How much can I earn?
• Earnings and benefits vary greatly from one cruise Ship Company to the next. A person is employable throughout the fleet of any particular cruise ship company, so the size of the vessel have little influence on your income, since everyone in the fleet are paid the same salaries for any position with the same title.
• Medical insurance is normally included and part of the benefits enjoyed, as well as life insurance. For this reason is a PEME (Pre-employment medical examination) compulsory for all new hires.
• Two categories are distinguished, Tipping Staff (Commission or tips as main income) & Non-Tipping Staff (Salary based). Service personnel i.e. Assistant waiters, bar waiters and asst. stateroom stewards earn at entry-level an average of $ 1300 – $ 1750 / month, where as non-tipping i.e. duty-free retail sales associates, photographers, guest service associates, admin coordinators at entry-level may earn $ 1 200 - $ 1600 / month.
• Management positions also vary depending seniority, entry-level Asst Housekeeping / Asst Food & Beverage Management Trainees may earn anything from $ 1800 - $ 4000 / month or more. This depends greatly on the cruise ship company.
• Always remember that most of your income can be saved and brought home. Your biggest expense is yourself buying snacks, drinks at the crew bar or on land, as well as your own toiletries to stay fresh and presentable whilst on duty.
