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How long do cruise ship captains stay at sea?

Master or Captain: As the leader of the entire vessel and its crew, captains are usually working full time for sometimes 3 months at sea, after which they will receive 3 months off.



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“Captains are assigned to a ship for about two years, then we're up for rotation. This is so we can go through the fleet, sail on different vessels, and have different experiences.

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If a ship is sinking, maritime tradition dictates that the captain ensures the safe evacuation of every passenger before he evacuates himself. He (or she) is responsible for the lives of those onboard, and he can't coordinate their exit unless he's the last person off.

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A captain's license obtained by a federal maritime authority is required for the position. Obtaining this license may take 10 years. To put it in perspective, it takes longer to become a cruise ship captain than a brain surgeon. Most captains earn their bars in 18 to 22 years.

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How Many Captains Are On A Cruise Ship? There are two captains on any cruise ship at all times. One is the Ship's Captain, and the second captain in command is called the Staff Captain. The Staff Captain will be on duty when the Captain is sleeping or needs to do an inspection, for example.

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It's estimated that cruise captains make an average of $96,000 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.

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MEET THE CAPTAIN Head down to a special reception dedicated to all the guests sailing onboard. Make sure you bring your camera along, as you'll have the perfect opportunity to pose with the Captain and snap a shot. Join the Captain in an unforgettable reception to welcome you aboard.

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The amount of experience, the level of education, the grades they received, location, and company all can determine the year's salary. In general, a cruise ship captain salary ranges between $54,000 and more than $100,000. This may seem like a low pay scale considering the responsibilities that come with the job.

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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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Full-time contracts are usually 6 months in duration. At the end you will have a break of around 6-8 weeks before returning to ship. Full-time staff are generally expected to work on ship for more than one contract so if you want to do a one off cruise, a seasonal contract may be more suitable.

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In addition to salary cruise captains receive a number of other perks:
  • Accommodation on the ship free of charge.
  • Family staying onboard.
  • Meals onboard.
  • Laundry and Housekeeping.
  • Discounts, often on cruises and/or shops onboard.


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Ship's captains hold command and responsibility of a vessel. They are responsible for navigation, taking care of the crew, paperwork, and in some cases, keeping the ship safe from pirates.

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A captain's license obtained by a federal maritime authority is required for the position. Obtaining this license may take 10 years. To put it in perspective, it takes longer to become a cruise ship captain than a brain surgeon. Most captains earn their bars in 18 to 22 years.

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A ship's captain generally does NOT have the legal right to officiate a wedding at sea. In order for a Captain of a ship to perform a marriage at sea, he must also be a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or an officially recognized officiant such as a Notary Public.

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It comes as no surprise that the ship's captain has the biggest salary from working on a cruise ship. The master of the vessel has a huge responsibility for ship safety for crew and passengers along with navigation.

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Generally, the highest-paying jobs on cruise ships are held by officers, department heads, and those working on commission. However, many other variables affect earning potential, such as cruise line, ship size, clientele, tips awarded, and prior job experience. Contracts are another factor.

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Ahoy represents the original English form and its first maritime use was recorded in 1751 as a new word in nautical language.

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