How much do you make working on a cruise ship???

[kimmy cruise]

Mikenkim

I take it from your recent posts you're not sailing on the Miracle in February 2007? Sorry to see that because we were hoping to get a group on a cruise Feb 18-25. But enjoy your cruise anyway. We cruisers always do!!

Kimmy

[picruiser]

The last post was very accurate. My son worked for 5 years as an IT Manager on various Carnival ships. He was one of the few American officers on board. His pay was comparable to a land position if you take into consideration he didn't pay room or board. He did have to tip the dining room waiter and his cabin steward. He was able to eat in either the crew or the officer mess. The food wasn't quite as good as upstairs. Crew excurtions were often arranged a greatly reduced prices and many of the ports offered special crew rates on activities. Your position on the ship definately dictates your status on the ship. His fiancee was a dealer in the casino and she wasn't treated as well. He finished his last contract in September and did not intend to go back. As I speak, though, he is on his way to Mobile to bring the Sensation out of dry dock. There were a number of Canadians on board. They often worked in the purser's office or as crew staff. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to email.

 

My daughter is a freshman is college and studying for a hospitality management degree. She might consider employment with the cruise lines. How does one go about applying? We will be sailing on Valor in May... Should she speak to someone onboard? Thanks for your response. Picruiser

[woodofpine]

Cruise line compensation is pretty competitive. There are a lot of web sites on the subject including employment agencies. For instance,

 

http://www.cruiseplacement.com/

 

As I understand it, head waiters should make $45k - $50k per year (basically per contract); asst. waiters about $35K, stewards and assts. from $20-30K. This is all tips. Given the countries most crew members come from this is astoundingly great money (often - depending on nationality - tax free).

 

Room and board is "free" too, depending on how you look at it. You get to share a mini-cabin with another somebody and work 12 hours a day, 6 days a week for usually 9 months straight. Family life, forget it. Grueling absolutely! And you better SMILE!

 

Sure crew are paid well and IMHO they earn every penny!

[jshawnh]

Casino Workers/Dealers:

 

Several Carnival Casino Dealers have told me that they do not get payed at all by Carnival. They get free room and board, and all share their pooled tips. They DO NOT have any other job on the ship, but are off duty when the ship is in port. They are free to do as they like when the casino is not open.

 

I always tip well in the casino. And, although I know it doesn't go directly to the dealer I may be tipping, it does help them out by increasing the pool. I also thinks it helps me win more, crazy as that may be.

 

Shawn

[zqvol]

There is more than just salary involved in any compensation package. Cruise line workers all work very hard but when their total package is looked at they are fairly well compensated. (I know that they are away from their families, and live in small quarters but so are/do most american college students).

 

When room and board are factored into their wages, plus medical care they do fairly well.