How Much Do Cruise Ship Employees Make?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 07, 2023

Depending on the position, an employee of a cruise ship can make between $800 and $8,000 per month, plus tips, as of 2014. Workers also receive a room, food and entertainment while on the ship as part of their compensation.

Restaurant servers make the least money per hour, while the captain and his staff make the most. Most cruise workers gain the bulk of their income from tips, which are held by payroll and then divided up among all workers. If workers want to spend time on an excursion to shop, eat or take in entertainment, those costs are not paid by the cruise line.