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As the most public well-known cruise ship captain, she no doubt earns extra from her large social media following. 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. The cruise ship captain is the head of ship with a number of heads of departments and officers having to report or communicate issues to the ship captain. The captain is responsible for making sure that the ship is secure at all times and that there are adequate security measures in place to protect the passengers and crew from any potential threats. The recruitment process for cruise ship employees involves rigorous screening, background checks, and interviews.
Cruise Ship Captain Salary in the United States

The salary range for cruise ship captains can vary widely, typically ranging from $48,000 to over $200,000 annually. Factors such as experience, ship size, and the cruise line significantly influence where within this range a captain’s salary might fall. Of course, there are other types of vessels such as smaller luxury cruises or cruise ships that have to navigate particularly difficult waters.
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Also known as the master or commanding officer, a cruise ship captain is the highest-ranking officer. They oversee all aspects of the ship’s operation and ensure the safety of all onboard. Because of the importance of their job, captains must possess a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience. With such a high level of responsibility but also a large range of types of vessels, you can see why the simple question of what a cruise ship captain makes can be pretty complex.
Safety and Security Of the Cruise Ship
In times of emergency, their quick decision-making skills are put to the ultimate test. The weight of this responsibility cannot be understated, as the lives of passengers and crew members depend on their ability to respond swiftly and effectively. In addition to earning a diploma or degree, obtaining specific certifications is essential for pursuing careers in maritime professions. These certifications are the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), Merchant Mariner Credential. Earning a bachelor’s degree from a highly regarded college in marine science or marine engineering sets the stage for a dynamic career in the maritime industry.
Cruise Lines Pay Captains Differently
His seafaring career started as a deck boy at the age of 16, yet despite continuous education, he didn’t earn his Master’s licence (captain’s qualification) until the age of 30. Like many leadership positions, a cruise ship captain has many responsibilities. Their primary task is to ensure the vessel has a smooth and safe sailing.
That said, I let the captain of the cruise ship shave my head, yes really! I was taking part in ‘Brave the Shave’ to raise money for a cancer support charity. It’s quite common for the captain of a cruise ship to be a prominent part of guest’s weddings if they choose to get married on board. On a cruise ship, you’ll find various teams who will look after different parts of the ship, the engines, and navigational equipment, for example. The captain also is in charge of various social activities onboard and is usually a recognisable face on most cruises.
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For example, passenger safety, cruising regulations, crowd management, and environmental protection. From there, you’ll want to obtain your bachelor’s or master’s degree in a marine science or marine engineering program. However, you don’t want to choose just any school to receive your degree.
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This gives workers a chance to rest, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. This Open Bridge policy isn’t something that is possible on most Ocean-going cruise ships, that hold thousands of passengers. After graduating most cruise ship Captains will find a job at sea and spend many years working their way up through the ranks. The majority start as cadets before progressing on to become officers and eventually Captains. To become a cruise ship Captain you must have a good education and put in the time required to learn the skills needed. All river cruise ships have Captains but because river cruise ships are much smaller they don’t require the large bridge team that ocean ships have.
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And even when they aren’t working, they’re on call – if there’s an emergency, you can bet that the captain is being woken up so that they can attend to it. Cruise ship captains are sourced from all over the world, but the home base of the captain may determine their salary, even if they live on the ship for months on end. Captains from Europe and North America will be paid more, typically, because they have a higher cost of living.
For instance, the Queen Mary 2 is the world’s last ocean liner and carries a certain elegance in the minds of its guests. The ship’s prestige means that the QM2’s captain is paid more than they would on a similar-sized vessel. 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.
For some of the largest cruise line brands, it’s typically around $100,000. Like most jobs, pay increases with more experience and longevity with the company. For starters, captains plan the route and oversee the ship’s navigation. They must account for weather conditions, marine traffic, sea currents, and other obstacles. This is why they must have a wealth of maritime knowledge and experience.
It’s important to do your research and negotiate based on your experience and the position you’re applying for in order to ensure fair compensation. Pay Scale (source) estimates an average salary of $52,000 – $127,000 per year. There are usually quite a few officers, safety officers, and cadets, all of whom work together to ensure a smooth safe sailing.
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