How do you become a captain for a boat(like royal caribbean)?

Question

i want to become a captain for royal caribbean(first officer)! do you have to join the marines? what college should you go to? what classes?whats there average salary?please give good details ect.

Answer 1

The shortest route to an Unlimited Oceans Master license (which is what you'd need to skipper the Royal Caribbean) is to go to an academy (either the US Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, or a commercial school like California Maritime Academy). This will get you a four-year college degree, and a 3rd Mate Oceans unlimited tonnage license. From there, it's just a matter of sea time to 2nd mate, Chief Mate, and Master. Without going to an academy, your next best bet is to get on unlimited tonnage ocean going ships as an Ordinary Seaman, and work your way up the hawsepipe. Seafarers International Union (I'm hardly a fan of SIU, but here it is) does most of the crewing for most ocean-going US-flagged ships, and they have an excellent AB-to-Mate program which will dump you out at the same place the academies would, sans the baccalaureate; 3rd Mate Unlimited Oceans.

Unless you are independently wealthy, do NOT try to climb the "tonnage ladder". You'll get as far as Master 200 tons Near Coastal and Master All Gross Tonnage Inland, and then come to a screeching halt, unless you can cough up some $30k in tuition while not working for a year. There is still a sneaky loophole here--you can jump from Master Inland AGT directly to Oceans without the schools--but they'll certainly close that loophole by the time you're ready to utilize it.

Oh, and the salary, once you get there, is about $125k/year, for six months/year work.

Answer 2

If you go to one of the maritime academies you will be on the fast track to getting the licenses and sea time that you need. There are six Maritime academies in the US right now. When you finish you will have a college degree, and you will have a third mates license. From that you will need to work your way up the ranks. Also, I would advise that you learn several languages, if you are going to be the captain of a ship you need to be able to speak the languages of the crew and communicate with port officials.

Answer 3

It takes awhile - and quite honestly you will have to start small and work your way up.  I am a life-time "big" boater, and got my first break working as Chief Officer in cargo shipping.  I did that for 7 years - before finally getting an offer from Honeywell Inc. to Captain their executive yacht - a mear 280 footer - complete with very luxurious dining rooms, guest suites, etc.  She was no Royal Caribbean - but she was a dream boat and it was a dream career for me.  She was  absolutely the most luxurious yacht I've ever seen, much less set foot on). Almost a 1 to 1 staff for every guest... From two full tme consignaires, to chefs, cooks, waiters, waitresses, maids, doormen, butlers even -    

     Used mostly for entertaining their Fortune 500 Corporate and Government Executives.

     Most Cruise ship Captains that I have met or spoken to, have spent 7 or more years either in the petroleum or cargo shipping industry and then gone to work as an officer on a Cruise ship line for 7 (or more) years before becomine a "Staff Captain" and then waiting out their turn to take command as Captain of their own vessel.

     My suggestion would be that if you want such a job, call them or contact them and request information ( I know they have career days and attend career fairs.)

     I am a vet... and though I believe the experience is worth a million more than you will ever be paid - I honest don't think any military service will help you in any way get a job as a Captain of a Cruise Liner...  unless you get a nautical degree first, join the Navy (as an officer) second, and make a 20 year career out of the Navy with command of your own ship.  At that point, you will be about 42 years old (or so) have a $100,000 Navy pension, and then you could take Command of your on ship at Royal Caribbean (if they are still in business) and make another $300,000 a year salary... with them and retire from that job when you are my age - and have two pensions...

     I suggest a degree in Nautical Science. And I suggest you start working on your Unlimited Masters License which will  enable you to command virtually any ship of any size.

      The only way I know of to short-cut this, and get command of your own ship sooner - is to buy the Company... (Don't laugh - it happens every day...)  And seeing how Royal Caribbean only has about 20 something ships, this may be your best bet... to get you own command before you are as old as I am... lol

Good Luck,

Happy & Safe Boating!

Answer 4

There are 7 state run maritime academies  (Maine, Mass, Michigan, California, Texas and two in NY I think) in the US, plus Kings Point, which is free.   4 years there and you should be ready to sit for a 3rd mate license.   I year of sea time needed to upgrade to 2nd, one to chief and one to captain.   Unfortunately, just because you have your captains license doesn't mean you will ever be one.   There are two mates on the ship I'm on now with captains licenses, but one plans on leaving the industry because she's been waiting for years and wants to try something else before getting too old.    Pay for a large American flagged cruise ship (there's only one left, and its a Norwegian Cruise Lines ship) is around $20,000 a month.   On Bahama, Panama, Liberia, Martial Island, Greek flagged ships the pay is probably around $4000 a month.