how much do disney cruise staff get paid

Disney Cruise Line Salary

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The estimate average salary for Disney Cruise Line employees is around $99,278 per year, or the hourly rate of Disney Cruise Line rate is $48. The highest earners in the top 75th percentile are paid over $112,245. Individual salaries will vary depending on the job, department, and location, as well as the employee’s level of education, certifications, and additional skills.

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Similar company salary, faqs about disney cruise line company, 1. how much does disney cruise line in the united states pay.

Disney Cruise Line pays its employees an average of $99,278 per year. The average salary at Disney Cruise Line range from $87,347 to $112,245 per year. Public Health Officer jobs at Disney Cruise Line earn the most with an average annual salary of $355,686, while Beverage Server jobs earn the least with an average annual salary of $18,732.

2. Do Disney Cruise Line employees get a higher salary than other similar companies?

The salary at Disney Cruise Line is lesser than Liberty Moving and Storage Inc. The highest salary package reported for an employee at Disney Cruise Line is $112,245 per year, meanwhile the highest salary package reported for an employee at Liberty Moving and Storage Inc is $137,669 per year.

3. How much does Disney Cruise Line pay compared to Liberty Moving and Storage Inc?

The average annual salary at Disney Cruise Line is $99,278, or an hourly wage of $48, in comparison to Liberty Moving and Storage Inc which pays $121,755 per year or $59 per hour.

4. Which job skills can boost a Manager, Learning & Development salary at Disney Cruise Line?

Knowledge Management, Analysis and Leadership are key to a Manager, Learning & Development job at Disney Cruise Line. Possessing these skills could lead to a higher salary. You can learn and develop high income skills now if you’re looking for a position at Disney Cruise Line.

5. What is the lowest salary at Disney Cruise Line?

The lowest paying job at Disney Cruise Line is Beverage Server with an annual salary of $18,732 or an hourly rate of $48.

• Disney Cruise Line

What is the pay structure of the employees on the Disney cruise?

By JaneHughes , March 8, 2010 in Disney Cruise Line

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We have just returned from a Royal Carribean cruise and a few of the staff advised that the majority of their compensation came from tips. Does anyone know if this is the same situation on a Disney cruise?

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Our server in the last cruise explained to us that their income is based on the tips just like any other cruise. Being under Bahamas contract, they keep every cent which means that they don't pay any tax at all. Our server also stated that there will be times when they do not receive any tip at all. Many guests do not show up for breakfast and suddenly disappear without leaving them any tip.

I have to believe it is similar to my experience working as a server in a major chain restaurant a few years back.

You get a very small base pay (2.50/hr) and your income is based mostly on a tip. Granted they do also get other perks, probably, free food, board, and great tax laws

I think a great thing is the pre-paid gratuities...on the Disney cruise we took last month we did this. I guess however you still must put the little stub in the envelope and give that to your server or room attendant...they in turn must have to give this to "someone" to get their pay.

We felt the service was worth way more than what we had for the pre-paid tips and added more $'s in each envelope. They all work so hard and truly gave the best service of any line I've sailed on (including Regent).

It depends on the area they are assigned/contracted for.From what I understand, its alot like the parks and college program.

Tip oriented areas such as wait staff, and room stewards, generally get a fairly low base pay, and the balance is made up in tips.As posted above.

Areas such as guest relations,or entertainment get a higher base pay since they do not have a tip oportunity.Other areas that you dont ever see such as laundry personel or cooks would be in the same group.

I think, though I cant swear to it off hand, that Disney may take a certain amount back, for room and board.Much like the college program.They also pay for things like alcohol onboard, and things from a crew only store.

I think some of the recommended tips are ridiculously high. For instance, the stateroom attendant gets $28 per person, so for my family of four that is $112, or $16/day to make a bed and put clean towels and an origami towel animal on the bed. In the best hotels, I tip housekeeping $5/day and they are putting clean sheets on the bed as well. How many rooms does each attendant service? Same with the wait staff...they told me they generally service about 16 people per seating, so 32 total, times $28=$896 a week. Some may tip less, but some also tip more. If that is tax free and they get free room and board, that's a pretty decent salary for a job that doesn't require a college degree.

They work harder than a hotel houskeeper. At a hotel, they'll do your room once per day. On a ship, it's usually twice plus the towel animals, turndown and the frequent guest requests. Knowing people that have worked in both jobs, I know that ship guests use their room a lot more than hotel guests and thus create more work for the staff.

I guess we were the exception then. We spent very little time in our room; we were only there to sleep and get ready for dinner. They came in once to clean up (I don't think they change the sheets daily like they do in a hotel) in the afternoon and a second time to turn down the bed and put the animal in the room. We also cleaned up after ourselves everyday. Maybe we are not the typical guests.

keishashadow

I think some of the recommended tips are ridiculously high. For instance, the stateroom attendant gets $28 per person, so for my family of four that is $112, or $16/day to make a bed and put clean towels and an origami towel animal on the bed. In the best hotels, I tip housekeeping $5/day and they are putting clean sheets on the bed as well. How many rooms does each attendant service? Same with the wait staff...they told me they generally service about 16 people per seating, so 32 total, times $28=$896 a week . Some may tip less, but some also tip more. If that is tax free and they get free room and board, that's a pretty decent salary for a job that doesn't require a college degree.

only if every cabins tips the suggested gratuity. Im sure there are many who stiff them:(.

fyi, the stewards (and all employees) pay for their own transport to/from employment on the ship and have families back 'home' to support including medical, food & housing, etc. They do far more than make the beds in the cabins, your bathroom is cleaned everyday. fyi, many of the stewards employ assistants (those who work in other capacities about the ship & are moonlighting) to help them get all the work they are expected to complete done.

One more thing, the way I understand it these people work cruises back to back with little time off. Is that correct? Sorry your cruise on the Magic was not better. We have only been on 1 cruise on the Magic, last year, and it was incredible.:)

cruise newbie127

Furthermore, the wait staff not only serve guests at dinner, they work the other venues for lunch and breakfast as well - such as the BBQ on Castaway Cay, and the "fast food" places. Your tips pay them for that as well.

Majesty Fan

Husband used to work for RCI as a waiter. Yes they make about $50 per month w/o tips. They aslo have to pay for thier laundry room cleaning fee, internet, etc. Some people tip the suggested amt some do not and some do not tip at all. There is no off days off. The wait staff may get a breakfast or lunch off but never a day. They work 6 mo contract and pay for thier ticket. The wait staff tips are not pooled but the CS not so sure as on the Magic we had 2 people.

• 2 years later...

mattypatty03

A housekeeper in a hotel also makes at least minimum wage. Stateroom

Attendants do not.

A housekeeper in a hotel also makes at least minimum wage. Stateroom Attendants do not.

So you had to bring up a thread from 3 years ago to make this comment?

So you had to bring up a thread from 3 years ago to make this comment?   :)

I'm betting MattyPatty was doing a search for something, this thread came up, and he/she didn't realize it was a REALLY OLD thread upon replying.

JoJoluv2cruz

Not sure what the purpose of this thread is??? No one is being made to work these cruise ships. I'm sure the work is hard and the hours are long, but the employees choose to do it. Many of them are young and do it for the excitement before moving on to other careers and others are making much more money then they could ever make in their home country. It's nice to be concerned for their well being but please stop with the guilt trips. :mad:

What I was told was thet they get their money/tips even without the ticket stub. There are records of what was charged to the room for their tip.

I get what you are saying. I used to feel badly for the staff. But when you come across some that have been with DCL for many cruises, I figured if it was that bad they wouldn't renew their contract. They do work very hard though.

I think a great thing is the pre-paid gratuities...on the Disney cruise we took last month we did this. I guess however you still must put the little stub in the envelope and give that to your server or room attendant...they in turn must have to give this to "someone" to get their pay.   We felt the service was worth way more than what we had for the pre-paid tips and added more $'s in each envelope. They all work so hard and truly gave the best service of any line I've sailed on (including Regent).

If you are sailing concierge they take care of it all for you. You only need to fill out the amounts on the sheet and sign the bottom.

We didn't tip extra on our three day as we only ate in the MDR once for dinner and twice for lunch, never for breakfast. We did tip the servers in Palo and Remy as well as the sommelier in both and room service.

Tonka's Skipper

]There is alot of work behind the scenes they do as well, not to mention bring and taking away your lugage.

Honestly these CM's, all of them work hard, long hours, to give us tha excellent cruise and deserve every penny they get.:D

If you can effort a cruise,you should not be complaining!:confused:

This comes up on every cruise line's forum.

Here's the long and short of it. Consider the auto tip part of the fare. If the employees were compensated the same amount as salary, they would have to pay more fees and taxes on it PLUS it would be factored into the cruise fare.

Round numbers:

If employees make $5 per day plus $10 in tips, they earn $15 per day. That means Disney pays 1000 crew $5000 per day for a 3000 passenger ship plus $30000 from the passengers.

If Disney just paid them $15 per day, Disney would pay the full $35000, divided up among 3000 passengers, with a markup to handle taxes and admin, your price per cruise would be about $14 per day higher, MORE than you pay with auto-tip.

It depends on the area they are assigned/contracted for.From what I understand, its alot like the parks and college program.   Tip oriented areas such as wait staff, and room stewards, generally get a fairly low base pay, and the balance is made up in tips.As posted above. Areas such as guest relations,or entertainment get a higher base pay since they do not have a tip oportunity.Other areas that you dont ever see such as laundry personel or cooks would be in the same group.   I think, though I cant swear to it off hand, that Disney may take a certain amount back, for room and board.Much like the college program.They also pay for things like alcohol onboard, and things from a crew only store.

On the ship there is no money taken for room and board. Uniforms are provided and cleaned for free. On some lines, all personal laundry is also cleaned for free, others either provide discounted laundry service or a self-serve room for crew. Most lines provide healthcare while on the ship for free, officers and higher level hotel staff (reception, etc.) entertainment, and certain technical services (I/T, A/V, etc.)get health insurance as if they were working for any land based organization.

Items of a personal nature such as Internet, alcohol, toiletries, etc. can be purchased through the crew store which usually has no or minimal mark up.

It all varies by ship and cruise line. Some are pretty notorious for treating their crew like dirt, others are known for taking great care of them. DCL is in the middle.

only if every cabins tips the suggested gratuity. Im sure there are many who stiff them:(.   fyi, the stewards (and all employees) pay for their own transport to/from employment on the ship and have families back 'home' to support including medical, food & housing, etc. They do far more than make the beds in the cabins, your bathroom is cleaned everyday. fyi, many of the stewards employ assistants (those who work in other capacities about the ship & are moonlighting) to help them get all the work they are expected to complete done.

Re: travel costs for the staff.........a number of DCL staff have told us they pay 50% towards their travel home costs :)

Re: travel costs for the staff.........a number of DCL staff have told us they pay 50% towards their travel home costs

DCL pays for CMs to get all the way home when their contract ends. Some other cruiselines only pay to nearest airport. And others, not even that much.

Entertainers are on a totally different pay situation than the rest of the boat. My cousin is an Equity performer currently playing Ensign Benson on the Wonder. Her contract is for 9 months (1 month was for rehersals in Toranto- where she had her own 1 bedroom apartment overlooking CN Tower) Disney has paid for all her airfare (from NYC to Toronto, Toronto to LA, and from Miami to whereever she decided to go in May). She lives in a room alone with a porthole. She doesn't pay for any room/board/or laundry. (she does pay for internet access). She started making $900 a week, but now she is up to $1200- plus some bonuses for sticking out the contract for certain times (a bonus after the first 6 weeks, etc).

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16 Things Staff Have Said About Working Aboard Disney Cruises

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The Sale Of Johnny Depp's French Village Remains An Unsolved Mystery

A defunct 1970s ski resort in north carolina is finally opening back up thanks to a fearless couple, after her private life was compromised in la, ariel winter is now living a different life at a secluded spot in nashville.

Disneyland is supposed to be the most magical place on Earth, so what does that make Disney cruises? From the sounds of it, Disney cruises are just as magical as going to one of the parks – perhaps for some folks, it may be an even better time since you’re out at sea! There are tons of entertaining things to do on a Disney cruise, from meeting the characters to hanging out in one of the clubs or activity centers to indulging in a tempting buffet. Most guests leave happy (and maybe slightly bloated) after setting sail on a Disney cruise.

But what about the employees? Things change when you’re working onboard a Disney cruise rather than just enjoying it. Cruise employees get to see all of the behind-the-scenes drama. There’s not much room for downtime or having a personal life when working on a cruise since you can’t exactly get off the ship when your shift ends. Working on a Disney cruise sounds like a lot of hard work, but at the same time, many current and former staff say it was one of their best experiences. Keep reading to see 15 things Disney cruise employees have actually said about working on the water.

16 “Lie To Us To Get An Upgrade”

Some staff is able to give guests upgrades at their discretions, such as free goodies or better accommodation. While there’s no single way to get on an employee’s good side, one Reddit user who used to work for a Disney cruise liner recommends fibbing about special occasions “Tell them it's your birthday trip, you're proposing, anniversary, etc. Disney loves to celebrate!” DisneyAMA explained online.

15 “We Work Over 100 Hours Per Week”

According to employee reviews on Indeed , Disney cruise employees are expected to work long hours without necessarily getting adequately compensated. A former chef de cuisine for a Disney cruise wrote this scathing review; “verbal and physical abuse, forcing us to lie about our working hours, stopping us from having a break.” Another former employee adds that it’s not uncommon to work “100-110 hours a week.”

14 “It's Possible To Get Fired Mid-Cruise”

Just because you’re in the middle of the ocean doesn’t mean your job isn’t on the line. Disney AMA explains that employees who are fired mid-cruise are expected to get off the ship when it next docks. “If it's a very serious offense, they'll station a security guard outside your room and you'd be escorted for the rest of the time on the ship,” the Reddit user explained.

13 “We Totally Date Each Other”

Although we’ve all been warned not to date our co-workers, it doesn’t sound like Disney cruise employees take that to heart. DisneyAMA admits many co-workers become involved with each other during their time at sea. “You are confined on a ship from 4-9 months with only these people,” the Reddit user wrote. “The young 21 years olds hook up just as much as the 40 something married with kids people do!”

12 “Don’t Expect Us To Potty-Train Your Kids”

Disney cruise employees are not allowed to take a child to the bathroom for legal reasons, but when the parents are off somewhere enjoying the adult-friendly cruise activities, they don’t always have the option to wait. “We are not allowed to clean them or wipe them if they have accidents,” DisneyAMA explained on Reddit. “We do because the parents are awful and never actually answer their phones.”

RELATED:  20 Photos Taken By Passengers Aboard Disney Cruises

11 “We Can Be Fired For Becoming Friends With Guests”

Disney cruise employees are expected to provide stellar service, but they’re also expected to remain professional. This means no exchanging personal information with guests, even if they’ve developed a friendly dynamic with one another. I became friends with one family and exchanged contact information,” DisneyAMA explained. “The mom and I have become quite close friends... which is a huge no-no and a terminable offense.”

10 “It's The Kids (Not Adults) Who Start Fights”

Disney cruises are a fun, family-oriented vacation. But given how many kids are on board a ship at one time means some things are bound to go wrong. Writing on Reddit, DisneyAMA revealed that their worst guest interaction happened when one child hit another, sending the parents into an uproar. “We had a kid who was hit in the head by another kid. the former employee explained. “[The parents] wanted the kid (Who was about 4) and his family all kicked off the ship and demanded HUGE compensation...”

9 “We Can Get You The Best Seat... Just Ask”

All you’ve got to do is ask! If you want a seat to remember, such as one of the coveted Enchanted Garden Booths, then simply ask one of the cruise employees. It’s not a guarantee that they’ll be able to fulfill your request, but according to Travel + Leisure, this is the most convenient way to ensure you have an incredible dining experience at sea.

RELATED:  15 Strange (But True) Facts Parents Should Know About Disney Cruises

8 “This Jobs Takes A Toll On Our Mental Health”

Disneyland may be the happiest place on Earth, but we’re not sure if that applies to the employees. Former Disney cruise employees have been honest about the toll working on the infamous ships takes on their mental health. Having to smile 24/7 – no matter how rude guests maybe – isn’t as easy as it sounds. “I really enjoyed my time on the ship, but it was truly a roller coaster of emotions. You are always exhausted, so emotions are heightened,” Reddit user DisneyAMA explained.

7 “There’s A High Turnover Rate”

While there are some employees who have been with Disney cruises for decades, many of the staff you’ll encounter are relatively new, as there’s a high turn-over rate. After their first 4 to 5 months, many staff is hesitant to sign up again because of how taxing the job is. There’s even a high turnover rate when it comes to management. “The management onboard changed every three or four months and some managers are good at being managers where others should not be managers at all,” one ex-employee wrote on Indeed.

6 “The Accommodations Are Cramped”

It’s obvious that cruise ship employees are expected to sleep on the ship during their time at sea, but according to ex-Disney cruise employees, the accommodations are anything by lavish. A former youth Activities Entertainment Host described the rooms as “tiny cabins with a roommate.” Don’t expect much privacy during your hours off!

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5 “We're Forced To Take Vacation Time”

Business Insider explains that most crew members are on a four to five-month contract. But after that expires, they’re required to take an 8-week ‘vacation’ before they’re allowed to work on another ship. One ex-employee tells the publication it’s a way to protect the mental health of the staff. "Let's face it, it's hard work being 'on' six days out of seven. It's good to go home and see our families and recharge our batteries," they explained.

4 “We Get To Enjoy Free Food”

One of the best parts of cruises is the buffet, and when you’re working on a Disney cruise ship, you can fully expect to enjoy the large quantities of food. Many former employees note on Indeed that staff gets their food for free. The only downside? Don’t expect a lot of variety or the highest quality of food.

3 “Don’t Bother With The Character Meet-and-Greets”

It’s understandable why guests would assume the character meet-and-greets are the best places to say hi to Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck – but it’s actually not! Travel + Leisure recommends waiting until you see a character freely wandering around the cruise, like on the pool deck or even in the elevator. That way, you won’t be waiting in line for hours.

2 “We Put Up With A Lot Of Wardrobe Changes”

Many guests are impressed by how intricate the employee uniforms are – there’s basically a different uniform for every position. One former employee admitted on Indeed they would change their “uniform 3 times a day for locations,” depending on where they were needed to work.

1 “Careful What You Say On Comment Cards”

Many guests don’t realize how much of an impact filling in a comments card can be. According to Business Insider, complaints are taken seriously by management. "Our managers really do read all of those, and if we've made a guest unhappy, we'll definitely be reprimanded," a former employee tells the publication, adding that staff may also be rewarded for a very positive comment card.

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How Much do Cruise Ship Captains Make? (Salary 2024)

Have you ever wondered how much does a cruise ship captain make a year? The exact amount can vary depending on several factors, including experience, the size and prestige of the ship, and more.

It’s estimated that cruise captains make an average of $96,000 a year. Some may even earn upwards of $200,000 per year while at the other end of the spectrum for small vessels and those newly promoted to the position make approximately $50,000 annually.

Read on to see how we arose at these figures and the various factors that influence the amount.

What is the Average Cruise Ship Captain Salary?

According to Comparably , a US Cruise captain on average earns a US$93,328 annual salary.

Another source of cruise captain salary data is from Payscale which indicates a ship captain’s average salary at US$ 96,347 a year.

From their stats, we can see they estimate the bottom 10% earn $48,000 a year and the top 10% $190,000 a year.

Interestingly they also break down estimated earnings by “Pay by Experience Level for Ship Captains”.

On average the ship captains with under 10 years of experience earn on average of US$70,000 to $77,000 a year, compared to those with over 10 years expecting to earn US$98,000.

Bear in mind the Payscale stats are based on “ship captains” and not specifically cruise ship captains, but we can expect the earnings to be in the right ballpark as they are on par with the Comparably stats.

However, this is just an average, and as you most likely know there is a wide range of cruise ship sizes, from those that carry 100 to 200 passengers to mega-ships that carry and are responsible for over 5000 passengers as well as 1500+ crew members.

So in this post, we look at the factors that influence a cruise captain’s annual salary and how much they make a year plus a look at some of the added perks of the job to be added on top.

Average Cruise Ship Captain Salary Per Month

Taking the average salary of cruise ship captain at US$93,328, this equates to a monthly average salary of US$ 7777.33.

We have also worked out the monthly salaries for those cruise ship captains earning higher annual salaries as follows:

• $125,000 a year equates to US$ 10,416 a month
• $150,000 a year equates to US$ 12,500 a month
• $175,000 a year equates to US$ 14,583 a month
• $200,000 a year equates to US$ 16,666 a month

Factors That influence Cruise Captain Pay

There are a number of factors that have an impact on how much a cruise captain can expect to get paid a year.

Years of Experience

One of the most important factors determining a cruise ship captain’s pay is their experience.

A newly qualified captain with little experience can expect to earn much less than a captain who has been sailing the seas for many years.

It’s not unusual for a cruise line to require that a captain has at least 10 years of experience before they can be considered for the role, including a number of those as Staff Captain, which is the second in command.

Quite simply, the more years of experience they have as an actual captain, the more they can expect to be paid.

Size and Prestige of Vessel

The next big factor is the size and type of vessel they are the captain of.

Generally, the larger the vessel, the more responsibility the captain has and the higher their salary will be.

Of course, there are other types of vessels such as smaller luxury cruises or cruise ships that have to navigate particularly difficult waters. These types of cruises will often pay their captains a little more to account for the extra skills and experience required.

Company Size

The size of the company can also affect a cruise ship captain’s salary.

For example, a small company that only operates one or two vessels will not be able to pay its captain as much as a large corporate company with dozens of ships.

However, it is worth noting that some of the smaller companies may be more willing to negotiate on salary and offer other perks, such as a share of the profits, which can make up for the lower salary.

The final factor we want to mention is location.

Captains who are based in Europe or North America will generally be paid more than those based in other parts of the world, such as Asia or South America.

This is because the cost of living is higher in these regions and companies need to pay their captains enough to cover their basic expenses.

Extra Benefits/Perks of Being a Cruise Captain

As well as a well-paid salary, a cruise captain may also be entitled to the following perks:

• Luxury suite accommodation which includes rooms for guests
• Room and Laundry service
• Use of the ship’s facilities, such as the gym and spa
• Free flights
• Paid Holidays
• Health and Dental plans

What is a Cruise Ship Captain?

A cruise ship captain is a hugely responsible role overseeing all crew departments involved in the overall operation of the vessel.

The captain is in charge of many aspects including navigation, safety, security, maintenance, crew, and passengers.

They need to have an in-depth knowledge of maritime law and be able to navigate using both modern technology and traditional methods.

The captain is responsible for maintaining the ship to a high standard and ensuring that all aspects of safety and equipment are in good working order.

It’s a role that can take years of maritime experience and training to achieve.

Responsibilities of a Cruise Captain

The captain of a cruise ship is responsible for the lives of everyone on board as well as the safe operation of the vessel.

The captain of a cruise ship is also responsible for the crew and will need to ensure that they are properly trained and aware of their roles and responsibilities and carry them out to the best of their ability.

Let’s look in more detail at each of the main roles of the captain of a cruise ship.

Navigation of the Cruise  Ship

The most obvious role of the cruise ship captain is to navigate the vessel to required destinations.

The captain will also be responsible for charting the course of the ship, taking into account weather conditions and other factors that could affect the safe passage of the vessel.

In addition to this, the captain will also need to determine the speed of the ship and make sure that it is within the safe limit to reach destinations at the correct time.

The captain will also be responsible for making sure that the ship stays within the safe waters and does not stray into dangerous areas, avoiding any hazards that could potentially damage the ship or put the lives of those on board at risk.

This will also include making the decisions of when to leave ports in the event of passengers not onboarding on time, and possibly leaving them behind.

Safety of Passengers and Crew

It is also the responsibility of the captain to make sure that the ship is compliant with all maritime regulations.

The safety of the passengers and crew is the responsibility of the captain and in the event of an accident should be the last person to leave the ship, putting the safety of all passengers and crew before themselves.

Oversea Ship Maintenance and Operations

The cruise ship captain is in charge of overseeing the seaworthiness of the ship, ensuring correct maintenance and engineering operations of the vessel are upheld to the highest standards while at sea.

This includes making sure that all safety equipment is in good working order and that the crew is properly trained in its use.

The captain will also be responsible for inspecting or reviewing reports from heads of relevant departments of the ship on a regular basis to ensure that it is seaworthy and fit for purpose.

In addition to this, the captain will also be responsible for managing the ship’s paperwork and certificates.

Local and International Customs and Immigration Laws

The captain of a cruise ship is responsible for making sure that the ship complies with all local and international customs and immigration laws.

This includes making sure that all passengers have the correct documentation to travel to their destination and that they are adhering to the customs regulations of each country that the ship visits.

The captain will also need to make sure that the ship has the correct documents and certificates to dock at each port.

The captain may not deal with these issues first-hand, but it’s their responsibility to ensure the crew in the relevant departments are adhering to the rules and regulations as required.

Cruise Ship Security

The captain is responsible for making sure that the ship is secure at all times and that there are adequate security measures in place to protect the passengers and crew from any potential threats.

This includes ensuring that there are security personnel on board as well as CCTV systems and other security measures.

In addition to this, the captain will also need to make sure that the ship is compliant with the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS) an international maritime security measure that was introduced in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

There are many possible security issues a ship could encounter including piracy, stowaways, and terrorist threats.

It is the responsibility of the captain to make sure that the ship is prepared for any eventuality.

The captain of a cruise ship may also be responsible for dealing with unruly or even criminal activities and felons which may have to result in a passenger being imprisoned in the cruise ship jail or brig as they are otherwise known.

As well as possibly making decisions as to whether a passenger should be kicked off the ship.

Dealing with Emergencies

The captain of a cruise ship is responsible for dealing with any emergency situations that may arise during the voyage.

This includes anything from medical emergencies to fires on board the ship.

The captain would also oversee any incidents such as death on the cruise and the use of the onboard morgue .

In the event of an emergency, the captain will need to make sure that the correct procedures are followed and that the safety of all passengers and crew is paramount.

The captain may not deal with the emergency directly, but they will be responsible for coordinating the response and giving orders as necessary.

Managing the Crew

The captain of a cruise ship is responsible for managing the crew and making sure that they are adhering to the rules and regulations of the ship.

The cruise ship captain is the head of ship with a number of heads of departments and officers having to report or communicate issues to the ship captain.

These include but are not limited to:

• Staff Captain
• Safety Officer
• Environmental Compliance Officer
• 1st Navigation Officer
• Chief Security Officer

The captain will also need to deal with any disciplinary issues that may arise amongst the crew.

Attend Onboard Social Events

The captain of a cruise ship is usually required to attend various social events that are held on board the ship.

This includes things like cocktail parties, dinners, and balls.

The captain may also be required to give speeches at these events.

While attending these social events is not strictly part of the job, it is considered to be good practice as it helps to foster good relations with the passengers.

Marrying Couples

One of the more unusual duties of a cruise ship captain is to officiate at weddings that are held on board the ship.

This is often seen as a romantic gesture and many couples choose to get married on a cruise ship because of this.

However, it is important to note that not all captains are legally able to perform marriages.

Work Schedule On Call 24/7

Another factor to bear in mind is that the captain of a cruise ship is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This means they may be called upon at any time to deal with an emergency or problem.

While there are usually other officers who can take over in the event of an emergency, the captain is still responsible for the ship and its passengers.

Cruise captains tend to work in rotation, working 8 to 10 weeks on the ship followed by 8 to 10 weeks off-ship all covered by the salary.

How  to Become a Cruise Ship Captain

To become a cruise captain, you will need a master’s degree in maritime studies and 10 to 15 years of experience working in various positions on ocean vessels.

Captains will need to have passed the Federal Maritime Authority captain’s license exam once they have 10 years of experience.

Some of the skills that are required for this job include:

• Top-level people skills
• Strong leadership
• Good communication

Captains also need to be able to maintain their composure and act decisively in an emergency.

Does a Cruise Captain Have to Go Down With the Ship?

In the event of a  disaster, it is the captain’s obligation and legal duty to be the last man off the ship.   The captain should stay on board for as long as possible ensuring that all passengers and crew are evacuated safely in the event of such an emergency.

One recent well-known case was that of the  Costa Concordia in 2013. In this instance, captain Francesco Schettino left the ship while passengers and crew members were still on board and ended up being one of the first to reach dry land.

He was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment, of which one year was attributed to his actions of abandoning passengers.

Thankfully these kinds of disasters are extremely rare events and the vast majority of cruise captains are worthy of their important and well-paid role on the ship.

How Many Captains are on a Cruise Ship?

There is only ever one captain at a time on a cruise ship. The captain usually takes the position for a set period of time, anywhere from 8 weeks to 12 weeks. Although it varies depending on the cruise line.

Often there will be two captains rotating work contracts on the ship. While one is on vacation, the other captain takes over.

Often a captain is on the ship for a few years at a time, usually with an eye to moving up to a bigger ship in the fleet should the opportunity arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest paid cruise captain.

According to Payscale the highest pay for a ship captain is US$190,000 annual salary. In reality, this could be over $200,000 in some cases.

What is a Mega Cruise Ship Captain Salary?

We would expect captains of some of the world’s largest mega-cruise ships  to be paid the highest annual salaries in the range of $170,000 to $200,000. A Captain of a mega cruise ship will have many of years experience.

Cruise lines with mega cruise ships:

• Royal Caribbean
• Costa Cruises
• P&O (their largest ship Iona)
• Carnival cruises
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruises
• Princess Cruises

Many of which have cruise ships with the capacity to carry over 5000 passengers.

How Much Does a Disney Cruise Captain Make a Year?

Disney cruise ships are captained by some of the most experienced and veteran captains in the business. It is not known exactly how much they earn, but we would expect them to be amongst the highest paid with an annual salary in excess of $150,000.

What is a Royal Caribbean Captain Salary?

A Royal Caribbean Cruise ship captain salary is not publicly known or shared, but we would expect the captain of one the world’s largest cruise ships to be one of the highest-paid with an annual salary possibly excess of $190,000 to $200,000 a year.

These would be captains of Royal Caribbean largest ships:

• Wonder of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas

Captains of smaller ships in the fleet would be expected to earn less, but most probably above the average at a higher rate of 120,000 to $150,000+ annual salary

What is a Carnival Cruise Captain Salary?

A Carnival Cruise captain salary has not been publicly shared, as most individuals prefer to keep their salaries private.

With a fleet of at least 24 ships, the salaries would vary, depending on various factors, one of which being the size of the ship. Some of the larger Carnival Cruises ships are twice the size and have double the capacity of smaller ships in the fleet.

Can Women Be Cruise Captains?

Females can become cruise ship captains, although the numbers are very low. In fact, there are only a handful of female captains working for the major cruise companies.

The most notable is Captain Kate McCue of Celebrity Edge. She is the first American woman to be appointed captain of a mega cruise ship. 

What is Captain Kate McCue Salary?

Captain Kate McCue salary would be in the region of $150,000 to $190,000 a year. Celebrity Cruises are a premium cruise line with luxury modern cruise ships. As a captain of Celebrity Beyond, a luxury Edge class cruise ship it would be expected that Kate McCue would be one of the highest paid cruise ship captain.

As the most public well-known cruise ship captain, she no doubt earns extra from her large social media following.

The role of the cruise ship captain is a highly responsible and demanding one, with many different duties and responsibilities including the safety of the ship, its crew, and passengers.

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How Much Do Disney Cruise Line Performers Get Paid?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re a fan of Disney Cruise Line, you might have wondered how much the performers on board get paid. Well, wonder no more! We’ve done some research to give you an idea of what to expect.

Disney Cruise Line Performers

Performers on Disney Cruise Line include singers, dancers, musicians, and variety acts. These talented individuals bring entertainment and magic to guests from all over the world.

Salary Range

The salary range for Disney Cruise Line performers varies depending on the role and level of experience. According to Glassdoor, salaries can range from $1,600 to $4,300 per month. However, it’s important to note that these figures are based on only a few reported salaries and may not be fully representative.

Additional Benefits

In addition to their salary, performers on Disney Cruise Line also receive some great benefits. These include free room and board while on board the ship, as well as transportation to and from the ship. They also have access to all of the amenities that guests enjoy, such as dining and entertainment options.

A Day in the Life of a Disney Cruise Line Performer

Performers on Disney Cruise Line work hard but also get to enjoy some incredible experiences while traveling around the world. A typical day might include rehearsals in the morning followed by performances in the evening.

During their downtime, performers can explore various ports of call or take part in activities onboard such as trivia nights or movie screenings.

How to Become a Disney Cruise Line Performer

If you’re interested in becoming a performer on Disney Cruise Line, there are a few things you should know. First and foremost, you’ll need talent! This means having experience in singing or dancing (depending on your desired role).

You’ll also need to audition for a specific role within the company. Auditions are typically held in major cities around the world and can be found on the Disney Cruise Line website.

Performers on Disney Cruise Line work hard to bring joy and entertainment to guests from all over the world. While exact salaries may vary, performers can expect a decent salary and some great benefits.

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Disney Cruise Workers Pay

How much do disney cruise staff get paid.

Disney Cruise Lines Salary FAQsThe average Disney Cruise Lines hourly pay ranges from approximately $18 per hour (estimate) for a Guest Services to $58 per hour (estimate) for a Senior Business Analyst . Disney Cruise Lines employees rate the overall compensation and benefits package 3.8/5 stars.

How much do Disney cruise casts get paid?

The estimated total pay range for a Actor at Disney Cruise Lines is $4K $8K per month , which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Actor base salary at Disney Cruise Lines is $6K per month.

How much do waiters on Disney Cruise make?

How much does a disney cruise agent get paid.

The average Agent base salary at Disney Cruise Lines is $86K per year . The average additional pay is $0 per year, which could include cash bonus, stock, commission, profit sharing or tips.

Do cruise ships pay well?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $102,500 and as low as $14,500 , the majority of Cruise Ship Worker salaries currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) to $58,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $90,000 annually across the United States.

Is it good to work on a Disney Cruise?

59% of Disney Cruise Lines employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Disney Cruise Lines 2.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.5 for culture and values and 3.7 for career opportunities.

How much are Disney princesses paid?

How much does Disneyland pay its character and parade performers? Disney princesses, Marvel superheroes and other character performers who work at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure make $24.15 per hour and an additional $4.75 per hour if they perform onstage , according to the Disney Auditions website.

How much do Disney cruise princesses make?

The estimated total pay range for a Character Performer at Disney Cruise Lines is $3K $5K per month , which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Character Performer base salary at Disney Cruise Lines is $4K per month.

Which cruise ship pays the highest salary?

• Royal Caribbean Cruise LTD: https://www. royalcaribbean.com/
• Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings LTD: http://www.
• Carnival Corporation: https://www.carnivalcorp.
• Disney Cruise Line: https://disneycruise.disney.go.
• MSC Cruises: https://www.msccruises.com/

Do servers at Disney make good money?

As of May 16, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Disney Server in Florida is $10.58 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $22.99 and as low as $4.13, the majority of Disney Server salaries currently range between $7.74 (25th percentile) to $12.93 (75th percentile) in Florida .

Is it hard to work on a Disney Cruise?

There's not much room for downtime or having a personal life when working on a cruise since you can't exactly get off the ship when your shift ends. Working on a Disney cruise sounds like a lot of hard work , but at the same time, many current and former staff say it was one of their best experiences.

How much do Disney Princesses make on cruise?

What's the highest paid job on a cruise ship.

• Executive Chef.
• Cruise Director.
• Chief Purser.
• Hotel Director.
• Human Resources Manager.

Is it worth it to work on a cruise?

You'll Gain Transferable Experience and Skills. Working on a cruise ship is a great way to gain experience and skills that you can use in any career . Whether you're looking to move up within the cruise industry or start a new career altogether, you'll be able to add your time at sea to your CV.

Are Disney cruise employees happy?

Disney Cruise Lines has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 188 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there .

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Benefits and Perks

Cast members are paid on a weekly basis. Direct Deposit is an available option.

Health Insurance

Affordable health insurance options, such as medical, dental and vision coverage, may be available for full-time positions.

Retirement Programs

Retirement plans may be available for full-time and part-time positions.

Paid Time Off

Vacation and sick leave are available for full-time positions. Vacation and personal holidays are accrued based on length of service, position and hours worked.

Tuition Assistance

Access to Disney Aspire for eligible full-time and part-time hourly employees.

Wellness Programs

We offer on-site fitness classes in addition to a variety of health and wellness programs and seminars.

CHILD CARE SUPPORT

Walt Disney World Resort offers affordable on-site childcare at The Learning Center locations, operated by the Central Florida YMCA.

Disneyland Resort cast members with children 12 and under may be eligible to receive support with child care costs across more than 60 licensed child care facilities.

Career Development

We support growth and development for all our cast through online learning tools and programs designed to foster inclusion.

Theme Park Experiences

Complimentary theme park admission for full-time and part-time positions after two weeks of employment.

Exclusive Discounts

Discounts are available at select hotels, dining, merchandise and recreation locations.

Community Involvement

We believe in giving back to the community and you'll find opportunities to volunteer through Disney VoluntEARS.

Commuter Assistance

The Disney Commuter Assistance program helps Disney employees and cast members find commuter resources, options, and incentives.

Working Here

The Disney Look

Quick Links

Disney College Program

As a Disney College Program participant, you'll become part of the magic that is known worldwide while gaining valuable, on-the-job experience at Walt Disney World ®️ Resort.

Disney Auditions

Find a Disney Audition near you! Disney Auditions is the official talent casting for Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide including Disney Cruise Line.

Watch Our Jobs

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Job Category Select a Job Category Administration Building, Construction and Facilities Culinary Disneyland Resort Casting Hourly Food and Beverage Hotel and Resorts Reservations Sales Agent - Walt Disney World Resort Sales Stage Productions Theme Park Operations Walt Disney World Casting Hourly

Location Select a Location Anaheim, California Lake Buena Vista, Florida Orlando, Florida Tampa, Florida

Job Level Select a Job Level Guest Service / Operations Skilled Trades / Production

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How Much Do Disney Cruise Ship Workers Make?

Table of Contents:

The average hourly pay for Disney Cruise Lines employees varies from 18 per hour for Guest Services to 58 per hour for Senior Business Analyst. The estimated annual salary for Disney Cruise Line employees is around 99,278 per year, or 48 times the hourly rate of Disney Cruise Line rate. The highest earners in the top 75th percentile earn over 42 per hour.

Cruise ship staff salaries vary greatly depending on their position and level of experience. For example, a cruise ship captain earns 98,000, while cruise Disney Cruise Line employees earn 58,500 annually, or 28 per hour. 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.

As of July 24, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Disney Cruise Line job in the US is 20.71 an hour. The lowest paying jobs on a cruise ship make about 1000 months, but that can easily triple with tips. The average salary for Disney Cruise Vacations, Inc. employees is around 37 per hour. The highest earners in the top 75th percentile are paid over 42 per hour.

To find answers to frequently asked questions at Disney Cruise Line, uncover the unique benefits that await you, and learn how to apply. The lowest paying jobs on a cruise ship make about 1000 months, but that can easily triple with the tips that are offered.

📹 HOW MUCH MONEY DO CRUISE SHIP EMPLOYEES MAKE?

This is easily one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to Cruise Ship workers or Crew on board Cruise Ships.

How much do waiters on Disney cruises make?

Salaries by job title at Disney Cruise LinesJob TitleTotal Pay Base AdditionalOpen JobsServer/Waiter 5 Salaries submitted $47K-$87K $36K $27K 0 open jobs$47K-$87K $36K $27KCreate a job alertAssistant Server 3 Salaries submitted $42K-$70K $41K $13K 0 open jobs$42K-$70K $41K $13KCreate a job alert.

How much do Disney Cruise Lines employees make? Glassdoor has salaries, wages, tips, bonuses, and hourly pay based upon employee reports and estimates.

Salaries by job title at Disney Cruise Lines. 65 Salaries (for 36 job titles) • Updated Jun 6, 2024.

How much do Disney Cruise Lines employees make? Glassdoor provides our best prediction for total pay in today’s job market, along with other types of pay like cash bonuses, stock bonuses, profit sharing, sales commissions, and tips. Our model gets smarter over time as more people share salaries on Glassdoor.

How much do Disney cruise performers get paid?

Get feedback on your pay or offer The estimated total pay range for a Mainstage Performer at Disney Cruise Lines is $35K–$60K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Mainstage Performer base salary at Disney Cruise Lines is $46K per year.

The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor salaries are powered by our proprietary machine learning model, which utilizes salaries collected from our users and the latest government data to make pay predictions.

Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time.

Related Searches:Disney Cruise Lines Salaries|Mainstage Performer Salaries.

Do Disney cruise staff get paid?

Disney Cruise Lines employees rate the overall compensation and benefits package 3.6/5 stars. What is the highest salary at Disney Cruise Lines? The highest-paying job at Disney Cruise Lines is a Recruiting Coordinator with a salary of £35,053 per year (estimate).

Military & Protective Services. 44 Salaries submitted.

Skilled Labor & Manufacturing. 19 Salaries submitted.

How much can you make working on a Disney cruise ship?

The average Disney Cruise Lines salary ranges from approximately $36,027 per year (estimate) for a Quick Service Attendant to $146,953 per year (estimate) for a Senior Technical Project Manager.

Who gets paid the most on a cruise?

Generally, the highest-paying jobs on cruise ships are held by officers, department heads, and those working on commission. However, many other variables affect earning potential, such as cruise line, ship size, clientele, tips awarded, and prior job experience.

Contracts are another factor. Onboard positions are short-term, based on contractual agreements. For new employees, job length ranges from three months to one year. Thankfully, contracts are renewable, granting longer employment terms to those who serve with excellence.

Additionally, crew members have a low cost of living since their meals and cabins are free. Some cruise lines also cover laundry expenses and uniforms. These benefits translate into major cost-savings. Still, some jobs are especially lucrative. Here are five that pay top dollar.

Related resource:Top 15 Hospitality Management Bachelor’s Degree Online Programs.

Do cruise ship workers get days off?

3. Working on a Cruise Ship Typically Entails Signing Long Contracts. Upon successful completion of their training, crew members are offered a contract, typically ranging from two to nine months. There are no holiday entitlements, but crew members can choose when they take the six- to eight-week break that automatically comes with longer contracts.

In theory, they could work four months, take two months off and then return to the ship for the second segment of the contract, but most choose to work all their required time all in one go.

Although speculation about what cruise ship workers are paid is rife on the Cruise Critic forums, cruise lines do not publicly discuss rates of pay or benefits. However, the fact that cruise ships are attractive places to work can be deduced from the number of employees often including many members of the same family that work for the same lines for many years.

How long do Disney cruise workers work?

Contract lengths are based on position and operational need and vary from 3 to 8 months. The average contract length for most positions is 4-6 months.

Ship placement is dependent on operational needs. When a crew member is extended a contract, this is to work for Disney Cruise Line and specific ship assignments will come at a later time.

When working onboard, crew cabin type and assignment will be based upon the position a crew member is offered. Most crew members onboard share a cabin with one or more crew members. Each cabin is functional yet small in size and equipped with an individual bed for each crew member and a bathroom, small lockable area, desk, TV/DVD player, mini-refrigerator, telephone and small closet with compact additional storage space. A limited number of positions may be assigned a single cabin.

How long are Disney cruise contracts?

Ensuring the safety of our fellow crew and guests is of the highest priority. Together, we hold one another accountable to do the right thing, maintaining our superior standard of safety and service. We are committed to acting responsibly, providing our guests and fellow crew members and officers a safe and secure environment onboard, as well as shoreside. Crew members attend in-depth training across all areas of the ship to ensure a safe and secure environment.

Do cruise staff make good money?

As of Jul 19, 2024, the average annual pay for a Cruise Ship Worker in the United States is $49,005 a year.

Is working on a cruise ship good money?

How much does a Cruise Ship Worker make? As of Jul 23, 2024, the average annual pay for a Cruise Ship Worker in the United States is $49,005 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.56 an hour. This is the equivalent of $942/week or $4,083/month.

Is it good to work on a Disney Cruise?

Is Disney Cruise Lines a good company to work for? Disney Cruise Lines has an overall rating of 3.6 out of 5, based on over 336 reviews left anonymously by employees. 57% of employees would recommend working at Disney Cruise Lines to a friend and 55% have a positive outlook for the business.

Do servers make good money on cruise ships?

How much does a Waiter Cruise Ship make? As of Jul 21, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Waiter Cruise Ship in the United States is $15.80 an hour.

📹 How Much Do Cruise Ship Crew Get Paid? Performer salaries, onboard expenses and more!

Some insight into how much performers make working on cruise ships! Like I said, this totally depends on the cruise line and a …

Related Articles:

• How Much Do Disney Cruise Workers Get Paid?
• How Do Cruise Workers Live On The Ship?
• How Much Are Cruise Ship Workers Paid?
• How Much Do Cruise Ship Workers Earn?
• How Much Does Cruise Ship Workers Get Paid?
• How Much Do Carnival Cruise Ship Workers Make?

Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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Cruise Ship Salary, Wages, Banking & Savings

Each crew member has an employment contract that specifies their salary, but how do you really get paid when you work on board a cruise ship? What are the taxes and deductions for cruise ship crew? How do you get your salary from the ship to your bank account and is it possible to save money while working on a cruise ship? Here are some answers.

Cruise Ship Employee Contract and Agreements

Each crew member must sign an employment agreement or an employment contract before starting each contract. They may do this before they leave home or once onboard their ship. The contract lists the crewmember’s position, the length of the employment agreement and how much they will be paid.

The employee’s employment contract also states the expected hours that will be worked. For example an employment agreement may state that you can expect to work an average of 11 hours per day, seven days per week. Alternatively, the contract may state that the employee may work up to 70 hours per week, seven days per week.

Some contracts may pay overtime. In the case of Royal Caribbean, their Getting Onboard Employee Handbook states, “You may be required to work more than 70 hours per week, or overtime. If so, non-management employees will be paid for the overtime hours worked.” Check with your recruiter if overtime is paid and at what number of hours is considered overtime.

Cruise Ship Jobs Salary

Not all employees that work in the same department and in the same position make the same salary. Each employment contract is different depending on crewmember’s nationality. For example, a youth counsellor from the Philippines makes less than a youth counsellor from Canada. This also explains why some cruise lines hire a limited amount of counsellors from North America. Each employee must sign their employment agreement, agreeing to the specified salary.

How Are Tips Paid?

Cruise lines generally do not make any promises as to how much tips or gratuities will actually be paid. Some all-inclusive cruise lines (where tips are included on cruise fare for passenger) pay a higher wage for cabin stewards and waiters because there is no tip pool. Alternatively, many cruise lines pay a lower wage because passengers do pay tips.

Generally speaking, during each cruise on each ship, passengers pay gratuities which go into a “pool” that is divided between the crewmembers that are part of the hotel and dining pool. For many cruise lines, the gratuities are automatically deducted from the passenger’s onboard account to be paid out to the crew at the end of the month.

Taxes on Cruise Ship Employment Income

Crew members are responsible for any taxes due to their country of origin. Only United States citizens or employees that reside in the USA will have US federal taxes deducted from their pay. Depending on your employment contract and the country where you are a citizen will determine how you are paid onboard also.

Some countries do not require their citizens to pay taxes on employment income if they are a seafarer. On the other hand if you are a citizen of a country that requires you to report your worldwide income on your tax return, you may have to pay taxes when you file your tax return at the end of the year. The bottom line is that taxes will not be deducted from your payroll, but some nationalities will be responsible to remit taxes at the end of the year.

Seafarers need to educate themselves about their own countries tax rules.  Here two useful links:

• UK’s HR Revenue and Customs Website- Seafarer’s Earnings Deduction  and Nationa l Insurance for Mariners
• Canadian Seafarers  – Canadian Seafarer Blog  and Canadian Seafarer and Taxes

How Cruise Ship Crew Members Get Paid

Crew members are paid on a monthly basis at the end of each month. Depending on your nationality and what you have organized with your hiring partner or human resource recruiter will determine what currency you will be paid in, if you will be paid in cash, or if you will be paid by direct deposit.

If the crew member starts their contract halfway through the month they may have to wait until the end of the next full month to be paid. This depends on the cruise line you work for and your employment agreement.

Many cruise lines have a direct deposit option for their employees working on cruise ships. This is typically set up before the crewmember even leaves home. Crew members may also choose to wire transfer money to their land-based bank account for a fee. Make sure to bring a void check and a bank statement that shows the bank account number and the name on the account. Alternatively, crew members can obtain a crew safety deposit box onboard some cruise ships to keep their money secure.

Be aware of how much cash you want to travel with on your way home. Most countries make you declare how much currency you have in your possession. Plus, you may not to want to make any large one lump sum once you get to your home bank. Most banks must report single deposits in excess of $10,000.

The Crew Office

The Crew Office on a cruise ship is managed by the Crew Purser or Crew Administrator. This office looks after the crew payroll including the payment of gratuities. They also collect crew expenses (ie. bar bills) at the end of each month. While working onboard, the crew office is your link to head office and all correspondence about payroll issues need to be sent through the crew office.

How to Save Money Working on a Cruise Ship

The best way to save money is to not have the cash on board. By either direct deposit or wiring your money home, having no access to the cash virtually eliminates the temptation to spend it. You have very few expenses working onboard since your normal monthly expenses (like rent, food, etc.) are covered or inexpensive. If you want to end your contract with a large amount of savings, you’ll need to learn to resist shopping in the ports and in the shops on board.

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Disney Cruise Line Salaries - How Much Does Disney Cruise Line Pay? Browse Disney Cruise Line Salaries by Job Title

Updated September 20, 2024

What is the average salary for Disney Cruise Line employees in the United States?

Disney Cruise Line employees earn $58,500 annually on average , or $28 per hour, which is 12% lower than the national salary average of $66,000 per year. According to our data, the highest paying job at Disney Cruise Line is 114,000 Web Developer at $a annually while the lowest paying job at Disney Cruise Line is a Character Performer at $10,000 annually.

Find Disney Cruise Line Salaries by Job Title

18 Disney Cruise Line employees have shared their salaries on CareerBliss. Select your job title and find out how much you could make at Disney Cruise Line.

• Celebration, FL
• Orlando, FL

$80K QA Analyst Average Salary at Disney Cruise Line in the United States (2 salaries)

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QA Analyst is the highest paying job at Disney Cruise Line at $80,000 annually.

What is the lowest paying job at Disney Cruise Line in the United States?

QA Analyst is the lowest paying job at Disney Cruise Line at $80,000 annually.

How much does a Disney Cruise Line employee make on an average/hour in the United States?

Disney Cruise Line employees earn $58,500 annually on average, or $28 per hour.

Disney Cruise Line Salaries by Location

• Celebration, FL 1 salaries
• Orlando, FL 1 salaries
• See more Disney Cruise Line salaries by Location

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How Much Do Disney Cruise Line Employees Make? (2023 Salary Guide)

How Much Do Disney Cruise Line Employees Make?

Working for Disney Cruise Line is a dream job for many people. The company offers a fun and exciting work environment, and employees get to travel the world and meet new people. But how much do Disney Cruise Line employees actually make?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the average salary for Disney Cruise Line employees, as well as some of the factors that can affect pay. We’ll also discuss some of the benefits that Disney Cruise Line offers its employees.

So, if you’re thinking about working for Disney Cruise Line, read on to learn more about what you can expect to earn.

Average Salary for Disney Cruise Line Employees

The average salary for Disney Cruise Line employees is $74,000 per year. However, this number can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including job title, experience, and location.

For example, entry-level positions such as servers and bartenders typically earn around $20,000 per year, while more senior positions such as cruise directors and hotel managers can earn over $100,000 per year.

Factors That Affect Pay

In addition to job title and experience, a number of other factors can affect pay for Disney Cruise Line employees. These factors include:

• Location: Employees who work on ships earn a higher salary than those who work in land-based positions. This is because the cost of living on ships is higher than in most land-based locations.
• Department: Employees who work in departments that are considered to be more essential to the operation of the cruise line, such as food and beverage, earn a higher salary than those who work in less essential departments.
• Experience: Employees who have more experience earn a higher salary than those who are new to the company.

Benefits of Working for Disney Cruise Line

In addition to a competitive salary, Disney Cruise Line also offers a number of benefits to its employees. These benefits include:

• Free or discounted cruises: Disney Cruise Line employees receive free or discounted cruises, as well as discounts on other Disney products and services.
• Health insurance: Disney Cruise Line provides health insurance to its employees.
• Pension plan: Disney Cruise Line offers a pension plan to its employees.
• Tuition reimbursement: Disney Cruise Line offers tuition reimbursement to its employees who want to further their education.

Working for Disney Cruise Line is a great way to earn a good salary and enjoy a fun and exciting work environment. The company offers a competitive salary, a number of benefits, and the opportunity to travel the world and meet new people. If you’re thinking about a career in the cruise industry, Disney Cruise Line is a great place to start.

Salaries by Position

The following is a list of average salaries for employees at Disney Cruise Line, by position:

• Cast Member (entry-level positions): $10.00 – $12.00 per hour
• Bartender: $12.00 – $15.00 per hour
• Chef: $15.00 – $20.00 per hour
• Cruise Director: $60,000 – $80,000 per year
• Purser: $50,000 – $60,000 per year
• Steward/Stewardess: $12.00 – $15.00 per hour
• Waiter/Waitress: $12.00 – $15.00 per hour

Bonuses and Incentives

In addition to their base salary, Disney Cruise Line employees may also earn bonuses and incentives. These can include:

• Commissions: Cast Members who sell merchandise or services on board the ship may earn commissions on their sales.
• Tipping: Passengers are encouraged to tip Cast Members for their service. The amount of the tip is typically based on the cost of the cruise and the level of service provided.
• Performance bonuses: Cast Members who consistently meet or exceed performance goals may earn bonuses.

Disney Cruise Line employees enjoy a variety of benefits, including:

• Health insurance: Disney Cruise Line offers health insurance plans to employees and their dependents.
• Dental insurance: Disney Cruise Line also offers dental insurance plans to employees and their dependents.
• Vision insurance: Disney Cruise Line offers vision insurance plans to employees and their dependents.
• Life insurance: Disney Cruise Line offers life insurance plans to employees.
• Paid time off: Disney Cruise Line employees receive paid time off for vacation, sick days, and personal days.
• Retirement savings plan: Disney Cruise Line offers a 401(k) plan with a company match.

Factors Affecting Salary

The following are some of the factors that can affect an employee’s salary at Disney Cruise Line:

• Experience: Employees with more experience typically earn higher salaries.
• Education: Employees with a college degree or higher typically earn higher salaries.
• Skills: Employees with specialized skills or certifications typically earn higher salaries.
• Location: Employees who work in higher-cost-of-living areas typically earn higher salaries.

The average salary for a Disney Cruise Line employee is $62,000 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on your position, experience, and location.

Here are some of the average salaries for different positions at Disney Cruise Line:

• Captain: $150,000 per year
• First Officer: $120,000 per year
• Chief Engineer: $110,000 per year
• Deck Officer: $90,000 per year
• Purser: $80,000 per year
• Hotel Manager: $75,000 per year
• Waiter/Waitress: $60,000 per year
• Bartender: $55,000 per year
• Cabin Steward/Stewardess: $45,000 per year

It is important to note that these are just average salaries. Your actual salary may be higher or lower depending on your individual circumstances.

How to increase your salary.

There are a few things you can do to increase your salary at Disney Cruise Line.

• Negotiate your salary when you are first hired. This is the best time to get the salary you want. Be prepared to discuss your skills, experience, and qualifications.
• Get promoted. The best way to increase your salary is to get promoted to a higher-level position. This will usually come with a pay raise.
• Find a higher-paying job. If you are not happy with your salary, you may want to consider looking for a job at another company. You may be able to get a higher salary at a different company.

Here are some tips for negotiating your salary at Disney Cruise Line:

• Do your research. Find out what the average salary is for your position and experience level.
• Be prepared to discuss your skills, experience, and qualifications.
• Be confident and assertive.
• Don’t be afraid to walk away if you don’t get the salary you want.

The average salary for a Disney Cruise Line employee is $62,000 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on your position, experience, and location. There are a few things you can do to increase your salary at Disney Cruise Line, including negotiating your salary when you are first hired, getting promoted, and finding a higher-paying job.

How much do Disney Cruise Line employees make?

The average salary for a Disney Cruise Line employee is $62,000 per year. However, salaries vary depending on the position, experience, and location.

What are the different positions available at Disney Cruise Line?

There are a variety of positions available at Disney Cruise Line, including:

• Cruise ship officers
• Cruise ship crew members
• Hotel and resort employees
• Food and beverage employees
• Entertainment employees
• Sales and marketing employees
• Technical and support employees

What are the requirements for each position?

The requirements for each position vary, but some common requirements include:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Previous experience in a related field
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• A willingness to work long hours and in a fast-paced environment

How do I apply for a job at Disney Cruise Line?

You can apply for a job at Disney Cruise Line online at the company’s website. You will need to create a profile and submit your resume and cover letter.

What are the benefits of working for Disney Cruise Line?

Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of benefits to its employees, including:

• Competitive salaries and wages
• Health insurance and other medical benefits
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Employee discounts on Disney merchandise and cruises
• Opportunities for advancement

What is the work environment like at Disney Cruise Line?

The work environment at Disney Cruise Line is fast-paced and exciting. Employees work in a team environment and are expected to provide excellent customer service.

Is Disney Cruise Line a good company to work for?

Disney Cruise Line is a great company to work for. The company offers competitive salaries and benefits, a fun and exciting work environment, and opportunities for advancement.

In this article, we have discussed how much Disney Cruise Line employees make. We have seen that the average salary for a Disney Cruise Line employee is $70,000 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on the position, experience, and location. We have also seen that Disney Cruise Line offers a number of benefits to its employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Overall, Disney Cruise Line is a great place to work for those who are looking for a fun and rewarding career in the hospitality industry.

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Onboard Services – Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any expected amount for gratuities, and what’s the best way to pay them?

It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of exceptional service, which you’ll receive in abundance aboard the ship. We recommend a gratuity amount of $14.50 USD per night, per stateroom Guest, including infants and children. Pre-Paid Gratuities are distributed to the Crew Members who take care of you in the following roles:

• Dining room server
• Dining room assistant server
• Dining room head server
• Stateroom host

Guests staying in Concierge Staterooms and Suites are recommended a gratuity amount of $15.50 USD per night, per stateroom Guest. This includes gratuity for the Stateroom assistant host, who services the Concierge accommodations, in addition to the positions listed above.

Easily pre-pay gratuities online to create a carefree, all-inclusive experience by visiting My Reservations in your Disney account and following the prompts for Pre-Paid Gratuities. If you booked your Disney cruise with a travel agent, please contact them to apply this payment for you.

If you did not get a chance to pre-pay before boarding the ship, we will automatically charge your onboard account the suggested gratuity amount per Guest per night. Once on board the ship, if you wish to adjust the amount of your pre-paid gratuities, please visit Guest Services for assistance.

Keep in mind that pre-paid gratuities can only be adjusted among the Crew Members who take care of you in the following roles: Dining Room Server, Dining Room Assistant Server, Dining Room Head Server and Stateroom Host. Requests to refund pre-paid gratuities may only be processed in full back to the original form of payment, which may include forms of payment made by a travel agent.

Not Included Pre-Paid Gratuities do not include the following gratuities, which are either included in the charge or based on your discretion:

• Extras added to rotational dining meals such as alcoholic beverages
• Adult dining locations such as Remy, Palo, Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, which are not part of rotational dining
• Food or drink in shops and outdoor or poolside eateries
• Room service
• Port Adventures
• Senses Spa & Salon
• Concierge Lounge Team—Guests staying in Concierge accommodations are recommended a gratuity amount of $8.00 per night, per stateroom Guest
• Any other additional services

Did you find this answer helpful?

Related Questions

Is there laundry service on board my ship?

Can I order a gift, like wine or flowers, and have it delivered to a stateroom on an upcoming sailing?

What types of merchandise are for sale on the ship?

Tipping on a Disney Cruise – What You Need to Know Updated 2024

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One of the things which people get very confused about is tipping on a Disney Cruise. Here we break everything down for you. It really isn’t that complicated once you know the basics.

Who do you tip on a Disney cruise and how much? How do you pay gratuities on a Disney cruise and can everyone even accept a tip?

Tipping on a Disney Cruise

When we think of tipping on a Disney cruise there are really four main Cast Member positions that you will tip. This is what is included in the automatic gratuities.

However, when we are talking about the automatic gratuities which are charged at the end of your Disney cruise, these are given to these four people:

• Stateroom Host. This is the person who cleans your stateroom every day.
• Server. This is your main server in your rotational dining restaurant.
• Assistant Server. The is the one who will get your drinks and assist your main server.
• Head Server. In each rotational dining restaurant, there are 4 head servers. You will be assigned one who will make sure you are happy with your dining experience overall.

These people work incredibly hard and rely on your gratuities to make a living. They work very long hours with little time off.

And most of the time there are smiling! Like our fabulous server Netasha who is pictured below. 

Each of these four people is allocated a specified amount of automatic gratuities. You can see how these are calculated in the next section.

If you do not pre-pay them this is fine. They will simply be added to your onboard account. You can change this by either increasing or decreasing the amount – we will talk more about this later. 

Do I Need Cash On A Disney Cruise?

You really don’t need cash on a Disney cruise. You will be required to link a credit card to your stateroom before you check in.

You can do this on your Disney Cruise Navigator.

You can’t use cash on a Disney Cruise to pay for things directly. Everything is charged to your Key to the World Card. 

If you want to use cash or gift cards to pay your onboard account you have to visit Guest Services as soon as you board your Disney Cruise.

You simply give them the cash or the gift cards that you want to use and this will be put onto your account.

At the end of your cruise, you will need to visit Guest Services if there is a balance to pay or if you need any money back.

If you paid in cash this will be given back in cash.

If you paid with a Disney Gift Card or Rewards Card be sure to keep your card. The reason is that if you have credited it will go back on this card – not much use if you have thrown it away!

Disney Cruise Gratuities Calculator

This Disney Cruise Gratuities Calculator below shows the amounts which will automatically be added to your stateroom account.

These amounts are per person.

That includes children of any age. I know that some guests object to children being included in this.

However, consider how much more work your server probably does for your child. Or all the cleaning up that your Stateroom Host does to clean up after your toddler. 

You can adjust these amounts if you want to. This can be adjusted either up or down.

They can be adjusted by visiting Guest Services and asking them to charge your account for extra or to reduce the charges. 

We really do strongly suggest you don’t reduce them unless you have truly received substandard service.

If it is something to do with your dining team, always try and resolve the matter with your Head Server first.

If it is an issue with your Stateroom Host mention your issue to Guest Services or directly to your Host. Most things can be resolved. 

Disney really does go above and beyond with customer service. If you encounter any problem at all, tell someone. You will probably be amazed at just how good they are when problems arise.

Disney Cruise “Hidden” Gratuities

Aside from the automatic gratuities, there are some services which you will pay an automatic tip if you incur a charge.

The two main areas where this will happen are for drinks purchases and at the spa.

Note that this is not applicable for Disney Cruises sailing from Australia and New Zealand as tips have already been included in the price of drinks, spa services, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiqu, Palo and Beverage Tastings. A tip for delivery of Room Service is still appreciated.

If you purchase a drink at any bar or in a restaurant, you will automatically be charged an additional 15% gratuity.

This will be shown on the bill that you are asked to sign. There is also space for you to add an additional gratuity if you like. 

The one area where I often make the mistake of factoring in a tip is when calculating the price is at the spa. Probably because at 18% on already inflated prices this makes a big difference! 

For any spa service, an 18% charge will automatically be added.

This includes the Disney Cruise Rainforest Room.

Another one that you may not realize is if you go to any of the Beverage Tasting Seminars.

Most of them cost around $25 ranging up to $38 for the Champagne Tasting. The gratuity is not automatic, but it is customary to leave at least an additional 15%.

The Cast Members are extremely knowledgeable and often very entertaining – they deserve the gratuity.

Disney Room Service Tips

Most items on the Room Service Menu are free.

There are exceptions, such as alcohol and bottled water, but mostly you will not be charged for room service.

However, it is customary to give a tip to the Cast Member who brings your food to you. 

Note this is also customary on the cruises sailing out of Australia and New Zealand.

You can use cash for this – so keep some $1’s and $5’s handy in a drawer by the door. Or they will give you a bill with zero charges and you can add a gratuity if you wish.

There is no set amount to tip for room service, but I would suggest at least $1 to $2 per plate. But it really is up to you.

This is one of the only times when you might use cash to tip on a Disney cruise. The other is if you add an additional tip to any of your Servers or Stateroom Steward.

You can do this at the end of the cruise – more about that later.

Tipping at Palo and Remy

There is no automatic gratuity at the adult restaurants on a Disney cruise. However, you will most likely receive exceptional service at Palo and Remy. 

An additional 18% is a suggested starting point.

Disney Cruise Concierge Tipping

How much do you tip Disney Cruise Concierge? For many years Disney Cruise Line did not give any guidelines for how much to tip if you were staying Concierge.

However, in July 2022 Disney suggested what you should tip if you are staying in Concierge.

The amount for Concierge suggested by Disney Cruise Lines is $15.50 per person per day.

This comprises:

• Dining Room Server $4.75
• Assistant Dining Room Server $3.75
• Head Server $1.25
• Stateroom Host $4.75
• Assistant Stateroom Host $1

As you can see, the amounts are the same as for other guests. The extra $1 per person per day is for the Assistant Stateroom Host.

Disney also suggests an amount of $8 per stateroom guest for the Concierge Lounge Team. Therefore if there are 2 guests in your Concierge Stateroom for a 4-day cruise the suggested amount for the lounge team is $64.

The Disney Cruise Concierge Team does an exceptional job. Many guests tip more than the suggested amounts but you are under no obligation to do so.

Who You Can’t Tip on a Disney Cruise

There are certain Disney Cruise Cast Members who are not permitted to accept gratuities.

• Kids Club and Nursery Staff are not permitted to accept gratuities.
• Bibbidi Boppidi Boo Staff are not permitted to accept gratuities.

Tipping at the End of a Disney Cruise

On the last day of your Disney cruise, you can see all your stateroom charges on your account. This will include the automatic gratuities unless you have already prepaid them.

Your Stateroom Steward will leave some envelopes in your room. These are for your Server, Assistant Server, Head Server, and Room Steward. 

Along with the envelopes, you will have a sheet of card which shows how much is going to each person. You can use these to put them in the envelopes to give to each person.

You can also use the envelopes to put additional cash in to give to your team as well.

You do not have to use the envelopes at all unless you want to.

To explain more about getting off the ship at the end of your cruise you can see this Disney Cruise Disembarkation article.

All of the automatic gratuities will be charged to your onboard account. Always double-check that you agree with your final charges.

Ideally, don’t wait until the final evening of your cruise to do this. Everyone else will be doing this, so the lines for Guest Services will be longer than at any other time on the cruise!

Do you have any questions about tipping on a Disney Cruise? Leave me a comment below and I will answer whatever questions you have. 

Planning a Disney Cruise? These articles will help:

Disney Cruiser First Timer Money Mistakes to Avoid

What is the Best Time to Sail on a Disney Cruise?

How Much Does a Disney Dream Cruise Cost?

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Tuesday 30th of January 2024

Are the gratuities per day or per meal?

The gratuities are per person per day

Friday 9th of June 2023

Hi Alison, also first time cruiser on Wonder upcoming in Nov! Just wondering as I have enquired with my travel agent about prepaying gratuities, I was quoted $390 for 2 nights 2 adults + 2 kids. Does this seem right with what it would average out to at the end for 2 nights? It seemed excessive to me however wanting to prepay to reduce the uncertainty about fees at the end. Could you possibly also advise if gratuities are prepaid, does this mean come the end of the cruise you won’t pay any additional? Thanks so much for this article as it’s the only thing stressing me out as tipping is so foreign to us in Aus ???

Friday 13th of January 2023

Hi Alison We will be cruising to Melbourne-New Zealand on November 2023. Can we tip them in Australian dollar? Or it has to be a US dollar? Thank u

Monday 16th of January 2023

Thank you for your question! If you want to tip Cast Members in Australian dollars directly that will be fine. All charges on board will be in US dollars though.

Monday 31st of October 2022

Can you pay cash for the alcohol beverages plus the tip?

Monday 19th of September 2022

Do these automatically deducted gratuities amount go directly to the Servers and Host as you have detailed above or are they also divided among others? I have heard this does not go directly to these people in these amounts? Thank you.