How much do cruise staff make?

[CHARLESV32]

Tips should be in accordance with the service you receive. Their home, their color, their income, their family, everything personal about them are not factors. Only the service. Their income is no more our business than our income is their business.

 

Dan

 

 

Totally agree!!

[dan40]

The jobs to have on cruise ships are not the ones we see being preformed. Those are all HOTEL jobs. The good jobs are the operational jobs. Bridge Officer, Deck Officer, Maintenance Officer, Engineering Officer. They are allowed to mingle with the pax, BUT they don't have to, and they make normal Maritime wage scales. Tips mean nothing to them.

 

Dan

[zqvol]

I've heard various numbers about how much cruise staff make from $50/month to much higher. Does anyone know how much different staff make on average? Does it vary much between companies? I'm interested in base salary without tips, then an average amount of tips.

 

Consider Photographers, wait staff, Maitre D, bartenders, cabin stewards, etc.

 

Not sure what the salary is, but when tips are factored in there is a base that they reach each week, or hour or month.

 

In addition when you factor in food, lodging, clothing, etc. it is much more than you imagine. (Before anyone says they are packed in rooms, etc. they are still getting room and board, that they would have to pay for on shore.) In addition there are usually crew rooms with cheap alcohol, and a store to buy a lot of their personal items at really cheap prices.

[AandBmom]

The OP is asking us not the crew members.

 

Thank you!

 

I thought I asked a fairly safe question. If I wanted to get flamed I would've asked about sharing soda cards, smuggling booze, etc.

[VentureMan_2000]

Tips should be in accordance with the service you receive. Their home, their color, their income, their family, everything personal about them are not factors. Only the service. Their income is no more our business than our income is their business.

 

Dan

 

 

I find it funny how hard this is for Folks to understand...

[VentureMan_2000]

We were told that we could shop with confidence at certain shops and guaranteed to get good quality products with a 30 day guarantee.

 

 

 

 

This is one of the oldest deals around. Very few, if any, people actually take up the guarantee... and they are betting on it.

 

This is not a Carnival deal... it's across the board. You will find the same deal on all the ships.

[timespliters]

When they tell me "certain shops " they are the ones I stay away from as I know some one from the ship is getting a back hand and you can do a deal at another one for just as good price.

[ommax2]

We went on a cruise with another couple to the Mexico Rivera. The cruise was fun however we went to a port shopping talk on the ship. We were told that we could shop with confidence at certain shops and guaranteed to get good quality products with a 30 day guarantee. We went to a recommended jewelry store. While just window shopping, we asked to look at a certain ring with no intention of purchasing. Well as it turned out the port shopper was in the store at the time. He came over to my husband and was telling what a wonderful deal we were being offered.

The salesman told us that the ring was valued at $4,000. He bargained with my husband and came down to a price of $2,500 and the port shopping fellow was standing there and told my husband that he (the jeweler) was having a very slow day and that this offer was a great deal. So he decided to make the purchase since we went to his talk and were told it was safe to purchase at these recommended stores

When we returned home we wanted to have the ring appraised for insurance reasons. While waiting for our appraisal to arrive my husband decided to call Carnival just incase we had not gotten a fair price and the 30 days was running out. We were told not to worry about the 30 days as we had reregistered our concern with them.

When the appraisal arrived the value of the ring was only $1,200. We informed the cruise line and were told that we had to follow certain

procedures , which meant sending the ring to an independent appraiser who lived 250 miles away. So we did and it involved another costly appraisal to find out that it was the same value. When we notified Carnival Cruise lines they told us sorry that the 30 days had pasted and besides that on the bottom of the receipt in very small print it said ALL SALES FINAL! They didn't say this when we registered our concern with them and they told us they would stand behind us.

Come to find out the port shopper was not an employee of the cruise line (however was wearing a Carnival uniform)we were lead to believe that he was working for Carnival. but was outsourced and working for a different company. We believe he received commission on every item that he helped sell.

Also the couple that we were traveling with purchased a diamond ring and the port shopper from the ship was helping them to make their purchase as well. They received a damaged diamond and paid $1,200 for an appraised ring that was valued at $600 because of the damaged stone. Their appraisal arrived a few days after the 30 days and they were told the same thing the 30 days had passed and all sales were final.

Just want to let the cruising public know that the 30 days guarantee does not allow enough time for a person to receive an appraisal on there purchase after they get home from their cruise and you may have been taken advantage of. So ask questions when you go to the port shopping talks.

We have taken 10 cruises and have never had a problems before. We have purchased several jewelry items in the Caribbean and always gotten a good value. This is the second cruise on Carnival and the first time we purchased anything.

No more Carnival cruises for us we will stick to HAL and other cruise lines.

 

What on earth does this have to do with the topic at hand...geeezz.......

 

:confused::confused::confused:

[zqvol]

delete

[roverix]

I may be able to shed some light on recommended stores, as we own some in the Caribbean. It has been our expierence that they do put pressure on a store owner to settle any problems with a purchase quickly and fairly. In our jewelry store we probably get a "problem" with a purchase, maybe once every five to six months. Whenever a customer has a complaint, we are notified very quickly and we are generally asked weekly on its resolution. Nine out of ten times we either send a replacement or a refund even if the customer has just changed their mind ("buyer's remorse"). On occasion, we have had some unbelievable requests such as one person who wanted to return a pendant after one year since they thought they had a year to try it out and make up their mind!

 

My favorite is one customer who sent a ring to have it appaised and the appraisal came back stating that the ring was quartz and worth about 1/10 of the price it was sold for. I called the appraiser who admitted that she had never before seen this type of gem (ammolite), was unfamilar with it, had no knowledge of it or it's value, and had never appaised one before. Make sure your appaiser is familar with what they are appaising.

 

There is a tremendous amount of competition among jewelry stores and there are still some great buys out there.

 

Also, isn't safer to buy from a store that the cruise line has power over and is interested in keeping you as a happy cruiser -think about it.

[funat55]

My nephew works as a DJ for Carnival. Got hired two years ago as soon as he was old enough. I believe my SIL told me he started at $1,400 per month. Don't know what he's making now. We did a family cruise on his ship but we didn't get any discounts. He was allowed to have 5 passes for family members to visit the crew's quarters. Found out that the crews have their own parties which can be pretty wild. When he wasn't up on deck DJ'ing he was DJ'ing for the crew.

[Jackrjc]

Tips should be in accordance with the service you receive. Their home, their color, their income, their family, everything personal about them are not factors. Only the service. Their income is no more our business than our income is their business.

 

Dan

 

I totally agree. I am not sure what I said in my previous post that you quoted that made you think (I assume) that I believe otherwise. Hence my statement, "Good for them, I will continue to tip extra for exceptional service." I found this thread to be somewhat interesting because some things I have read state or imply that the ship employees are like indentured servants, who are paid so low that they will not be able to survive if one does not tip. In other words, tip or feel guilty for not tipping. My tipping extra or not is solely based on service. I tipped extra on our Feb cruise because the service was outstanding. Other factors in the ship's employees lives were not a factor, nor should they be. Service would have to be pretty bad before I would consider taking tips off the S&S card, regardless of their income. I have lived or spent considerable time in some of the countries that some of the ship's workers were from on my last cruise. So, I was glad to see on this thread they make out OK, as far as their comparable income is concerned. This thread is of some interest, but not actionable in any way. At the end of the day, I agree with your statement.

[dan40]

I totally agree. I am not sure what I said in my previous post that you quoted that made you think (I assume) that I believe otherwise. Hence my statement, "Good for them, I will continue to tip extra for exceptional service." I found this thread to be somewhat interesting because some things I have read state or imply that the ship employees are like indentured servants, who are paid so low that they will not be able to survive if one does not tip. In other words, tip or feel guilty for not tipping. My tipping extra or not is solely based on service. I tipped extra on our Feb cruise because the service was outstanding. Other factors in the ship's employees lives were not a factor, nor should they be. Service would have to be pretty bad before I would consider taking tips off the S&S card, regardless of their income. I have lived or spent considerable time in some of the countries that some of the ship's workers were from on my last cruise. So, I was glad to see on this thread they make out OK, as far as their comparable income is concerned. This thread is of some interest, but not actionable in any way. At the end of the day, I agree with your statement.

 

This thread is about their income. [even tho its none of our business]

 

And making any connection between their income and the AMOUNT of tip is degrading to them. The only connection between tips and their total income should be that tips are part of it. Same as room and board and medical are part of it. The amount of tip should only be in relation to the service rendered. And I'm glad you agree.

So many think they should be tipped more or less because they are poor or well to do. Both positions are insulting to the servers. [but they can probably tolerate the over tippers:D]

 

I have a friend that is a waiter in a very upscale American restaurant. He was making well into six figures way back in the early 80's. Even then he made NO wage at all, he has to pay the restaurant to work there. He makes that money because he is a total pro. And often gets large tips from people well below his tax bracket, because he is a total pro. If many patrons knew how well he does, his income would likely suffer. But its none of their business either.

 

Wasn't jumping on you, just I'm very blunt in my writing style.

 

Dan

[AandBmom]

I still don't see why others think that it's none of our business what certain professions make (in this example cruise ship staff). One is allowed to be curious. Also what if someone was considering going into that field, it would be helpful to know how much one can expect to be making to make an informed decision. It's no secret what most professions pay (if you look into it a little). You could find out my general salary, as I'm sure I could each of yours. I would never ask any one individual about their personal situation - now that's none of my business.

[thepeach]

We went on a cruise with another couple to the Mexico Rivera. The cruise was fun however we went to a port shopping talk on the ship. We were told that we could shop with confidence at certain shops and guaranteed to get good quality products with a 30 day guarantee. We went to a recommended jewelry store. While just window shopping, we asked to look at a certain ring with no intention of purchasing. Well as it turned out the port shopper was in the store at the time. He came over to my husband and was telling what a wonderful deal we were being offered.

The salesman told us that the ring was valued at $4,000. He bargained with my husband and came down to a price of $2,500 and the port shopping fellow was standing there and told my husband that he (the jeweler) was having a very slow day and that this offer was a great deal. So he decided to make the purchase since we went to his talk and were told it was safe to purchase at these recommended stores

When we returned home we wanted to have the ring appraised for insurance reasons. While waiting for our appraisal to arrive my husband decided to call Carnival just incase we had not gotten a fair price and the 30 days was running out. We were told not to worry about the 30 days as we had reregistered our concern with them.

When the appraisal arrived the value of the ring was only $1,200. We informed the cruise line and were told that we had to follow certain

procedures , which meant sending the ring to an independent appraiser who lived 250 miles away. So we did and it involved another costly appraisal to find out that it was the same value. When we notified Carnival Cruise lines they told us sorry that the 30 days had pasted and besides that on the bottom of the receipt in very small print it said ALL SALES FINAL! They didn't say this when we registered our concern with them and they told us they would stand behind us.

Come to find out the port shopper was not an employee of the cruise line (however was wearing a Carnival uniform)we were lead to believe that he was working for Carnival. but was outsourced and working for a different company. We believe he received commission on every item that he helped sell.

Also the couple that we were traveling with purchased a diamond ring and the port shopper from the ship was helping them to make their purchase as well. They received a damaged diamond and paid $1,200 for an appraised ring that was valued at $600 because of the damaged stone. Their appraisal arrived a few days after the 30 days and they were told the same thing the 30 days had passed and all sales were final.

Just want to let the cruising public know that the 30 days guarantee does not allow enough time for a person to receive an appraisal on there purchase after they get home from their cruise and you may have been taken advantage of. So ask questions when you go to the port shopping talks.

We have taken 10 cruises and have never had a problems before. We have purchased several jewelry items in the Caribbean and always gotten a good value. This is the second cruise on Carnival and the first time we purchased anything.

No more Carnival cruises for us we will stick to HAL and other cruise lines.

What does this have to do with cruise ship salaries?

[shark Fan]

I still don't see why others think that it's none of our business what certain professions make (in this example cruise ship staff). One is allowed to be curious. Also what if someone was considering going into that field, it would be helpful to know how much one can expect to be making to make an informed decision. It's no secret what most professions pay (if you look into it a little). You could find out my general salary, as I'm sure I could each of yours. I would never ask any one individual about their personal situation - now that's none of my business.

 

Ok, tell me how much I make.:cool:

[TCF]

There are different categories of "employees" on the ships.

1. Bridge Officers, Engine Spaces Officers, Hotel Management/Purser, Medical Department, Executive Chefs, Maitre'd, Security Chief...all of whom earn the prevailing salaries for the cruise industry. They are paid well...they have very responsible jobs.

2. Hotel staff...Cabin Stewards, Cleaners, Reception/Purser Dept., Waiters, Bar Tenders, etc. They depend largely on the tip pool for the bulk of their income.

3. Those who work in the engine spaces, deck hands, maintenance crew (electricians, plumbers, etc.), Security Personnel, etc. are paid straight wages.

4. Entertainment Department that employs audio/visual/lighting techs, DJ's, Asst. Cruise Directors, who are paid wages; entertainers who are paid a scale for the various types of performing they do, how good they are perceived, what, if any name they have with the public....so some make more and some make less.

5. Those who work for the stores, photo department, casino and on some lines the "super shoppers"....work for contractors who lease space on the ships from the line....pay a cut of the action to the line. Most of them are paid on a commission basis.

But the real question is where the crew members come from...their nationality. All of the crew is paid in US$.

Those from south east Asian countries are doing very well because the US$ is worth in some cases three or four times what their national currency is...so when it is converted they are supporting their families well, (of course the price they pay is not seeing their families for 6 months at a time.)

Up until fairly recently it was the same for those working the ships from the old eastern bloc nations like Romania, Bulgaria, etc. But, now as each of these countries join the EU and change their currency to the EURO, these crew members have to earn $1.50US to put 1EURO in the bank at home. So things aren't as good for them as they used to be.

Crew do get room and board...but I am told that they do not get the same food as the passengers get; their cabins are small and they must share. They have their own bar and entertainment area, (I am told by many crew that the best parties on the ship are those in the crew bar), and they have a Commissary where they can purchase personal items.

These people work very long hours...and spend months away from families....which is why North Americans, ie Canadians and Americans aren't lining up for the "ordinary" jobs on the cruise lines.

So if you are young and off to see the world, and maybe put a little aside for your education....cruise ships are great way to do it.

If you live in South East Asia you are also in pretty good shape working on cruise ship.

If you live in Eastern Europe...things aren't as good as they used to be...and as the US$ continues to slide against the EURO...it's not going to get much better.

[Cruisin Suzin]

Based on the volume of "tips" I believe the Maitre 'd's make a couple hundred grand a year. Horrible wage !

 

 

Good grief I think I will go into Maitre'd's school immediately, I'd love to make that kind of money...

 

Even the wait staff etc..are making good money who knew..why aren't more people flocking to these postions is beyond me...thanks for the info..:confused:

[hillbillycruisers]

Everyone has their own opinion, but I dont understand how someone can ask a seemingly innocent question on here and have some people feel the need to jump them about it..since the OP was asking about wages in general and not a specific person..then went on to explain how she works with teenagers who may want to consider this field in the future...how anyone can think this is rude to ask about really baffles me...this of course isnt unique to this post but happens a lot on CC...everbody has different ideas about things, and obviously the OP thought it important to ask this question...others feel different, but I thougt it was a good question :)

[Caribbreeze]

Everyone has their own opinion, but I dont understand how someone can ask a seemingly innocent question on here and have some people feel the need to jump them about it..

Check out the Lightbulb thread for fun. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=14336877#post14336877

[iceprincesskc]

I just wanted to add my two cents to this thread.

 

As a crew member I don't mind people asking me my salary, because I know that there are people who are looking to get into the industry or have children they would like to recommend get into the industry. I asked the same questions when I first began researching the jobs on various cruise lines. I also understand as people you are interested, its just human nature :D

 

You will find that if you usually ask crew member how much they make they won't tell you because we are not supposed to discuss it will other people, along with this we are asked not to discuss our salary with the other crew members on the ship (not that we don't lol) I am speaking for myself here but i don't believe that the company would fire me for talking about it but i do believe that they might not be very happy with me.

 

I love my job and would not trade it for the world, people often ask me how much money I make and my honest answer is I'm not in it for the money, which sounds stupid, but I have had the best experiences while working on the ships and have made friends from countries all over the world and seen things I wouldn't have had I not taken the opportunity when it was handed to me.

 

Like i said i just wanted to give my opinion on the topic, i don't understand why some of the people who have commented are upset because honestly it doesn't bother me in the least!

 

Happy Cruising..

 

KL

[dan40]

Good grief I think I will go into Maitre'd's school immediately, I'd love to make that kind of money...

 

Even the wait staff etc..are making good money who knew..why aren't more people flocking to these postions is beyond me...thanks for the info..:confused:

 

They do flock to these positions. There are cruise job headhunters in 3rd world countries that secure jobs on ships for the locals. And the locals PAY THEM large sums [like a years pay] for getting hired.

 

Dan

[picklebongo]

I see nothing wrong with asking on a forum about salaries, it's not like the OP went up to an individual and asked them specifically. Some salaries, like mine, is public information. Once a year in the Parade pullout section of the newspaper, they do a whole spread on various jobs and what people make. Some folks find this interesting and it may help somebody make a career choice, if money is what they are most concerned about initially. Lighten up about your own salaries, nobody is asking. But if somebody wanted to know what the average salary is for a first year teacher, how is that offensive, just as the OP question isn't.

[jandjfun]

I sat down one time and figured out the pay for our room steward without any base pay at all. I can tell you he was making more than me by far. But then again, I don't send money home to support 27 more people. I also don't fault the CEO of a company I utilize for the paycheck he/she gets. Why would I care how much someone working in the cruise industry makes. I figured it out so I could stop feeling pity for the staff the entire cruise.

[Crusin6]

When I was on the Imagination last month I was chatting with one of the slot hostesses and she mentioned that she makes $200 a month (she was talking about how her boyfriend on the ship had lost $200 in the casino at Atlantis and that was a month's wages for her)

She was either pulling your leg or very stupid. I don't care how many living expenses are covered for the cruise personnel on the ships or how many great ports they visit, by telling you she makes $200 a month she was asking you for a tip or something. Don't take the bait, she couldmake more at Burger King in any city in the USA. Oh yeah, then she would have living expenses as well. IMO:rolleyes: