • No privacy. ...
  • It's like college all over again. ...
  • The food is not the same for crew and guests.


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What will happen is the cruise line will fly you home, but will deduct from your wages what you owe, Jim Walker, a Miami-based maritime lawyer who represents cruise workers and passengers, told Insider. So it's a very punitive type of step if you try to quit and go home.

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There is an enormous amount of pressure that crew members deal with every single day at sea. It is essential to maintain sanity and a clear mindset when working on cruise ships, regardless of the daily difficulties and high-stress levels that life on board the ship inevitably brings.

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Among many difficult jobs on cruise ships, handpicking the toughest one is tricky. Still, one job will stand out in terms of horrific working conditions and cruel working hours-the galley steward.

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Most cruise ship workers work long hours—eight- to 14-hour days, seven days a week are not uncommon. Many employees spend a number of weeks, usually five or more, working at sea, followed by an extended leave ashore. Being a people person is important in this industry. Cruise ship workers not only are expe...

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Will I have my own room? Accommodations vary depending on the ship and position. Those in non-management positions generally share a cabin with one to three other roommates whereas those in most management positions are entitled to a single cabin. Cabins include a storage space, TV, and DVD player.

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Can I bring a family member or friend onboard? Crew members who meet specific length-of-service criteria have the option of requesting relatives travel, a benefit that allows family members to sail onboard for a limited period of time. Some restrictions may apply.

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Maximum Age for Cruise Employment Good news for the young at heart, there is no maximum age to work on cruise ships. Unfortunately, the truth is that there are some jobs on board for which applicants over the age of 35 would not be considered.

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Can you live on a cruise ship? Yes, and here's how much it costs. Buying into a ship like the MV Narrative is a way to travel the world with fewer hassles, one buyer told CNBC Travel.

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Is there a cruise ship you can live on? There are several cruise ships designed for permanent living. The World is the only one sailing currently but more are coming soon. MV Gemini is the most affordable option, with apartment purchase prices starting at $1,000,000 plus $65,000 per year for fees.

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$3 an hour is pretty jaw-droppingly low, especially considering how intense working and living aboard a cruise ship can be. This pay rate is less than half of the American federal minimum wage of $7.25, an amount many people agree is too small to begin with.

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5 entry-level jobs on a cruise ship
  • Cabin steward.
  • Deckhand.
  • Bartender.
  • Activity coordinator.
  • Bellperson.


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Getting laid on a cruise is not as easy as it may seem. First, you need to make sure that you are in the right place at the right time. Cruise ships usually have designated areas for singles and couples, so be sure to check out those spots first.

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Upon successful completion of their training, crew members are offered a contract, typically ranging from two to nine months. There are no holiday entitlements, but crew members can choose when they take the six- to eight-week break that automatically comes with longer contracts.

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