Despite the difficulty of working on cruise ships, and overseas, many Filipinos still choose this way of life as it offers a highly competitive salary, aside from unique benefits. “The pros would be the salary, of course. You also get to travel around the world, with food and accommodation for free,” said Montero.
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A particularly large number of employees come from developing countries in Asia and South America. People from the Philippines account for almost 30% of all employees in the global shipping industry.
This means that the cruise lines are free to hire people from just about any country in the world. This is a reason why on certain ships much of the crew is from a variety of countries which adds to the overall experience of working on a cruise line and making friends with people from all over the world.
That work ethic combined with Filipinos' world-class skills and competence in seafaring have earned them the admiration of ship owners and managers. During the pandemic, the Philippines' Maritime Industry Authority reported that cruise ship employment saw a 64% decline from 206,195 in 2019 to 73,328 in 2020.
Although Royal Caribbean Cruises operates some of the largest cruise ships worldwide, the brand's main competitor Carnival Corporation remains the leading global cruise company based on revenue.
Over the course of their long hours, Filipino waiters and bartenders on a ship can earn 20 times that in tips, in addition to being provided room and board. Even the lowest-paid crew members earn about $400 a month, a substantial sum in many countries.
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.
How much does a Cruise Ship Worker make? As of Nov 7, 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.
Many have complained about inadequate pay and long hours with little chance for change. Contracts can require workers to put in more than 70 hours a week and go without any days off for six to eight months. Due to the nature of cruise ships, workers are often exploited and unfairly compensated without much recourse.
Most cruise ship companies hire crew members from Asian countries because they are known for their hardworking and reliable nature. They have a strong work ethic, which is essential in the hospitality industry.
Not all cruise lines use foreign-registered vessels, and several use crews which are almost entirely American. If you end up looking at Norwegian Cruise Line employment opportunities, consider that they have an offshoot called NCL America. This division cruises in Hawaiian waters.
FAQ on Cruise Staff SalaryA cruise ship crew member for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian Cruise Line can earn an annual average between $16,000 to $20,000. For leadership staff onboard cruise ships, the annual salary can be much higher from $30,000 to $100,000.
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.
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.
Cruise lines make money primarily from ticket sales, customers spending aboard their ships while cruising, sales of add-on travel services such as insurance and excursions, advertising, and sponsorship deals with brands.
The Captain is the highest ranking officer and the Master of the cruise ship. He/she has a full authority to make executive decisions in order to preserve the life and safety of the ship's personnel and guest and must apply extreme care and proper judgement according to...
Over the past 100 years since the RMS Titanic sank in 1912, only 18 cruise ships and some ocean liners have been publicly known to have sunk. And, over the past 50 years, only four cruise ships have sunk while navigating on a cruise.