How much do cruise ships pay their employees?

Question

I'm specifically looking at celebrity cruises, but if anyone has any idea what the industry normally pays? Is it good? I'm looking into Food or Hospiltatity position. How many hours do you normally get? If someone could just provide me with their experience or knowledge, that'd be great! Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't know exact figures, but it is pretty decent, but the most important part comes from tips on most cruise lines. There are cruise lines that don't allow tips, but those pay a much better salary than others. Do reckon with 12 hour working days, 7 days a week, however. I know from many people I know that if you survive the first three weeks, you'll be OK.

Answer 2

From talking to crew on Royal Caribbean (which owns Celebrity, so it is probably a similar practise between lines) housecleaning and dining staff make around $50 US per week that is paid directly from the cruiseline.  That is $50.00.

The crew relies almost solely on tips to make money, hence why people push that you tip the full amount or more when you cruise because you're literally paying people's wages with them.

For the amount of time you're working...you are on call 24/7 but usually for dining staff will work 2 shifts per day (breaky/lunch/supper/midnight buffet) but will be expected to help out if more shifts are needed. Some staff said they had a chance to leave the port to check mail etc, on turn around days but this didn't apply to everyone (such as housekeeping/room stewards who had to get the rooms ready for the next lot of people).

Generally contracts are 6-8 months on, and then 2 months off.

For more information, check out this website and either search for answers to your question or post a question. There are people who have the actual contacts available online for viewing or can send you one. I suggest this because I didn't believe that they only were paid $50.00 a week (which just seems ridiculous). There are apparently bonuses for good reviews for staff as well.

http://www.cruisecritic.com

http://boards.cruisecritic.com

Answer 3

Since ther is no mininum wage fee because they are not in a specific place the cruise ships pay low.

Answer 4

Depends a lot on the position.

F&B positions are usually based on tips, unless you are management.

Hospitality such as reception used to make 400USD a week and work 10 hours a day.

Embarkation day is always more work.

Celebrity and Royal have a wide variety of hospitality positions that pay more, if you speak other languages there´s an "International Ambassador" > 1900,00USD a month.

Onboard Marketing desk pays commission on cruises sold onboard.

The shops are nice, I did shops for a long time

www.hardingbros.co.uk

and

www.starboardcruise.com/

they are concessions which run the shops on most ships,

both companies have Celebrity ships but Starboard has more.

Hardings pays 160pounds a week + commission

Starboard 500USD a month + commission

I like Hardings much more.

Good thing about working the shops is that you usually dont work while the ship is on port, having free days.

I loved working on ships, but with the dollar low as it is its not as good as it once was.

Hardings do phone interviews.

Crew positions such as dinning room, cabin, deck etc, work a minimum of 10 hours a day and have one afternoon off a week.

Some 7 years ago there was a class action against Royal and they were the first who started to regulate such matters.

But in other lines you are really on call 24/7.

Thats for Crew positions.

Staff positions have a lot easier.

Staff are Reception, Shore-ex, Casino, Spa, Shops, Photos...

Dont trust employment agencies online.

Go directly to the source, Hardings, Starboard, Royal, Carnival etc.

9 in 10 agencies are schemes.