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They pay higher wages than other cruise lines and offer bonuses and perks. This is a bitter truth that the captain has to manage many things at a time. I have said earlier that a cruise ship captain’s job is not like walking in a park; they must make many sacrifices and face many challenges to ensure a comfortable sailing. Because both these cruise lines operate these colossal ships with loads of passengers and crew, the cruise captains end up shouldering a massive responsibility.
A Captain's Total Compensation Is More Than Just Salary
Yes, crew members receive free food for working onboard a ship, along with a cabin to sleep in (more on that later). She is the first American woman to be appointed captain of a mega cruise ship. Often a captain is on the ship for a few years at a time, usually with an eye to moving up to a bigger ship in the fleet should the opportunity arise. In this instance, captain Francesco Schettino left the ship while passengers and crew members were still on board and ended up being one of the first to reach dry land.
Celebrity Cruise Ship Captains Like Kate McCue:
What It Takes to Be a Cruise Ship Performer for Royal Caribbean - Business Insider
What It Takes to Be a Cruise Ship Performer for Royal Caribbean.
Posted: Thu, 19 Dec 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]
It is estimated that Captain Kate McCue's salary is as much as $200,000, though she makes additional income from her social media work. This places her net worth at somewhere between one and five million dollars, which is obviously significantly above that of any other cruise ship captain today. So, as a cruise captain, you must have an outstanding education and years of superior experience in everything and speak foreign languages fluently.
Location
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. It is also the responsibility of the captain to make sure that the ship is compliant with all maritime regulations. The captain will also be responsible for charting the course of the ship, taking into account weather conditions and other factors that could affect the safe passage of the vessel. The captain is responsible for maintaining the ship to a high standard and ensuring that all aspects of safety and equipment are in good working order. This is because the cost of living is higher in these regions and companies need to pay their captains enough to cover their basic expenses.
The great gratuities debate: why many cruise crews rely on your tips to make ends meet - Cruise Passenger
The great gratuities debate: why many cruise crews rely on your tips to make ends meet.
Posted: Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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. Navigational aids assist them in assessing and adjusting for location and speed. Cruise ship captains must be fully licensed to be considered the commander of the ship. For example, the salaries in India do not reach the levels seen in North America and Europe.
According to the agreement, the most number of hours worked in a day cannot be more than 14 in 24 hours or 72 in seven days. The highest-paid cruise ship captains can make up to $190,000 a year; the lowest-paid captains may only make $48,000. Captains of larger cruise ships, like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, receive higher salaries than smaller cruise ships. Larger ships have more responsibilities as the captain has more crew members to manage and more passengers to look after.
Hotel Manager Responsibilities
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. Another factor to bear in mind is that the captain of a cruise ship is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. One of the more unusual duties of a cruise ship captain is to officiate at weddings that are held on board the ship.
How much do Cruise Ship Captains make for a salary?
They need to have an in-depth knowledge of maritime law and be able to navigate using both modern technology and traditional methods. Quite simply, the more years of experience they have as an actual captain, the more they can expect to be paid. These ships are as huge as they are expensive for a company to buy, even worse to maintain. We suggest this market is rather exclusive from both sides, which should be harsh. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires aspiring captains to get several certifications after graduation.
That’s why these cruise lines also give over $150K salary to the captains. Some cruise lines offer $75k annual salary to freshly appointed cruise captains, and they are under the supervision of seniors. Meanwhile, the seniors get the $132K to $150k paycheck, and they look like the most responsible individuals on the planet because they are responsible for the thousands of lives on the vessel. They will often work a graveyard shift only to return to a morning shift the next day. Before discussing the average salary for a cruise ship captain, it is important to note what responsibilities the job comes with.
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. In addition to this, the captain will also be responsible for managing the ship’s paperwork and certificates. The captain will also be responsible for inspecting or reviewing reports from heads of relevant departments of the ship on a regular basis to ensure that it is seaworthy and fit for purpose. This will also include making the decisions of when to leave ports in the event of passengers not onboarding on time, and possibly leaving them behind. It’s a role that can take years of maritime experience and training to achieve.
According to Payscale, the average salary does go up according to years of experience. Aside from the captain, other high-paid employees include staff in charge of food and beverages, such as the Executive chef. In fact, on some cruise lines, one of the highest-paid employees is actually the Cruise Director. Captains in Celebrity Cruises, like Captain Kate McCue can earn an average salary of $150,000 per year, with similar benefits as Royal Caribbean.
Becoming a captain in the cruise industry requires a lifetime of hard work, training, and dedication. Even if they go with very little or no sleep for several weeks at a time, they can look forward to the subsequent 10 weeks of relaxation. In case of emergencies, the captain’s leadership is crucial and they must be experts in managing crises or difficult situations.
The exclusivity and smaller size of luxury ships demand a higher level of personalized service, often translating into greater compensation for captains. 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 journey to becoming a cruise ship captain involves not just navigating the oceans but also understanding the complexities of the industry’s salary structure. The salary of a cruise ship captain is not a fixed number but fluctuates based on several crucial factors. The salary of a cruise ship captain is a topic of much interest and speculation, with figures ranging significantly based on various factors.
