How much does a cruise ship captain earn UK?
Michael Green
Published May 14, 2026
The simple answer to 'how much does a cruise ship captain make? ' is that cruise ship captains have an average salary of £39,836 per year. This equates to an average of £15.78 per hour or roughly £837 per week.
How much does a captain of cruise ship get paid?
Ever wonder what is the typical cruise ship captain salary? According to Payscale, the average salary of a cruise ship captain is $96,000 per year, in a salary range that varies from $48,485 to $180,308. A captain's responsibilities are far broader than just steering the ship.How much do you earn on a cruise ship UK?
The average cruise staff salary in the United Kingdom is £20,796 per year or £10.66 per hour. Entry level positions start at £20,796 per year while most experienced workers make up to £35,030 per year.How much does a cruise ship captain make Royal Caribbean?
Average Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Captain yearly pay in the United States is approximately $40,000, which is 41% below the national average.Are cruise ship captains rich?
The average Cruise Ship Captain in the US makes $93,328. Cruise Ship Captains make the most in San Francisco, CA at $140,888, averaging total compensation 51% greater than the US average.All the Cruise Ship Crew Salary! | Captain Leo
Who is the highest paid person on a cruise ship?
5 Highest-Paying Jobs on Cruise Ships
- Executive Chef.
- Cruise Director.
- Chief Purser.
- Hotel Director.
- Human Resources Manager.
Is working on a cruise ship good money?
While it sounds like an exciting adventure, there is a great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes to make things happen. According to Business Insider, a cruise ship crew member for Carnival, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line can earn an annual average between $16,000 to $20,000.How do you become a cruise ship captain UK?
A degree or diploma in Nautical Science is followed by onboard training as cadets or apprentice officers lasting several months. Thereafter, the aspiring candidates are considered eligible for the 2nd Mate examination, on passing which they are qualified to work as 3rd Officers onboard cruise ships.Is working on a cruise ship worth it?
Cruise ship crew life can be intense: long hours, no days off for months, lots of rules, demanding guests, small living quarters and little to no privacy. But working on ships also allows you to travel to places some only dream of while making some amazing connections with fellow seafarers from all over the world.Do ship captains make good money?
Industry and SalariesThe mean, or average, annual income is $70,920. The lowest 10 percent had an annual income of $35,640, while the top 90 percent could reach $138,620. Inland water captains receive the highest mean wage of $88,530, while deep-sea captains earn a mean income of $84,150.