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The Global Insight

How much does a housekeeper on a cruise ship make?

Author

Christopher Ramos

Updated on April 21, 2026

Housekeeping Pay

Housekeepers and cabin stewards are entry-level ship jobs. No experience is required. The position pays $1,800 to $2,200 a month, gratuities included. Housekeepers and stewards may be aided by assistants who earn between $1,200 and $1,500 a month.

How much does a cruise ship cabin steward make?

On the housekeeping side, a cabin steward salary can range between $650 and $1,150 per month, including gratuities, though on a luxury line the salary might exceed $2,000 per month once tips are factored in.

Do you get paid a lot to work on a cruise ship?

The 35 current and former cruise-ship employees who spoke with Business Insider had average monthly earnings of about $3,233 and median monthly earnings of about $2,600.

How much does a housekeeper make on Royal Caribbean?

The average hourly rate for Housekeeper in companies like ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP range from $12 to $15 with the average hourly pay of $14. The total hourly cash compensation, which includes base and short-term incentives, can vary anywhere from $12 to $15 with the average total hourly cash compensation of $14.

How do you become a housekeeper on a cruise ship?

To apply for a cruise ship job in Housekeeping, apply through Apollo's employment website. Cruise ship Housekeeping positions include Chief Housekeeper, Assistant Housekeeper, Cabin Steward, Assistant Cabin Steward, and Tailor.

Housekeeping in Cruiseship

What does a housekeeper do on a cruise ship?

On a cruise, housekeeping is a team of crew members who are responsible for cleaning the cabins, public areas, disposing of waste, and sanitization of the ship. Cruise ships carry thousands of people, so housekeepers are essential for ensuring the guests and crew stay healthy.

Do cruise ship employees get free food?

Yes, crew members receive free food for working onboard a ship, along with a cabin to sleep in (more on that later). Similar to the guests, crew members have their own buffet style restaurant to get their meals from throughout the day.

Which cruise line pays the best?

  • #1. Celebrity Cruises. #1 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. ...
  • #2. Holland America Line. #2 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. ...
  • #3. Royal Caribbean International. #3 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. ...
  • #4. Norwegian Cruise Line. ...
  • #5. Carnival Cruise Line. ...
  • #6. Princess Cruises. ...
  • #7. Costa Cruises. ...
  • #8. MSC Cruises.

Who is the highest paid person on a cruise ship?

5 Highest-Paying Jobs on Cruise Ships

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

Is working on a cruise ship worth it?

Cruise ship crew life can be intense: long hours, no days off for months, lots of rules, demanding guests, small living quarters and little to no privacy. But working on ships also allows you to travel to places some only dream of while making some amazing connections with fellow seafarers from all over the world.

Do cruise ship employees pay taxes?

All U.S. citizens working for a U.S. based cruise line such as Norwegian Cruise Lines or Carnival Cruise Lines, will automatically have income tax deducted from their paychecks as per federal and state laws.

Do cruise workers get their tips?

Most cruise lines distribute the gratuity charges among a number of workers, including some, like laundry workers, who previously didn't receive tips, Guilford said.

How many hours do you work on a cruise ship?

Your daily work schedule while onboard will depend on your particular position, but you can expect to work seven days a week and anywhere between 10-13 hours per day.

Do cruise ship employees get their own room?

Crew and staff members often have one roommate, though they sometimes have three. Their rooms are furnished simply, giving occupants some combination of a bed, a desk, a closet, a few shelves, and a small bathroom.

What qualifications do you need to work on a cruise ship?

To work on a cruise ship, you must meet the following basic requirements:

  • Be at least 18 or 21 years old.
  • Meet the language fluency requirements.
  • Have a valid passport.
  • Have the required visa or work permit.
  • Have a basic safety training certificate.
  • Pass a medical examination.
  • Pass a criminal background check.

Do cruise ships have jails?

Yes, cruise ships have brigs, which is the nautical term for a jail on a vessel, including a cruise ship. The term comes from the word “brigantine,” which is a type of two-masted sailing ship formerly used to house criminals.

Can you work on a cruise ship without experience?

If you're interested in working on a cruise ship, there are a variety of positions you can pursue—even with no experience. Whether you want to work in human resources or as part of the crew, you can find a position that suits your skills.

What is the #1 cruise line?

Large Ship Line #1: Disney Cruise Line

The company has taken every lesson it's learned from its parks and resort operations and implemented that into its four cruise ships, the 2,400-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Do cruise workers get a day off?

Still curious about working on a cruise ship? Let us explain: most cruise ship members work every single day of the week. That includes holidays. So, when they do have time off, they often make the most of it partying at the various crew bars aboard the ship.

Do cruise ship employees get free WiFi?

All Cruise Lines offer internet access for crewmembers by using Wi-Fi access and access from the onboard crew internet cafés. Unlike before when crew members had only access per minute, today cruise lines offer various packages such as Social media package and all internet access charged by Megabytes.

Do cruise employees get free cruises?

Free cruises and great office environment.

The perks were amazing. Salary is low, but commissions made it nice. The hours were long and since it's salary you don't get OT for those hours, but make good money on commission.

What should I say at a housekeeping interview?

Housekeeping Interview Questions

  • Why Do You Want to Work as a Housekeeper?
  • What Cleaning Chemicals Are You Familiar With?
  • Are You Able to Complete Multiple Housekeeping Tasks in a Day?
  • Tell Us About a Time You Benefited From Constructive Criticism.
  • Explain What You Would Do if a Client Were Dissatisfied With Your Work.

What is the salary of a cruise ship captain?

According to Payscale, the average salary of a cruise ship captain is $96,000 per year, in a salary range that varies from $48,485 to $180,308. A captain's responsibilities are far broader than just steering the ship.

How much do you tip housekeeping on a cruise?

Tips for the Room Steward or Stewardess

The room steward (or stewardess) is the person who cleans your cruise cabin and assists you with anything you might need while in your cabin. The industry standard for tipping the room steward is $3.50 per person per day, given on the last day of the cruise.